After sailing with cruise lines of all sizes, I've learned that the food can be a highlight or an afterthought, depending on the ship.
But while some offer little more than a dining room and a sad buffet, others have built their reputation around food, whether that's a boutique river cruise or a mega ship with a dizzying 17 places to eat. Think chef-driven menus, restaurants to dress up for, and even farm-to-table touches like market tours with the chef.
One thing to keep in mind: it's smart to shop by ship, not simply by cruise line. Each one is different, and a standout restaurant on one vessel might not appear on its sister ship.
Here are five lines where foodies will find plenty to love, with a variety of included dining and worthwhile splurges.
In this article
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Aqua and Luna for Food Hall Grazing
Norwegian’s two newest ships, the Aqua and the Luna, each pack in 17 dining options. While I haven’t sailed on these two yet, I have cruised with Norwegian before and appreciated the sheer variety of onboard restaurants. It’s a refreshing change from the limited choices you’ll find on smaller ships.
The included options are the draw here, and they're high value. Indulge Food Hall brings together nine global food concepts under one roof, so you can graze from noodle bowls to Latin street food and tapas, all in one place. Q Texas Smokehouse is the spot for smoked brisket sliders and pork spare ribs, while Planterie, the line’s first plant-based venue, serves up a Southwest Bowl with smoked tempeh.
Specialty restaurants do come with a cover charge: $40 per person at Los Lobos and Onda by Scarpetta, $50 at Sukhothai (Norwegian’s first Thai restaurant) and Nama Sushi & Sashimi, and $60 at Cagney’s Steakhouse, Palomar, Hasuki, and Le Bistro.
On ships this size, it pays to have a plan. Avoid crowds by going at off-peak times and skip what you don't need, so you can make the most of your meals.
Oceania Cruises for Master Chef Cooking
Oceania Cruises markets "The Finest Cuisine at Sea," and the credentials hold up. Two Master Chefs of France, Alexis Quaretti and Eric Barale, lead the cruise line’s culinary program, with Jacques Pépin as Executive Culinary Advisor.
I’m booked with Oceania for 2027 and am already looking forward to sampling as many restaurants as possible. On Oceania Marina, Oceania Riviera, Oceania Vista, and Oceania Allura, Jacques serves up Pépin’s rotisserie classics and a duck foie gras terrine. Toscana, a restaurant found on several Oceania ships, features Capri-inspired lemon spaghetti from Giada De Laurentiis, the ship’s godmother.
Oceania Cruises also puts an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients. The Culinary Center on Marina, Riviera, Vista, and Allura offers hands-on cooking classes inspired by the region you’re sailing through, and chef-led Culinary Discovery Tours take you to local markets for a deeper taste of the destination.
Your fare includes every restaurant, but you’ll want to reserve in advance. If you’re in the mood to splurge extra, there’s the Dom Pérignon Experience ($395 per person), the Gerard Bertrand Food and Wine Pairing Lunch ($175 per person) and the Privee ($500 per person).
Windstar Cruises for James Beard Chefs
Windstar is the James Beard Foundation's official cruise line, a partnership spanning more than a decade.
Several Culinary Voyages offer guest-chef dinners, cooking demonstrations, and local market visits. Greek food lovers will want to book the Greek Isles sailing onboard Wind Surf in July 2027, when Chef Roel Alcudia of House of Stefas will host a dinner among the ruins of Ancient Thira above Santorini.
At Amphora, the main restaurant across the fleet, you’ll find rotating recipes from Foundation chefs—think Hugh Acheson’s salade Lyonnaise and Judy Ni’s Taiwanese beef noodle soup. After five Windstar sailings, my husband and I still talk about Amphora’s Grand Marnier soufflé. We also loved dining outdoors at Candles, the reservation-only steak and seafood spot, especially for the Moroccan-glazed shrimp.
Dining at the restaurants is included, though Candles charges extra for its 40-ounce tomahawk and 30-ounce porterhouse. Alcohol isn’t included unless you opt for the All-In fare, which runs $99 per guest per day if you book ahead.
Crystal Cruises for a Nobu Dinner at Sea
Crystal Cruises is the only line with Nobu restaurants at sea, one on each of its two ships. Umi Uma serves a Japanese-Peruvian fusion menu from chef Nobu Matsuhisa, including his signature black cod in Saikyo miso. Crystal has partnered with Nobu for over 20 years, and as a sushi lover, I can honestly say the sushi I had on Symphony was the best I’ve ever had on a cruise ship. I kept going back for the Jalapeño Yellowtail Sashimi.
Crystal ships offer nine complimentary dining options, including a gelato bar and in-suite dining. Osteria d’Ovidio, created with Michelin-starred chefs Massimiliano and Raffaele Alajmo, serves up maccheroni alla carbonara and vitello tonnato. Beefbar, Riccardo Giraudi’s latest specialty restaurant, features Wagyu bolognese and jasmine tea-smoked Wagyu bao buns.
Dining is complimentary, but there are limits. During voyages up to 11 nights, you get one free reservation each at Umi Uma and Osteria d’Ovidio. After that, it’s $75 per person (Penthouse suite guests get unlimited visits). Kobe and Wagyu cuts at Beefbar, as well as Vintage Room wine dinners, are also extra.
Riverside Luxury Cruises for Homemade Cuisine
I’ve sailed with Riverside Luxury Cruises twice now, and when it comes to cruise ship food, they stand out.
The difference is in the details. Everything is homemade and often made to order, instead of the mass-produced meals you’ll find on mega ships. From bread baked fresh daily to smoked duck breast and twice-baked aged gouda soufflé, the chef prepares everything from scratch.
Waterside, the main dining room on every ship, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The base Full Board fare covers all meals except dinner at Atelier (formerly the Bistro), and room service is only included during mealtimes. With the Premium All-Inclusive fare upgrade, you’ll get a drink package with premium wine, cocktails, spirits, and French champagne, plus 24/7 room service and complimentary access to Atelier.
On select evenings, for an extra fee, the Vintage Room hosts an intimate six- to seven-course dinner paired with exceptional wines for 10 to 12 guests, depending on the ship. If you love food and wine, this experience is the highlight of the voyage and absolutely worth the splurge.
The Shortcut
Norwegian ships offer a wide variety: The Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna each have 17 dining options, including the Indulge Food Hall.
Every Oceania and Windstar restaurant is included: On Oceania, expect Master Chef-led menus, cooking classes, and immersive programming based on your destination. Some Windstar sailings, meanwhile, have guest-chef dinners, cooking demonstrations, and local market visits.
Find the only Nobu at sea on Crystal: Each cruise includes one free reservation at Umi Uma (the Nobu restaurant) and one at Osteria d’Ovidio on voyages up to 11 nights.
Everything is cooked fresh onboard Riverside: This luxury line makes everything homemade and often made to order, instead of the mass-produced meals you’ll find on most ships.
