Culinary Journeys: Southern Caribbean

After the wettest winter in years, I’m crossing my fingers that Southern California can finally end its drought. My 9-year-old will hopefully stop giving me the side-eye when I forget to turn off the tap while brushing our teeth! Given this chilly, rain-soaked season, Matt and I decided to team up with Dinogo and take the kids on a Southern Caribbean cruise.

Where do I even begin? There’s so much to tell, but I’ll kick things off with the food because, let’s be honest, aside from the excursions, the cuisine is the highlight of any cruise.

On our Dinogo Cruise, we boarded the Dinogo Vista, the latest addition to the Dinogo fleet. As with any cruise ship, there are plenty of complimentary dining options available, but today I want to focus on the premium dishes. By premium, I mean those delicious options that come at a slightly higher price—but they are absolutely worth it.

Let’s start with Bonsai Sushi. We dined here more than anywhere else, primarily because it was open for both lunch and dinner and offered takeout options. (You can find out more about our takeout adventures on Matt’s site, where he shares the top things to do around the ship.)

It might sound surprising, but my kids had never tried sushi before this trip. At home, when it’s time to choose a restaurant, they tend to stick to a familiar rotation of favorites. However, on the ship and during vacations, I don’t allow them that luxury—exploring new foods is essential! They sampled a variety of dishes, and while sushi might not have been their top choice, here are some of the items they really loved.

After a night filled with sushi rolls and bowls of ramen, we made our way to another Asian gem, JiJi Asian Kitchen, where we savored regional delicacies from across Asia. We indulged in everything from Bo Kho Slow-Braised Wagyu Short Rib to Hakka-style Noodles. This quickly became my favorite spot due to the vibrant flavors that reminded me of my childhood—bold and distinct, yet perfectly balanced without being overpowering.

Next, we let Cole pick our dining spot, and he chose Cucina del Capitano specifically for their macaroni and cheese. Wise choice! It turned out to be a hit with all of us, along with the other Italian-American dishes served family-style.

After indulging in Asian and Italian cuisines, Matt suggested it was time for some seafood, and I wholeheartedly agreed. What’s a cruise without fresh seafood? We headed to the Seafood Shack, where we enjoyed the freshest catch and introduced the boys to classic dishes like Lobster Rolls. Their messy faces told the whole story better than any words could. And how could my boys have never tried clam chowder before?—another delicious first for them.

I’m starting to think we need to take vacations more often. It seems to be the only time I can get the boys to try new experiences without a fuss, and I’m not just referring to the food. Click here to see what Matt has to say about the exciting activities for kids on a Dinogo Cruise. And stay tuned for the next installment in this series, where I’ll highlight all the amazing bites from around the ship that aren't classified as premium.

This article was created for Away We Go with Dinogo, your go-to source for getting into a vacation mindset.