USA TODAY 10Best
These 10 cruise ships have the best food, according to readers
Best Cruise Ship for Dining (2024)
Cruise ships have come a long way from only offering fixed seating in a single dining room. These days, the best cruises offer guests their choice of restaurants, dining halls, and creative menus inspired by the world's top chefs. Some even offer cooking classes!
Our panel of experts nominated their top cruise ships for food lovers, then readers voted for their favorites to decide the winners. Here are the 10 best cruise ships for dining.
- Norwegian Bliss - Norwegian Cruise Line
- Oceania Marina - Oceania Cruises
- Royal Princess - Princess Cruises
- Regal Princess - Princess Cruises
- Scenic Eclipse - Scenic
- Viking Star - Viking Ocean Cruises
- Rotterdam - Holland America Line
- Carnival Horizon - Carnival Cruise Line
- Viking Jupiter - Viking Ocean Cruises
- Carnival Celebration - Carnival Cruise Line
Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line
No. 10:
Guests have no shortage of dining options aboard Norwegian Bliss, thanks to three main dining rooms, a buffet, and a range of laid-back cafes — all complimentary. The dozen or so specialty dining options range from seafood at Ocean Blue or steakhouse favorites at Cagney’s Steakhouse to global fusion at Food Republic or smoked BBQ at Q Texas Smokehouse.
Photo courtesy of Oceania Cruises
No. 9:
The Oceania Marina culinary staff prides itself on offering innovative dining experiences throughout the ship. For instance, guests can partake in a wine and food pairing known as La Cuisine Bourgeoise at La Reserve by Wine Spectator. Or they can try some new blends during afternoon tea in the Horizons lounge.
Photo courtesy of Princess Cruises
No. 8:
Passengers aboard Royal Princess enjoy dining flexibility with Dine My Way, which allows you to choose the time of your reservations at the ship's numerous restaurants. The ship's six specialty restaurants serve cuisines that range from Italian and steaks to sushi and seafood, while casual eateries include Horizon Court, Alfredo's Pizzeria, and Trident Grill.
Photo courtesy of Princess Cruises
No. 7:
Dining on the Regal Princess starts with five complimentary venues ranging from the buffet at Horizon Court to your favorite pizza at Alfredo's Pizzeria to burgers at Trident Grill. Guests can broaden their culinary horizons with the ship's specialty experiences, which include a multi-course dinner at Chef's Table Lumiere, sushi at Ocean Terrace seafood bar, and a private breakfast served on your own balcony.
Photo courtesy of Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
No. 6:
While the Scenic Eclipse may be small in size, its culinary offerings come across in a big way. From Italian, steaks, and seafood at Elements to contemporary French dining at Lumière to sushi and Asian fare at three different restaurants, you're sure to find something to satisfy your taste buds. And regardless of which you choose, each one is included in your fare, so you can indulge wherever you like.
Photo courtesy of Viking Ocean Cruises
No. 5:
Cruisers aboard Viking Star have plenty of options come mealtime, including the spacious main dining venue, The Restaurant. Manfredi's (Italian), The Chef's Table (global), The World Cafe (buffet), Mamsen's (Norwegian deli) and Wintergarden (afternoon tea) provide variety. The Kitchen Table takes passengers on an excursion into a local market at port before returning to the ship for a multi-course feast.
Photo courtesy of Holland America Line
No. 4:
Holland America Line's Rotterdam offers a culinary mix of included and specialty dining venues that serve up mouthwatering entrees, snacks, and sweet treats. Think classic French dishes at Rudi's Sel de Mer, premium steaks at Pinnacle Grill, and regionally inspired cuisine in The Dining Room. Don't feel like venturing out of your stateroom? No problem. Dial up the complimentary 24-hour room service.
Photo courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line
No. 3:
Dining options abound aboard Carnival Horizon — feast on BBQ at the world’s first Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse and Brewhouse, sink your teeth into a juicy burger at popular Guy’s Burger Joint, enjoy some culinary theater at Bonsai Teppanyaki, or tuck into seafood with ocean views at the Seafood Shack. Both included and specialty dining shine, offering something for everyone.
Photo courtesy of Viking Ocean Cruises
No. 2:
On Deck 1 of the Viking Jupiter, embark on a culinary adventure with a five-course tasting menu at The Chef's Table, savor Italian cuisine at Manfredi's Italian Restaurant, or cook up your own dishes at The Kitchen Table. The ship's main dining room is found on Deck 2, where guests can choose from regional fare. Deck 7 offers even more choices, including the al fresco Aquavit Terrace.
Photo courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line
No. 1:
The Carnival Celebration features many of Carnival Cruise Line's favorite eateries such as Guy's Burger Joint and Cucina del Capitano, but it also includes Emeril's Bistro 1397, serving up international dishes finished with the famed chef's unique flair. The ship also includes Street Eats, which emulates food truck fare with such dishes as cheesesteak fries, pot stickers, and kebabs.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Ben Souza
Ben Souza is a world traveler who has visited 40+... Read More
Ben Souza is a world traveler who has visited 40+ countries, taken over 70
cruises, and flown nearly one million miles. He serves as the editor of
Cruise Fever.
Ben Souza
Ben Souza is a world traveler who has visited 40+ countries, taken over 70
cruises, and flown nearly one million miles. He serves as the editor of
Cruise Fever.
Don and Heidi Bucolo
Don and Heidi Bucolo are the husband and wife team... Read More
Don and Heidi Bucolo are the husband and wife team behind EatSleepCruise.com. Their love for cruising began after taking their first cruise together back in 2007. Having spent over 180 days at sea on more than 30 cruises with various cruise brands, they have learned a thing or two about planning and executing the perfect cruise vacation. The couple was voted as one of Porthole Cruise's Top 10 Cruise Influencers and is featured in the new book Cruising Interrupted. You can find them on the web and social media sharing detailed cruise ship reviews, port guides, packing tips and planning tips to help travelers "sea the world, one port at a time."
Don and Heidi Bucolo
Don and Heidi Bucolo are the husband and wife team behind EatSleepCruise.com. Their love for cruising began after taking their first cruise together back in 2007. Having spent over 180 days at sea on more than 30 cruises with various cruise brands, they have learned a thing or two about planning and executing the perfect cruise vacation. The couple was voted as one of Porthole Cruise's Top 10 Cruise Influencers and is featured in the new book Cruising Interrupted. You can find them on the web and social media sharing detailed cruise ship reviews, port guides, packing tips and planning tips to help travelers "sea the world, one port at a time."
Doug Parker
Doug Parker is the creator and executive producer... Read More
Doug Parker is the creator and executive producer of Cruise Radio, a weekly podcast that shares cruise reviews and other cruise news.
Doug Parker
Doug Parker is the creator and executive producer of Cruise Radio, a weekly podcast that shares cruise reviews and other cruise news.
Ilana Schattauer
Ilana Schattauer is a cruise travel expert behind
Ilana Schattauer is a cruise travel expert behind Life Well Cruised, a popular website and YouTube channel that provides valuable insights into the world of cruising. As a seasoned writer and content creator, she shares valuable cruise tips and travel guides. Her platform is dedicated to sharing cruise advice, destination tips and firsthand experiences to help travelers plan their cruises with ease.
Ilana Schattauer
Ilana Schattauer is a cruise travel expert behind Life Well Cruised, a popular website and YouTube channel that provides valuable insights into the world of cruising. As a seasoned writer and content creator, she shares valuable cruise tips and travel guides. Her platform is dedicated to sharing cruise advice, destination tips and firsthand experiences to help travelers plan their cruises with ease.
Jason Leppert
Jason Leppert is a San Diego-based cruising expert... Read More
Jason Leppert is a San Diego-based cruising expert with more than 140 sailings under his belt and a fresh, millennial perspective on the industry. He has been cruising since before he was two years old, thanks to his parents' shared passion for traveling and their desire to experience all journeys together as a family. Now, he regularly sails and writes "he said, she said" cruise columns with his wife Heidi. He is the founding editor of Popular Cruising, producer of the successful Popular Cruising YouTube channel and Cruise Editor for TravelAge West.
Jason Leppert
Jason Leppert is a San Diego-based cruising expert with more than 140 sailings under his belt and a fresh, millennial perspective on the industry. He has been cruising since before he was two years old, thanks to his parents' shared passion for traveling and their desire to experience all journeys together as a family. Now, he regularly sails and writes "he said, she said" cruise columns with his wife Heidi. He is the founding editor of Popular Cruising, producer of the successful Popular Cruising YouTube channel and Cruise Editor for TravelAge West.
John Shallo
John Shallo is the founder and editor of Cruise... Read More
John Shallo is the founder and editor of Cruise Addicts, a premier online community for cruise travelers. His love for cruising began after his first cruise in 1989. He later established Cruise Addicts in 1999 to share his passion for cruise travel with others, and it has become an award-winning destination for self-professed Cruise Addicts looking for the latest cruise industry news, forums, ship reviews, and travel tips. You can find him on the web and social media, sharing his latest cruise ship review, video, travel tips, and port guides. He hopes to continue sharing his experiences and inspiring others to enjoy cruise travel to its fullest.
John Shallo
John Shallo is the founder and editor of Cruise Addicts, a premier online community for cruise travelers. His love for cruising began after his first cruise in 1989. He later established Cruise Addicts in 1999 to share his passion for cruise travel with others, and it has become an award-winning destination for self-professed Cruise Addicts looking for the latest cruise industry news, forums, ship reviews, and travel tips. You can find him on the web and social media, sharing his latest cruise ship review, video, travel tips, and port guides. He hopes to continue sharing his experiences and inspiring others to enjoy cruise travel to its fullest.
Ming Tappin
Residing in New Brunswick, Canada, Ming has been... Read More
Residing in New Brunswick, Canada, Ming has been in the cruise industry since 1994. Ming spent over 20 years in the retail travel sector, working with travel agencies in marketing initiatives, cruise training, and promoting cruise vacations to their clients. In 2015, Ming created Your Cruise Coach and transitioned into travel writing, preaching the merits of cruising via her partnerships with Canadian and American travel trade publications as well as consumer media outlets. An avid cruiser since 1991, Ming has sailed on over 70 cruises and has experienced over 25 ocean, river, and expedition cruise lines combined.
Ming Tappin
Residing in New Brunswick, Canada, Ming has been in the cruise industry since 1994. Ming spent over 20 years in the retail travel sector, working with travel agencies in marketing initiatives, cruise training, and promoting cruise vacations to their clients. In 2015, Ming created Your Cruise Coach and transitioned into travel writing, preaching the merits of cruising via her partnerships with Canadian and American travel trade publications as well as consumer media outlets. An avid cruiser since 1991, Ming has sailed on over 70 cruises and has experienced over 25 ocean, river, and expedition cruise lines combined.
Nathan Diller
Nathan Diller covers cruises and travel news for Read More
Nathan Diller covers cruises and travel news for USA TODAY. His work has also appeared in the Washington Post's travel vertical, By The Way, DCist and elsewhere. He is a graduate of Columbia Journalism School. He can be found on X and Threads.
Paul Thornton
Paul’s just completed book, The Joy of Cruising... Read More
Paul’s just completed book, The Joy of Cruising Again, is his fourth and follow-up to the fun, upbeat, award-winning Amazon bestseller The Joy of Cruising, and Cruising Interrupted. The books are anthologies of passionate cruisers with fascinating stories and have included a TV star, Grammy winners/nominees, a Poker Hall of Famer, entrepreneurs, and global cruise personalities, but mostly “ordinary” cruisers with extraordinary stories. Readers can learn more about The Joy of Cruising trilogy here. Besides continuing to cruise as much as possible, Paul hosts The Joy of Cruising Podcast, a weekly conversation with one of the dozens of passionate cruisers featured in the books as well as other global cruise personalities. Paul is originally from Brooklyn and Long Island, New York. After serving in the US Army and simultaneously earning a bachelor's degree in business, he attained his MBA and then spent concurrently, 17 years in corporate management, and 23 years in small business ownership. After leaving corporate, he started a career in higher ed. He earned a doctorate, attained tenure as a business professor, and subsequently moved into administration in Dean or Executive Director positions before retiring in 2021. Paul lives in Mooresville, North Carolina with his wife Cheryl and considers cruising with their children and grandchildren life’s ultimate escape. Paul longs to cruise as much as the people he writes about in The Joy of Cruising Trilogy.
Paul Thornton
Paul’s just completed book, The Joy of Cruising Again, is his fourth and follow-up to the fun, upbeat, award-winning Amazon bestseller The Joy of Cruising, and Cruising Interrupted. The books are anthologies of passionate cruisers with fascinating stories and have included a TV star, Grammy winners/nominees, a Poker Hall of Famer, entrepreneurs, and global cruise personalities, but mostly “ordinary” cruisers with extraordinary stories. Readers can learn more about The Joy of Cruising trilogy here. Besides continuing to cruise as much as possible, Paul hosts The Joy of Cruising Podcast, a weekly conversation with one of the dozens of passionate cruisers featured in the books as well as other global cruise personalities. Paul is originally from Brooklyn and Long Island, New York. After serving in the US Army and simultaneously earning a bachelor's degree in business, he attained his MBA and then spent concurrently, 17 years in corporate management, and 23 years in small business ownership. After leaving corporate, he started a career in higher ed. He earned a doctorate, attained tenure as a business professor, and subsequently moved into administration in Dean or Executive Director positions before retiring in 2021. Paul lives in Mooresville, North Carolina with his wife Cheryl and considers cruising with their children and grandchildren life’s ultimate escape. Paul longs to cruise as much as the people he writes about in The Joy of Cruising Trilogy.
Sarah Christie and Donna Christie of Cruising Kids UK
Sarah Christie and Donna Vallance are experienced... Read More
Sarah Christie and Donna Vallance are experienced cruise and travel writers and cruise enthusiasts specializing in cruising. They have a passion for exploring new destinations and have dedicated themselves to sharing their knowledge and insights with fellow travelers. They provide valuable information, tips, and recommendations for all cruisers. They strive to make cruising accessible and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of their interests, budgets, or accessibility needs. Their articles and reviews are well-researched, comprehensive, and written to help readers make informed decisions and have unforgettable cruise adventures. Find them over at Cruising For All.
Sarah Christie and Donna Christie of Cruising Kids UK
Sarah Christie and Donna Vallance are experienced cruise and travel writers and cruise enthusiasts specializing in cruising. They have a passion for exploring new destinations and have dedicated themselves to sharing their knowledge and insights with fellow travelers. They provide valuable information, tips, and recommendations for all cruisers. They strive to make cruising accessible and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of their interests, budgets, or accessibility needs. Their articles and reviews are well-researched, comprehensive, and written to help readers make informed decisions and have unforgettable cruise adventures. Find them over at Cruising For All.
Sherry Laskin
Sherry hasn’t set foot on an airplane in more than... Read More
Sherry hasn’t set foot on an airplane in more than 25 years. Instead, she relies on cruise ships, river ships, trains and road trips to travel the world. In that time, she’s been on more cruises than she can count and includes her solo cruise and travel adventures on her website, CruiseMaven.com. Her articles have been published in major newspapers and magazines - in print and online. During a year and a half of living in Alaska, Sherry has cruised and spent time at every port in the Last Frontier except for Nome. She’s become an avid transatlantic cruiser since 2005, as that is the only way for her to get to Europe without flying. Sherry hopes to inspire and encourage her readers to travel slow and travel solo, experience new cuisines and cultures.
Sherry Laskin
Sherry hasn’t set foot on an airplane in more than 25 years. Instead, she relies on cruise ships, river ships, trains and road trips to travel the world. In that time, she’s been on more cruises than she can count and includes her solo cruise and travel adventures on her website, CruiseMaven.com. Her articles have been published in major newspapers and magazines - in print and online. During a year and a half of living in Alaska, Sherry has cruised and spent time at every port in the Last Frontier except for Nome. She’s become an avid transatlantic cruiser since 2005, as that is the only way for her to get to Europe without flying. Sherry hopes to inspire and encourage her readers to travel slow and travel solo, experience new cuisines and cultures.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
