Indulge in a Culinary Adventure: The Top 5 Cruise Ships for Unforgettable Fine Dining

Are you a foodie looking for an unforgettable culinary experience on your next vacation? Well, you’re in luck! I’ve been diving deep into cruise land looking for the top 5 ships for a culinary experience of a lifetime! These cruise restaurants offer world-class cuisine, stunning ocean views, and impeccable service. From Italian classics to innovative fusion dishes, each of these will ensure you get only the best in food on your next tropical vacation!

   

   

While researching for this blog, I was absolutely blown away by the wide variety of worldly cuisines onboard most of the popular cruise ships. From Italian to Japanese, Mexican to French, and of course some classic American steaks and burgers! Cruise ship restaurants also offer the opportunity to dine in a variety of settings: mostly casual (because of course we want to be comfy on vacation!) But also some incredibly fine dining experiences also. Lastly, due to the nature of a cruise vacation, many of the restaurants have a rotating menu that changes daily, so you could literally dine at the same restaurant for your week long vacay and still not eat the same starter! How amazing is that?!

   

   

Fine dining is an essential part of any cruise vacation. It offers a chance to relax and enjoy delicious food in a beautiful setting, without having to worry about cooking or cleaning up. Fine dining also provides an opportunity to try new foods and flavors that you may not have the chance to experience otherwise.

Cruise ship restaurants are known for their exceptional service and attention to detail. The waitstaff is highly trained and attentive, ensuring that you have a memorable dining experience. Additionally, many cruise ship restaurants offer a dress code, adding to the elegant and sophisticated atmosphere.

   
So, here it is. My top 5 cruise ships for an incredible dining adventure:

2. In 2009, Silversea Cruises introduced the luxurious Silver Spirit ship, which boasts six amazing restaurants that are guaranteed to satisfy any foodie's cravings. It's an all-suite line with all-inclusive fares, so you won't have to worry about additional charges when dining at any of the venues. One of the unique dining destinations is Seishin, a small yet stunning restaurant that offers fancy Asian cuisine. Their nine-course tasting menu looks incredible and includes delectable dishes that I don’t even know how to pronounce!! Like Petrossian caviar sorbet, tempura oysters, and teppan-grilled Wagyu beef. If you're looking for a funky supper club, then Stars is the place to be. The Deco-inspired venue serves up eclectic small plates that will leave you wanting more. The open-air Grill provides a unique dining experience where you can cook your own Berkshire pork chops and Colorado prime rib eye over hot lava rocks under a starry sky. Le Champagne is another fantastic restaurant that was designed with the prestigious Relais & Châteaux culinary partner. Sounds like guests go nuts over their elaborate six-course meals, so you better book your table early! To quote their website: “With the importance of food in our culture, it’s no wonder that dining is a high priority at Silversea. We believe gastronomic excellence is a given, thanks to recipes that reflect our heritage and revamp tradition. No matter where you dine, destination influence is readily apparent in the great diversity and freshness of your selections”.

      

         

3. The Seabourn Odyssey is bringing sexy back with its extravagant dining options onboard. “The Restaurant” has fancy white drapes that dramatically fall from a high ceiling, along with black leather chairs, red banquettes, and purple pillows. And forget about the usual boring buffet on a cruise ship - The Colonnade is like a trendy Miami restaurant with breathtaking views of the ocean. But don't be fooled by the Odyssey's good looks - it's also got a famous chef, Thomas Keller, as its culinary consultant. In an ongoing quest to provide a world-class experience, Seabourn has created a partnership with world-renowned American chef and restaurateur Thomas Keller. The culinary genius behind a trio of Michelin-starred restaurants – The French Laundry, Per Se, and Bouchon – Chef Keller brings his award-winning French and American cuisine to the ultra-luxury cruise line adding new flavors and flair to complement Seabourn's already celebrated cuisine. You are in for a treat onboard! 

         

         

4. Oceania Cruises’ Marina, although not quite luxurious enough to be at the top of the list, still has some pretty impressive features worth noting. The Bon Appétit Culinary Center offers hands-on cooking lessons during your stay onboard. There are 24 cooking stations available, allowing passengers to learn how to make everything from fresh fettuccine to chocolate hazelnut ganache tart. Oh, but if you’re thinking: *ahem* I don’t go on holidays to cook! Don’t you worry: Oceania's restaurants offer delicious meals too. No matter where you decide to eat on the Marina, you'll be in for a treat with their top-notch cuisine that's famous among seafarers. Whether you're munching on a juicy poolside burger or indulging in Humphry Slocombe's bourbon-infused cornflake Secret Breakfast ice cream (say what?!), or sipping a perfectly crafted cappuccino with freshly baked biscotti, the Marina culinary team ensures that you get the best of the best. And if you're in the mood for some French cuisine, Jacques is the place to be. This bistro plays French chansons and showcases art from the master chef's personal collection. The rotisserie veal rack with olive tapenade and duck leg cassoulet sound particularly impressive.

      

         

5. So get this: the world’s first all-suite, all-balcony ship teamed up with the legendary culinary school, Le Cordon Bleu of Paris. They literally train the chefs specifically for this cruise liner, The  Seven Seas Mariner so the 700 lucky passengers are always in for a foodie treat! Signatures is fancy and French, with flowery chairs and tall candles. Their classic dishes, like Camembert and walnut quiche and lamb with morels, look magnifique. And if you're lucky, the chefs might even teach you how to cook at Le Cordon Bleu Workshops. But things take a serious turn at Prime 7, where you'll want to come hungry so you can devour some prime steaks. The place apparently smells like buttery leather and juicy meat, and the 36-ounce porterhouse is the star of the show…. Will you share?! 😜 Also heard on the grapevine, that you definitely want to start with a foie gras slider and don't skimp on the truffle fries, because you can always balance it out with some healthy options later! To quote their website: “Regent Seven Seas Cruises® takes pride in creating dining experiences that are simply superb. From succulent lobster to the perfect burger and shake, you’ll find an array of refined flavors and refreshments from which to choose.”

      

A fine dining experience on a cruise ship is an unforgettable experience. You can expect exceptional service, a diverse menu, and beautiful ocean views. The waitstaff will be highly trained and attentive, ensuring that you have a memorable dining experience. Additionally, many cruise ship restaurants offer a dress code, adding to the elegant and sophisticated atmosphere. You can expect to dress in formal or semi-formal attire, depending on the restaurant's dress code.

         

Ok, while we’re on the dress code topic…

   

This week I’m launching just the outfit for you to pack for your fancy dining cruise experience!! It’s a little bit bougie, but still island girly. A little bit sparkly, but still super breathable. It’s a little bit muted in bright color, but still with the tropical patterns that we all love!! I can’t wait to share it with you this week, ladies! 

   

   

   

I know that so many of our island girl community take regular cruises and it certainly sounds as though it’s the perfect opportunity to indulge in a culinary adventure while you’re at it! Researching for this blog made me HUNGRY! I was drooling over not only the amazing food choices but also the thought of dining with stunning ocean views, and with impeccable service. Because all of us busy little island girls deserve to be waited on sometimes. So, sit back, relax, and let the talented chefs, waitstaff and sommeliers onboard these luxurious cruise ships take you on a journey of the senses. 

Bon appétit, island girls!

   

   

PS. Have you dined in any of these restaurants before? Or perhaps have some favorites that you want to add to the list? Pop all your recommendations in the comments below 🤗👇