If you’re not sure if a cruise holiday – a type of holiday generally known for international buffets and appealing to the masses – is quite right for your gourmet taste buds, take a look at this selection of cruise liners with the best cruises for foodies. Whilst it’s true that not all cruise liners have fine dining restaurants which serve Michelin-standard cuisine, there are a few gems in the mix for best cruises for foodies, which even the most discerning gourmand would find themselves drooling over.
Best Cruises for Foodies
Jacques – Oceania Cruises
When it comes to classic French cuisine outside France, it doesn’t get much better than Jacques restaurant onboard Oceania Cruises. This restaurant features cosy Provencal-inspired décor, with white linen table clothes and white-washed wooden chairs, really giving it the feel of a traditional French bistro.
Thanks to legendary head chef Jacques Pépin at the helm, the menus – which differ from ship-to-ship according to region – are always superb, with particular highlights including warm pistachio and truffle sausage served on a bed of Lyonnais potato salad and freshly-caught scallops served in their shell.
Silk Road and the Sushi Bar by Nobu Matsuhisa – Crystal Cruises
Whether you can’t get enough of sushi or have never tried as much as a California roll, Silk Road and the Sushi Bar by Nobu Matsuhisa onboard the Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony is sure to make you feel like you’re in culinary heaven. Here head chef Nobu Matsuhisa serves up a varied fusion menu, with classic Asian dishes such as salmon tartar, black cod with miso and Sevruga caviar.
Fresh food is of great importance with Crystal Cruises, with many of the sashimi dishes being made from freshly-caught seafood picked up in the port of call. For those not keen on raw fish, the team of chefs can also whip up Japanese comfort food, such as pork katsu, upon special request. Whatever you decide to order, make sure you leave room for the dessert bento box which blends Eastern and Western flavours for a sweet finale.
Steakhouse – Carnival Cruises
If your budget just won’t stretch to a top-end luxury cruise holiday, consider booking a trip onboard a Carnival Cruise instead and treat yourself to a meal at Fahrenheit 555 – a sophisticated modern steakhouse. Decorated with dark, modern colours which give the dining room a sexy, glamorous atmosphere, this restaurant specialises in mouth-watering premium cuts of beef cooked exactly how you like it – and not a second longer.
For diners who would choose a juicy salmon fillet over a flame-grilled steak any day, Fahrenheit 555 also offers a selection of fish and seafood, alongside a comprehensive wine list. The presentation at this fine dining restaurant is what makes it so amazing and popular, so ensure you have a dining reservation if you don’t want to dip out.
All three of these dream-worthy cruise liners have varied itineraries which span the world – from Australia and New Zealand to the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. So whether you’re searching for a sunny and relaxed beach-filled cruise holiday or a more culture-packed city-focused cruise holiday, you never have to have second best when it comes to food on these best cruises for foodies.