Cruise Ship Alternative Restaurants: Are They Worth The Extra Cost?
Cruise Ship Alternative Restaurants: Are They Worth The Extra Cost?
There has been a trend over the past several years to offer alternative dining selections onboard cruise ships, the most popular of these alternatives are the specialty restaurants that are only open for dinner. So, what exactly can you expect in specialty restaurants on cruise ships?
Alternative restaurants all have one thing in common…a cover charge. Usually in the $20 to $30 per person range. Additionally, some have restrictions on children’s ages (for example Royal Caribbean has a policy that only children 13 years old and older may dine in the specialty restaurant.) Furthermore, reservations are required and usually there is a requested dress code.
Dining in the specialty restaurants on a cruise ship can often match or even surpass dining in a 4 or even 5 star restaurant; and, for those in the know, the $20 or $30 per person charge is almost always worth the extra money. From the outstanding service to the extraordinary quality of the food, it is a fraction of the cost that an equivalent meal would be in a restaurant on land.
This dining experience should not be rushed and often times the cruise lines will recommend allowing 2 to 3 hours to fully enjoy the atmosphere, the food and the service.
Naysayers often complain that they’ve already spent enough on their cruise and resent the fact the cruise line is trying to nickel and dime them further for the alternative restaurant experience. Additionally, people try to argue to the fact they can get the same quality food in the main dining room. The truth is - in almost all cases - the alternative restaurants ARE a step or two higher in quality than the main dining room…making it well worth the surcharge. Funny thing is - the people who challenge or put down the alternative restaurant concept are the people have never tried them. To them, I simply say “Don’t Knock It Until You’ve Tried It”!
Author: Tina Rinaldi
There has been a trend over the past several years to offer alternative dining selections onboard cruise ships, the most popular of these alternatives are the specialty restaurants that are only open for dinner. So, what exactly can you expect in specialty restaurants on cruise ships?
Alternative restaurants all have one thing in common…a cover charge. Usually in the $20 to $30 per person range. Additionally, some have restrictions on children’s ages (for example Royal Caribbean has a policy that only children 13 years old and older may dine in the specialty restaurant.) Furthermore, reservations are required and usually there is a requested dress code.
Dining in the specialty restaurants on a cruise ship can often match or even surpass dining in a 4 or even 5 star restaurant; and, for those in the know, the $20 or $30 per person charge is almost always worth the extra money. From the outstanding service to the extraordinary quality of the food, it is a fraction of the cost that an equivalent meal would be in a restaurant on land.
This dining experience should not be rushed and often times the cruise lines will recommend allowing 2 to 3 hours to fully enjoy the atmosphere, the food and the service.
Naysayers often complain that they’ve already spent enough on their cruise and resent the fact the cruise line is trying to nickel and dime them further for the alternative restaurant experience. Additionally, people try to argue to the fact they can get the same quality food in the main dining room. The truth is - in almost all cases - the alternative restaurants ARE a step or two higher in quality than the main dining room…making it well worth the surcharge. Funny thing is - the people who challenge or put down the alternative restaurant concept are the people have never tried them. To them, I simply say “Don’t Knock It Until You’ve Tried It”!
Author: Tina Rinaldi
posted by yumi at 10:09 PM
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