If you have never been on a cruise before, you are in for a treat – literally. The food you will encounter on your cruise will generally be very good to excellent, and there will be lots of it, so that you can sample to your heart's content.

Buffet Dining

Most cruise ship deals, including P&O Cruise Deals and Cunard Cruise Deals, offer unlimited buffet dining. When you choose (or are assigned to) your particular eating accommodation/dining room, the choices offered will normally be served buffet-style. You can choose from a wide variety of foods offered for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with no limit on portion size, or the number of times you can go back for more.

Themed Restaurants

Most cruise ships also have several themed restaurants, such as those that offer Japanese cuisine or another type of specific fare. For these, you will generally pay for meals just as you would when you go to any restaurant at any time. Generally, these meals are not included as part of your package and will cost you extra, although the prices are normally quite reasonable.

Bars, Bistros, and Cafeterias

Some ships also have separate bars, bistros, or cafeteria areas in addition to assigned dining areas; again, these are available for your use, but will generally be on a cash only basis, and are not included in your package price. These are a particularly good way to try out different types of foods you may not otherwise get to sample.

Cook for Yourself, or Choose Your Own Wine

Some cruise line itineraries will have cooking classes or wine tasting classes included as part of the activities on offer. If this is something you would like to experience, you can certainly go on a cruise and cook your own meals – or least learn how to so that you can delight others with your cooking expertise once you arrive safely back home.

What to Wear

Although it is a commonly believed that you have to dress up to go to dinner, that is not necessarily true. These days, cruise lines are listening to passengers, and casual dining has its place on board. You certainly can dress up if you so choose, and staff will be happy to tell you when these formal or semi formal dinners will take place so that you can dress appropriately for such occasions.

For the most part, though, casual dining and casual dress are part of the ambience, so that you simply have to relax, enjoy the wide variety of cuisine available to you, and take advantage of new gustatory experiences (or old favourites), as you wish.

Can you Eat Healthfully on a Cruise?

Although cruise lines may have something of a reputation when it comes to the plethora of food available – and the problems this can cause with passengers' waistlines – you can certainly eat healthfully on a cruise. Healthful options are often clearly marked on buffets and menus, and staff will certainly help with any special dietary needs you may have.