Dining

What is a discussion about cruises without talking about the food? For many, the Kreuzfahrt Dinner the best part of a cruise, for others, it's the most confusing. It's all part of the fun of the cruise experience.

Most cruise ships offer dinner seating in two formats. First is the traditional fixed seating format, where you are assigned to a specific table at a fixed dining time. The cruise line tries to group people who have something in common, but sometimes it's random. The only thing you can request in advance is your dining time, either early or late. The advantage of traditional dining is that you enjoy dinner with the same wait staff for every meal, and they learn your likes, dislikes, and special preferences. The disadvantage of fixed or traditional seating is that you are locked into the same dining time and dinner partners each night.

The other option, open seating, means that you can dine when and with whom you choose. The dining room has posted hours for dinner service, and you can walk in at any time during those hours. Some lines let you call make reservations in the morning for your dinner plans that evening.

Many cruise lines offer a casual dining alternative, such as a buffet, for passengers who don't want the formality of the main dining room or who want a late night meal after the dining room closes.

Cruise lines also offer specialty or "premium" dining venues, such as specialty restaurants, but you don't have to win in Eurolotto. These might focus on Italian cuisine, French entrees, steaks, or other high-end specialty choices. These may incur an added charge. They are typically more elegant and quieter than the main dining room. These can be an especially nice option for a special occasion. Keep in mind that children are typically discouraged from dining in the specialty restaurants.