The Restaurant is a part-marble, part-carpeted dining room that has portholes and elegant decor. The silverware (150 gram weight – the best available) is by Robbe & Berking. Open-seating dining means that you can dine when you want, with whom you wish.

The menus, overseen by celebrity chef Charlie Palmer, are creative and well-balanced, with a wide selection of foods and regional cuisine. Seabourn Cruise Line’s fine, creative cuisine is artfully presented, with many items cooked to order. Special orders are available, and caviar is always available on request. Tableside flambeaus and flaming desserts can be presented at your table. There is always a good selection of exotic fruits and cheeses.

Each day, basic table wine is included for lunch and dinner, but all others (the decent ones) cost extra. The wine list is quite extensive, with prices ranging from moderate to high; many of the wines come from the smaller, more exclusive vineyards. The hand-picked European dining room staff provides excellent, unhurried service.

In addition, relaxed breakfasts (available until 11am) and lunch buffets and casual (themed) candlelight dinners, including a new “2” tasting menu, can be taken in the popular Veranda Cafe adjacent to the swimming pool. All dining venues are non-smoking.

Berlitz Guide © Apa Publishing 2008