Celebrity chefs climb on board, writes Lauren Jones
ROYAL CARIBBEAN - JAMIE'S ITALIAN
On board Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas is a restaurant designed by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver. Jamie's Italian is a specialty lunch or dinner restaurant with a laid-back feel and great Italian dishes.
Jamie Oliver serves up Italian.
For an additional cost - as with most specialty restaurants - you can enjoy Jamie's fresh Italian-style lunches, dinners and desserts. The great thing about Jamie's relaxed style is that there is no dress code for this restaurant, casual is just fine. Jamie's menu is designed with fresh produce in mind and the pastas are made on site every day. The restaurant is rustic and homely, which, with a kids' menu, makes for the perfect family meal out.
American chef and television star Guy Fieri has collaborated with Carnival Cruises to create some of the best family-friendly restaurants on cruise ships. Available on nearly all the Carnival fleet - be sure to check before you go - Guy's Burger Joint is one of the tastiest lunch stops on a Carnival cruise. You can try a burger fresh off the grill created by the restaurant, or you can choose to create your own, with toppings from the snack bar.
Carnival Cruises - Guy's Burger Joint.
The burgers are well-known for their generous helping of cheese, and if you're going to indulge you may as well get the fries too. The restaurant is designed to look like a typical American diner and has a very casual dress code.
CRYSTAL CRUISES - THE SUSHI BAR
Sushi has in recent years rocketed in popularity on cruise ships. Crystal Cruises' The Sushi Bar is run by world-renowned chef Nobuyuki "Nobu" Matsuhisa, who is famous for blending Japanese and Peruvian cuisine. Available on the Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, The Sushi Bar is a great speciality restaurant option. With Crystal Cruises you get one complimentary reservation at each speciality restaurant; if you decide to return then there is a fee. The Sushi Bar offers a collection of creative sushi and sashimi served for dinner only. For most of the restaurants on Crystal Cruises it is expected that with the "black tie optional" dress code, no shorts or caps are worn and men should be wearing a jacket.
P&O CRUISES - GALA NIGHTS
Gala Nights aboard P&O feature a five-course dinner, which is served in the main restaurant on a formal evening. The menu is designed by celebrity chef Marco Pierre White, who rose to fame after - at only 33 - he became the youngest chef to be awarded threee Michelin stars.
P&O Cruises - Gala Nights.
The gala nights are glamorous occasions and are available across the fleet, on a black-tie evening. The five-course meal features some of Marco's favourite traditional dishes, which all scream luxury. The menu was personally designed by Marco and comes with a list of suggested wines complementing the meal - at an extra cost.
Chocolate Journeys is featured throughout the Princess ships but is not a specific restaurant. With desserts, pastries, wine and chocolate tasting, and confectionary packages, Chocolate Journeys is a chocolate lover's paradise. Master chocolatier Norman Love, who started in the chocolate business in 2001, and whose work has featured in InStyle Magazine and Martha Stewart Living has created the range for Princess Cruises. Norman's creations are available on select main dining room dessert menus and his Chocolate Journeys programme is available fleet-wide. Princess Cruises even offers chocolate spa treatments at the Lotus Spa for an extra cost.
