Cruise Dining Options: Meal Times, Dietary Restrictions

In part one of this multi-part blog series, we went over some basics on the sort of food that’s commonly included on cruise ship trips, plus the locations where you’ll typically find it. Modern cruise ships come with plenty of dining options, including luxury options in many settings, and knowing about them in advance will make your planning much simpler.

At Cruise Lady: Latter-day Adventures, we’re proud to offer quality cruises and land tours with other members of the Church, with quality destinations like the Mediterranean, the Panama Canal, Australia/New Zealand and numerous others among our catalog. We’re also happy to assist our clients with any and all of their dining needs and questions, ensuring they’re well set-up for food and beverage options throughout their trip. Today’s part two of our series will go over a few related themes, including common meal timing, bringing your own food and a few related themes.

Are there Set Meal Times?

For the majority of cruise ships and lines, the answer here is no. Food is generally available 24/7 on today’s cruise ships, with a few exceptions.

Now, there still may be certain time-related restrictions or considerations. For instance, your ship’s main dining room may offer certain specialty items that are only available within certain hours. The same may go for certain bars and lounges, with their hours of operation generally being the only restrictions you might see noted. Other than that, however, it’s pretty much all food all the time.

Bringing Your Own Food

Our cruise ship staff are highly cognizant of those who have special dietary or allergy-related food restrictions, and it’s completely okay for you to bring along your own food. Those on restrictive diets will also want to consult with our staff about what they can expect on the destination cruise or tour that’s being pursued, as special accommodations may need to be made.

Now, there will typically be just a few minor exceptions when it comes to home food that’s allowed on a cruise ship. For instance, raw meat generally won’t be allowed, as storing and maintaining it isn’t entirely realistic in your cruise ship cabin. If you have questions here, check with your cruise line about specific restrictions.

Dietary Restrictions

Speaking of dietary restrictions, which can include allergies or a variety of other needs, it pays to do your research here in advance. If someone in your party has a severe peanut allergy, for instance, take the time to learn which restaurant and food options will be available where you plan to go. The last thing anyone wants is for a dietary restriction or allergy to ruin the trip, so be proactive about checking out all of your options in advance!

For more on understanding your dining and food options aboard your cruise ship, or to learn about any of our cruises or land tours with other Church members, speak to the staff at Cruise Lady: Latter-day Adventures today.