The Best Cruise Ship Food: A Couple’s Guide To Dining At Sea

What Is The Best Cruise Ship Food For Romantic Vacations?

No matter what you crave, classic Italian, Japanese, steak or seafood, Royal Caribbean restaurants deliver with style and class. Each restaurant has superb customer service — very attentive without hovering every few minutes. All of the decor was thoughtfully curated for each experience. And the views? Imagine looking out into the ocean while cutting into your salmon and staring into the eyes of your partner while the red wine ignites your soul.

Royal Caribbean destinations aren’t the only highlights to remember. The cruise line knows how to turn every meal into a memorable experience. There wasn’t a day that went by where my wife would take a bite, close her eyes and say, “MMM, this is exactly what I was waiting for.” Better yet, many of these mouthwatering moments were included as part of the cruise cost.

As a heads-up, make sure to book your reservations before you sail or upon arrival, as spots fill up fast. Also, let the staff know you’re celebrating a special occasion. When I told them it was my wife’s birthday, they brought her a special dessert to mark the occasion.

Best Cruise Ship Food For Couples On Royal Caribbean Cruises

Chef’s Table

If you need a bucket-list-worthy experience, Chef’s Table is the one you cannot miss out on. It’s the first class of dining, a five-course gourmet meal in an intimate setting. Each dish is paired with wine by your own sommelier.

Upon arrival, we were greeted with a glass of champagne and then given a personal introduction to the chef of the evening. My wife enjoyed the scallop carpaccio while I devoured the roasted branzino. Each dish was meticulously plated into works of art, tapping into all of our senses.

150 Central Park

Considering I’m a former New Yorker, I was skeptical about a cruise ship restaurant called 150 Central Park. However, upon walking in, I was transported to the restaurants I remember along the adjacent streets of New York City’s famous 5th Avenue. Some light jazz music, a little foliage scattered nicely within the venue — it felt like a luxury garden party. 

My wife ordered the halibut, which was seared to perfection. I went with the beef tenderloin, which did not disappoint. From the amuse-bouche to the dessert, each course felt intentional. Even the bread service had me in a frenzy. If you were there, you might’ve heard, “Could I have more bread?” a few times coming from our table.

This is definitely a date-night moment, so you’re going to want to keep the swim trunks in the room and pull out some nice slacks. For the ladies, this would be the moment for that little black dress.

Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar

At Giovanni’s, you’re going to want to let loose. Picture a cozy evening, big wooden table, some wine and enough pasta for two lifetimes. If you make any friends on the ship, this would be the ideal place to dine with your new cruise buddies.

I couldn’t help myself — I had to try their margherita pizza. Since I’ve had it in Naples, I’m always chasing that brick oven taste. Giovanni’s didn’t fall short. My wife ordered the truffle pizza and each bite was bursting with flavor. And let’s not forget their starters —I would definitely go back for the meatball and calamari.

Unique Experiences With Your Loved One

Izumi Hibachi & Sushi

One of the highlights of Utopia of the Seas, Izumi, was great for a dinner and a show. The chef was entertaining: He juggled utensils, sang songs and threw food into his hat. I was so filled up with wine at this point that I had the time of my life.

We split a sushi platter to start — salmon, tuna, shrimp — all fresh and delicious. Then came the hibachi. My wife had one of their premier combos: sea scallops and lobster. 

Izumi is great for some evening fun — another great group dining experience with top-tier service. 

Wonderland

Now, if you’re looking to break out of the norm and have a fun, spontaneous, flirty experience with your partner, Wonderland is just that. As soon as you walk in, you get a menu that you have to “paint” with water to reveal the courses. Our server, dressed like a character out of a fantasy film, guided us through molecular bites, edible bubbles and desserts that looked like modern art.

You’ll definitely want to make room in your phone for photos and videos. Every dish is a spectacle, and we would for sure come back to this restaurant when we get a little one of our own. Make sure to book your reservation for early evening — this is a hot ticket for couples with children and big families.