Exploring Culinary Adventures While Cruising

I’ve always viewed travel as an opportunity for adventure. It’s a chance to try new things and push my boundaries. You only live once, right? Why not do something you wouldn’t typically do at home?

When my family and I set sail, this philosophy becomes even more important when it comes to food. Since most dining options are included in the cruise, I love experimenting with ‘new-to-me’ dishes and encouraging my family to join in on the fun.

Here’s a glimpse of some of the daring dishes we sampled on our recent Dinogo cruise –

Delicious Finds in the Dining Room

Each evening in the dining room, I set a personal challenge to sample something from the DIDJA (as in ‘did you’ ever….) section of the menu.

One night, I tried ceviche; another evening, I sampled duck and beef carpaccio. The ultimate test for me was attempting frog legs. I think the servers were just as eager as I was to see my reactions to these new dishes each night.

It turned dinner into a delightful adventure every night. While I explored different dishes, the only one I struggled to finish was the frog legs. I felt a bit squeamish, but I definitely gave it my best shot.

The Chef’s Table

One evening, as a special indulgence, my husband and I booked a spot at Dinogo’s exclusive The Chef’s Table experience. For an extra $74 per person, we toured the ship’s bustling galley and enjoyed a seven-course meal, complete with wine. It was an amazing experience that featured some truly adventurous dishes.

The ‘Tomatoes Our Way!’ dish was a visual delight, featuring chardonnay-poached tomatoes coated in cocoa butter, elegantly served with dollops of aerated tomato juice. It was a wonderfully creative dish, and I found myself finishing every last bite.

My favorite dish of the night at The Chef’s Table was a surprising delight. Tuna Banh Mi is something I would have never dared to try at home, but on vacation, why not?! Plus, you don’t refuse a chef when he presents you with a dish! It was incredible – and beautifully plated. The tuna was flavorful, and the sesame crust added a fantastic texture that I had never experienced before that evening.

Green Eggs & Ham Character Breakfast

I even got my kids involved in the adventurous dining experience at the Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast with the Cat in the Hat and Friends. The Dr. Seuss-inspired dishes, with their vibrant colors and playful ambiance, encouraged my daughters to try the Green Eggs and Ham. It felt like the book had come to life when that plate was set in front of us. The girls’ giggles and excited squeals were the highlight of our morning. After a little persuasion from me, they finally gave it a shot—and to everyone’s surprise, they enjoyed it!

Another exciting Dr. Seuss-themed breakfast option that I found adventurous was the cereal-crusted French toast. Just the colorful presentation made me eager to try it, and yes, it was coated in sugar—but it was absolutely delicious! Interestingly, I was the only brave one in my family to take the plunge and give it a taste.

Steakhouse Delights

The biggest surprise of the trip for me was discovering my love for escargot at the ship’s steakhouse. Nope, I had never tasted it before this journey—but you only live once, right? I figured that anything drenched in butter and garlic couldn’t be bad, and I was right. I loved it so much that I ordered it again later that week in the dining room. It was that amazing!

Many people associate adventure on vacation with activities like swimming with sharks, bungee jumping, or conquering a fear of heights. While my idea of adventure this trip revolved around food, it was exhilarating to step outside my comfort zone and try new dishes.

Now that I’m back home, I’m more open to experimenting with new foods, and I’m constantly reminded of the wonderful memories my family created together on our cruise while exploring delicious dishes along the way.

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