A lot of cruise lines offer specialty dining. Most come with some sort of additional charge. Many people will ask, “Why should I spend more money when I have already paid for meals?”
We’ve been on 4 cruises with 3 different cruise lines, and we’ve experienced mixed reviews on some of these enhanced dining opportunities.
Our first experience was a few years back with Ocean Liners on Celebrity. The French inspired restaurant promised a very elegant meal with outstanding service. I started with a delicious goat cheese soufflé, a veal chop which was moist and tasty and a Gran Marnier soufflé, also delicious. Danny had a fabulous lobster bisque and rack of lamb (he said it was the best he has ever had) and the sampler dessert.
We did the wine pairing plus a glass of champagne to start. All of the selected wines were good and some were fantastic. Danny had two expensive glasses ($28 and $33) and I had one expensive and one cheap ($27 and $7.50) Danny also had a port (which I didn’t like at all) Total wine bill was $132.83 and they didn’t charge for the champagne. Very nice dinner that took about 2 ½ hours total.
Back then the up sell was $25 per person, it’s since gone up to $50. Based on our outstanding experience, we think it’s worth it and would try it again.
On our second cruise with Norwegian, we tried Cagney’s Steak House. I remember having a tomato salad that I sent back as they were half green. We both had the clam chowder that was pretty good. (Being from New England we can be picky.) I got surf and turf and Danny got 2 lobster tails and a 10 oz. filet and creamed spinach. I also got the fries that were cold and a disappointment.
We didn’t really care for the lobster (once again New England snobs) but the filet was very good. We got a bottle of wine and split the bananas foster – which while it wasn’t what I was expecting – was delicious. We would be willing to try this specialty dining again, but it’s a steak house, stick to the steak.
Our last cruise was also with Norwegian. We could not get a reservation at Ocean Blue and when we checked with the Maitre de at dinner time, they offered us the menu and a seat at the nearby sushi bar. We said yes, but I think the set up took away from the experience. Danny got scallops and I got sea bass, but nothing stood out as exceptional. I guess I would consider trying it again to take in the whole experience, but to be honest, the food we ate in the free O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill was better than some of the meals in the more formal dining rooms.
The other dining experience that I would recommend on Norwegian Breakaway is the Cirque Dreams & Dinner Jungle Fantasy. If not for the dinner, then for the show. The meal was fine, but the show was nothing like we have ever experienced aboard a cruise ship – that alone was worth the up charge.
So, in a nut shell, do you have to pay extra to experience specialty dining on a cruise ship? Well, we like the option to try out different venues, but based on budget, and on your family’s circumstances, we don’t think it’s totally necessary. However, cruise lines frequently offer free amenities that one can choose from based on your room category. The first one you should always choose is the beverage package, hands down, but if you are interested in trying out the specialty dining, they do offer that as a free amenity as well that one can choose. Bon Appetit!
Need help deciding if specialty dining is for you? Give us a call at (603)777-7850, check us out at dkmtravelconsultants.com or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/dkmtravelconsultants.
Kathy's Korner 