Is Cruise Ship Food Any Good? | BEST and WORST Cruise Food | CruiseReport

I reveal my all-time favorite cruise ship meals and dining venues, and I will tell you which cruise line I think has the worst food.
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[@dbwatx931]

Celebrity Apex’s food was some of the best on land or/at sea we have ever had on 152 sailings! It was divine.

[@TVHouseHistorian]

Celebrity is one I’m dying to sail with. I’ve only sailed on NCL, RCL, and Princess so far, and I keep seeing rave reviews about Celebrity’s food.

[@jeandalton7108]

Years ago, even Carnival had fine dining. They had gorgeous buffets at midnight and ice sculptures. The downfall started with the “ specialty dining” craze.

[@Desjardins50]

Tamarind for sure. Also love HAL buffet service as well.

[@louiselanthier5135]

I really enjoyed the food on HAL! I also enjoyed the swimming too. I also wish the pools were open till 11:00 or midnight because I enjoy a night swim everyday. I sleep so good after.

[@xocaitlinnpattz]

Thank you for giving Carnival it’s due! I agree that Carnival’s Chef’s Table is the best at sea and for fast casual dining and variety, they are the best in my opinion. Celebrity is the best value and quality at sea for food.

[@jdb316]

I agree with your opinion about Tamarind. Conversely, I found the much hyped Pinnacle Grill on Holland America to be disappointing. And the cover charge at Tamarind makes it a great deal. ETA: I recommend trying Virgin Voyages. No traditional main dining room, no buffet, and all food is included. Its dining model is a combination of sit down restaurants with different cuisines (similar to specialty dining) and a "food hall" with separate fast-food style eateries. Very different from traditional cruising, but seems to be appealing to cruisers in their 20s and 30s.

[@phrewilly8556]

We totally agree with your rankings! I think Carnival really does have some of the best food at sea! The Chef's Table is remarkable, especially for more of a budget mass market cruise line!

[@TVHouseHistorian]

Less-experienced cruiser here 🤚. I really really *really* appreciated this review coming from someone who has sailed as much as you have. I’ve been on 5 cruises - none of them were luxury, and from cruise #1 (RCL’s Oasis of the Seas) I found that food quality is a top priority for me. I’ve sailed with Norwegian, Princess, and Royal so far. As for buffets, I have to say I’ve never seen a cruise buffet yet that was anything like Golden Corral. But then again, my expectations are going to be different than other peoples’. Often times, I’ve found delicacies and dishes that were extremely tasty, and quite out of the ordinary. True, it’s buffet food, so I adjust my expectations accordingly. Princess one evening had chateaubriand at their buffet which I thought was excellent. Royal had beer-marinated chicken I was wild about, and those barely scratched the surface. As for Chef’s Table, I’ve only done one, and that was on Royal. I have very limited experience compared to you, so I give full deference to your opinion. I was floored at the experience I had with them, so to learn that there could be better experiences gets me excited! Never been on Carnival - YET. But I am very intrigued by Guy’s Burgers. You’re one of many who give the place rave reviews. I’ve always turned my nose up at Carnival because from what I’ve seen, they seem to specialize in comfort food, which never excited me… that is, until now. Thanks to yours and other reviewers, I’m keeping an open mind for the future. Being from Texas, I’m betting you’re more familiar with well-prepared southern-style food (or any type of cuisine, really) so I’m very interested in your opinion. You know a good steak, and I have nothing but respect for that 👍. Never tried Viking, but I’m dying to go. I keep hearing that the food on board is exceptional, so I’m excited to try it. It’s just a little more expensive. Bottom line: my cruise experience is limited, so my expectations are super low. I absolutely loved this review from an avid cruiser. My hat is off to you, sir. Hopefully we will meet on a future cruise. Cheers from Portland, Oregon. 🥂

[@jlawrence0181]

Personally, I do NOT like the HAL service at the buffet. My purpose for heading to a buffet is to try a great number of dishes in very small quantities. Most of the time, you cannot get the servers to give you a small portion. This means, I do not get to try as many items as possible. I would agree that Carnival has some great food, especially the included options outside of the MDR. Unfortunately, I have not been on a ship with Guy's Burger or a Shaq's Big Chicken (the Las Vegas location is worth driving out of the way for). The real question is this, however. Are pre-epidemic reviews of cruise dining really relevant as most cruise lines have cut back on their food selections in all venues? Also, is specialty dining really that great of deal when you are paying more for it on the ship than if you went to an equivalent restaurant on land?

[@oliviarose9647]

Hello!! Thank you so much for your vlog; I really enjoy your videos. You provide excellent and informed information that I actually use to determine which cruises we should choose! You have been spot on with all of your information! I find your channel to be better than any of the popular Youtbue channels hands down!! There is no fluff, no nonsense or jokes or tabloid garbage intertwined in the wonderful information that you offer - it is so appreciated! I hope that your followers grow to well over a million in the next few years - you deserve it!! Hat's off to a great vlog! By the way, we've sailed almost all cruise lines and have been on several sailings over the past twenty plus years. Thank you again for your hard work to give us good information without all the junk!!

[@bh9262]

We just got off of the Carnival Vista and it was the best buffet food and outstanding Steaks at the Horizons restaurant. It was a great cruise and I was not a Carnival fan prior to this . I’ve been on Disney, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Celebrity (worst food)

[@blackbirds4]

Very Nice Video I agree wholeheartedly with Holland and Carnival. I can't say about Viking.

[@CruiseReport]

We will be back on Viking next week and will doing a thorough review of their expedition ship!

[@MargaretDula-rr7zj]

On a recent (July 2023) cruise with Viking Orion to Alaska we ordered the specialty steak you mentioned at Manfredis. It was solid gristle and inedible. We could not eat it and were very disappointed.

[@CruiseReport]

First time I have ever heard a complaint on that dish.

[@MargaretDula-rr7zj]

I wish that I had taken a photo of it. It was eviserated on my plate as I kept cutting into it trying to find (unsuccessfully) a part that was not gristle. Overall, we thought the food on Viking didn’t live up to the hype. We liked very much the oatmeal at Mamsens.

[@CruiseReport]

@@MargaretDula-rr7zj Did you ask to send it back and get a replacement steak?

[@MargaretDula-rr7zj]

My friend who cruises a lot with Viking said that that I should have. He would have. I didn’t. My 2nd cruise ever. I know better now.

[@shilohbaptistchurchpennsgr5218]

Totally agree regarding Tamarind. Next time try the ribs appetizer, excellent.

[@CruiseReport]

I did try the ribs. I even dropped one on the floor and they brought me a replacement.

[@louiselanthier5135]

Very useful information! I agree with you! I was shocked when I first tried the pizza on Carnival! I fell in love! I had it every day for breakfast! Not sure if they still allow that!

[@practicalmagic7613]

Thank you for your review, I have thought (since 2004 anyway) that Carnival's food was far superior to Royal Caribbean which you didn't even remark on. Was that purposeful or do you not sail on Royal Caribbean?

[@TravelWithJosianne]

I never sailed on MSC, but everyone said the food is bad. That’s the reason I will not cruise with them. Food is very important for me when I cruise.

[@pathwaysVT]

If you pay up and stay in the Yacht Club, the food is excellent.

[@jamilali5402]

Great topic. While not a big Princess fan I really enjoy Bistro Sur La Mer.

[@louiselanthier5135]

If you try to replicate a dish when you get home, that's a very good sign!

[@TCtubing]

Hi Chris. We met you fairly recently on the ROTTERDAM in the elevator (found you first on your "Cruiseman's Garage" channel)! We agree about having the crew serve you in the Buffet's! (Especially in current times)! So we also appreciate that Holland America staff does the serving in the buffet. I'm also a "meat eater" and we are taking our first Viking cruise this month! Ft. Lauderale - Panama Canal - Ft. Lauderdale, so I am looking foreward to to checking out a ribeye steak in Manfredi's (and the rest of the Viking experience including the buffet)! And we also LOVED Tamarind on the ROTTERDAM! I guess I need to try the curry next time!

[@CruiseReport]

Yes 👍 I remember meeting both of you. You will love Viking. Try The Chefs Table on Mexican night and the Asian menu is good too.

[@andrewchooljian5904]

We've been spoiled by Regent. All venues have been excellent. They handle my Wife's allergies perfectly. We had 2 bad experiences on Silversea, prior to trying Regent. Even the pizza is top notch. Regent's specialty restaurants (Prime7, Chartreuse, Pacific Rim) have been consistently good, with high quality ingredients (lobster tempura in Pacific Rim, for example). We were fans of Holland America in our early years of cruising.

[@andrewchooljian5904]

I do agree with you about Spaccanapoli. Very good!

[@robertwhitemoto]

Love me some Sushi! Most unique dining for me was steak on lava rock on deck of Silver Sea in the Lemaire Channel, Antarctica!

[@CruiseReport]

Hot Rocks!

[@johnwm7039]

Wife and I going on HAL Rotterdam Baltic cruise in summer. Looking forward to Tamarind.

[@davva360]

Depends on the ship and where you get the food. Room service is usually ok, under is better, main dining above that and the specialty restaurants on Holland and Royal specifically are fantastic.

[@summerwinter4]

Thank you so much for your food review! I do respect your opinion!

[@CruiseReport]

Thanks for watching!

[@juanitafurtado8805]

Agree with you 100% about Princess International Cafe. The best non dairy cappuccino ever and the best and freshest donut ever! We hated the MDR so much only ate there once on 2 different Primcess criuises. The buffet was better. After seeing this vlog I am looking forward even more to upcoming cruises on Rotterdam and Silver Moon.

[@practicalmagic7613]

I heard you say you began cruising in 1978, curious if you ever sailed the Nordic Prince? That was my first in 1989 at 12 years old.

[@maurieshakespeare5835]

All food, in every venue, is first class in my experience on Regent, Seabourn and, hopefully, Crystal on their return

[@susantownsend8397]

Thanks for a very interesting vid. Disney buffet has boiled shrimp and crab claws. We always eat that at least twice. Pretty good other food. RCCL buffet was edible. Not terrible, just adequate. Main dining on both is very good most of the time - not Michelin star quality but definitely mid-range restaurant quality. We’ve had good experiences with specialty dining on both lines. Disney “fast food” on the Lido deck is very good (for fast food.) RCCL does an amazing job of accommodating dietary restrictions. That said, I don’t cruise for the food. I live in a large metropolitan area and can get any kind of food imaginable within 30 minutes of home. A plate of cheese, meats, and fruit on the balcony is often the best meal of the day.

[@iloveanimals1662]

The seafood on Silver Dawn was excellent

[@R808-e9e]

Also keep in mind, that the food is only as good as where the ship is getting their ingredients. I’ve done more than a cruise that embarked from China and other parts of Asia. On all of those cruises, the steak and carved meats was sub par.

[@oldpeople1970]

Problem with cruise lines is the inconsistency one meal can be unbelievable and the next time horrible

[@jamzholm]

Once we took a Celebrity Cruise, sadly it makes carnival look like a street corner hot dog sta stand.

[@petercaprise4744]

Best seafood: Raw on 5 on Celebrity Edge series ships

[@dennisarsenault6474]

Is Viking worth the money and should I go through a travel agent or directly with viking

[@CruiseReport]

I would always use a TA. Yes, Viking is worth the money IMHO.

[@CruiseReport]

@@Thokko First, using a TA does not cost you anything, they are paid by the cruise line. And, in fact, you might actually save money using a TA because they receive daily updates on specials and discounts. Second, by using a TA, you have an advocate that likely does tens, or hundreds of thousands of dollars in business with the cruise line over time. Travel agents are the cruise lines' BIGGEST customers. So, if you experience a problem, you have someone WITH LEVERAGE to go to bat for you with the cruise line.

[@shannonferguson4810]

I want to take a cruise on a Carnival ship just to eat the burgers at Guy's Burger Joint.

[@winston9971]

How’s beyond ?

[@CruiseReport]

Food review video coming later this week.

[@needmorecowbell6895]

Just finished a Princess Cruise. The food was painfully bland and overcooked. There was nothing premium about the food.

[@CruiseReport]

We will be on Princess in September and I am anxious to see if we notice any improvement over our last Princess cruise.