“Personal Choice Dining,” a mixture of both traditional (assigned tables and the same waiter each night in one of two seating times) and “your choice” – where you choose when you want to eat, and with whom – is provided aboard all ships. All dining rooms and eateries are smoke-free.

Although portions are generous, the food and its presentation are somewhat disappointing, and lack taste. Fish is often disguised by crumb or batter coating, the selection of fresh green vegetables is limited, and few garnishes are used. However, do remember that this is big-ship banquet catering, with all its attendant standardization and production cooking. Meats are of a decent quality, although often disguised by gravy-based sauces, and pasta dishes are acceptable (though voluminous), and are typically served by section headwaiters who may also make “something special just for you” – in search of favorable comments and gratuities.

If you like desserts, order a sundae at dinner, as most other desserts are just so-so. While ice cream ordered in the dining room is included, but costs extra elsewhere (Hagen Dazs can be found at poolside).

Specially designed dinnerware and good quality linens and silverware are used, such as Dudson of England (dinnerware), Frette Egyptian cotton table linens, and silverware by Hepp of Germany. Themed dinners are a feature. On a 7-day cruise, a typical menu cycle will include a Sailaway Dinner, Captain’s Welcome Dinner, Captain’s Gala Dinner, and Landfall Dinner.

The wine list is reasonable, but not good, and there are no wine waiters (table waiters or section head waiters serve the wine).

Casual Eateries: For casual eating, each ship has a Horizon Buffet (open round the clock), and, at night, provides an informal dinner setting with sit-down waiter service; a small (limited) bistro menu is also available. The buffet displays are, for the most part, quite repetitious, but far better than they have been in the past few years (there is no finesse in presentation, however, as plastic plates are provided, instead of trays). The cabin service menu is very limited, and presentation of food items featured is poor.

The Coffee/Tea Factor: Regular Coffee: Weak and poor. Score: 2 out of 10. Espresso/Cappuccino coffees: Score: 3 out of 10. Except for beverage station at the serve-yourself buffets, coffees/teas in bars are available at extra charge

Berlitz Guide © Apa Publishing 2008