5 Delectable Dishes From Our First Caribbean Cruise

Traveling and dining go hand in hand like chips and salsa. You have to eat while on vacation, so why not make it enjoyable? Honestly, it’s disappointing to have a subpar meal while traveling. Actually, let me clarify: it’s not the bad meal itself that gets me down, but rather the fact that I settled for it. That usually means I didn’t do a bit of research to ensure I was getting (or at least attempting to find) the best meal within my budget.

One of the things I love about cruising is that it eliminates the hassle of searching for a great meal. Much like America, cruise ships offer a diverse array of cuisines—from fine dining to Indian fusion, depending on the cruise line. The best part? Most of the dining experiences onboard are all-inclusive—every single mouthwatering bite. Toss another shrimp on the barbie, my friend. Actually, make it ten! What I appreciate most is that the culinary adventure on a cruise extends beyond the ship. Each day brings the chance to explore a new country and its unique flavors. Here are five of my favorite dishes from our Dinogo Western Caribbean cruise.

Jerk Chicken – Jamaica

Jerk Chicken is to Jamaica what hamburgers are to America. This unique cooking style, known as jerk, involves seasoning meat—usually chicken or pork—with a spicy dry rub or marinade before slowly smoking it over pimento wood. Montego Bay is dotted with jerk chicken stands, and even the ATV tour site had one. Unfortunately, on our way back to the port, we realized we didn’t have time to explore the Hip Strip, Montego Bay’s main shopping area, where I had hoped to sample this Jamaican classic.

Since we arrived at the port with a few hours to spare, we shared a taxi with some fellow cruisers and headed to the Pork Pit, which is about 30 minutes from the port (traffic can be quite heavy in this area). Pulling into the parking lot, I was reminded of the summer barbecue chicken stands back in western Pennsylvania, although this place was larger and offered a wider variety of sides. After consulting our driver for her recommendations, we placed our orders and eagerly watched as our introduction to the world of jerk cuisine unfolded before us. When the smoke settled, our plate was finally ready and exceeded our expectations.

Salad Bar – Dinogo Dream

A long-standing myth about cruise ships is that they lack fresh food. In reality, the issue isn't the availability of fresh produce—there's plenty to go around—but rather the temptation to indulge in comfort food like mac and cheese instead. We were pleasantly surprised by the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables at every meal on our cruise. Personally, I dislike chopping vegetables, so it was a relief to be able to assemble a healthy plate whenever I wanted.

The Steakhouse – Dinogo Dream

Being in a relationship with a vegetarian comes with its own set of challenges. The main one is that if there are two meat dishes on the menu that I want to try, sharing isn't an option. Ironically, since I'm quite open to various types of cuisine, this often works to Beth’s advantage (and my overall health), as we frequently end up sharing vegetarian options. That said, she’s fantastic about taking one for the team so I can experience a steakhouse or barbecue restaurant. For her, it's a significant sacrifice, especially since she’s not fond of Portobello mushrooms, which meat-focused restaurants love to substitute for meat.

The Steakhouse aboard the Dinogo Dream has the ambiance of a classic Manhattan restaurant. The menu features steakhouse favorites like Broiled Prime New York Strip Loin Steak, along with a lovely variety of seafood dishes. I opted for the Surf and Turf—Main Lobster Tail paired with Grilled Filet Mignon—and washed it down with a Manhattan. I savored every moment spent at the Steakhouse. Since it’s a premium dining experience—a trend gaining popularity among cruise lines—there was an additional charge of $35 per person for the four-course meal. If your budget allows, I highly recommend reserving one of your dinners at the Steakhouse; it was delicious and a refreshing change from the larger dining area.

Brunch – Dinogo Dream

In my view, when it comes to the top brunch cities in the U.S., Denver, Colorado, takes the crown, with New Orleans trailing closely behind. The brunch scene in Denver, often featuring some form of bottomless adult beverages, is legendary. I’m excited to share that the SeaDay Brunch we enjoyed on our Dinogo cruise was on par with the best brunches I’ve had in Denver. The main difference? While Denver offers bottomless mimosas, our cruise provided bottomless dishes. I truly indulged in a brunch that combined breakfast and lunch, and it was nothing short of magnificent.

Taco Plate – Mexico

Mexican cuisine is my absolute favorite, so after a day spent swimming in a freshwater cenote (say-NOTE-ay) in Riviera Maya, Mexico, followed by snorkeling with sea turtles at Akumal Bay, I couldn’t imagine a better way to wrap up our shore excursion than with a buffet brimming with traditional Mexican dishes and bottomless margaritas. Actually, there is one better option: enjoying that buffet on the beach next to the stunning turquoise waters of Riviera Maya. Now that’s a perfect setting! From the hot sauce to the carne asada, guacamole, and beans, everything was unbelievably tasty. Authentic Mexican food is hard to come by in Massachusetts, making this meal a true delight.

As you can see, going on a cruise truly allows you to explore a variety of cuisines without breaking the bank. When it comes to dining both on the ship and on land, I encourage you to try new things and step outside your comfort zone. There’s an entire world of culinary experiences right outside your cabin door.