For our vacation to Alaska next year, my husband and I have been looking into cruises departing from Seattle. Right now, Princess, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity are being considered. Since we love food so much, we’re looking for the greatest cuisine and/or dining experiences. What do you think?
I used to think that Princess and Celebrity were quite equivalent when it came to cuisine, but I believe that Celebrity has made cuts where Princess hasn’t. It appears to have less expensive ingredients and to be more repetitious. Princess offers more seafood options, which I enjoy, especially shellfish.
@Nidal Like you, I adore seafood! I’m grateful. Thank you so much for the insight! Having taken far more cruises than I have, my dad also suggested Princess.
This summer, I went on the Norwegian Jewel. We constantly had to shuttle or tender because Norwegian didn’t have preferential ports, and the cuisine was excruciatingly mediocre. Maybe go somewhere else, if only to Alaska.
@Mitchelle It seems awful to have to tender at every port. I’m grateful.
@Salish Norwegian funding for food and other areas have undoubtedly been cut. Their fuel-saving strategies are ridiculous.
There’s something called a “Chef’s Table” on several ships across many lines. Although it costs about $100 per person, it’s quite an experience. For some of them, you follow the chef’s instructions while preparing the dishes. Some simply provide you a fantastic selection of bite-sized meals. Certain people combine the two.
@Mboks That sounds like a lot of fun! Any recommendations?
@Salish Well, we’ve done so many cruises I couldn’t keep them straight but my wife assures me we have only done the Chef’s Table on Carnival Mardi Gras (which is Caribbean not Alaskan, yet). We have done two Chef’s Tables and a Smoked Meat class on that ship alone. Mardi Gras has a Pig and Anchor restaurant/bar which, as far as we know, has the only open flame on any cruise ship because they smoke their meat on board. The bureaucracy involved to light that fire is impressive.
We just got off of MSC Seashore and their Chef’s Table didn’t sound that great so we didn’t do it but then, there were a lot of things about that ship we didn’t like. This is not to impugn MSC, just the Seashore. We’ve loved our other MSC cruises.
Anyway, just look into to whatever ship you select has. We have quite enjoyed Chef’s Table stuff.
Right now I’m living the famous edge, and the food has been amazing.
@Jordan Envious beyond belief. I hope you’re enjoying yourselves immensely!
@Salish It’s been an amazing trip so far
I have been on all but Norwegian. This is my general list as far as food:
- Holland America
- Celebrity
- Princess (celebrity and princess can swap back and forth depending on ship)
- Royal Caribbean (have heard Norwegian’s food is about the same as Royal)
Holland America is the best line for Alaska, hands down. Purpose-built ships for that environment. Recommend Koningsdam out of Vancouver. Princess is next. Celebrity/Royal in third. Norwegian absolutely last - they just don’t have the good port parking spots. Flying back from our Alaska cruise this year, ran into a lady who had just disembarked Norwegian. She said “NEVER again. I’ve sailed on the others. Norwegian was crowded, our port calls were oddly short, and the port locations were poor.”
@Jemmy The Norwegian comment is accurate. The perfect combination of food and experience is found in Holland, Alaska.
@Jayden Whoa! It’s great to know that! I’m grateful. I’ll have another look at HA.
@Salish Despite not having sailed HAL (67; not old enough yet ), I concur. It is more distinctive because they hold the most permits for Glacier Bay.
Because of the cuisine and specialist eateries, I would pick Celebrity.
@Hudson For the record, the crowd on my first cruise, the HAL to Alaska, was younger than on my second, the Princess to the Mexican Riviera. I believe that the location attracts a somewhat younger audience, particularly because HAL handles Alaska so superbly.
To be honest, as a self-proclaimed “foodie,” I don’t think cruises are the best place to go for excellent cuisine. Visit eateries on land. Every meal, about 3,000 people are fed on cruises.They can cook decent food—we’ve had good luck with Princess in terms of overall quality—but it’s not cuisine worthy of a Michelin star. They do put effort into their presentations, etc. However, the caliber is just not going to be the same as in a much smaller establishment. Look for other cruise benefits instead of the cuisine!
@Gordon Yes, this was also how we thought. Although we went to Alaska for the scenery and wildlife, we still wanted the meal to be very good. We can arrange for more gastronomic excursions.
@Dorea Ships, even the 500-person luxury vessels are It’s not the most opulent or unusual cuisine.