Fine dining at seas
When cruising became an established form of holiday in the latter decades of the 20th century, passengers were content to select from menus that rarely pushed the boundaries of culinary ambition. Today cruising has caught up with modern trends and offers bountiful gastronomic delights. Cuisine served in the main dining room is of such quality and variety that for many there’s little need to venture to an array of speciality restaurants where choice and service undoubtedly go up a notch or two. However passengers on longer cruises, or those wanting an indulgence, welcome these alternative choices. Here are our top five favourites aboard ships sailing from Britain.
Playful and a lot of fun, QSine onboard Celebrity Silhouette (sailing out of Southampton this summer) has a funky vibe where iPads replace menus; traditional dishes are reinvented and the décor is eclectic. Upside-down lamps and chairs, funky art on the walls and swirly carpets on the floor create an Alice in Wonderland feel to this, the hippest of cruise ship restaurants. You’ll enjoy an interesting blend of tapas-style tastes with gourmet interpretations of ethnic comfort food.
P&O Cruises introduced The Epicurean aboard their flagship Britannia and there are now similar versions on Azura and Ventura. There’s no celebrity-chef endorsement needed as the menu features culinary concepts created by the line's executive chefs. The choices reflect molecular cooking and incorporate fresh ingredients with real provenance. In short the restaurant serves up classic British dishes re-interpreted for today's modern palates.
Also on P&O Cruises’ ships, Sindhu is under the direction of Michelin-starred chef Atul Kochhar. Offering a fusion of modern British and Indian cuisine, the menu debunks the myth that Indian cuisine is endless variations of chicken tikka masala. The philosophy here is to infuse familiar ingredients with Indian spices and incorporate different textures and flavours.
The club-like Chops Grille aboard Independence of the Seas is one of the most popular restaurants across the Royal Caribbean International fleet. With earth-toned leather-backed chairs, curtains in hues of crimson, claret and gold and light wood furnishings, this classic American steakhouse is as sophisticated as it is snug.
The three-deck high atrium aboard Royal Princess and Sapphire Princess (both of which are sailing out of Southampton this summer) is a hub of dining – nowhere finer than Sabatini's, the cruise line’s hallmark Tuscan-inspired specialty restaurant. Featuring northern Italian and Mediterranean specialities, many of them lighter than traditional dishes from the area, Sabatini's menu is like a horn of plenty. For more details of the wealth of fine dining options at sea call 0808 256 6742.
- 20th February 2018