celebrity cruise line food reviews

Celebrity Cruises food guide: A look at all the restaurants and dining options on board

It's amazing how Celebrity Cruises ' food has changed over the years!

My first Celebrity cruise was on Zenith, the line's second purpose-built ship. It carried fewer than 2,000 passengers. Breakfast and lunch were served in the ship's buffet area, and dinner was served at set times in the main dining room. That was it. There were no specialty restaurants.

Today, Celebrity Cruises ships are much larger — with the smallest being almost twice the gross tonnage Zenith had (91,000 gross tonnes versus 47,000 gross tonnes) — and have far more space devoted to food.

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Choices on current Celebrity ships range from complimentary offerings that your cruise fare covers to higher-quality food that comes at an extra cost. With different venues on different ships, all those choices can get confusing. Which Celebrity restaurants will be on your next cruise?

Whether you've cruised with Celebrity recently or are new to the line, you need a food guide to keep up with what's available on which ship. Knowing which food choices each ship has might be a deciding factor in which ship you book.

You might be surprised to learn that food choices can play a big role in which cabin category you choose on Celebrity, as certain cabins and suites grant access to exclusive restaurants and complimentary room service or offer priority seating in specialty venues.

Our Celebrity food guide starts with a list of all the eateries, along with which ships they are found on. After that, you'll find some of the most-asked questions about Celebrity food. Note: Our guide does not cover the Galapagos expedition ships, but you can expect an indoor dining room and a multipurpose alfresco option on each of those ships.

Included for AquaClass guests, space-available basis for Retreat guests; breakfast and dinner

Guests who book an AquaClass spa cabin can access the exclusive restaurant, Blu, for breakfast and lunch. Breakfast is a delight, with fresh fruit smoothies included every day. The dinner menu changes daily, plus you can order from the main dining room menu if you'd prefer.

The cruise line's descriptions of Blu make it sound like it serves spa or healthy food. While there are healthy choices on the menu, I found the menu overall to be more akin to a main dining room's — but with higher-quality food.

For example, breakfast offerings include fresh fruit smoothies each day — nothing fancy with additives like greens or chia seeds similar to what you can purchase at the Spa Cafe, just tasty fruit in a glass. The atmosphere and service are more like a specialty restaurant. Social media posts are filled with cruisers who book AquaClass rooms specifically for the privilege of dining in Blu.

Available : Fleetwide

Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining

Brunch or Dinner on the Edge

Fixed price; brunch and dinner on select days

These two options are alfresco food experiences, rather than separate restaurants. They are scheduled events that take place on the Magic Carpet elevator positioned on the side of the ship. For these events, the Magic Carpet is stationed next to the pool deck (aka resort deck). The dinner menu includes seafood and chateaubriand.

Available on : Celebrity Apex , Ascent, Beyond and Edge

Cabana food

Included and a la carte; all-day dining

If you rent a deck cabana on the Edge Class ships or an Alcove on the Solstice Class ships, you will be presented with an exclusive food menu. The list includes fruit skewers, snacks and sandwiches.

Available on : Celebrity Apex, Ascent , Beyond, Eclipse, Edge, Equinox, Reflection, Silhouette and Solstice

Cafe al Bacio

Included and a la carte; snacks

Expect typical coffee shop fare, including pastries, cakes, tarts and cookies. A few of these are the same as you would find in the buffet at the Oceanview Cafe, but I found that most are exclusive to Cafe al Bacio. On a recent cruise, I enjoyed eclairs, sugar donuts and a slice of luscious red velvet cake. There are typically three or more cookie choices, while the ice cream area in Oceanview typically only has one.

The baked goods are complimentary; coffee and specialty teas are priced a la carte but are included in both the Classic and Premium beverage packages. A gelato counter is found next to or across from the coffee and snack counter. Unlike the ice cream counter in the buffet area, this gelato comes with an added charge. Captain's Club members receive a free scoop per cruise starting after you earn 2 cruise points or complete your first cruise.

Celebrity Edge Class and Solstice Class ships have a second Cafe al Bacio (called Il Segundo Bacio) located in the Oceanview Cafe buffet area. The menu of drinks (extra charge) matches what you'd find in the main Bacio location on board, which makes it a convenient spot to grab a specialty coffee or glass of wine to accompany your casual meal. Just don't expect the specialty snacks found at the main location; you can pick up snacks at the buffet instead.

Cosmopolitan Restaurant

Included and a la carte; breakfast, lunch on sea days and dinner

This is the point at which Celebrity food choices become confusing. In an effort to break away from the traditional main dining room experience, Celebrity Edge Class ships split the main dining room into four distinctly decorated restaurants, each with a menu that is made up of basics available in all four, plus selections that are exclusive to that restaurant. Guests are assigned to one of the four but may opt to dine at any of the other three at any time they choose.

Cosmopolitan, serving daily breakfast and lunch on sea days, is the one most closely resembling a standard main dining room. The dinner menu changes nightly but includes some items that are always available. There are also premium selections of filet mignon and broiled lobster tail that come with an added charge.

Available on : Celebrity Apex, Ascent, Beyond and Edge

Craft Social

A la carte; all-day dining

They had me at "Mac 'n' Brie." Craft Social is a bar, but it has a somewhat secret bar food menu. It's really only a secret if you don't typically go there to drink. Everyone who frequents the place knows about the good eats.

Cyprus Restaurant

Included and a la carte; dinner

Cyprus is one of the four main dining rooms on Edge Class ships. It features a basic menu that is available in all four dining rooms, plus an exclusive menu of Mediterranean offerings (think: lamb kabobs or coq au vin).

Included; breakfast and lunch

Celebrity offers breakfast and lunch counter service at Eden Cafe during limited hours. It is near the popular specialty dining venue, Eden Restaurant, but the food served at the cafe is complimentary. Specialty coffees and teas like those served at Cafe al Bacio, plus grab-and-go food and lighter fare like soups and salads come with an added charge.

Eden Restaurant

Fixed price; dinner

This is fine dining with an earthy menu featuring seafood, lamb, beef and chicken entrees. Three different dining experiences are available: the main menu, a seven-course tasting menu with optional wine pairings and a seven-course vegan tasting menu with optional organic wine pairings. The dress code is smart casual, so no need to get all dolled up for a meal here.

Fine Cut Steakhouse

Celebrity's version of the American steakhouse features everything you'd expect from a high-end, land-based steakhouse. The menu includes grilled seafood, steaks, chicken and lamb, as well as prime rib. Topping choices range from bearnaise to blue cheese to black truffle butter. Additional entrees come with an extra charge, as do dry-aged beef cuts.

Related: The best cruise ship steakhouses and steak-serving restaurants

Lawn Club Grill

Fixed price; lunch and dinner

Celebrity puts a twist on backyard barbecue with the Lawn Club Grill. At this grill restaurant, you can sit back and enjoy the view of the ocean beyond the only real grass yard at sea while you wait to be served. The menu includes a full salad bar, custom flatbread pizza appetizers and a list of desserts that makes me want to keep going back until I've tried them all. At the top of my list is the warm chocolate chip cookie, which is not a cookie at all but rather cookie dough baked in a 4-inch ramekin until crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside; it's served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

Available on : Celebrity Reflection and Silhouette

Le Grande Bistro

Fixed price; breakfast, lunch and dinner

Imagine a French sidewalk cafe at sea serving warm croissants with Nutella at breakfast and a daily special that ranges from baked ham sandwiches on French baguettes to pan-seared Dover sole.

Le Petit Chef

The experience at Le Petit Chef goes far beyond the food on the plate. That's because the entire table comes to life with an animated show throughout the meal. The menu is broken into two options: Le Menu Extraordinaire and "The Other Menu." The first features chicken, while the "other" choice is a filet mignon. Both lean toward rich French cuisine.

Related: 7 reasons you should treat yourself to a cruise ship specialty restaurant

Included for Retreat guests; breakfast, lunch on sea days and dinner

Expect food that is a notch above even some of the specialty dining options on board. Service is designed to cater to your every need. Breakfast offers a choice of staples, while the lunch and dinner menus rotate daily.

Main dining room

Each non-Edge Class ship in the fleet has a single, multistory main dining room. The main dining room has a different name on each ship. The food is complimentary, except for extra a la carte options available each night. The menu changes daily and is available in the Celebrity app, on your cabin's interactive TV and posted near the dining room.

All Celebrity ships, except the expedition vessels, have the option to choose traditional early and late dining where you sit at the same table at the same time with the same people and the same set of servers each night.

Alternatively, guests can select the line's flexible dining option, called Celebrity Select Anytime Dining. You will be assigned to a specific floor of the dining room (or a specific dining room on Edge Class ships). You can make reservations for specific times each day, which gets you seated quickly and often with the added benefit of dining with the same servers each night. If you do not make reservations, you can show up when you're ready and wait for an available table. Without reservations, you might have to wait a while to be seated. Diners on the flexible plan can ask to try different tables and different servers throughout the week.

Available on : Non-Edge Class ships

Magic Carpet restaurant

A la carte; lunch and dinner

The Magic Carpet is the elevator-style platform attached to the side of all Edge Class ships. When the platform is positioned next to Raw on 5, it features a menu that includes favorites from the Raw on 5 menu but with extras. For example, the lunch menu includes a turkey club sandwich and a lobster roll, as well as fish and chips.

Related: 12 dining mistakes you must fix on your next cruise

Included; lunch and dinner

The Mast Grill is your go-to spot for poolside burgers and hot dogs along with all the toppings, fries and onion rings. It's ideal for a quick alfresco bite before or after a port excursion.

Murano serves French cuisine in a fine dining setting. Guests have the choice of the five-course tasting menu called "Five Senses" or their own starter and entree, among a broad selection of meat, poultry and fish options. Caviar is available at market price.

Available on : Celebrity Eclipse, Equinox, Reflection, Silhouette, Solstice and Summit

Normandie Restaurant

If you can't get enough French-inspired food or you like it but not enough to splurge on it in a specialty restaurant, you can dine at this French-inspired main dining room for free. You can choose from the basics served in all main dining rooms or opt for the Normandie exclusives, such as sirloin en croute or duck confit.

Oceanview Cafe

Included; breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Oceanview Cafe is the ship's buffet eatery. Expect a full range of globally inspired foods at every meal. Cooked-to-order egg, pancake and waffle stations are the center of breakfast choices. At lunch, look for meat-carving stations, salads, sandwich-making bars and a fresh pizza station. Plus, there's ice cream by the scoop. Dinner includes pizza, pasta and salad stations, plus cook-to-order stir fry and grilling stations.

Related: Cruise ship buffet taboos: 10 things you should never do at mealtime

As the name suggests, Raw on 5 is the spot to get your sushi (or even your oyster) fix on Edge Class ships. The menu goes beyond just sushi with a modern Japanese menu that includes cooked dishes like chicken teriyaki and pan-seared rib-eye medallions.

Rooftop Garden Grill

Start with spicy wings and work your way through a choice of burgers, pizza, kabobs or ribs at this alfresco, top-of-ship restaurant. Imagine summer backyard party food to get a sense of what to expect.

Included and a la carte; breakfast and lunch

The solarium is the spot to seek out healthy alternatives to heavy cruise food. Fruit and yogurt cups, salads, light sandwiches, wraps and granola are yours for the taking each day. Smoothies and fresh juices are available for an extra charge or come included if you purchase a drink package.

Sushi on Five

With a more limited menu than its Edge Class cousin, Sushi on Five features traditional sushi and sashimi with only a few non-seafood options. The Kobe Beef Ramen Slider might be the perfect secret menu item for that stubborn travel companion who just doesn't do sushi.

Available on : Celebrity Constellation, Eclipse, Equinox, Infinity, Millennium and Reflection

The Porch Seafood Restaurant

Picture yourself at a seaside resort in the Hamptons noshing on lobster rolls or a basket of blackened mahi-mahi tacos. Oh wait, you're not really in the Hamptons; you're cruising on one of only two ships in the Celebrity fleet with this unique semi-enclosed restaurant on Deck 15. Opening hours are weather dependent — high winds would be the main cause for a closure. The venue has limited seating, so you'll need reservations.

The Retreat Lounge

Included for Retreat guests; lunch and snacks

The Retreat Lounge serves up bar bites, gourmet snacks and even gourmet burgers on occasion. Check with servers for what's available to munch on each day.

Tuscan Grill

Combine all things Italian with a classic steakhouse, and you'll find yourself in Tuscan Grill. The menu is extensive enough for you to dine here multiple times. From soup to pasta and pizza to entrees featuring beef, chicken or seafood, you can't really go wrong with this choice.

Available on : Celebrity Constellation, Equinox, Infinity, Millennium, Reflection, Silhouette, Solstice and Summit

Tuscan Restaurant

Not to be confused with the Tuscan Grill, the fourth and final main dining room choice on Edge Class ships is inspired by Italy. Traditional options are still available, or go all in on the exclusives, such as slow-roasted pork chops or roasted chicken with Asiago cheese sauce.

Frequently asked Celebrity food questions

How does the main dining room work.

At booking, you are offered a choice between traditional times, designated as early or late, or flexible dining called Celebrity Select Anytime Dining.

Do I need reservations for dinner in a specialty restaurant?

Waiter-served, extra-fee restaurants — whether fixed price or a la carte — typically require reservations. Popular choices with limited seating might fill all available time slots as soon as reservations open. As such, it's better to make a reservation to ensure you get the time slot you prefer.

What do 'a la carte' and 'fixed price' mean?

A la carte pricing refers to restaurants where the food is priced per item. You only pay for what you order. An entire menu might be individually priced, as in Raw on 5, or you might only see a few items with prices on an otherwise complimentary menu, as in the main dining room.

Fixed price indicates that dining at the restaurant has a single cover charge for the full meal. Many of Celebrity's fixed-price restaurants have more than one cover charge option. For example, you might select a tasting menu that will have a higher fixed price.

Most also have a la carte choices that are an extra price over and above the cover price. Examples of that are the aged beef options at Fine Cut Steakhouse.

Beverages other than tea, coffee and water are an added charge at fixed-price restaurants unless specifically stated as being included or part of a beverage package.

Which beverages are included with my cruise fare?

Drip coffee, tap water, hot and iced tea, milk and one or more flavored drinks like fruit punch or lemonade dispensed from drink machines are included in the cost of your cruise. All other beverages can be purchased individually, or you can buy a beverage package to pay for unlimited drinks in advance (fine print applies). Read our guide to Celebrity Cruises drink packages for details.

Is there room service, and what does it cost?

Room service is available in all cabins. Continental breakfast is available at no charge; choices include coffee, pastries, fruit and cold cereal. Hot breakfast, lunch, dinner and all snacks incur a delivery charge of $9.95 plus 20% gratuity. The food itself is mostly complimentary, but select items are priced a la carte.

How do specialty dining packages work?

To lower your specialty dining costs, you can buy a multinight package or an unlimited dining package. These are all available for purchase in the cruise planner before sailing. The unlimited package allows you to dine at any specialty restaurant each night of your cruise, plus enjoy lunches when they are available.

Does Celebrity charge extra for lobster?

Lobster tails may be ordered any night of the cruise for an extra charge in the main dining room. If complimentary lobster is served in the dining room as part of the menu, only one lobster tail is included. Additional lobsters are charged to your bill.

Do Captain's Club members have access to Blu or Luminae?

No. Only guests staying in The Retreat suites may enjoy Luminae, and Blu is primarily for AquaClass cabin guests. Retreat passengers may dine in Blu if there is space available.

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The Ultimate Guide to Food on Celebrity Cruises

• Post published: October 11, 2021
• Post category: Celebrity / Cruise Tips
• Reading time: 10 mins read

Compared to other mainstream cruise lines, Celebrity Cruise Line’s food is just a step above.  Or does it feel that way because everyone has a beverage package and you can have bubbly three meals a day?  

I think it’s the food.  

Breakfast 

Buffet breakfast .

The breakfast buffet on all mainstream cruise lines is suspiciously similar.  Omelets stations, fruit stations, bread stations, bacon you cannot get for yourself.  Celebrity is no different.  We almost always have the exact same breakfast no matter what cruise line we are sailing. 

The omelet station is something that it often takes people a couple of days to discover so make sure you check it out early for the shortest lines. Usually at least one of the omelet stations will also do eggs any way you request them so you can get fried or scrambled eggs if that is how you prefer them.  Other stations include the pastries, bread, fruit and pancakes.  (There is also a British area for your baked beans and grilled tomatoes.)  

I happen to think the regular coffee on Celebrity is better than some other cruise lines. Since the beverage package is included you can also get a latte, espresso, cappuccino, etc. from the friendly waiters who are walking around.  

Main dining room breakfast 

The main dining room has basically the same options as the buffet, they are just served to you in a much more classy environment.  

On days where we want to feel a little elegant we choose the main dining room, but we have decided over the years that the food is generally not much better.  It still has to travel to get to you. 

The main dining room menu is like the menu at dinner. You can order as much as you want. The servers typically walk around with trays of pastries and juices to start the meal and then you order as many dishes and sides as you need off the main menu. These options range from “healthy” parfaits to eggs benedict, to waffles and much more!

Personally, I don’t think the choice of buffet or dining room is about the food – it is about atmosphere. If you want to sit and be waited on at a leisurely pace then the dining room is a great experience. If you want to get your own food at your own pace and be more casual about it, then the buffet is probably for you. The breakfast foods on Celebrity Cruises are great either way!

Room Service 

Celebrity is the only cruise line we have ever been on that included hot breakfast items in their free room service breakfast.  We were not especially pleased with the hot items – they were hot – they just were not to our preference.  However, the coffee was plentiful, the pastries were good and the view was unbeatable.  

Full disclosure – we have never quite managed to eat in the main dining room for lunch.  It is open, at least on sea days.  But it’s just too challenging to be dressed at lunch time.  Swimsuit cover-ups are acceptable at the buffet and that is where you find us!

The buffet on Celebrity, or the Oceanview Café, is a step up from other cruise ship buffets.  It has standard items like hotdogs & hamburgers, nachos, Asian food of some sort, American, salads and a carvery.  But they also regularly have some special or noteworthy options such as the occasional filet mignon on the carvery or the exotic fruit stand.  This is really where the food on Celebrity Cruises is just a step above other cruise lines and where Celebrity really shines.

But sometimes it is just the standard vegetable lo mien that is the standout dish of the day. You just never know until you’ve tried everything on the buffet – or at least attempted to!

Other lunch options for when you can’t make it out of your swimsuit or don’t get hungry until 3pm

Pizza is open all afternoon and is pretty standard.  It’s not the most amazing pizza I’ve ever had at sea, but it’s not the worst either.  Same thing with burgers from the pool-side grill.  Pretty standard.  Not the best at sea, but not the worst either.  

Afternoon Snack 

I think the afternoon snack is Celebrity’s attempt at an afternoon tea. It included scones, finger sandwiches and cake, but if it’s not a sit-down affair with white table clothes, is it really a traditional afternoon tea?  

(Sorry Celebrity, but this is one Carnival totally does right!  Check out Carnival’s FREE high class tea here .) 

That being said, its totally worth popping by if you are hungry in the 4-5 time range and you’re dinner isn’t until 8.  It has enough to make a nice little unhealthy afternoon snack.  

Dinner 

The buffet is open for dinner, but unless we are exhausted from some excursion we always make a point to go to the main dining room(s) for dinner at night.  

Like other cruise lines, food is unlimited at dinner and you can order however many appetizers, main dishes, lobsters and deserts you want.  And of course bread.  There is always plenty of bread.  

Like any other cruise line, I don’t think it’s possible to actually go hungry on a Celebrity Cruise. There are plenty of options with overlapping times and for people of all different tastes.

The food is absolutely one of the most important onboard activities no matter if you are sailing Celebrity or another cruise line – it should always be a main focus!

What to read next when you’re still interested in food on a celebrity cruise:

Interested in more about Afternoon Tea at sea? Check out this post about Afternoon Tea on Carnival Cruise Ships

Trying to decided a cruise line based on food? Check out T he Ultimate Guide to Food on Carnival Cruise Lines

Looking for more information about what’s included on a Celebrity Cruise? Find out more here .

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Celebrity’s Eden Restaurant on The Edge: Our Honest Review with Menus

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Celebrity’s Eden restaurant on the Edge is a feast not only for the eyes but also for the palate. We had dinner there twice on our latest cruise , and here is our review.

Celebrity Cruises ‘ Eden is a specialty restaurant found only on their Edge-class ships: Edge, Apex, and Beyond at this writing. It is a stunning three-story venue with soaring ceilings, hundreds of plants, and an unparalleled view of the ship’s wake.

The Details

Eden offers a seven-course tasting menu with wine, or you can order à la carte as you wish. During our visit, there was no up-charge for ordering more than one appetizer or entrée.

The cover charge for this specialty restaurant is $60.00 per person to order off the menu, or $100.00 per person for the tasting menu with wine, but it’s well worth it. It is open for dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and has live music nightly. The dress code for Eden is Smart Casual attire.

The bar and café are on the second level, usually on Deck 5, which is where the restaurant’s entrance is located. The restaurant is a level down, accessed by stairs from the bar area. The top level is a balcony that surrounds the venue, looking down on it, and contains seating for those wanting to enjoy the live music.

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And the food? It is unparalleled, easily making Eden the best restaurant on the ship, and we were in the Retreat and ate many of our meals at their exclusive Luminae restaurant. Luminae is wonderful, don’t get me wrong, but the food at Eden is even better.

If you try something and don’t care for it, don’t worry. Just let your waiter know and they will bring you something else. No problem.

Pro Tip: If you plan to eat at Eden for dinner, skip lunch, and at dinner, order more than one appetizer or entrée to share. The food is so good, you’ll want to try more.

We had eaten at Eden last year and weren’t inclined to go back, put off by the fixed menu, feeling that the presentation was more the focus than the food, and that the experience was a one-and-done. This year, the restaurant has made changes, and Eden 2.0 is far better. Now you can pick and choose from the menu, rather than your only choice being a fixed menu, and that flexibility makes a huge difference. Plus, the focus is now on the food, where it should be, although the presentation is still impressive.

If you’d like to see or download the menu for Celebrity’s Eden restaurant at this writing, click on the links below. Of course, menus are subject to change.

The Appetizers

My husband isn’t shy, so he ordered several appetizers during both our meals at Eden, which gave us plenty to share and try. Overall, we tried seven appetizers of the ten offered. My favorite was the gnocchi, while his was the shrimp. All were excellent, however.

The Entrées

Again, we ordered several entrées to try, ending up with five of the nine offered. Yes, we ordered a lot of food over two meals, but we ate every bit of it. Nothing went to waste.

My favorite was the filet (I had it both nights since I don’t eat seafood), and my husband’s favorite was the lobster casserole. He tried to get it the second night too and the restaurant was out of lobster that day, much to his disappointment. Our least favorite entrée was the lamb. It looked like a mini meatloaf and was dry.

Pro Tip: Make your reservation as soon as possible. Eden sells out fast, even for early and late dinner times.

The Desserts

The desserts at Eden were just as delicious and beautiful as the appetizers and entrees. We tried four of them, plus a surprise dessert from the chef.

Our Gift For You

Download your free copy of our Celebrity Edge Restaurants Guide. Enjoy!

Edge Restaurant Guide

Would you like a restaurant handout you could print out and take with you on the Edge? Our exclusive handout gives you the location, dress code, and hours of all the restaurants on the ship. Of course, the hours are subject to change.

Final Thoughts About Celebrity’s Eden Restaurant on the Edge

Overall, Celebrity’s Eden restaurant is a delightful place to go for a special night out while on your cruise. Whether it be a date night or celebrating a special occasion, you will be completely spoiled and totally satisfied. And if for some reason you’re not, let them know, and the restaurant’s amazing staff will make sure you are satisfied before you leave.

We are sailing on the Apex soon , so we will definitely be eating at Eden there . Maybe twice.

Also, Eden offers a three-part cooking class for foodies that is not to be missed. We took it when we sailed on the Apex. See how it went here .

Happy cruising!

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Globally inspired cuisine & Michelin-starred chefs come together in these onboard food videos

One of the ways Celebrity Cruises sets itself apart is through fine dining inspired by culinary traditions around the world. This global approach features the freshest ingredients and creative takes on every type of cuisine. Complimentary restaurants that suit the entire family’s taste buds. Specialty restaurants that make a romantic getaway even dreamier or a special birthday unforgettable.

On our fleet, there are dozens of onboard venues to choose from for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Take a coffee and pastry break at Cafe al Bacio, or skip straight to the spirits at Martini Bar. Sample authentic Italian gelatos and decadent ice creams. Watch your tabletop come to life at Le Petit Chef, where you’ll watch as a tiny, animated chef immersively prepares your meal before your very eyes.

Elevate your dining experience at Luminae, a private restaurant for guests of The Retreat®, where the menu is unlike any others on board. For AquaClass guests, there’s the spa-inspired restaurant, Blu, which fuses fresh flavors and healthy ingredients for complete nourishment.

When you’re hungry, take comfort in knowing excellent culinary options are available just a few decks down, or stay in and order room service from your stateroom. Take classes and watch demonstrations on board, or even meet your culinary heroes on a Moveable Feast Culinary cruise. Watch our culinary videos and get inspired by flavors from around the world.

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Celebrity Edge Full Cruise Review (Food, Ship, Entertainment and More)

I’ve just disembarked a cruise on one of the most exciting and expensive cruise ships in the world. I  saw and did things that I didn’t know were possible at sea!

The ship I was sailing on was Celebrity Edge, which was launched in 2018.

She is home to the world’s first floating restaurant platform, which rises up 12 decks on the side of the cruise ship.

For years I’ve cruised with the budget and mainstream cruise lines but a cruise on Celebrity Edge has always been just out of reach, as much as I wanted to do it.

When I saw that Celebrity had an offer that meant that flights would only be £1, I decided that it would be a good time to give it a go!

I’ve wanted to take my Mum on a cruise for a while and this seemed like the perfect opportunity for a quality mother-and-daughter adventure – or so I hoped! 

Before this cruise, I didn’t know what to expect from Celebrity or from the ship.

I’d heard great things about Celebrity’s food and entertainment – but I’m pretty sure that this is the most expensive cruise that I’ve ever paid for myself!

I didn’t know how it could realistically be worth the price that I paid, and like with any cruise, alongside the great reviews, there were also plenty of bad reviews.

Some passengers had described Edge as “disappointing” or a “major fail.”

We embarked the ship in Barcelona, and set sail for a 7-night Mediterranean cruise.

A Stressful Transfer!

My cruise actually started off in a more stressful way than I’d have liked. We were directed into the airport’s car park to pick up our transfer bus, as my cruise had the transfers included.

We couldn’t see the bus anywhere and couldn’t get back into the airport to ask where we were meant to be going because everything was one-way!

We were just faced with escalators that were all going the wrong way – and I didn’t fancy running the wrong way up one of those!

It was very hot, and after about 15 minutes of frantically running from bus to bus, I was thinking that we would just have to give up and get a taxi – and hope that our bags would be taken to the ship. 

All of a sudden we saw our bags on a baggage trolley across the car park – I was so happy to see them!

We followed them to the bus and were able to ask the person working there where we were meant to be.

It was not the straightforward start that I was hoping for but I  was sure that the cruise would be worth it. I’d just be arriving a little more flustered than planned! 

The stressful transfer was more than made up for when we managed to check in for the cruise at the cruise terminal in about 20 seconds!

Pre-cruise we had already taken our security photos, filled out the health declaration and added our credit card to our account. When we arrived at the port, all we had to do was show this QR code which was checked against our passports. 

I’ve embarked on cruises in the past where it’s taken 2 or 3 hours, so checking in in 20 seconds was pretty incredible. I hoped that this was a sign of good things to come !

As soon as we stepped onboard we were directed towards our Muster Station – which happened to be the theatre.

It’s a legal requirement that on all cruises all guests have to complete a safety drill. This was once again made very easy because we’d already watched the safety videos on the App.

All we had to do was go to check in at the place where we would muster in case of an emergency.

The theatre was the first place that I had seen on board and it looked very impressive!

The stage comes out into the main room and the theatre can seat up to 900 people. It looked like all the seats had a good view and I’d heard lots of good things about Celebrity’s entertainment.

I knew that there would be a show in here every night and that Celebrity allowed the filming of their shows so I’m happy to report that I recorded lots of footage to share in my videos later.

As it was a beautiful day in Barcelona, we headed straight up the stairs to the top deck of the ship.

Here I got my first glimpse of the floating platform on the side that Celebrity call the “Magic Carpet.” I wandered through an area which made me think of shark’s teeth – or being inside of a whale !

I knew that Celebrity had spent a billion dollars on this ship – and the top deck certainly did feel like it had had lots of money spent on it.

There was a big pool in the middle and another inside pool in an area called “The Solarium. “

This was an adult-only area – but I didn’t expect that I would be seeing too many kids on this cruise.

Celebrity isn’t really marketed as a family cruise line, it’s a more luxurious, grown-up cruise – and that suited me perfectly !

At this point, I didn’t know how many nationalities would be onboard, but I was surprised to find out as the cruise went on. 

I went to the toilet – and I think you can tell a lot about a cruise line, or any building really by the effort they put into their public toilets!

Celebrity Edge’s toilets were beautiful, the room I mean not the actual toilets, there were individual little towels/cloths to dry your hands on, not the usual paper towels.

“If the rest of this ship is as good as this, I will be very happy! “

It’s an odd theory I know but it’s never let me down before, if the toilets are gross, the ship probably will be too. If they’re beautiful, and smell lovely like these did, the ship probably will be lovely too!

There were real plants everywhere in the solarium, and it had that lovely humid “inside pool” smell.

Exploring the top deck a little further we found what is called the “Rooftop Garden.”

It isn’t uncommon for cruise ships to have some real plants onboard, but Celebrity has taken this to a whole new level in the Rooftop Garden.

I felt like I would be spending a lot of time here during the cruise – and I was absolutely right. I didn’t expect to meet a real lizard here, but I did!

He must have been very confused to have crawled onto the ship somehow in one country and woken up in another!

I Googled it when I got home and apparently, the red thing under his throat means he is trying to fight me – maybe he didn’t want to be a YouTube star – too late though lizard! 

By this time we were getting pretty hungry and we had seen a Grill down by the pool. All of the food here was included and I had a Veggie Burger with LOTS of pickles. (I think a pickle is a Gherkin in the UK.)

I absolutely love putting pickles on burgers, just as much as I love putting ketchup on Pizza!

To the side of the grill (which is called the “Mast Grill”) there were a couple of drinks machines and a soft ice cream machine.

I made myself a drink by watering down the juice to make something that tasted like the drink “squash” I’m used to in the UK.

On most cruises you’ll find that water and tea and coffee are free all the time in the buffet but juices are often only available at breakfast.

I was happy to see free lemonade and juices in the buffet at lunchtime. As I hadn’t bought a drinks package I was looking for all the free drinks that I could find!

This may have been the most expensive cruise I’d ever booked – but I definitely wasn’t going to spend more than I needed to! Free is definitely my favourite price! 

Our cabins were ready to use from 2 pm, and I was so excited to get to have a look around.

Usually, I cruise in an inside cabin but I had booked myself the controversial “Infinite Veranda” cabin. It’s like an oceanview cabin – but with a big window that opens.

This is instead of the usual balcony area outside of the cruise ship.

My first impressions of the cabin were great, it felt very spacious and modern, and I was looking forward to spending my week here.

I wasn’t sure that I would like the Infinite Veranda concept more than a standard balcony, but only time would tell.

To hear more about the Pros and Cons of the Infinite Balcony cabin, read this article next:

Celebrity’s Infinite Veranda Staterooms – Pros and Cons, and Comparison With Standard Balcony Cabins

One of my favourite things about embarkation day is that feeling when you run around the cruise ship and try to see as many things as possible. It’s always such a relief to actually be there onboard the ship after a long day travelling.

I’d heard that there was a space on Celebrity Edge called “Eden” that was split over 3 decks – and I knew I had to find it!

Checking one of the handy maps that you can find all over the cruise ship, I found Eden at the back of deck 5.

To get there I had to walk through a strange room where it was dark, and there were mirrors and trees everywhere! In this room, there was relaxing music playing and it felt like I was being transported magically into Eden!

I’ve been cruising for years but walking in Eden was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced on a cruise ship before!

The area is split over three decks with a bar in the middle and a restaurant on the lower level. Everywhere there were plants and lights hanging down, and the whole place had relaxing background music playing. I was looking forward to seeing what entertainment would be in here.

I think that Celebrity might have changed the entertainment that is put on in this venue recently because I definitely was surprised by how the space was used – even though I’d done my research. 

The restaurant in Eden is what is called a “Speciality Restaurant,” meaning that it costs extra. There are plenty of restaurants onboard where the food is included.

It definitely isn’t a requirement that you ever spend any extra money on food on a cruise – but there are often extra options available if you want something special.

Celebrity Edge has four main dining rooms and they offer an early dining time, a late dining time and what is called “Anytime dining.”

I had “Anytime dining” which meant that each day I could book the restaurants on the App on my phone and could pick which restaurant and which time to eat each evening.

Each main restaurant feels nice and intimate – but they do hold over 300 people each. 

I noticed in the App that the main dining rooms opened at 5.30 pm, which for me was perfect as I definitely am an early diner. 

We decided to eat in the Normandie restaurant first. The restaurant felt very elegant, the food was great and the service was fantastic – helped perhaps by the fact that we dine at 5.30 pm so there weren’t many other people in the restaurant.

Celebrity do have a separate vegetarian menu in the main dining rooms, and allergens like gluten were usually marked on the main menus too

All meals in the main dining room also come with unlimited bread, and each day we were given 3 different kinds of butter or dips. Celebrity certainly knows how to do bread – and I made the most of it!

By the end of the cruise, I felt like I was mostly made of bread – and that isn’t a complaint, I love it!  

After drinking the included water at dinner I wanted to go and get a proper drink. By a proper drink I of course mean a Coke Zero. I thought that we might as well start with a drink in the bar on the “Magic Carpet. “

Our day had started at around 5 am and the transfer stress and fun of exploring a new cruise ship had certainly worn me out. We decided to call it a night early and skipped the theatre show.

I knew that there was lots of entertainment later on the ship that I wanted to see, and I also knew that I had only explored a tiny part of the ship so far.

I knew that there were so many bars, restaurants, and cafes – I hadn’t even seen the main Atrium at this point, but I was very happy to see the inside of my eyelids as I fell asleep! 

When I woke up and opened the window blind the next day I was greeted with an incredible view of Cannes in France.

We were “tendering” which means that you don’t dock by the land, you use little boats to get from the ship. It’s like a free boat tour and you get fantastic views as you sail into and out of the ports.

In the buffet we decided to get breakfast. They do have main dining rooms open for breakfast too and there is a cafe in Eden as well – but I’m not an early riser and prefer to just grab some bread or a banana (or both if I’m feeling very adventurous!)

The buffet onboard Celebrity Edge was MASSIVE and I was looking forward to coming back later in the day to explore the food options properly.

I was amazed by the quality of the decor in the buffet, sometimes buffets can feel like school canteens -but this space always felt elegant and classy.

You could tell that they had spent a lot of time thinking about the details and the different designs of each space. 

At the back of the buffet was an area that usually served pizza and there was seating all the way around and out the back and an outside seating area too.

It was a beautiful day in Cannes and I visited the beach, had a wander through the town and did a little bit of yacht “window-shopping.”

I don’t know what it was about my itinerary on this cruise, but we saw a lot of Yachts. Just when I felt like I had got on a fancy ship for a change, the yachts come to one-up me…

Boarding Celebrity Edge again did feel very nice though, we were given little glasses of water and icy cold towels while we waited for the tender- which definitely is a premium cruise line thing. Some other budget cruise lines might offer to sell you water, so to get it free was lovely. 

We also had to tender the next day in Portofino, Italy – which is one of the prettiest places I’ve ever been to.

It was really busy but so worth a visit. I even found a restaurant with a floating platform that you could sit and eat on. This would definitely make me feel seasick, I don’t think I’d last very long on there! 

On the way back from Portofino we had the pleasure of the Captain of the Celebrity Edge actually sailing us back to the ship in the tender boat!

He was a funny guy, and later in the cruise when I did a live stream on my YouTube channel he accidentally guest-starred by broadcasting his announcement into my cabin – it was very funny!

When asked how to become a Captain he joked that it was a “two-week online course” but it took him “15 years because “I must be a slow learner!” 

Heading back to the ship, we decided to stop to get a drink in the onboard Cafe. The Cafe has lots of cakes and cookies which are included in the cruise fare.

I can confirm Celebrity absolutely does have the best cookies at sea – not just because of the quality (which is very good) but also because of the access to cookies. Day or night they had cookies here waiting for me!

As I didn’t have a drinks package a can of Coke Zero cost me a little over $5. The advertised price was $4 but there is a gratuity of 18% added on top of that. Sometimes we did have some French or Spanish tax added on top of that too!

I don’t usually drink enough to make back the cost of an alcoholic drinks package, but they do have a soft drinks package available.

Before the cruise I wondered if this might be worth it – but at $30 per day, I’d have to drink at least 6 sodas a day to break even. I don’t doubt that I could do that, but I probably shouldn’t – so I decided not to buy a package and to just pay as I went – which was the right decision for me.

We went to the buffet for lunch and I was amazed by just how much choice there was.

The Oceanview buffet is easily double or three times the size of the buffets I’ve seen on other cruise ships of a similar size.

I loved the ice cream station – which also had cookies available all the time. There were Nachos, doughnuts, Fish and Chips – all kinds of things that you wouldn’t usually put together on a plate!

When you’re in a buffet and all the food is included, you can create the weirdest meals! They had the most incredible cakes and doughnuts and one day they had terrifying-looking fish! I definitely avoided those, but I could because there were probably about 70 other potential dishes to choose from.

The buffet was open from 6 am to 1 am and it only closed briefly in that time. There was an hour between breakfast and lunch that it was closed. Breakfast went on until 11 am – which was great. 

It wasn’t normally too busy in the buffet, the only day that it was was when we had a sea day a little later in the cruise.

There weren’t any main dining rooms open for lunch, so everybody was in the buffet or the poolside grill.

There is room service available at a cost and there were plenty of speciality restaurants you could pay extra for – but I was disappointed that none of the main dining rooms opened for lunch.

Considering that there were four main restaurants onboard, I’d have thought they’d open one or two for lunch on sea days – but they never did.

Even on that busy day though, it still wasn’t unbearable, it was just as busy as you’d see on other cruise lines on regular days. 

Heading back to our cabin and picking up our daily schedule I noticed that it was “Chic Night.”

This is Celebrity’s version of a formal night and they define Chic as “dressing to impress, glamour and sophistication in your own way.”

I didn’t get the impression that the dress codes were particularly strict or enforced, as long as you wear a shirt with a collar or a decent dress, it’s fine.

In recent years most cruise lines have made the move to relax their dress codes, I did put on a dress but not everybody took part and each person’s definition of “sophisticated” is different. 

On our seven-night cruise, we had one “Chic Night” and the rest were “Smart Casual” nights.

All of the food onboard was fantastic and this was no exception. I’ve always thought that Celebrity was a cruise line for foodies – and this cruise definitely did confirm that. 

We headed to another of the main dining rooms, Cyprus. Here I found the stringiest cheese in the world!

I was looking forward to an evening of entertainment onboard the ship, seeing as how I’d missed most of it the night before.

In the theatre was a show called “Kaleidoscope” which is a word that I struggle to spell! I was amazed to see that there were 16 singers and dancers during the show and every single one was incredible. I never saw a foot out of place, there was never a note out of tune, it was amazing

Everybody has different things that they like in theatre shows and for me, I like colours and costumes, I like sets that change and technology.

Every show that we saw onboard Edge had this and more. Most of the shows didn’t really have a story, they were collections of songs but they felt much more modern than the classic cruise ship entertainment that I’m used to.

They used songs that I liked, and we saw 3 shows from the theatre team during the cruise.

There were incredible acrobatic shows and later in the cruise, we saw a theatre team show that was backed by a 7 person band.  That was just incredible, the musicians didn’t even have sheet music half the time, so that blows my mind !

Up next was a silent disco in the Atrium – and apart from walking by it occasionally this was the first time that I’d really used this space.

The Atrium of a cruise ship is usually the heart of the ship, it’s right in the middle and lots of restaurants and other things will come off of it. Celebrity Edges atrium was huge, they’d have live music in here in the evenings and there was a bar on the bottom level.

We grabbed our silent disco headphones. Everybody can pick which station their headphones are tuned into, theres a red, blue and green station and each one has a different song.

It’s a lot of fun to see what everybody else is listening to, but it’s perhaps even more fun to watch it without any of the sound!

It’s so awkward and funny to see 20 people suddenly singing a random Abba song in tune! It’s a great idea for a cruise ship and Celebrity had quite a few silent discos onboard.

At this point, I still hadn’t seen much in the way of Trivia or Gameshows and I still hadn’t seen areas like the casino but I knew that I still had plenty of time onboard to explore.

I’m convinced that you could be on this ship for 7 days and still not find everything if you weren’t looking. Even if you were just trying to look at all of the art that would be a challenge !

We headed back to our cabin and found a chocolate on our pillow waiting for us. If you were to go back 20 years most cruise lines did this but due to cutbacks they mostly stopped.

I was really enjoying the more luxurious cruising experience – and I was starting to understand why the cruise cost more than I was used to. 

There were some real benefits – like the number of crew that were always around and the space per person that I hadn’t really understood the value of before this cruise. We never had to wait for anything and could always have multiple seats if we wanted to. 

I’ve been on some busy cruise ships over the years and recently cruised on a ship with 900 children onboard. Celebrity Edge couldn’t ever be described as busy, there were always quiet places to be found. 

The next ports that we visited were La Spezia in Italy and Ajaccio in Corsica. I hadn’t ever been to either of these before, and I was happy to see that we were docked so we could just wander straight off the ship.  

In La Spezia, we were docked next to the MSC Seaview which is a big cruise ship from the budget cruise line that I sailed on a couple of years ago.

Find out all about my amazingly cheap Caribbean cruise on MSC Seaview by watching this video:

I loved my time on that ship – and was loving my time on Celebrity Edge – but it was clear that the two were very different!

I probably could have taken the cruise on the MSC Seaview for half, or maybe even a third of what I paid for Edge but I wouldn’t have nearly as much space per person. I wouldn’t have enjoyed the entertainment or food as much and I definitely wouldn’t have got a chocolate on my pillow!

Still, I don’t think I’ll ever give up on budget cruising, there’s something really great about being on a cruise that costs less than staying in a hotel on land. 

Next up on my schedule was Trivia and I decided to start with the general knowledge version, they had Trivia multiple times a day and it usually happened in a venue that is called “The club.”

It was a two-story lounge in the middle of the ship, and late at night this area really comes alive. It was the perfect place to watch a gameshow and they do also do a few exercise classes in here too.

The daily schedule was fairly busy with events but Celebrity are definitely known for being a relaxing luxurious cruise line, as opposed to a party line. They do have parties of course but not in the same way that you’d find on a cruise line like Carnival.

Whenever I cruise I spend $10 in the casino in a slot machine, overall I am definitely down but I still always give it a go. It didn’t take me very long at all to lose my $10 !

When I was pressing the buttons on the screen I realised that I had $5 in the bonus credit section, this wasn’t mentioned anywhere that I’d seen and I just found it by chance.

I checked my mum’s card and she had the bonus credit too. After losing my $10 credit I lost the $10 bonus credit too – but I could have won it big, so it’s always worth checking that bonus button!

It’ll be linked to your cruise card if it is there and your password is usually something to do with your date of birth – but you can ask anybody working there if you don’t know it. 

One of my favourite ways to spend my time on this cruise was to sit up in the Rooftop Garden with my Mum, either in the afternoons in the shade or as the sunset.

We’d get a drink from the bar at the back called “The Sunset Bar” and I’d catch up on my work. Not a bad place for an office!

We would watch live music in Eden and one day I even managed to get up before 9 am to make it to the breakfast they have in Eden that’s included in the cruise fare.

I had a wrap for breakfast, and found a lovely little outside seating area by the Eden Cafe.

On the other side of the ship was a smoking area that was beautiful – and I’ve never used the word “beautiful” to describe a smoking area before!

Usually, the people that smoke are left in the worst locations but there was a lovely area here and another up by the Sunset Bar. 

As well as the theatre teams show they also had guest acts performing and we saw a great show called “Women of Rock” and a couple of shows by a fantastic trumpeter.

The man behind the trumpet was called Ollie and he was also a great singer, he performed songs from all genres and the big screens and live band really helped to take performances like this up a notch. I loved sitting on the top level of the theatre as I had a great view and they had bar service in here too.

From up there I could get a great overview of who else was on this cruise.

In terms of passenger age demographic, this was definitely one of the most diverse cruises I’ve been on. There were people of all ages onboard.

There were some children onboard but Celebrity isn’t really aimed at kids, you won’t find Peppa Pig by the pool or ropes courses or anything like that but if do bring kids they won’t feel out of place or uncomfortable.

They have great kids clubs and I suppose that’s why I didn’t really see any kids during this cruise, they were all happy in the clubs – and me not in the clubs! 

Our cruise director Tim who was fantastic told us that there were 400 children onboard, which surprised me. I would have guessed maybe 100 -probably not even that.

There were plenty of teenagers onboard and people my age, all the way up to people who I assume were in their 80s or 80s or 100s – but it is not polite to ask of course! 

The majority of people onboard were from the UK, the US or Spain but I did also meet people from Australia, Canada and Germany. All of the entertainment and everything was done only in English but I did often hear people speaking other languages – which I like. 

Personally, I like to cruise with a mix of nationalities, I think it makes it more fun and it feels to me more like being away on holiday. If I go on a cruise and everybody else there is exactly the same as me, that’s sometimes a bit weird, it’s like you just picked up your town and floated it out somewhere. 

Some cruise trivia is that Celebrity Edge was the first cruise ship to set sail from the United States after the Covid shutdown. That was in June of 2021. The ship was limited to 40% capacity and the industry had been shut down completely in the US for 15 months. 

Watch this video next to find out more about this amazing, billion-dollar cruise ship!

I said earlier that this was the most expensive cruise that I’ve ever booked – and I’m pretty sure that’s right.

I usually like to stick to a budget of around £100 per person per night which is $127 USD, I like that price to include all of the taxes and fees and gratuities. I have cruised on multiple cruises that have cost me less than half that. 

In total for this cruise for me and my Mum sharing an infinite veranda cabin, I paid £2920 ($3715) which comes in at just over £200 per person per night.

That price did include flights and transfers, but the daily gratuities weren’t included. These came in at $17.50 per person per day so that added on an extra couple of hundred dollars.

As much as I love budget cruising the thing that I care about most is that the price that I paid matches the experience that I got, I paid more than usual for this cruise but it certainly felt like I got more in return. 

One of my favourite things about this ship was the “Magic Carpet” which is used as a bar and a tender boarding platform.

We had two tender ports during this cruise, so had the chance to use it lots of times. To find out how this platform moves, what it’s used for and why it doesn’t cause the ship to topple over, check out this video next. 

Before You Go!

Celebrity has a reputation for being a great cruise for those who love their food! To find out more about the food I ate whilst onboard, read this article next.

Everything I Ate on my Celebrity Cruise (Photos and Menus) – Food Review

To see how this compares to food on the more “budget” cruise lines like MSC, find out what I ate on my MSC Seaview cruise here:

Everything I Ate on my MSC Cruise (Photos and Menus) – Food Review

If you are watching my videos and you’d like to book anything that you see, my friendly, knowledgeable partner travel agents can help!

It never costs more than booking directly with the cruise line, and you get free, impartial advice, and often a better price or added extras – like onboard credit that you wouldn’t get booking direct.

Click on the link below, fill in the form – and we will get back to you!

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10 Top Cruises for Food and Drinks, According to the Experts

Dining at sea is more adventurous than ever with highly curated cruise ship concepts and menus, onboard culinary classes, and shore excursions.

Dining while cruising has never tasted better. Onboard restaurants can match land-based eateries in sophistication and style, with chefs as driven by seasonal ingredients as their peers ashore. The 2024 Global Tastemakers, selected by food and travel journalists this year, favor luxury ocean lines, which invest heavily in food and wine, yet also embrace expedition ships and riverboats. All operate small vessels by today’s standards; kitchen crews can more readily cook with artistry and ingenuity for fewer passengers. 

These Tastemakers share passion and vision; they’re reshaping shipboard norms by introducing dining venues and cuisines rarely spotlighted at sea, such as Virgin Voyages, with a Korean barbecue restaurant among 20 complimentary eateries. Global Tastemakers are also offering more adventurous culinary classes and shore excursions. Silversea, the winner, scores for its multifaceted S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) program, devoted to the sailing region’s food and beverages. Crystal (formerly Crystal Cruises) reclaims its stellar reputation from its prior incarnation, including a renewed partnership with iconic chef Nobu Matsuhisa. Regent Seven Seas Cruises debuted a glam new ship and elevated menus fleetwide, with novel dishes inspired by the culinary team’s extensive research trips. As this year unfolds, expect even more allures: On HX (formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions), local chefs on some itineraries may hop onboard to cook regional specialties. Oceania Cruises debuts both a Culinary Masters Cruise hosted by two Master Chefs of France, and the highly anticipated Editor’s Cruise, with Hunter Lewis, Food + Wine ’s editor-in-chief. These are the best cruises for food and drinks.

Winner: Silversea

Silversea’s impactful S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) program secures the luxury line’s winning spot. S.A.L.T. Kitchen devotes an entire ever-changing menu to reflect sailing itineraries. S.A.L.T. Lab’s cooking instructors share regional cultural and culinary history with passengers during hands-on classes. In S.A.L.T. Bar, passengers sip locally inspired mixologists’ cocktails. S.A.L.T. shore excursions range from foraging in Puglia to lunching at a hyper-local Lisbon tinned-fish eatery and exploring a Patagonian organic farm. S.A.L.T. outings have proven so successful, Silversea is adding selections.

Crystal Cruises

The brand relaunch of luxurious Crystal Cruises (acquired by A&K Travel Group) now sails as Crystal , with two beautifully remodeled ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony. Eight distinctive restaurants include Umi Uma, showcasing the inimitable Peruvian-Japanese fusion cuisine of Crystal partner, legendary chef Nobu Matsuhisa . Osteria d’Ovidio, named for Crystal’s Italian owner Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, presents poetic plates anchored in simplicity and  primo ingredients, such as lobster in tomato essence with basil olive oil.

Oceania Cruises

This line pursues compelling culinary exploits onboard and ashore, like cooking demonstrations at a Venetian master chef’s private villa or a Latvian “farm to table” experience in which guests shop at a market with the Culinary Center chef before cooking and consuming a Latvian lunch on board. Shipboard chefs are so ingredient-obsessed, they even order custom-milled French flour. Among updates, Oceania has reimagined numerous dishes, highlighting local sourcing. On Marina, Riviera, and Vista, a must-try six-course menu with a Dom Pérignon pairing perpetually marvels.

This luxe line debuted modern Mediterranean restaurant Solis on Seabourn Quest as an inspired replacement to Thomas Keller’s Grill, before Seabourn Encore, Ovation, and Sojourn rollouts. Seabourn restaurants may differ stylistically fleetwide, yet never vary in quality. Exemplary venues include Sushi for primo fish; the Restaurant with intricate entrees like carved lamb loin with crisp lamb spring roll; and Earth & Ocean for fine dining al fresco. Consider complimentary caviar and 24-hour in-suite service as bonuses.

Hurtigruten/HX

Hurtigruten

Hurtigruten (formerly Norwegian Coastal) and HX (formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions) ships explore the world, including polar regions, the Galápagos, the Caribbean, and of course, Norway. Both HX and Hurtigruten aim to serve cuisine as compelling as adventures ashore and feature menus reflecting their Norwegian heritage. Supporting local communities, Hurtigruten relies on some 50 suppliers along the Coastal Express route for about 80% of ingredients, while more than 75% of HX’s ingredients used on Antarctica and Alaska routes are local.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

This luxury line’s six ships deliver exemplary dining, with its three newest ships (Seven Seas Grandeur, Splendor, and Explorer) exhibiting boundless flair. Among venues, Prime 7’s juicy steaks, Chartreuse’s French plates, and Pacific Rim’s pan-Asian dishes particularly dazzle. Beyond dining, the hands-on cooking school and Regent’s chef-led Epicurean Explorer Tours are part of the draw. Passengers may market-shop for a paella cooking class and feast on the famed rice-based dish at a seaside eatery in Valencia, Spain.

Windstar Cruises

Windstar’s six small ships possess yacht-like vibes, with a culinary direction to match. Chefs eagerly source fresh sustainable ingredients in ports to prepare imaginative dishes. On Star Plus class all-suite ships, Cuadro 44 by Anthony Sasso packs a modern Spanish punch while Star Grill by Steven Raichlen dishes up aromatic barbecue deckside. Windstar’s James Beard Foundation partnership ensures guest chefs board for demonstrations and dinners; the line also features their recipes on fleet eateries.

Viking Cruises

Viking commands attention on all waters, with riverboats, ocean liners, and expedition ships plying every continent. So many touches sum up Viking’s willingness for menus to reflect itineraries, and regional dishes and wines are a given. Flourishing herb gardens allow riverboat chefs to pluck the freshest herbs to grace dishes daily. On ocean-going vessels, specialty restaurant Manfredi’s excels in Italian cuisine (bistecca alla Fiorentina is legendary), and Mamsen’s triumphs the line’s Nordic heritage — all bow to the signature waffles.

Virgin Voyages

With 20 complimentary eateries, Virgin Voyages allows a younger, perhaps less-traveled, cruiser to sample so many cuisines. This line eschews food halls and buffets, preferring to showcase intimate boîtes, instead. Each possesses an oversized personality and emboldened plates, such as Razzle Dazzle for dishes like black garlic bowtie pasta with fennel braised pork and chanterelles, and Gunbae, knocking it out of the foodpark with complimentary soju shots and Korean barbecue.

AmaWaterways

AmaWaterways has taken food and wine seriously since its 2002 inception. The line, inducted into La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, finds its culinary cues in its riverboats’ itineraries, selecting local ingredients and intriguing wines like Rieslings from Austria’s Wachau Valley. AmaWaterways ’ wine-themed voyages, like Flavors of Burgundy with excursions to Beaune and Mâcon, win consistent praise. Onboard gastronomic pinnacles include the Chef’s Table, a small-group dining adventure where a chef prepares wine-paired multi-course meals before passengers.

Plus one: The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

Exuding an exclusive boutique hotel aura, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection consists of superyacht Evrima, and in September, Ilma debuts, with Luminara arriving in 2025. This line lavishes passengers with attention, elegant design, and superb dining with an international spin. Each yacht offers five restaurants, 24-hour in-suite dining, and six lounges. The wine vault features more than 200 wine labels, with many exclusive red wines and vintages on a private reserve list.

Global Tastemakers is a celebration of the best culinary destinations in the U.S. and abroad. We asked more than 180 food and travel journalists to vote on their favorites, including restaurants and bars, cities, hotels, airports, airlines, and cruises. We then entrusted those results to an expert panel of judges to determine each category’s winners. In many categories, we’ve included a Plus One, hand-selected by our expert panel, to shout out more culinary destinations we don’t want our readers to miss. See all the winners at foodandwine.com/globaltastemakers .

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Celebrity Solstice Review: Ship Details In A Nutshell

Are you planning a cruise with Celebrity Cruises? In this article, I review the Celebrity Solstice on my 7-day cruise. The Solstice is the first ship in the Solstice class for Celebrity Cruises. The Solstice is the sister ship of Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Silhouette, and Celebrity Silhouette. 

They featured forward-thinking amenities such as the Lawn Club, Hot Glass Class, Le Petit Chef animated dinner show, and a live tree in its central atrium.

My wife, Karen, and I sailed on the Celebrity Solstice in 2023 on a Pacific Coastal cruise. The packed 7-day itinerary only included one full sea day, making for a hectic itinerary with lots to do.

During the summer, the Solstice repositions to Seattle to offer 7-day Alaska cruises before moving to Asia for the winter. If you’re a fan of repositioning cruises, you can sail the Solstice to the Hawaiian Islands and across the South Pacific to New Zealand and Australia.

This is the second time we’ve sailed on a Celebrity Solstice-class ship. The first time was on the Celebrity Eclipse  in 2019 when Karen and I sailed to Hawaii on our honeymoon.

I hope this review of our cruise helps you decide if the Celebrity Solstice suits you. Celebrity continues to be one of our favorite cruise lines, so read on to find out why.

About The Celebrity Solstice

Celebrity Cruise Line launched the Solstice class in 2008. At the time, it was the largest ship for Celebrity, but the Edge class has since surpassed it, which launched in 2018.

At the time of our sailing, the Solstice was near maximum capacity with approximately 2,600 passengers. Not surprisingly, most passengers were from the United States, followed by Mexico, Canada, several European countries, and more.

First Impressions Of The Celebrity Solstice

After taking a shuttle from our hotel, we boarded the ship at the  Los Angeles World Cruise Terminal . We find all Solstice-class ships have an interior design that is elegant and timeless.

We boarded at Pier 46 in San Pedro, which the cruise port only uses if the main piers (91, 92, and 93) are occupied. As we walked from the bus parking lot to the ship, the size was large and impressive.

Celebrity ships are always well maintained, and the Solstice showed no signs of its age. In fact, Celebrity last refurbished the vessel in 2016. With her new hull color of royal blue, she looked as good as a new vessel.

We had been spoiled when we cruised pre-pandemic on the Celebrity Eclipse in 2019. On that cruise, staff members gave all passengers a glass of champagne when they stepped on the ship.

However, post-pandemic many cruise lines are struggling to return to profitability. Nowadays, cruise lines have cut back on some of the “freebies” that made cruising a great vacation.

Our welcome on the Celebrity Solstice included greetings from the staff, but the complimentary champagne was gone. It was only my 2nd time on a Celebrity ship, but I couldn’t help but feel immediately some cost-cutting had been implemented.

In fairness to Celebrity, owned by the larger Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, I’m glad they survived the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s okay if they need to trim expenses after being shut down for almost two years.

Classic Décor

The Solstice has a pleasing classic décor and is similar to the Eclipse we enjoyed for our honeymoon cruise from Vancouver to the Hawaiian Islands.   

Celebrity has an upscale and refined look as a premium cruise line compared to other mainstream cruise lines such as Carnival and Princess.

In contrast, the Edge-class vessels feature modern luxury, more contemporary colors, and forward-thinking designs.

The Solstice has a large Ficus tree in the main atrium, a signature feature of the Solstice-class vessels. While each ship has a tree, they feature them in different pots. A red-pointed cone provided the base for the Solstice’s tree.

The Solstice has lovely public areas, with lots of seating around the central atrium, often featuring live music. The atrium was also used by a staff member teaching various dance classes.

Celebrity Solstice Cabins

We booked an inside cabin on the Solstice (Cabin #1031), and this was my first time not being in a veranda stateroom. Inside cabins can vary significantly across cruise lines and even within a ship.

We booked inside because there was an incredible deal at approximately USD 350, not including port fees or gratuities. A fantastic deal since our one-night pre-cruise stay at the  Crowne Plaza  was almost USD 300.

While Celebrity invited us to bid on an upgrade, and we initially did, we canceled the bids because we wanted to review an inside stateroom.

I was amazed at the spaciousness of our cabin. Karen and I had ample storage space, and the stateroom was our oasis after a long day of exploring ports.

When cruising, we use our cabin just for sleeping or an occasional movie. It was perfect for that and was 166 sq. ft.

The cabin was in the forward section of Deck 10 at the start of a short hallway with other inside cabins. We did not share a wall with another stateroom. It was tranquil, and I slept soundly every night.

One of the best parts of an inside cabin is that there is no outside light to disturb your sleep. To counter the total darkness, we brought 2 LED night lights  to make the trip to the bathroom during the night easier.

The Solstice has ocean view, balconies, and various suites, to round out their cabin offerings. Here’s our full review of our interior Solstice stateroom.

Celebrity Dining And Bars

Celebrity Cruise Lines prides itself on high-quality dining and has won several awards. Of the premium lines we have sailed on, dining on Celebrity was second only to Cunard.

The Eclipse and the Solstice had quality dining and service in the main dining room. However, due to the pandemic, Celebrity has streamlined food selection with fewer premium cuts of meat.

Regardless, I’m sure you will be pleased with the food served on the Celebrity Solstice. 

Oceanview Café

This buffet is on Deck 14 and is open daily from early morning until late in the evening. The Oceanview Café offers various breakfast, lunch, and dinner culinary options.

We had most breakfasts there because it was fast and easy to get a hearty meal before a busy port day. Karen especially enjoyed the English Bacon, which was offered most days.

The best change Celebrity has made to the buffet is its markings of foods with certain ingredients. Since Karen is celiac, knowing which items were gluten-free was nice. 

The buffet had an area for vegan selections and a kids’ section. You can read a detailed review of  dining onboard, including menus.

It’s a busy area during breakfast, but thankfully, the staff constantly cleans tables, so the wait is never long. It’s also a great area to start a conversation with fellow cruisers dining at a nearby table.

Alternatively, you can get specialty coffees and teas at the popular Café al Bacio. While specialty drinks incur extra charges, you can get pastries, cookies, and sweet treats for free.

Grand Epernay Restaurant 

Most of our dinners were in the main dining room, the Grand Epernay. This impressive dining venue covers two decks on Deck 3 and 4.

The expansive room is airy and bright with its white décor. We selected the early seating at 6 pm, which worked well for us during busy port days.

One of the highlights of the dining room is the wine cellar containing hundreds of bottles of wine at the end of the room. Passengers with reserved dining times are seated at the same table on the lower level each night.

With Karen’s food allergies (gluten-free, lactose-free, and nuts), we prefer having the same wait staff each night. Also, she gets to order her dinner the night before so the chef can adjust the ingredients as needed.

The menus have several dining options that change each night, so there is variety across your cruise. They also offer popular “classics” which are featured each night.

The classic menu items include a choice of:

• Broiled Salmon
• Grilled Chicken Breast
• Grilled New York Sirloin Steak

The dress code aboard the Solstice during dining is relaxed. However, as all cruise lines try to appeal to a broader range of passengers, gone are the days when specific dress or formal attire is required.

During our cruise, I was surprised to see many women wore hoodies and men very casual, even on formal nights. What was previously a suit jacket required for men has now been described as “Classic Chic.”

While T-shirts and shorts are still frowned upon, men can wear any slacks or shirts.

Specialty Restaurants

The Solstice offers several specialty dining restaurants at additional cost if you enjoy fine dining. During our cruise, the following specialty dining options were available:

• Tuscan Grille
• Silk Harvest (Le Petit Chef)

Since we previously experienced Le Petit Chef, we tried the Murano and Sushi on 5 to review the specialty dining options on the Celebrity Solstice. The classic French menu at Murano offers one of the best dining experiences I have ever had on a cruise ship.

The service was impeccable, and the food presentation was in the class of a top Michelin-star restaurant. I ordered Murano Lobster which was flambeed with Cognac at our table!

If you are fortunate enough to be in a suite cabin, you are eligible to dine at Luminae Restaurant. The décor is upscale, and the venue is open for breakfast, lunch (on sea days), and dinner.

The Blu Restaurant is reserved for Aqua-Class passengers and offers a menu available during breakfast and dinner.

Solstice Bars

The Solstice has more than a dozen options to grab a drink. Its most popular spots are the Martini Bar and Cellar Masters on the Promenade Deck (deck 4).

The Martini Bar has entertaining bar staff who deliver an action-packed show if you order a Martini flight. It consists of six martinis for USD 35.

For something unusual, consider a black forest or banana split martini, which combines a dessert with a drink.

Located a deck up, the Ensemble Lounge often gathered a crowd to listen to live music in a darkened room. At the bow, the Sky Lounge offered drinks based on your zodiac sign, which cost USD 12 if you didn’t have a drinks package.

In warm weather destinations the sunset bar allows you to enjoy your drinks with those perfect wake views.

The Lawn Club and Outdoor Theater

The Lawn Club is on Deck 15 at the ship’s aft. This incredible area has half an acre of real grass and is unique to Celebrity Solstice class vessels.

On a warm sunny day, playing lawn games or taking your shoes off and walking barefoot in the grass is so much fun. This is while you are cruising at 20 knots out at sea with no land in sight!

On our Celebrity Eclipse cruise in 2019, the Lawn Club was wide open with over 20,000 square feet of grass – over a half acre! Celebrity has now installed private cabanas on the Lawn Club, which guests can rent for a day or less.

The cost was over USD 200 with seating for up to 4 people. While the cabanas were spacious, they were severely weathered and needed some TLC. During our cruise on the Solstice, we saw only one be utilized.

The Lawn Club area also has a large outdoor screen. Weather permitting, you can watch movies, sports, and other popular shows. On one side of the Lawn Club, a smoking area borders the grass.

The Pool Deck

The Solstice has a large outdoor pool area on the Resort deck. It has two pools, four hot tubs, and a wet zone. The pool area has many loungers and alcoves if you prefer some privacy.

This area typically gets busy on hot days or sea days. Since we had only one full sea day, cruise passengers rarely used the pool area.

On the same deck, the adults-only Solarium Pool provides a place to swim if it’s cold outside. Along with two hot tubs, it’s an ideal place to relax on an Alaskan cruise.

The Sky Lounge

You’ll find the Sky Observation Lounge at the ship’s bow, one deck up from the pool area. Enclosed with floor-to-ceiling windows, it provides a quiet spot to read or take in the scenery when there are no activities.

This lounge can accommodate lots of guests. When cruising to Alaska, it provides a great viewing area if the weather isn’t cooperating outside.

You can take a  cruise from Seattle or Vancouver  when planning an Alaska cruise. The Solstice sails from Seattle and the Eclipse from Vancouver.

Entertainment

There are several entertainment venues throughout the ship, so there’s always something to see. We enjoyed the nightly shows in the Solstice Theater, but if you want something less-formal, check out the other venues.

Some of the popular areas for entertainment of all tastes include:

• Grand Foyer (Deck 3)
• Ensemble (Deck 5)
• Sky Lounge (Deck 14)
• Celebrity Central (Deck 4)
• Poolside (Deck 12)
• Quasar (Deck 4)

Solstice Theater

The Solstice Theater is the largest venue on Deck 4 and 5 in the ship’s forward section.

During our cruise on the Celebrity Solstice, there were various shows each evening. Performances included magicians, comedians, musicians, Broadway-style shows, and more.

Show times were at 7 and 9 pm, and since we dined at 6 pm, we chose the 9 pm show. Most shows are ‘family-friendly,’ so it’s fine to bring your kids.

The production shows were of the standard type shown on cruise ships and were nothing spectacular. However, we did enjoy the “Rock City” show the last evening.

The comedian we enjoyed on embarkation day put on a 2nd show on Day 6 that was more ‘Adult-content.’ Check the daily “Celebrity Today” newsletter for what show is on each evening.

Celebrity Central

This theater is outside the large Solstice Theater and features movies, comedy shows, and other entertainment.

During our sailing, movies included blockbuster films that Hollywood had released within the past year.

The theatre holds approximately 200 people, but attendance varies greatly depending on what’s playing there. I like Celebrity Central because it’s a very comfortable theatre with often great entertainment.

Celebrity Solstice Activities

Every cruise ship has a Cruise Director to oversee all the activities during your cruise. There are activities for all interests and ages.

The everyday activities on the Solstice are fitness classes, dance lessons, art auctions, shopping-related contests, and various game shows.

Some activities provide a chance to meet others with the same interest. There are meetups for solo travelers, LGBTQ, wine tasting, and more.

Karen and I have decided we both have “2 left feet,” so you’ll never find us in the dance classes. However, I was amazed when over 100 passengers in the Grand Foyer were trying to learn salsa!

One of the best parts of the activities is that you can be a people-watcher and look from the sidelines.

Celebrity Today (Daily Newsletter)

As more cruise lines and ships move to a paperless environment, there is less chance of getting a printed daily program for activities. However, on the Celebrity Solstice, our room steward would put a paper copy of Celebrity Today each night.

As much as I support sustainability and consider myself “environmentally friendly,” we appreciate the hard copy of tomorrow’s activities. 

Sometimes cruise apps are glitchy or hard to navigate. With paper, you can scan a couple of pages and highlight what you want to see or do in a quick minute or two.

However, when we sailed on Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas last year, it was great that you could use their app to book the activities. 

The Solstice is not digital; you just show up to an activity and hope there are not too many people there.

Silent Disco

The Solstice offered Silent Disco a couple of times during our cruise. You can only hear the music through your glowing headphones.

It’s fun to watch the crowd as they all move individually and silently to the music playing in their head. Karen and I didn’t have a chance to try it on the Solstice but did dance the evening away on our cruise previously on the Celebrity Eclipse.

If you cruise on one of the Solstice-class ships, be sure to make time for Silent Disco!

The Library

The library on all Solstice-class ships is impressive and a great place to relax with your own book or one from the ship. This area is on Deck 10 and is part of the central atrium with ample sunshine from above.

Seating is limited, so plan on arriving early if you want to enjoy one of the big comfy chairs. However, passengers come and go throughout the day, so the wait would not be long, if at all.

On our Pacific Coastal cruise, we had only one sea day. As a result, Karen and I rarely spent time in the library because we were busy with excursions.

Below the library, you’ll find a card room with cards, puzzles, and games.

Hot Glass Class

If you have glass blowing on your bucket list, you can do it on the Celebrity Solstice, Equinox, or Eclipse. With the help of a master glass artist, you can take a class to create your own work of art.

The  Hot Glass Class  is unique to Celebrity and impressive that you can do it on a cruise ship. Fire is one of the great fears of the cruise ship crew, and extremely high temperatures are needed for glass art.

You can watch a hot glass show or take a class for a fee of USD 120 (small item) and up to USD 160 (large item). The Hot Glass Class is a must-do activity if you love artistic glass!

One tip, the glass class is held on the aft of Deck 15. During our cruise, the wind was blistery, and you needed a coat to fight against the cool temperatures. Times vary per cruises, but classes are available when ships aren’t in port.

By pre-booking the class before your cruise, you can get a discount if choosing two classes instead of one. I met couples at the glass studio who make it a ritual to create a piece on every ship with a glass-blowing studio.

Children And Youth Services

No review of the Celebrity Solstice would be complete without mentioning their children’s program. On our cruise, of the 2600 passengers, over 400 were kids due to the spring break in most school districts.

I know some older passengers prefer to sail without kids on board and avoid cruises during peak times for kids.

However, kids were present on our cruise but seemed just to be part of the passenger mix. I assume many kids were involved in various Fun Factory or X Club activities because we didn’t see many children onboard.

The youth programs offer different interest categories, including Art, Recreational, Culinary, and S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).

Camp At Sea

Celebrity’s program for all kids under 13 is Camp at Sea. The program is divided into three age groups as follows:

• SHIPMATES – 3-5 years old.
• CADETS – 6-9 years old.
• CAPTAINS – 10-12 years old.

Each group has age-appropriate activities in the morning (9 am-noon), afternoon (2 pm-5 pm), and evening (7 pm-10 pm).

Babysitting was available for USD 15 per hour for children one and up. Slumber parties and port day programs cost USD 6 per hour for those three years and up.

The spa area is a strong source of revenue for cruise lines, and it’s no different on the Celebrity Solstice. We toured the area after embarkation but did not take advantage of any spa facilities during our cruise (probably because we had only one sea day).

Here are some sample spa services offered on the Solstice. All prices are USD and not inclusive of the 18% gratuities.

Note the spa does not have a jetted pool area as part of its thermal suite, the Persian Garden. In higher-end spas, the powerful jets are therapeutic and very popular among cruise passengers.

Laundry Services

Unfortunately, Celebrity does not provide a self-serve laundromat for passengers. Celebrity is part of the Royal Caribbean Group (RCG), and no cruise lines within RCG offer it.

As a result, plan on paying for laundry services, or using your onboard credit, if you need to get something washed. When traveling on Celebrity or Royal Caribbean, Karen and I always bring extra clothes so we will not need to pay for washing.

This is one of the reasons some cruise guests prefer Princess, Carnival, or Cunard. They offer self-serve washing machines and dryers. 

On Cunard and Discovery Princess, the service is FREE; they even provide laundry detergent at no charge!

Laundry is expensive, so plan accordingly. However, if you have Elite status with Celebrity, you qualify for one no-charge bag of laundry.

Celebrity Solstice Extras

Guests may purchase additional items for their cruise, such as Wi-Fi, drinks packages, and specialty dining options.

Wi-Fi costs USD 19.99 daily and is suitable for email, messaging, and browsing. If you want to stream, you need to upgrade to premium Wi-Fi for USD 34.99 a day.

Even though the Solstice had upgraded its internet service to Starlink, many guests complained of slow service.

Drink packages varied from USD 30 a day for the zero proof package (soda, premium water, specialty coffees, smoothies, and non-alcoholic drinks) to USD 109 daily for a premium drinks package.

The Premium package included drinks up to USD 17 without a limit on the number you could consume per day.

The slightly cheaper Classic package costs USD 89 a day for drinks up to USD. However, we saw only a few drinks under USD 10, and these were generally wine by the glass or a beer.

To save money, Celebrity often offers a sale on drink packages pre-cruise. We received an email offering a buy one, get one 50% off before our cruise.

Final Thoughts On Cruising The Celebrity Solstice

Karen and I were fortunate enough to cruise four times in 2022 across Royal Caribbean, Princess, and Cunard. Our cruise on the Solstice was our first Celebrity cruise since 2019.

Cruising has changed since the pandemic, with all cruise lines cutting back on their services, food, and other areas. However, I was still impressed with the quality of the cruise we had on the Celebrity Solstice.

Celebrity is still a premium cruise line, but I couldn’t help but feel the “magic” was not quite the same as our cruise in 2019 on the Eclipse. However, that was our honeymoon cruise which I’m sure added to the memories.

On the Solstice, I was impressed with the quality of service from our room steward and dining servers. You can’t beat the service on a Celebrity vessel, and they made our stay incredible!

My wife Karen still considers Celebrity and Royal Caribbean her “favorite cruise lines,” but I feel my cruise on Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth to be my favorite among the Premium lines.

The Celebrity Solstice is an ideal ship for a couple. Whether you choose an Alaska, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, or Hawaiian itinerary, you’ll savor your time onboard.

Nancy Discepola

Tuesday 30th of May 2023

Wondering if we can bring wine aboard the ship

Forever Karen

Nancy, guests can bring two bottles of wine per person.

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9 Cruise Lines With the Best Food

T aking a cruise vacation transports you to coveted destinations in places around the world. For many people, though, it's all about the culinary experience, especially for those who return time and again to dine at their favorite onboard venues – many of which rival the best restaurants you'll find on land. While most cruise lines still offer all-you-can-eat buffet-style venues, some also feature next-level culinary experiences with world-renowned chefs at the helm, menus curated by Michelin-starred chefs, and immersive food and beverage programs.

If you're a foodie looking for the cruise lines with the best food, U.S. News has compiled this list of cruise lines focused on delivering an extraordinary dining experience, based on expert opinion and reviews. We've also highlighted two of the venues on each line that receive accolades for outstanding food and service.

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Luxury cruise lines

Oceania cruises.

Oceania Cruises' culinary program has long been regarded as one of the best of any cruise line – and the company has even trademarked the term "The Finest Cuisine at Sea." Jacques Pépin, the renowned French master chef, has been the executive culinary director since 2003; he has inspired the menus and cuisine on board the line's seven small luxury ships since that time, including the newest vessel, Vista . Oceania is also committed to sourcing the best ingredients from destinations around the world. In addition, the line has a high ratio of culinary staff to guests, and the ship's galleys are outfitted with equipment you'd typically see in Michelin-starred restaurants.

Guests can book exclusive Culinary Discovery Tours on two of the ships, Marina and Riviera . Hone your culinary skills or learn to prepare new types of cuisine at The Culinary Center, found on Marina, Riviera and Vista. You'll also find special wine-tasting and Champagne events in partnership with La Reserve by Wine Spectator. In addition, the line has just announced its first Culinary Masters' Cruise featuring Oceania's two French master chefs aboard Marina in October 2024.

Most of the dining venues are complimentary on Oceania Cruises (except for Privée and La Reserve), and options run the gamut from French and Asian cuisine to Italian fare and steakhouse specialties. There are also new culinary concepts on board Vista – including Ember, which features American classics, as well as Aquamar Kitchen, a venue focused on healthy Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.

Here are two of Oceania's best restaurants:

• Red Ginger: Red Ginger's colorful red and gold interiors, designed with feng shui in mind, draw guests in when they enter the restaurant, but it's the bold Asian flavors that keep them coming back for more. With Vietnamese, Thai and Japanese specialties to choose from, diners will enjoy selections such as caramelized tiger prawns, crispy ginger calamari, red and green curries, and bulgogi rib-eye steak. Red Ginger is available on Marina, Riviera, Sirena and Vista.
• Toscana: The hearty cuisine inspired by Tuscan and northern Italian flavors at Toscana is served on Versace china that's custom designed for the restaurant. Diners should come with an appetite to enjoy several courses before the main event, including a hot or cold antipasti or soup, a selection of pastas, and a classic version of Caesar salad prepared tableside. Traditional main dish favorites include osso buco alla Milanese, veal scaloppini, lobster fra diavolo and Dover sole. Toscana is available on Regatta, Insignia, Nautica, Marina, Riviera and Vista.

Book an  Oceania Cruises  itinerary on GoToSea, a service of U.S. News.

Silversea Cruises

Silversea is another cruise line known for its culinary excellence. Guests will find a selection of international venues featuring Italian, Asian and French cuisine on board the line's fleet of 12 ships.

S.A.L.T., an immersive dining experience that stands for "Sea and Land Taste," is available on Silver Nova , Silver Moon and Silver Dawn . The S.A.L.T. program was created by Adam Sachs, former editor-in-chief of Saveur magazine and three-time James Beard journalism award winner. The innovative program invites guests to experience the destination and local food culture through on-board hands-on activities, including making local recipes in the S.A.L.T. Lab. You can also attend cooking demonstrations and lectures, or book in-depth culinary excursions to working organic farms, Sicilian pasticcerias (where you'll learn how to make pastries) and vineyards in destinations around the world.

The all-inclusive luxury line's restaurant venues are complimentary with the following exceptions: French fine dining restaurant La Dame; the S.A.L.T. Chef's Table experience available on Silver Nova; Seishin Restaurant, which serves Asian fusion dishes on Silver Spirit; and Kaiseki, the Japanese, sushi and teppanyaki venue available on five Silversea ships.

These are two standout dining venues on Silversea:

• S.A.L.T. Kitchen: S.A.L.T. Kitchen's menu changes daily inspired by the destination, but diners will also find a "Voyage" menu that reflects the influences from the overall region of the itinerary. The daily "Terrain" menu in Italy might include dishes likes prawns cooked in a cherry tomato sauce with garlic, white wine and parsley or a classic risotto with clams topped with a pan-fried filet of sole. The "Voyage" menu on an Eastern Mediterranean sailing would feature dishes from Greece, Croatia and Italy. The immersive dining experience is available on Silver Ray, Moon, Dawn and Nova.
• La Dame: The curated menu at La Dame was created by Silversea's top chefs and is served in an elegant contemporary space with white-glove table service. The cuisine pays homage to classic French gastronomy along with modern techniques and flair. Guests can expect to dine on traditional French dishes such as seared duck foie gras, French onion soup, lobster bisque, Dover sole and souffles for dessert. La Dame is available on all the line's ships, except for Silver Origin.

Find a  Silversea Cruise  on GoToSea.

Explora Journeys

MSC Group's new luxury brand, Explora Journeys, features a top-notch culinary program with a team of international chefs at the helm. Acclaimed chef Franck Garanger, the line's head of culinary, has been recognized as a French master chef since 2008; he has also overseen the culinary programs for both Silversea and Oceania cruises before joining Explora.

According to Garanger, Explora Journeys has one of the highest chef-to-guest ratios and food costs of any cruise line, which is why you'll see offerings like freshly shucked oysters on the half shell, ceviche, free range and organic chicken, made-to-order grilled fish, and other freshly prepared items in Emporium Marketplace, Explora's globally inspired all-day dining venue. There's also a large focus on plant-based dishes, wellness and healthy menu selections in venues across the ship.

The first of six 922-guest superyacht-style vessels, Explora I, offers guests a choice of six restaurant venues, including the French-inspired Fil Rouge; Marble & Co. Grill, an elegant European steakhouse; and Med Yacht Club, which features delightful Mediterranean cuisine. Guests will also enjoy boutique international and regional wines; try a glass of Moët & Chandon, Explora's "house" Champagne.

During your "journey," you can also attend cooking classes at the Chef's Kitchen, a private dining and culinary school with lead enrichment chef Jean-Louis Dumonet at the helm. Another world-class chef, Dumonet received the distinction of becoming a French master chef in 1994 and has had a very successful culinary career, including achieving his first Michelin star at age 28.

Explore these standouts in Explora's culinary program:

• Sakura: This beautiful Pan-Asian restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. The bright and airy design features cherry blossoms suspended from the ceilings and Asian-inspired decor. The authentic dining experience also boasts an open kitchen and a sushi bar with many ingredients sourced from Japan, and the venue has outdoor seating and indoor tables with floor-to-ceiling ocean views. Begin your evening with an Asian-inspired cocktail and a starter of crispy duck leg confit, wagyu beef tataki or soft-shell crab tempura. Main dish highlights include a miso black cod fillet, 72-hour slow-cooked short rib beef panang and an addictive lobster pad Thai.
• Anthology: The innovative concept at Anthology "is imagined as a unique culinary stage showcasing global cooking talents and cuisines, provenance and rare ingredients along with wines by highly coveted winemakers." The tasting menus are curated by a rotation of top chefs that changes throughout the year. The first chef who opened the new ship, Mauro Uliassi, has a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in the coastal town of Senigallia, Italy. The second chef (through April 2024) is Swedish-born Emma Bengtsson, executive chef at the two-Michelin-starred Aquavit in New York. Anthology is the only dining venue on Explora I that comes at an additional cost. There's also an optional wine pairing.

Compare  Explora Journeys  cruises on GoToSea.

Regent Seven Seas

Regent Seven Seas' culinary program, "Epicurean Indulgence," features top-notch dining experiences on board the luxury line's six ships. Guests will also find educational hands-on cooking classes in the Culinary Arts Kitchen and Epicurean Explorer tours focused on the wines, spirits and regional foods in destinations around the world. Regents' all-inclusive cruise fares include as many as seven dining venues (depending on the ship), that feature French, Italian, Pan-Asian and steakhouse restaurants as well as 24-hour in-suite room service. You can also enjoy fine wines and spirits in all the restaurants, bar and lounges.

Regent Seven Seas boasts a variety of excellent restaurants, but here are two top options:

• Pacific Rim: The entrance to Pacific Rim is just as impressive as its food with the floor-to-ceiling bronze Tibetan Buddhist prayer wheel that sits just outside the venue. Inside, your evening experience in this beautiful zen-like space begins with a signature cocktail and a difficult decision of which Thai, Japanese, Korean, Chinese or Vietnamese dishes to order for dinner. Begin your meal with a selection of sushi and sashimi, then sample pork and shrimp siu mai or thom kha gai soup. For a main dish, don't miss elevated dishes like miso black cod, Canadian lobster tempura or aromatic duck.
• Compass Rose: Compass Rose is the largest specialty restaurant on Regent's ships, and you'll find the elegant venue across the fleet. The menu features classic favorites and dishes that are always available, including foie gras, escargot, Alaskan crab salad, black Angus cuts of beef, New Zealand lamb chops and a daily choice of pasta. The additional chef's gourmet menu changes daily. If you prefer lighter fare, choose one of the healthy Serene Spa & Wellness selections. Guests can also customize their dining preferences and order from any of the menus.

Explore  Regent Seven Seas  deals on GoToSea.

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Viking's nine 930-guest and adults-only ocean-going ships offer destination-focused dining highlighting regional cuisine and local specialties. In addition, cruisers will find their favorite classic dishes (some with a twist), such as a Norwegian baby shrimp cocktail, beef tenderloin and linguine with clams in The Restaurant, Viking's main dining venue.

Other dining options include an open kitchen and international fare at World Café, which also has a large alfresco dining area called Aquavit Terrace. For more casual fare, head to Mamsen's, a favorite spot for Norwegian specialties, or stop by the Pool Grill, where you'll find made-to-order burgers and light bites. All of these venues – plus two specialty restaurants, Manfredi's and The Chef's Table – are included in the cruise fare.

Guests on board Viking's ships are also treated to a daily afternoon tea in the Wintergarden, a Scandinavian-inspired, light-filled space located next to the main pool. If you're interested in learning more about destination-focused cuisine, reserve a spot in one of the hands-on cooking classes at The Kitchen Table to learn how to prepare some of the local dishes. These special excursions and culinary classes begin with a visit to a local market and end with an evening of cooking (or watching the dinner preparation) – plus multiple courses of food and wine pairings. There is a fee for the class.

The two specialty restaurants provide an exceptional experience with Viking :

• Manfredi's: Plan to make a reservation at Manfredi's, Viking's Italian restaurant. It features an impressive menu of Italian specialties, including dishes with influence from Tuscany and Rome. Start the evening with a selection of antipasti for two and pasta e fagioli or crème of porcini soup. Then, choose between traditional offerings like osso bucco alla Milanese, rosemary parmesan-crusted lamb or the Tuscan favorite dish bistecca Fiorentina (Florentine-style steak). There are also wonderful fresh pasta dishes and several types of risotto.
• The Chef's Table: The Chef's Table menu changes several times throughout the cruise, allowing guests to sample a variety of multicourse tasting menus that highlight international and regional specialties. The beautiful venue is perfect for a special evening and a "food journey" where you'll savor a selection of Asian, Norwegian, French or other cuisines paired with wines by the ship's master sommelier.

Book a  Viking Ocean Cruises  itinerary on GoToSea.

Mainstream cruise lines

Holland america line.

Holland America's master chef and creative culinary artist, Rudi Sodamin, has been with the line for around 20 years. He also heads up the Culinary Council, a group of well-known chefs who will be on board for culinary cruises scheduled throughout the year. During these special voyages, guests can attend cooking demonstrations and coffee chats and make reservations for exclusive chef-hosted dinners and events throughout the cruise.

Holland America also has a new initiative with Fresh Fish Ambassador, chef and TV personality Masaharu Morimoto (you'll recognize him from "Iron Chef"). The Global Fresh Fish program affords the line the ability to source more than 80 varieties of fresh fish in destinations around the world. In addition, you'll find certified sustainable Alaskan seafood on the menu during Alaska cruises .

Wine aficionados can look for wine tastings and wine blending sessions on board the ship and excursions to wine regions ashore, some in partnership with Food & Wine magazine. Rudi's Sel De Mer is an excellent choice for a fine dining evening, but the French brasserie-inspired venue is only available on three ships.

Here are two of Holland America's top specialty restaurants:

• Pinnacle Grill: Pinnacle Grill, an upscale steakhouse, is a specialty restaurant (with an additional fee) that's available on all of the line's 11 ships. It's a favorite spot for couples to enjoy a romantic evening and features classic dishes like shrimp cocktail, jumbo lump crab cakes, lobster bisque, filet mignon, surf and turf, and grilled lamb chops. Seafood lovers will also find Alaskan king salmon and halibut. Be sure to save room for a twist on a timeless dessert – the not-so-classic baked Alaska with Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream.
• Tamarind: Tamarind's elegant atmosphere and flavorful Pan-Asian cuisine make this another top pick for Holland American cruisers. The specialty restaurant is available on four ships (for an additional fee) and features dishes from Thailand, Japan, Indonesia and other Asian countries. Appetizers include specialties like crispy duck with a steamed bao bun, shrimp tempura and Chinese five-spice baby back ribs. For the main course, choose from several types of curries, sample Mongolian barbecue lamb chops, or feast on wok-seared shrimp and lobster. Plan to come early to Tamarind Bar to enjoy a cocktail such as a saketini while watching the sunset over the ocean.

Find a  Holland America  cruise on GoToSea.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line offers excellent family-friendly dining options with over-the-top Disney- and movie-themed venues with live character performances and shows. The ships also have upscale adults-only lounges, bars and restaurants that are perfect for a romantic date night. Disney Cruise Line 's unique rotational family dining concept allows guests to experience three different restaurants while having the same dedicated servers every one of those evenings, so the service is personalized throughout your voyage.

Guests on board Disney Wish can dine in the fictional kingdom of Arendelle at Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure. The "Frozen"-themed evening includes Nordic-inspired dishes, musical performances by the characters and even singalongs for the audience. On Disney Wonder , guests are treated to a night filled with New Orleans-style jazz and street parties plus Southern-influenced fare at Tiana's Place. You can also meet Princess Tiana from Disney's animated feature "The Princess and the Frog."

Other top dining venues on Disney Cruise Line include:

Palo: This adults-only Venetian-inspired venue is an upscale spot ideal for a quiet evening without the kids (who will be very happy to spend time at the onboard kids club). The fine dining experience features northern Italian cuisine and floor-to-ceiling windows offering views from nearly every perspective. The specialty restaurant also serves brunch on longer cruises. The prix fixe (or "prezzo fisso") menu includes four courses, or you can opt to choose from the regular menu with a selection of appetizers, salads, pizza, pasta and main dishes that are individually priced. Guests will find Palo on Disney Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy.

On Disney Wish, there's an updated version of the dining concept, Palo Steakhouse. The modern steakhouse and Italian restaurant – inspired by Cogsworth, the enchanted clock from "Beauty and the Beast" – offers cuts of Australian wagyu, Japanese Kobe and Miyazaki beef as well as delightful Italian cuisine and spectacular ocean views. Be sure to splurge on a cocktail at The Rose before dinner if you're dining at Palo Steakhouse. Note that meals at Palo and Palo Steakhouse come with an additional charge.

Remy: The exquisite dining experience at Remy is a collaboration between French chef Arnaud Lallement from l'Assiette Champenoise (a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in France) and Walt Disney World Resort 's chef Scott Hunnel from the renowned restaurant Victoria & Albert's. Your leisurely evening of fine wines and a tasting menu of French fare begins with a signature Taittinger Champagne cocktail prepared tableside.

Special touches in the "Ratatouille"-inspired venue include Frette linens, Christofle silverware, exclusive Bernadaud china made for Remy, Riedel glassware, tableside international cheese service and decanting stations for wines. A Champagne brunch is served on sea days and select port days. There is an additional charge to dine at the restaurant, which is available on Disney Dream and Fantasy.

Explore  Disney Cruise Line  deals on GoToSea.

Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages' creative approach to cruising can be found in nearly every aspect of the line's three ships, including its adults-only vibe and fresh approach to dining. Virgin Voyages does not have a traditional main dining room – and there's no onboard buffet or large dining halls. What you will find is more than 20 eateries with menus created by Michelin-starred chefs that are included in the cruise fare. These smaller and more intimate venues include The Galley, a food court-style spot for casual and grab-and-go fare like bento boxes, tacos, salads, sushi, burgers, noodle bowls and desserts.

Meat lovers and vegetarians will love the veggie-forward dishes and indulgent pork or chicken specialties at boldly designed Razzle Dazzle. At Extra Virgin, sample trattoria-style Italian fare like crispy artichokes, seafood pasta, grilled Mediterranean sea bass and a special tableside preparation of affogato for dessert. For a Korean barbecue experience, head over to Gunbae, a fun spot where your evening begins with a shot of soju – Korea's national drink and the best-selling liquor in the world. The Wake is the largest venue on board and the closest restaurant to a main dining room; it sits at the back of the ship and features a raw bar in addition to a selection of steaks and seafood (some offerings come with an upcharge).

There are many excellent options for dinner, but these are two cruiser-favorite venues:

• The Test Kitchen: Inspired by Auguste Escoffier's "Ma Cuisine," The Test Kitchen is a favorite spot for its laboratory-like eatery and cooking school. The interior decor features metal furniture, beakers and test tubes to get diners in the mood for the exploratory culinary evening. Menus at this innovative venue are presented as a list of ingredients, and guests get to watch the chef combine the selected ingredients of the day for the six-course tasting menu. The upscale experience takes about 2.5 hours. Wine, beer or cocktail pairings come at an additional fee.
• Pink Agave: Virgin's stylish Mexican dining venue, Pink Agave, was inspired by the vibrant streets of Mexico City – and the restaurant features what the line calls the most extensive selection of mezcal and tequila at sea. The menu offerings include small, medium and large plates plus desserts. To begin the evening, order a few small bites to share, including esquites (a grilled corn dish) and aguachile, which is a ceviche made with raw tuna, avocado and jicama. Then, for the main course, choose between options like roasted duck or chicken, achiote marinated pork, or a vegetarian stuffed poblano pepper.

Compare  Virgin Voyages  cruises on GoToSea.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity's selection and quality of restaurant venues – and attentive service – have made the line a favorite for food-focused cruisers for many years. If you're sailing on one of the Celebrity Edge-class ships ( Ascent , Beyond , Apex or Edge ), you'll have up to 32 restaurants to choose from with globally inspired menus created by Michelin-starred chef Cornelius Gallagher.

You can also look for special culinary cruises and onboard events designed in partnership with renowned Michelin-star French chef Daniel Boulud, the line's global culinary brand ambassador. Some of the onboard programs include wine-blending classes, whiskey and scotch tastings, mixology classes, and food and wine pairing workshops.

With so many complimentary dining and specialty options on Celebrity ships (making it hard to choose where to dine), here are two of the unique experiences not to be missed:

• Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud: Daniel Boulud's first signature restaurant at sea is inspired by the chef's global travels. The interior of the specialty restaurant, designed by the Parisian architect-design team of Jouin Manku, is as much of an experience as the meal with its intimate decor and banquette seating. Guests can choose between a standard dinner menu, a regular five-course tasting menu or a plant-based tasting menu. Le Voyage is available on the new Celebrity Ascent and Celebrity Beyond and costs an additional fee.
• Le Petit Chef: The innovative and fantastical 3D dining experience at Le Petit Chef is one of the most unique ways to spend an evening at sea. The immersive meal, which is either served in the quirky Qsine restaurant or Le Grand Bistro, depending on the ship, will delight cruisers of all ages, especially younger children. The tiny, animated chef (think about the size of your hand) entertains guests while preparing each dish. You may see him firing up a grill to sear a steak, picking fresh vegetables from a garden or even going on a fishing adventure in search of lobster. After each dish is prepared by "the chef," waiters will arrive with the actual dish. The 1.5-hour-long experience is an additional cost.

Explore  Celebrity Cruises  deals on GoToSea.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She has sailed on nearly every type of cruise ship built, including the newest megaships, paddle-wheelers on the Mississippi River, and an 18-stateroom river ship on the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia. She has also cruised on a traditional masted sailing ship and on a small luxury expedition vessel in Antarctica crossing the notorious Drake Passage twice. She covers the travel and culinary industries for major publications including U.S. News & World Report.

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