I've eaten countless cruise ship meals during my two-decade cruising career. Some have exceeded expectations while others left a lot to be desired.
Rarely do I expect cruise food to be Michelin-caliber; however, some dishes really are that good!
I've found that certain lines, namely Celebrity and Princess, tend to offer more consistent dining experiences, but that doesn't mean other lines haven't surprised me.
Here are the 9 best things I've tasted on cruise ships that stood out from the rest.
Prime Black Angus Filet Mignon
Le Voyage, Celebrity Cruises
Le Voyage is the priciest meal I've ever had on a cruise. At $150 per person, the fine dining experience was a splurge, but it was worth every penny — I can't stop thinking about the rich Lobster Risotto or the refreshing Roasted Beet & Carrot Salad.
However, the star of the show was the Prime Black Angus Filet Mignon. The prime cut of meat was cooked to a juicy medium with a great sear on the outside. The meat was so tender that it practically melted in my mouth!
Though Le Voyage isn't the cheapest add-on, I'd argue it's a must for true foodies. Celebrity has great complimentary food in the Main Dining Room, but this was on a whole other level! The attention to detail and quality of ingredients elevated the experience to something unforgettable and worth the price tag.
Read more: I ate my way through a luxury cruise ship. These are the 6 dishes I'm still thinking about
Premier Combo
Izumi Hibachi, Royal Caribbean
One of my favorite celebratory meals is Teppanyaki. There's nothing quite like the sizzling sound of the grill, comedic chefs, and delicious food.
Hibachi is found on many cruise ships, especially within Carnival, MSC, and Royal Caribbean's fleets. One of the best experiences I've ever had, though, was aboard Freedom of the Seas.
The filet mignon and lobster premier combo was mouthwatering, not to mention the fried rice and perfectly cooked vegetables. My only quarrel with hibachi is that I can never finish all my food!
Straight Up
Guy's Burger Joint, Carnival Cruise Line
One of Carnival Cruise Line's claims to fame is its complimentary fast-casual dining, which is leagues above the options offered by lines like Royal Caribbean and Celebrity (Sorry, El Loco Fresh is nowhere near BlueIguana Cantina!).
One dish I look forward to on every Carnival cruise is a juicy burger from Guy's Burger Joint, a poolside grill developed by none other than Guy Fieri.
My go-to is the "Straight Up," which comes with super melty cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, and a generous slathering of Guy's secret Donkey Sauce. There's also a separate toppings bar for cruisers who want to add extra flair to their burger, with options like jalapeños, grilled onions, and chili.
Smoked Tomato Soup
Chef's Table, Royal Caribbean
Though it may seem counterintuitive because I willingly spent $150 on a meal aboard Celebrity Ascent, I avoided Royal Caribbean's Chef Table for years because of the price. What sold me on Le Voyage was that the menu was designed by Daniel Boulud, a world-renowned, Michelin-starred chef.
However, I tried the Chef's Table on Allure of the Seas last year and was blown away, particularly by the Roasted Tomato Soup. It was velvety smooth, had a smoky depth, was topped with a drizzle of crème fraîche, and served with crispy garlic focaccia.
Had the Chef's Table not been a six-course ordeal, I would have definitely asked for a second bowl. It was popular amongst my tablemates, too.
Barolo Braised Short Rib
Main Dining Room, Celebrity Cruises
You don't have to eat at specialty restaurants to get quality cuisine on cruise ships. While there's no denying the specialty experience is usually more intimate with higher-quality food, I've been equally pleased with dishes in the Main Dining Room.
One of my favorites is Celebrity Cruises' Short Rib. Aboard Celebrity Reflection, the tender meat was served with a creamy truffle polenta that could have been a standalone entrée.
However, on Celebrity's newer Edge Class ships, the Cypriot Short Ribs in the Cyrups Restaurant are a little different but equally delicious. Even though I missed the truffle polenta, I was pleased with the accompanying olive oil potatoes.
Read more: What the Food Was Like on Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Reflection
French Onion Soup
Main Dining Room, Royal Caribbean
Another of my MDR staples is Royal Caribbean's French Onion Soup. I've had the soup countless times and have never been disappointed!
It's always served piping hot with a thick layer of golden, bubbly cheese, and yes, the cheese pull is as dramatic as you think! The broth itself is rich, savory, and comforting.
My only critique is that sometimes I wish there were more caramelized onions, but the flavor itself never fails.
Chocolate Melting Cake
Main Dining Room, Carnival Cruise Line
In addition to Guy's Burger Joint, you'll find me in the Main Dining Room ordering at least one of Carnival's infamous Chocolate Melting Cakes.
The rich dessert features an ooey-gooey chocolate center that's served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. While the consistency of the lava cake can vary, when it's good, it's good and nothing short of heavenly.
Since my last Carnival cruise, I've seen hacks on how to make the popular dessert even better. I can't wait to order the melting cake with a side of strawberries to give the decadent dessert a fruity twist.
Read more: The complimentary Carnival dessert that’s worth ordering every time, according to loyal cruisers
Hot Honey Pie
Alfredo's Pizzeria, Princess Cruises
I'll be honest: I don't love all cruise ship pizza. Royal Caribbean's Sorrentos is especially a letdown, no matter how many times I swear it must be better than the last. However, when I tried the complimentary pizza aboard Sun Princess, I knew some cruise lines had figured out how to dish up tasty pizza the right way.
However, Sun Princess also has a specialty pizzeria restaurant onboard called Alfredo's Pizzeria, and it absolutely should be on everyone's must-eat list on Princess' newest mega-ship.
Conceived by 13-time World Pizza Champion Tony Gemigani, you can't miss the award-winning pizzas like the Hot Soppressata or Hot Honey Pie. The latter is my personal favorite, as it strikes the right balance of sweetness from the honey with spice from the calabrese peppers.
Read more: I ate at 6 specialty restaurants on Princess’ newest ship. Here’s how they rank
Truffle Risotto
Eden Restaurant, Celebrity Cruises
One dish I didn't expect to love (because I didn't order it) was the Truffle Risotto served at Eden aboard Celebrity Ascent. It was highly recommended by our waiter, but my partner and I foolishly went with other options.
Thankfully, he took it upon himself to bring us the risotto, and we were blown away! It was creamy with the truffle adding the right amount of richness without being too overpowering.
While the presentation wasn't anything to write home about, the flavors more than made up for it.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she traveled frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas during her freshman year of high school. Having sailed on nearly 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
