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Latest Cruise News

Princess Cruises rolls out more giant screens

Princess Cruises will add large poolside screens to most of its ships by 2011.

The "Movies Under the Stars" 300 sq ft screens are used to show films, concerts and even video game contests. They are currently installed on six ships, and the expansion programme will see them added to a further seven. ...

Read more

Meals & Dining

Meals on a cruise ship are included in the price of your cruise. However, there are so many different dining choices and enticing atmospheres to experience, some of which may be charged at a small cover charge depending on the experience and cruise line. It’s your holiday and only right that you decide whether to go formal or casual, eat early or late, in the traditional dining room, specialty restaurant or in the privacy of your cabin.

Each cruise line offers a different dining experience with different names given to essentially the same things, but one thing that is common to all cruise lines they all offer a wide choice and variety of onboard dining options and restaurants, underpinned by a service that is unsurpassed.

As well as the main dining room where you can choose waiter service for breakfast, lunch and dinner, to the more informal buffet style self-service dining experiences throughout the day, you can expect every type of menu and diet to be catered for.

Breakfast
Start your day just the way you wish, whether you order room service and enjoy breakfast in bed, join a few friends in the main dining room, or enjoy the view’s al fresco from the back of the ship, it’s entirely your own choice and included in the price of your cruise.

Lunch
The a la carte menu in the main dining room is hard to resist, at least once on your cruise! And if you don’t fancy a full lunch in the main restaurant, enjoy a tasty snack, a sandwich, burger with fries or a salad by the pool, in the solarium or in the casual self-service café area, all included in the price of your cruise.

Afternoon Tea
Typically a British afternoon tea can be taken in the afternoon, served complete with freshly cut finger sandwiches, scones, cream cakes and fresh pastries. And if you don’t fancy leaving your cabin, you can order afternoon tea as room service, all included in the price of your cruise.

Dinner
The traditional main dining experience still remains a wonderful way to share your cruise experiences and meet new friends. The same table will be reserved for you and your table companions every night for first or second sitting, typically at 6.30pm or 8.30pm depending on the ship, itinerary and cruise line.

On entry to the main dining room you’ll be treated to beautifully presented cuisine, exquisite surroundings, exceptional personal waiter service and an enticing menu night after night, all included in the price of your cruise.

Both NCL and Ocean Village cruises have introduced a casual approach to dining across their ships, moving away from the more traditional two seating main dining experience. Both cruise lines have no set meal times, dress codes or designated tables. You choose when, where and what to eat, from Spanish Tapas and Steakhouses to Oriental or Italian style dining and more besides. Most dining option are included in the rice of your cruise, however some choices may require a small cover charge.  

Other cruise lines also offer alternative informal and formal dining choices. You choose when, where and what to eat, from French fine cuisine, Sushi, Spanish Tapas, Steakhouse, Seafood, Oriental or Italian style dining. Once again, some choices may require a small cover charge.  

Cover Charges
For many alternative restaurants other than the main dining room you should expect to find that reservations are required. There is a typically a cover charge fee for that reservation that usually costs between £5-£20 per person and the gratuity for the meal may also be additional. The rationale behind the service fee is that seating is often limited to less than 100 people at a time, and the ambience, cuisine and service are of an even higher standard than you would expect to find in the main restaurant. Most people who experience the private dining and specialty restaurants agree it’s well worth paying the extra charge for.

Specific Dietary Requirements
Dining rooms on many ships now have meals geared to specific dietary requirements - low sodium, low fat, low sugar etc - on every menu and will accommodate guests on even more restricted diets such as those with food allergies and intolerances, provided they get advance notice before you sail.

All the cruise lines featured on our website will accommodate your special dietary requirements such as vegetarian, Halal, Kosher, diabetic, low-fat, low-sodium, low-cholesterol, gluten-free and lactose-free diets all included in the price of your cruise. Please contact us prior to sailing to discuss your special dietary requirements.