Hello and welcome to my lifestyle and travel blog. My name is Ned – traveller, fitness enthusiast, nutritionist and a cat lover…
As avid cruisers on Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean, we have enjoyed many meals in both the complimentary and speciality restaurants. If you are new to the cruise line, or you are thinking about expanding your palate on your next trip, the below guide will give you everything you need to know about iconic food venues on Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean and P&O Cruises.
CELEBRITY CRUISES
Le Petit Chef
Celebrity Cruises is known for fun yet classy innovations, and for instance, the Le Petit Chef dining experience found on several Celebrity ships falls squarely in line with that reputation.
Le Petit Chef (costs around $55 pp) – animated characters appear beside your plate and prepare each course. The first menu goes with the story line, but you can order off of each. Animation aside, the food was delicious. I recommend it! If you have kids, I think they would find it entertaining. Will they eat the food? That depends on your child. You can watch a short 5 minutes video on my YouTube.
Which Celebrity Ships Have Le Petit Chef?
- Eclipse
- Edge (Le Petit Chef and Friends)
- Equinox (Le Petit Chef and Le Petit Chef and Friends)
- Infinity
- Reflection
- Silhouette
Murano
Murano was by far my favourite of the specialty restaurants. This French Continental restaurant had me at the scallop wellington and the baked goat cheese appetizers.
Hubby and I immensely enjoyed our Chateaubriand for two and their speciality dish lobster Murano, both prepared tableside. The Grand Marnier soufflé was one of the best I’ve ever had. Moreover, if you decide not to order dessert, don’t worry they bring out a small assortment of fine chocolate. I highly enjoyed the wine recommended by the sommelier.
The service here is impeccable.
Moveable Feast
Celebrity Cruises do a culinary partnership with Fine Cooking magazine and its Emmy Award-nominated public television series Moveable Feast. The cruise line and the food magazine introduced Moveable Feast with Celebrity Cruises.
In order to celebrate the partnership, Celebrity has launched Moveable Feast Signature Sailings from 2017. Although I’ve never done one, the reviews highly recommend these sailings, because the voyages have a culinary angle and onboard guests can interact with some of Moveable Feast’s most talented celebrity chefs.
In addition, those onboard get the opportunity to meet Top Chef All-Stars winner chef Richard Blais and Top Chef finalist chef Bryan Voltaggio, dine on their impressive dishes, and even join them on a Chef’s Market Discoveries excursion, where they’ll assist guests in shopping for ingredients and preparing a private dinner on the ship.
If that’s not immersive enough, there are also cooking demos and private classes offered to help passengers hone their cooking skills throughout the journey.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL
Wonderland Restaurant on Symphony of the Seas
Stepping into the Rabbit Hole to Explore the Whimsical Dining Experience at Wonderland. The experience at the two-storey topsy-turvy restaurant begins upstairs. From the entrance of a mystical tunnel with a door that does not appear to go anywhere, to a delightful seating arrangement of quirky decor with chairs that do not know them up from their down. For instance, everywhere you turn there is something curious such as chairs with rabbit ears or keys hanging from the ceiling. Unlock Wonderland for an intimate restaurant within an edgy and surreal dining experience.
Firstly, you will visit the bar with a menu that any mixologist would be proud of. Try the “Down the Rabbit Hole” or the “Cheshire Cat Cosmo” they are pretty spectacular.
Our “mad hatter” for the night in Wonderland was ‘”Marlon Brando”. In other words, a waiter dressed in an aubergine-coloured velveteen long-tailed coat. Juggling several busy tables, he relished his part in our dinner production show.
A five-course meal then followed (you certainly will not leave hungry!). Five core elements differentiate the dishes – sun, ice, fire, sea, and earth. Few pictures can be be found on my Instagram profile.
The restaurant is available on a few Royal Caribbean ships – The Symphony of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, and it is by far my favourite iconic food venue on the cruise line.
P&O CRUISES
The Epicurean Restaurant on Britannia
In the Epicurean restaurant you will be treated to a brand new multi-sensory cooking experience with touches of molecular gastronomy that complement the more classic British dishes, re-interpreted for today’s modern palates. In addition, the sophisticated setting features lots of gold and white decor and somewhat overly bright lighting.
The traditional English afternoon tea is served in the Epicurean restaurant on board and the whole experience is stunning from start to finish. As you’re seated, you’re served a choice of tea and a sweet violet scent is sprayed across the table. From the classic afternoon sandwiches to the pistachio and strawberry tarts and lemon meringue trifle – the presentation is stunning. Above all, this one of the best iconic food venue on P&O’s Britannia.
