Over the years I’ve noticed we all have different priorities when narrowing the selection process between one cruise line and another.  For example, when cruising in the Caribbean or Mexico, the ship itself is the destination so I’ll pay more attention to the vessel’s food, service, dining and staterooms.  However when narrowing down the selection process for a Europe cruise, the most important factor is the ship’s itinerary. 

But wherever I’m cruising, the most important factors never vary:  the quality of food and the cruise line’s dining program.

I’m thrilled that more and more cruise lines are offering dining options. I’ve never liked assigned restaurant seating so NCL’s Freestyle and Princess and Holland America’s choice of open seating and 24 hour buffet cause me to steer towards the ships in their fleet.  Carnival has four options for dining in the restaurant at night and I’m content with that as well.  While Celebrity has traditional assigned, two seating dining, I’m looking forward to Celebrity Solstice because there will be a half-dozen alternative restaurants and the Lido buffet will be open 24 hours per day.

When I first board a ship I head straight for the ship’s buffet where I have a cup of coffee and a bite of chocolate dessert.   By tasting these items, I’ll immediately know what the quality of food will be during the voyage.   I will be a very cranky person if I don’t get a decent cup of coffee in the morning. Several cruise lines cut corners by using a liquid substitute that tastes vaguely of coffee.   And if the cruise line doesn’t use real chocolate in desserts, then I know much of the food will be below par.

No, I’m not a gourmet or restaurant critic.  I live in New York, where my local deli offers better food than I can find on a cruise ship.  I’m accustomed to superb cuisine, one reason the quality of food is so important to me.  If the ship’s food is as good as I get in a New York deli, I’m happy.

Outside the luxury cruise lines, Oceania Cruises gets my vote for offering the best dining program (four open seating restaurants, none with a surcharge) and a very high level of cuisine.   Royal Caribbean has the least flexible dining program and the level of cuisine is unpredictable; I’ve heard too many complaints.

Is the quality of cuisine and a flexible dining program important to you?  Do these two areas affect your selection of ships?

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