Feeling Peckish? Caviar at Midnight on a Seabourn Cruise

So after my little preview about my recent travels on Seabourn I’m now going to tell you a little bit more about my experience.

Dining

There are 4 different areas to eat, The Restaurant (main dining), Restaurant 2 (Speciality restaurant), The colonnade and the Patio. What’s really good is that the night before in your stateroom you will get a copy of all the menus so you can choose where you would like to eat

The Restaurant

The most elegant dining option serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Here you can choose a table for 2, a larger table to suit your party size or sit with other guests. No reservations are needed and there is no set dining so you can eat when you want.

What I really liked about Seabourn dining options was that you could choose to dine on a hosted table, this is excellent for solo passengers or those who wish to meet fellow passengers and crew. Each evening a member of staff i.e Cruise Director, Assistant CD, guest entertainers etc will invite a group of guest to join them for dinner this is a really good way to meet fellow guests.

There is a dress code here, collared shirts for the gentlemen and smart for the ladies (no jeans or t-shirts). On formal night a jacket is required to be worn and this policy will be enforced!!! On one of our formal nights a guest arrived in a smart shirt and trousers, there was no big fuss and he was seated but shortly after a waiter came discreetly with someone’s jacket (a crew members I guess) and placed it on the back of his chair and had a quiet word with the gentlemen, next minute the guest was wearing a nice suit jacket, he  later told me at no point did the crew make him uncomfortable but just solved the issue quickly and effectively enabling the guest to eat in the main dining room.

On arrival you are escorted to your table and introduced to the waiters who will be looking after you, no having to hang around for a drink the sommeliers are there with recomended wines for the evening and will pair it to your choice of meal throughout the evening.

The menu is split into Seabourn classics (always available) and a menu that changes daily on several occasions they will also have themed nights such as English, Indian etc.

The quality of food is outstanding the beef in particular melted in the mouth, fish, Foie Gras and caviar give you an idea of what is available on the inspirations menu along with soup etc.

Restaurant 2

This is the speciality restaurant, however no nasty surcharges here as it is also complimentary. Reservations are however required and this is a small intimate venue with views out to see . Restaurant 2 is more of a taster menu and a great way to sample alternative food.

The Colonnade

Here you can dine indoors or out, even in November in the Med thanks to the patio heaters that are set up. Enjoy a wide variety of hot and cold stations for breakfast and lunch in addition to this waiter service is still always available for cooked specialities like eggs benedict, the most amazing fresh pancakes I have ever eaten and for lunch freshly cooked burgers and fries etc. On an evening it is transformed  to a beautiful restaurant in its own right, themed menus are featured nightly, Asian, Steakhouse etc.

Something I must add, even though this in all tense and purposes is the buffet restaurant, if you like you still get the waitered service experience if you so wish. Fresh cafetiere of coffee and juices brought to your table, white linen and the finest cutlery and tableware all with the most stunning scenery as you dock or sail under the moonlit skies.

The Patio

If I’m honest probably one of my favourite dining venues. This is the most casual option, grilled lunches, and dinners are served poolside and under the sun or moonlit skies for lunch. When you sit down nachos and dips are brought to your table. A salad bar and hot food is available at the small buffet area, again waiter service is available should you wish and fine wines, cocktails or champagne are available to drink.

On an evening patio heaters keep you warm and blankets are provided for the cooler nights. The food was still outstanding and that’s the thing I noticed on Seabourn even if you choose to eat at the most casual of options the quality of food and service still feels like you’re experiencing something truly wonderful.

There is in- suite dining available round the clock – what’s also nice is that the The restaurant menu is also available in your room during dinner which means you don’t need to miss out.

One thing I did notice (if you’re a caviar fan this one’s for you) it always seems to be available and you can have it anywhere you want it at any time – on several occasions guests were enjoying their caviar at the bar at midnight and this isn’t a little scraping this seemed to be a whole tub!!!!

One of the other guests described this a one of their Seabourn moments “My caviar at midnight”

So this has been a little insight into the food and restaurants onboard. I can honestly say it was by far the best I have experienced. Here’s a few more photos of the dining experience and I’ll tell you about the entertainment on board in my next blog.

Main dining room Photos