Speciality Dining Restaurants are they worth the money?

We all know that cruising isn’t always the cheapest way to travel but when you sum up what is included in the cost by way of entertainment and of course the meals included then you could argue that yes you will find cruising is value for money, but after spending what sometimes can run up to thousands of pounds, is it worth splashing out even more to pay for a speciality dining restaurant? My personal opinion is definitely!

I have cruised many many times and I always like to try at least one specialty dining restaurant whilst on board, don’t get me wrong you can be forgiven for thinking that some restaurants on board do charge the earth, but I personally feel that eating in a speciality restaurant is not always about the money you spend but about the whole dining experience.

When at home with a busy lifestyle would I have the time or inclination to spend the amount of money local restaurants charge and would I receive the same dining experience. There is a local Italian I go to great to go with friends or family and I have to admit great ambiance but I can often spend around £80 – £100 for a three course meal for myself and my two grown up children. When the children were younger we used to eat at TGI Fridays and the amounts were just the same, the children enjoyed it but the food sometimes was never up to scratch and waiting for your table could be lengthy, but where would you find a dining experience at home that you would find on a cruise ship, where the standard of food, is so much more superior and the staff and whole experience is like no other.

So here are my top five speciality dining restaurants that I would very much recommend for either a couple or a family

1. My favourite dining experience of them all. Crown Grill – Princess Cruises !Cover Charge only $29 per person around £22 British pounds , as soon as you walk into the restaurant it oozes class. This restaurant is a steakhouse restaurant but not any old steakhouse. This is a dining experience that  lasts for many hours. The menu here includes 4 courses and I would say minimal, not too much choice, which is a good thing as you do not want to take the edge of what this restaurant is all about and that is the Steak. Different steaks cooked exactly how you like them with side orders that include the most amazing garlic and herb french fries and creamed spinach. The 8oz Filet Mignon is tender and delicate and very much recommended. If you can manage one of the desserts try the Crown Dependence, a sample of all the desserts on the menu delicately served to you on a platter. 5/5

2. Wonderland – Royal CAribbean Quantum Class ships and now on Harmony , one word Wow, when you step into this restaurant you are immediately transported back to your childhood into the world of Alice in Wonderland and of course imagination. Magical and mysterious you really do not know what surprises are in store in every course. This is really a dining concept like no other and worth every penny of $45 pp cover charge around £34 British Pounds. Created around the Sun Sea Fire Earth Ice and Dreams elements each dish as presented will have you in disbelief . The desserts here really are what Dreams are made of with the Key Lime lollipops are sure fire winner. Not something you can imagine having for dinner a lollipop but believe me this restaurant and the food they offer is like nothing else you will ever imagine. 5/5

3. Izumi – Royal Caribbean, This restaurant was very elegant and classical in style everything you would expect for a Japanese infused restaurant. Of course if you do not like Sushi then this restaurant really isn’t for you. I love this restaurant and I ate here on HArmony to celebrate a friends birthday, lovely ambience with huge tables that would cater for groups or you had the tables of 2 which oozed intimacy for a little romance. I loved the restaurant not only because of the ambience but also because of the quality and choice and variations of Sushi, they delivered as a platter to the center of the table where we all tucked in. Prices are payable as per the menu for each dish so costs may add up if you are trying to stick to a budget. The good news is that Royal CAribbean are now featuring Izumi express on their ships. Sushi takeout is a great idea if you wish to try or rather than having a sit down meal. 4/5

The Chef in Izumi

Sharing Platter in Izumi

4 Qsine – Celebrity Cruises. A similar concept to Wonderland but I feel more of a grown up version and where Wonderland took you into the past Qsine takes you into the future. Cover Charge up to $45pp around £34 British Pounds. Although I haven’t mentioned the wines too much served with dinner, Celebrity offer some of the best wines I have ever tasted on board, not always the cheaper options in some of their wine cellar but if you are splashing out for a special occasion ask the waiter to choose you a wine to compliment your dish , you will not be disappointed . Here you order your food from an I Pad which I quite liked and made the experience more fun. Here they serve food from all around the world so they cater for all tastes. You will find  unexpected twists on familiar favorites, different textures, tastes, and presentations pleasing all the senses at once. Where else would you order Lava Crab, popcorn Fish and Chips and the Taj Mahal. 5/5

5 Chops Grill – Royal Caribbean – A steak house restaurant which I experienced last year on Allure of the Seas, my son loves a steak so we decided to give this a try. Being totally honest I was a little disappointed with the ambiance and service here. The food was exceptional as of course the wine offered with each course but the service lacked attention to detail and we were often asking for more water and had to wait rather a long time for each course. We were given a table in the center of the room and was kind of left to our own devices a little. Although the restaurant was full, the waiters kind of hovered over a particular table where are group were dining for the duration we were there and we kind of felt we were a spare part here. It is the only restaurant where we ate our meal and wanted to leave . Cover charge $39 per person and although the food and steak were lovely my favourite steakhouse would always be the Crown Grill on Princess. 3/5

What do you think? Do you normally pay the extra for speciality dining restaurants and do you think they are worth pating the extra? I will be pleased to hear your thoughts.

If you want to know more about the speciality restaurants on board click here for our restaurant guide Restaurant Guide

Best Wishes Holly