Cruise DiningCruise dining today has never been easy and full of choices, especially aboard the newer cruise ships. One evening you might enjoy the elegant atmosphere of the main dining room while another you opt for your ship's casual dining restaurant or one of the ship's specialty restaurants. Regardless, you'll find an endless selection of entrees, appetizers, salads, soups, sides and desserts every time you sit down. And there's virtually no limit on what or how much you order. But just because your cruise ship offers plenty of delicious food doesn't mean you'll come home out of shape. You can choose low-calorie, spa or fitness menu selections that are just as tempting as those on the regular menu. Burning calories was never so much fun! 
In addition to all the fabulous food and restaurants, a number of cruise lines allow guests to choose their own dining time. NCL's Freestyle Dining concept has been well-received by guests who love the freedom to dine whenever and wherever they like, and six-star lines such as Regent and Silversea also leave the option of dining time up to guests. Princess' Personal Choice Dining, Holland America's As You Wish Dining and Royal Caribbean's My Time Dining are now available in addition to their traditional dinner seating. There are even a few cruise lines that have eliminated the formal dress attire of traditional cruising for a more relaxed, casual dress code for dinner.However, if you prefer traditional dinner seating with the same wait staff and table companions every evening, it is still available on most cruises and remains the favorite among new and past cruisers alike. What To Wear?Shipboard dress is casual during the day which means shorts and tasteful T-shirts are acceptable even in the dining room. At dinner, dress codes will vary daily.Casual: Slacks and sport shirt for men (no jeans); slacks and blouse, sundress or pantsuit for women. Smart Casual: Jacket with or without tie for men; dress or pantsuit for women. Formal: Dark suit or tuxedo for men; evening gown or cocktail dress for women. Most 3 & 4 day cruises have one formal night; most 7 day cruises have 2 formal nights; most 10 day cruises have 3 formal nights, and so on. In general, the longer and more expensive (per day) cruises will be the most formal on formal night, but a dark suit and tie is acceptable attire on even the most exclusive ships. (In other words, don't buy a tuxedo for a single cruise).
|
