Cruise ship dining at its finest: The 10 most unforgettable meals you can enjoy at sea.

Cruise ships often face criticism for their dining experiences, with some believing they focus more on quantity than quality. But that's far from the full story.

Having spent nearly 30 years covering cruising, I can confidently say that the reputation for poor dining is outdated. In fact, the quality of food on cruise ships has significantly improved over the years.

Today, luxury cruise ships boast exclusive restaurants curated by some of the world's most renowned chefs, including Nobu Matsuhisa, Alain Ducasse, and Jacques Pepin.

Even on the largest mainstream cruise liners, dining options are more varied and sophisticated than ever. Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Encore, for example, offers over 20 distinct dining experiences, from a lively barbecue joint with live country music to a refined Italian restaurant created by the masterminds behind New York’s Scarpetta.

Top cruise lines, including Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises, have partnered with Michelin-star chefs to craft exceptional culinary experiences for their guests.

Having tested and reviewed nearly 200 ships from 41 different cruise lines over the years, I've dined in almost every cruise ship restaurant out there.

Just like on land, there’s a huge variety in cruise ship dining options. Some restaurants impress, others miss the mark, some are overpriced for what they offer, and a few provide exceptional value.

The truth is, there are countless fantastic restaurants onboard cruise ships. Below, you'll find my recommendations for the best of the best. While many of these gems are on luxury ships, you'll also find outstanding dining options on larger, more budget-friendly vessels.

Manfredi's

Location: Available on all Viking ocean and expedition ships

Aboard every Viking ocean and expedition ship, Manfredi's stands out as the top choice for Italian dining at sea. This restaurant offers a rich selection of Tuscan and Northern Italian classics, including bistecca fiorentina and osso buco alla Milanese. Guests can enjoy appetizers such as hand-cut beef tartare or, our personal favorite, a chilled asparagus and polenta dish topped with a perfectly poached egg, Parmigiano Reggiano, and a truffle dressing.

Fun fact: Manfredi's is named after Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, a former owner of Viking's competitor, Silversea Cruises, and now the owner of the newly reintroduced luxury line, Crystal. Torstein Hagen, Viking’s chairman, and Lefebvre are close friends. For a fun scavenger hunt, look for photos on the wall of the two experimenting with recipes during the restaurant's creation, with Lefebvre contributing some of his childhood favorites to the menu.

Price: Dining at Manfredi's is included in your cruise fare, though reservations are required. Guests can enjoy one visit per cruise, with priority access for those in higher-tier cabins, offering up to four reservations.

Umi Uma by Nobu Matsuhisa Restaurant & Sushi Bar

Location: Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony

For sushi lovers at sea, Umi Uma by Nobu Matsuhisa has set the bar for years. Available on both Crystal ships, this acclaimed restaurant is the brainchild of world-renowned chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa. Here, guests can indulge in exquisite sushi, along with Matsuhisa's signature Japanese-Peruvian fusion dishes, including specialties like lobster with truffle-yuzu sauce and miso-glazed black cod.

If you've dined at Nobu restaurants in cities like New York or Las Vegas, you know the level of culinary artistry we're talking about. On the two Crystal ships, Umi Uma brings this same elevated Japanese cuisine, and it’s arguably one of the best sushi deals at sea.

While a meal at Nobu on land can easily set you back $150 per person (with a single piece of toro sushi costing $17 at Nobu New York Fifty Seven), dining at Umi Uma on a Crystal cruise is included in the overall fare — though it's worth noting that Crystal voyages themselves can cost upwards of $1,000 per person, per day.

Price: Dining at Umi Uma is complimentary, with one visit included per voyage. Reservations are required, and additional visits can be booked subject to availability for a $50 per person reservation fee.

Red Ginger

Location: Oceania Cruises' Marina, Riviera, Sirena, and Vista

Red Ginger may just be the most stunning dining venue you'll ever encounter on a cruise. Designed with feng shui in mind, it exudes balance and serenity with dark ebony woods, a tranquil waterfall feature, and bold, contemporary Asian art. But it’s not just about the ambiance — the food here is equally impressive.

Available on four Oceania Cruises ships — Marina, Riviera, Sirena, and Vista — Red Ginger serves up timeless Asian dishes with a modern twist, all created by Oceania's renowned culinary team with input from legendary chef Jacques Pepin. Some highlights include miso-glazed sea bass wrapped in a hoba leaf, and sole tempura served with an orange ponzu sauce and spicy daikon. For dessert, don’t miss the exquisite lemongrass crème brûlée.

Price: Dining at Red Ginger is included in your cruise fare, though reservations are necessary. Each guest is entitled to one visit per voyage, with the privilege of two visits for those staying in top-tier suites.

Fahrenheit 555

Location: Found on Carnival's Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Venezia, Carnival Breeze, Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Luminosa, Carnival Jubilee (debuting in December) and Carnival Firenze (debuting in April).

One of the surprising contradictions of cruising is that Carnival Cruise Line, known for being one of the most affordable operators, boasts one of the best steakhouses at sea. At a fixed price of $48 per person, Fahrenheit 555 is a steal compared to land-based steakhouses of similar caliber.

Available on Carnival's newest ships as well as a few others, Fahrenheit 555 serves up all the steakhouse classics, including a 14-ounce New York strip and a 9-ounce filet mignon, both USDA Prime and aged for 28 days. Other delicious options include tender Australian Wagyu beef, succulent grilled lamb chops, and Dover sole. For starters, enjoy dishes like Heritage Berkshire pork belly, bone marrow, hand-cut beef tartare, and jumbo shrimp cocktail.

Carnival has a longstanding tradition of offering top-tier steakhouses on its ships, dating back to 2001 with the launch of its Spirit Class vessels. In a quirky design twist, the steakhouses are housed in distinctive red domes located at the forward sections of the ships' funnels.

Steakhouses can now be found on 23 of Carnival's 25 ships, each with its own unique name and design (the only exceptions being Carnival Elation and Carnival Paradise). The menus and offerings, however, are quite similar to Fahrenheit 555 across the fleet.

Price: $48 per person

Nuna

Location: Le Commandant Charcot

The latest gastronomic jewel at sea is Nuna, located on Ponant's remarkable new icebreaking expedition ship, Le Commandant Charcot. Sophisticated and luxurious, it offers high-end French cuisine crafted by the legendary chef Alain Ducasse.

The menu features a range of French specialties, from beef fillet with pepper sauce and veal tenderloin with vegetable matignon and potato cake to monkfish medallions, alongside some international dishes complementing the classic French offerings. For dessert, the selection of French cheeses — numbering in the dozens — is perhaps the most impressive cheese array you'll find on any cruise ship.

The ambiance is equally stunning, located at the rear of the ship with sweeping views of the wake. The interior boasts furniture from the iconic French brand Ligne Roset, fine Bernardaud china, and Elne glassware.

Price: Dining at Nuna is included in the cruise fare, with no extra charge.

La Dame

Location: Available on all Silversea ships, except Silver Origin.

La Dame, the flagship restaurant aboard Silversea Cruises, is a celebration of fine French dining. Named after La Dame de Paris — the Eiffel Tower — it features exquisite dishes like Limousin beef filet, grilled rack of lamb, and pan-seared Dover sole. The menu also offers two variations of foie gras and indulgent caviar.

True to its French roots, the service at La Dame is impeccable, with white-glove precision in a sophisticated yet modern setting. However, as you might not expect on an upscale all-inclusive cruise line, there is a significant cover charge to dine here.

Price: A cover charge of $60 per person applies on all ships except for the new Silver Nova, where the experience, which includes a curated selection of French wines and digestifs, costs $160 per person.

Pacific Rim

Location: Available on Regent Seven Seas Cruises' Seven Seas Explorer, Seven Seas Splendor, and Seven Seas Grandeur.

One of my top cruise ship dining spots is Pacific Rim, located on the two largest vessels of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. This upscale restaurant specializes in pan-Asian cuisine and offers a refined atmosphere that matches the luxury reputation of the line. The menu is absolutely delicious.

Some of the standout dishes include grilled Korean BBQ lamb chops, served with wok-fried Brussels sprouts and gochujang sauce, as well as miso black cod wrapped in a hoba leaf. For starters, don’t miss the crispy soft-shell crab paired with a zesty kizami wasabi mayo.

For dessert, don't miss the chili chocolate mousse, which lives up to its name with a delightful, spicy kick. If you're looking for something milder, I highly recommend the green tea panna cotta, accompanied by mango and a refreshing lychee ragout.

Price: Dining at Pacific Rim is included in the cruise fare, though reservations are required.

Eden Restaurant

Location: Found on Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Beyond, and Celebrity Ascent.

Celebrity Cruises has crafted a true culinary haven with Eden Restaurant, located on its new Edge Class ships. Situated at the aft of the ship within a unique, glass-enclosed space filled with plants and dynamic entertainment, Eden offers a fixed-price menu with a variety of appetizer choices, three main courses, and two desserts.

In a shift from Eden's original concept of whimsical, imaginative dishes with exotic ingredients and playful names, the menu now features classic fare like filet mignon, mini short rib Wellington with mashed potatoes, vegetables, mushrooms, and bordelaise sauce, as well as perfectly cooked slow-braised corvina.

In addition to the regular offerings, Eden presents two distinct seven-course tasting menus: one featuring dishes with animal-based ingredients and the other entirely vegan.

Price: The standard menu is priced at $65, while the tasting menus are available for $100.

Remy

Location: Disney Cruise Line's Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy

While Disney Cruise Line ships are mostly known for their fantastic family-friendly entertainment rather than exceptional cuisine, Remy stands as a stunning exception — offering one of the best dining experiences at sea.

Created by two celebrated chefs — Arnaud Lallement, of France's three-Michelin-starred l'Assiette Champenoise, and Scott Hunnel of Disney World's upscale Victoria & Albert's — Remy presents refined, French-inspired dishes that are as visually stunning as they are delicious, set in an elegant atmosphere, though at a premium price.

As is typical with Disney, Remy features a few playful nods to the brand. Inspired by the animated movie "Ratatouille," the restaurant’s design incorporates stylized depictions of the rat hero Remy, adding a whimsical touch to its art nouveau aesthetic.

Despite its Disney association, Remy is a far cry from playful. The restaurant boasts an elegant, refined atmosphere with luxurious touches such as Frette linens, Riedel glassware, Christofle silverware, and gold-cushioned stools designed to hold guests' purses. Here, fine dining is the norm, with guests donning jackets or cocktail dresses while indulging in exquisite small plates featuring duck, quail, Wagyu beef, king crab, and more.

Cost: $135 per person for dinner (wine not included). Brunch is available for $80 per person, and a dessert menu can be enjoyed for $65 per person.

Steakhouse at the Verandah

Location: Available on all Cunard ships

Steakhouse at The Verandah, available on all Cunard ships, is a haven for steak lovers. The menu offers an array of premium, marbled cuts of beef, including 35-day dry-aged Scotch grass-fed Black Angus and, for a $30 upgrade, Australian grass-fed Wagyu beef. If seafood is more your style, enjoy grilled Dover sole or fresh Maine lobster. Classic appetizers like clam chowder and lobster cocktail round out the offerings.

At just $45 per person when reserved before sailing (with a few additional fees for premium items), this steakhouse offers exceptional value — especially compared to similar fine dining establishments on land.

Cost: $45 per person when booked in advance of your cruise; $50 per person if you book once on board. A small number of premium menu items come with additional charges. Lunch is available for $25 per person if reserved in advance, or $30 per person when booked onboard.

Bottom line

Cruise ships are home to an abundance of good food, with several restaurants that rival some of the best on land. In recent years, top chefs from renowned restaurants have turned their attention to crafting dining experiences at sea, making it easier than ever to enjoy a standout meal while cruising.