| There are many cruise ships now that have | | | | it every night. They pride themselves on |
| Freestyle Dining (Norwegian Cruises) or Choice | | | | remembering your tastes. (This only happens |
| Dining (Prince Cruise line) available. Or on Disney | | | | when you choose traditional dining). On one cruise |
| Cruise Lines they have what is called "Rotational | | | | we asked for Melba toast, and you bet, every |
| Dining". They have you and your table mates | | | | night we had Melba toast. There is one thing I |
| rotate through the three restaurants each | | | | always make clear to the waiter. I am not a big |
| evening. | | | | eater but I like to taste everything. I tell this to |
| CRUISE TIPS: There is usually open seating for | | | | them the first night so they don't think I am |
| breakfast and lunch in the main dining room. Be | | | | unhappy with the food. It is their job to keep you |
| adventurous with the menu because if you don't | | | | happy and they take it very seriously. |
| like something you can send it back for a | | | | If you don't want to eat in the main dining room |
| replacement. And if they have two things on the | | | | almost all ships have a Lido café where it is |
| menu that you like ask for both of them. My | | | | casual but you order from a menu and are |
| husband, John, always orders the Filet Mignon and | | | | served by a waiter. It's one of the many choices |
| the Lobster Tail when they are served on the | | | | if you don't want to participate in a formal night |
| same night. Many times he tells the waiter to | | | | or if you just want to eat by yourselves. On |
| bring what the waiter recommends for that | | | | Carnivals single cruises they encourage this style |
| evening. | | | | of dining so the singles can meet more people. |
| This means you don't have to choose first or | | | | There are exceptions to this but not many. On |
| second seating. (First seating is 6:00 to 6:30 and | | | | some of the newer ships the Lido is open 24 |
| Second seating is usually 8:00-8:30). There can be | | | | hours a day. |
| more than one restaurant where you just walk in | | | | On most of the cruise lines they offer the food |
| when you are ready to dine. Every ship will ask | | | | of the region that you are visiting. While on |
| for your dining preference when you book your | | | | Hawaiian cruises expect to be served Hawaiian |
| cruise. You can indicate first, second or flexible | | | | food. When on an Alaskan cruise you will be given |
| dining, whichever will make you more comfortable. | | | | the choices of salmon and Alaskan king crab legs. |
| The newer ships have a 24 hour dining spot which | | | | It makes more fun to dine on the local cuisine. |
| is always casual so if you don't want to do the | | | | All of the cruise lines offer healthy alternative |
| formal nights you don't have to, although I find | | | | menus or what they call spa menus. So if you |
| dressing up to be quite fun. | | | | want low-fat, low-salt, low cholesterol, vegetarian |
| You will have many options for each meal. You | | | | or any other type of diet, they are available. It is |
| may have any meal delivered to your room, | | | | best however to inform your travel agent of any |
| taken in the buffet restaurant or in the dining | | | | special needs so they can notify the cruise line |
| room. There is usually outdoor dining around the | | | | ahead of time. If you have special dietary needs |
| pool with hot dogs and hamburgers, pizza, salads, | | | | make sure the cruise lines knows before hand. |
| even Tacos. | | | | For example, Royal Caribbean cruises cater to |
| There are also alternative dining rooms available | | | | food allergy, Kosher, Indian, Vegetarian and Gluten |
| on some ships that require an additional fee but | | | | Free Diets. |
| the service and food are generally 4 to 5 star | | | | To be really safe read all of the cruise reviews |
| and worth it if you want to splurge. | | | | and cruise critics sites for each ships food and |
| In my experience families with young children and | | | | service ratings. |
| people who go to bed early usually dine in first | | | | Happy Cruising, enjoy it, we do! |
| seating. But if you don't want to be on a schedule | | | | Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights |
| or want to meet new people every night, go for | | | | Reserved. |
| the alternative dining option. Of course you can | | | | This article may be distributed freely on your |
| always ask for a table for two, but be aware | | | | website and in your ezines, as long as this entire |
| that there are only a few of them. | | | | article, copyright notice, links and the resource |
| If you make a special request one night, John | | | | box are unchanged. |
| always asks for blue cheese, your waiter will bring | | | | |