Buzz

From intimate cruises with chef-led concepts to mega-ships with enough options to satisfy the whole family, these cruises topped our Global Tastemakers awards.

Gone are the days when all-you-can-eat buffets dominated cruise ships. More and more, cruise lines are creating smaller specialty restaurants that offer guests a diverse variety of cuisines and hands-on experiences. The best cruise lines are ensuring quality dining onboard. Some have menus developed by celebrity chefs, while others are doing away with rigid mealtimes and making it easier for guests to eat whatever they want, whenever and wherever they want.

When voting in our inaugural Global Tastemakers survey for the best cruises for food, our readers rewarded cruise lines placing quality above all else. Mid-size ships claimed the top three spots, and the No. 4 spot went to a river cruise company with a wealth of wine-focused itineraries in Europe. Nos. 5 to 10 are large and mega-ships where the number of onboard drinking and dining outlets ensure that there’s something to satisfy even the pickiest eaters. Below, the full list of the ten best cruises for food.

Holland America Line

A team of six world-class chefs — Rudi Sodamin, Ethan Stowell, David Burke, Jacques Torres, Jonnie Boer, and Andy Matsuda — form the Culinary Council that advises the culinary direction of Holland America’s ships. The chefs’ influence can be felt everywhere from the flagship Dining Room to the specialty restaurants like Pinnacle Grill, which serves steakhouse recipes by David Burke, Rudi’s Sel de Mer, and sushi master Andy Matsuda’s Nama Sushi. It’s also worth noting that Holland America is the only cruise line with Alaska seafood certified sustainable by the Responsible Fisheries Management.