cunard cruise line food

Cunard Restaurant Food And Dining Choices

I recently took a 10-day Cunard Alaska cruise on Queen Elizabeth. Being new to Cunard, I was curious about their restaurant food and dining options. I had heard great things about their meal presentations and the quality of the food.

Queen Elizabeth is a mid-sized vessel and can accommodate 2116 passengers, but our cruise sailed at less than 50% capacity. You can read our Queen Elizabeth ship review here .

Guests can choose to dine in the Britannia Restaurant, Lido buffet, Lido pool grill, Golden Lion pub, The Verandah steakhouse, or order room service.

Guests booked in suites enjoy a ship-within-a-ship  experience and can dine in an exclusive restaurant venue.

As with all cruise lines, I try to eat at all venues to assess the level of service, food selection, and quality of meals.

Britannia Restaurant

I tried the Britannia Restaurant (main restaurant) for breakfast, lunch, and almost all dinners. For breakfast, my favorite was Cunard’s Get Up and Go Signature Plate.

It included eggs done your way, hash browns, grilled tomato with English back bacon, or Cumberland sausage.

Alternatively, you could request omelets with various fillings, along with corned beef hash, bacon, and sausage.

There were all the usual breakfast offerings; fresh fruit, hot and cold cereal, pastries, banana bread, pancakes, yogurt, sliced meat, and cheeses.

The Britannia Restaurant offers two seatings, the early at 5:50 to 6 pm and the late at 8 to 8:30 pm. We chose the early seating.

However, there were days when we had late excursions and didn’t get to the dining room until 6:20 pm, which wasn’t a problem.

While there’s a dress code for dinner , guests can dine casually for breakfast and lunch. Pre-Covid, we always requested a large dining table with other guests. Since we were still in the pandemic, we chose a table for two this time.

Cunard’s main dining room differs from other lines by not having a set part of the menu that never changed. I found it refreshing to see something different every day.

However, other guests preferred the fallback to traditional choices like French onion soup, prawn cocktails, and steak dinners.

Dinner Menus

We forgot to get the menus for the first two nights but included those we gathered. So here is a sampling of what you can expect for food in a Cunard restaurant.

On embarkation days, the dinner menus are generally limited by our choices were quite good. While my husband, Brian, and I started with a salad, we chose different entrees and desserts.

I had the Steak Diane and finished with the chocolate cheesecake. The cheesecake was beyond amazing, and I would have been happy to eat the same dessert every night, lol.

Brian chose the broiled cod and warm apple strudel. He remarked that the strudel was great.

Night two was the first of two gala nights on our 10-day itinerary.

Night Three

My night three entrée selection was a miss for me. I had the Prosciutto and figs starter, plaice entrée and frozen mango souffle. The starter and dessert were terrific, but the plaice and accompanied sauce lacked flavor and seasoning.

Brian enjoyed the classic Caesar salad, sesame-grilled salmon, and vanilla ice cream. I think Brian was in ice cream heaven once he tasted the creaminess of British ice cream.

From then on, he had an effort to get a serving almost every day, lol.

Night 3 appetizer menu | Night 3 entree and dessert menu

We chose the same appetizer: shrimp, clam, and cucumber cocktail. Unlike traditional shrimp cocktails, Cunard served it on a plate instead of a dish.

However, the addition of pickled ginger and grapefruit mayonnaise gave it a tangy and spicy kick, which we enjoyed.

Spring lamb rump and Linguine with tiger prawns were our entrée choices. Both dishes were excellent, although I would have preferred the mint sauce with the lamb.

We finished with a crepe Suzette with vanilla ice cream and vanilla chia seed pudding with blackberries. I was hesitant about trying the chia seed pudding, but it pleasantly surprised me with its flavor and texture.

Night 4 appetizer menu | Night 4 entree and dessert menu

We enjoyed one of the best meals on night five. Brian’s chicken and dumplings egg fried rice was well presented, and he said it tasted great.

Since I love lamb, I opted for the rosemary and garlic lamb chops, which was more tender than the lamb rump the previous night.

The big hit for me was the Jaffa Cake meringue raspberry gel. If you’ve ever had Jaffa Cakes, Cunard’s version was doubly delicious, especially with the addition of the meringue.

Night 5 appetizer menu | Night 5 entree and dessert menu

Night Seven

On the sixth night, we ate at The Verandah steakhouse. The hit for me was the smoked salmon appetizer the following evening.

My entrée, chicken Marsala Risotto, lacked flavor, and I could barely eat any. I ordered the same chocolate cheese I had the first night because it was so delicious.

Brian selected the Jack Daniels chicken lollipops, which looked fantastic, although messy to eat. Brian chose the fillet of Alaskan Hoki, which he commented was good but not quite as good as halibut.

Brian’s dessert of West Indies chocolate tart with clotted cream was a huge hit.

Night 6 appetizer menu | Night 6 entree and dessert menu

Night 7 appetizer menu | Night 7 entree and dessert menu

Night Eight

After a busy day in Ketchikan and an unforgettable Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s excursion, we rushed back to the ship for a later dinner.

Brian started with a salad, and I enjoyed the goat cheese starter with mushrooms. We both had the pan-roasted Alaskan salmon, which was done to perfection.

Our choices for dessert were the caramelized pear Napoleon and coconut panna cotta black sesame rice with baby peach. We highly recommend both desserts. The following evening was our second gala night, featuring the “roaring 20s.”

Night 8 appetizer menu | Night 8 entree and dessert menu

For our final night, we boarded Queen Elizabeth without much appetite. We had spent the day in Victoria, British Columbia, and had the most fantastic fish and chips late lunch at the Fisherman’s Wharf.

So, we opted for a shrimp cocktail and fish cakes for starters, which were good but not outstanding.

I had the roasted rack of lamb (my third time eating lamb in 10 days), and Brian ate the prawn curry with basmati rice. Both entrees were fantastic, but we couldn’t finish due to a late lunch on shore.

We completed the meal with a warm apple and apricot tart, and the raspberry chocolate cake. The chocolate cake was better than the tart.

Night 10 appetizer menu | Night 10 entree and dessert menu

After each evening meal, servers bring trays of handmade chocolates, candied ginger, and chocolate-covered mints to enjoy with tea and coffee.

It was a nice treat if we weren’t already full. One night, they brought my favorite, macaroons, and I couldn’t help but enjoy a couple.

Gala Nights

On our 10-day Alaska cruise, we had two gala nights. While most cruise lines have gone to optional dress-up nights, Cunard still has a strict dress code.

On the first sea day (night 2), the theme was “white ice,” complementing the itinerary of seeing snow-capped mountains and calving glaciers.

We were given a complimentary glass of champagne, along with our surf and turf. Brian also had a Caprese Salad and Lemon Souffle.

For my appetizer, I chose the Lamb Samosa, which the chef made without the wheat wrapper. It was amazing and one of the best appetizers throughout the cruise. I enjoy the gluten-free version of the lemon souffle.

The roaring 20s was our theme for the second gala night (night 9). Although guests received the usual baked Alaska, Cunard didn’t serve the traditional lobster dinner on our cruise.

The food was so good in Cunard’s Britannia restaurant that we honestly didn’t miss the lobster dinner. Instead, I enjoyed an Alaskan Candy Salmon starter, Grilled Butterfly Garlic King Prawns entrée, and Chocolate Brownie for dessert.

Brian’s choices were Roasted Onion Soup, Grilled Alaskan Halibut, and finished with Baked Alaska with Morello Cherries.

Traditionally, cruise ships made large baked Alaska and cut it into slices. Cunard made individual servings, and Brian was thrilled it came with cherries.

Gala night appetizer menu | Gala night entree and dessert menu

Lido Buffet

One of the things I appreciated about the Lido buffet was no lineup. While some cruise lines’ buffets resemble a college cafeteria, Cunard was much more refined in quality and selection.

It was the only cruise ship I’d been on since 2009, offering sushi at the buffet every day.

Cunard excelled in labeling food by including signs showing what contained gluten, sulfites, dairy, and items that were vegetarian and low in sugar.

Smoked salmon, smoked trout, and candied salmon appeared regularly on the buffet. Salad dressings were labeled if they included milk, gluten, or sulfites.

Desserts were always beautifully presented, and their soft-serve ice cream included natural British ice cream with its creamier flavor.

Cunard also has an allergy section. Since I can’t have gluten and lactose, I appreciated this area. It carried a stock of gluten-free crackers, buns, bread, tarts, and apricot slices.

There were gluten-free waffles, cornflakes, bagels, bread, and muffins for breakfast. There were soy, almond, rice, and regular milk choices.

They also had a toaster, strictly for gluten-free products. Unfortunately, one morning, someone put a regular croissant in the toaster and seemed unconcerned that I was for wheat-free products.

After ten days of cruising Alaska, I realized Cunard was an excellent choice for passengers who cruise with allergies to certain foods.

Lido Pizzeria

The Lido included a pizzeria where guests could request a pizza with custom toppings. There was a choice of bases, and I was impressed they offered a gluten-free crust as well as vegan cheese.

Next to it, a pasta station and baked potato section offered meals made your way. You could personalize your potato with toppings such as bolognese sauce, baked beans, crispy bacon, sour cream, and chili con carne.

Afternoon Tea

Traditional afternoon tea was served in the Queen’s Room every day of the cruise, even on port days. Being half British, I looked forward to this afternoon treat.

So, on embarkation day, I requested a gluten-free and lactose-free tea for the following day, which was our first sea day.

Arriving in the Queen’s Room the following afternoon, I was surprised to find the area packed. It was the only venue during the cruise that filled up fast.

Unfortunately, the kitchen staff didn’t prepare my pre-arranged tea, and I left disappointed. The team apologized and asked me to return the following day when we were cruising Glacier Day National Park.

So, the following day while everyone was outside, savoring the views, I stopped by for the anticipated Cunard afternoon tea.

To my surprise, the scones were delicious, and I received a vegan cream instead of the clotted cream, which tasted as good as the real thing.

Instead of finger sandwiches, I received buns with smoked salmon, cucumber, and ham fillings. The sweet treats were just as delicious.

My husband, Brian, said his afternoon tea was exceptional. Since Cunard serves tea between 3 pm and 4:30 pm, we opted to miss lunch on the days we went for tea.

Cunard’s afternoon tea was included in the cruise fare, and I liked that guests could enjoy it in the Lido buffet. If you wanted the afternoon treat in your stateroom, you could order it without incurring a fee.

The Verandah Steakhouse

Brian loves a good steak, so we eat at every steakhouse on each cruise. The Verandah steakhouse is the only specialty restaurant on Queen Elizabeth, and guests can find it on deck two.

The Veranda offers lunch on sea days for a USD 25, but the menu is limited and features only one steak, an 8 oz sirloin.

Dinner is served from 6:30 pm every evening and costs USD 45. While we expected extensive steak options, I was surprised to find a burger offering on The Veranda menu.

For appetizers, Brian chose the Caribbean Lobster Cocktail, which came exquisitely presented in the shape of a butterfly.

I picked the Tea-smoked duck breast with mandarin dressing, toasted slaw, and pomegranate molasses. Both starters were fantastic.

Since Brian always orders a steak, the beef cuts were presented on a cart, and the server explained each cut. All cuts were included except the Suffolk Wagyu, which incurred a USD 30 fee on top of the USD 45.

Brian selected his usual 12 oz ribeye steak with mashed potatoes, broccoli, and Bearnaise sauce. Should you order a steak, the server brings a box of steak knives, and you get to select one. While the gesture was grand, the steak knife was not sharp.

I wanted to try something different, so I opted for the hickory smoked Louisiana Short Ribs. Both entrees were delicious.

We chose different desserts too. Brian had the Deep Filled Bramley Apple Pie and ice cream. I had the Wild Strawberry Pavlova with Champagne Sorbet.

My dessert was an art piece, and the pavlova was filled with strawberries and strawberry tapioca pearls. While both desserts were fantastic, we felt too full to clean our plates.

Room Service

It took me more than a dozen cruises to order room service. Maybe it was the lack of choice or the fact that some lines now charge a fee.

However, I was pleasantly surprised Cunard has an extensive room service menu that doesn’t incur an upcharge. So, after embarkation day, we decided to try breakfast in our stateroom the following day since we were at sea.

Cunard’s room service breakfast menu is quite comprehensive and better than most breakfast choices on land. Cunard asks guests to order their selections by 1 am.

Staff delivers breakfast in 30 minutes time slots from 7 am to 10 am. Most mornings, our tray arrived 5 minutes early. The menu included seven juices, tea, coffee, cereals, bakery baskets, bagels, fruit, yogurt, and cold cuts.

Hot breakfast included eggs your way, your choice of crispy or English back bacon, three types of sausages, grilled tomato, sauteed mushrooms, and hash browns. Cunard even had baked beans and Bury black pudding for the British guests.

Our cooked breakfast always arrived hot and was so good that we opted to eat breakfast in our cabin three times. 

While we never ordered room service outside of breakfast, the menu was just as extensive. From 12 pm to 11 pm, you can request a variety of soups and salads, sandwiches, pasta, chicken curry, burger, quesadilla, and a choice of three desserts.

For a fee, guests can order gourmet canapes or caviar and champagne. However, all guests received a complimentary bottle of champagne in their mini-fridge.

By ordering afternoon tea in the stateroom, you can create a mimosa afternoon tea on the balcony. It’s the ideal way to add romance to a cruise  without spending any money.

Golden Lion Pub

Located on deck two, the Golden Lion offered all the traditional pub favorites, from beer-battered fish and chips to steak and kidney pie.

While its menu was limited (seven entrees and two desserts), it was an excellent place for a casual meal.

Here’s what you can eat at the Golden Lion:

• Beer battered Atlantic cod with chips and mushy peas.
• Steak, ale, and kidney pie with potatoes, carrots, and peas.
• Chicken Tikka Marsala with basmati rice, onion bhaji, and naan bread.
• Angus beef burger with stilton slaw, dill pickle, and fries.
• Fried egg and mushroom sandwich with wilted greens.
• Golden Lion Ploughman lunch – gammon, cheese, duck mousse, pickled onions, vegetable crudities, Branston pickle, and artisan bread.

Overall, I found Cunard restaurant food outstanding. There were plenty of choices, especially for those with food allergies. The only area that Cunard could improve was the option to get food between 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm. 

With only afternoon tea, burgers, and hot dogs in the Lido pool grill, there were no options for healthy choices.

While most cruise lines have an adequate buffet, Cunard’s exceeded any other line we’ve cruised. So, if you prefer not to dress for dinner as required in the Cunard Britannia restaurant, you can eat in the Lido and get equally good food.

Happy travels ~ Karen

Pat Northcote

Tuesday 16th of May 2023

Cunard has the most outstanding service and elevated food options.

Forever Karen

I totally agree!

Diana Carragher

Thursday 4th of May 2023

We love Queen Elizabeth and cruised in January The food in the Britannia restaurant was a little disappointing however room service breakfast great also afternoon tea. We will sail again in January 24.

Too bad you didn't have a good experience with the food. Our cruise last year was exceptional but we cruised at less than 50% capacity.

Mark Johnson

Friday 28th of April 2023

Excellent review Karen, we love the food, style and ambience of Cunard cruises

Wednesday 14th of September 2022

Food is always excellent on board Queen Victoria!! I would like to know more about your Club Restaurant Menu

The menus for the Britannia club dining are shown in the article as pdfs.

Privacy Overview

Cunard Food Review. Queen Victoria.

I have recently returned from my first ever Cunard cruise onboard the Queen Victoria. I’m usually more of a freestyle diner so the fixed dining codes and dress codes took me a little by surprise. The food was generally really good but ‘fancier’ than I am used too. By the end of the cruise I was really craving a burger.. however, there are burgers onboard if you know where to look for them.

Food options.

The Britannia restaurant was where I had the majority of my meals. This the free main dining room onboard the Queen Victoria. I LOVED the decor in the restaurant, it felt very grand. The dress code is strictly enforced in the dining room so if you are unsure about that make sure you check out this post here: Cunard: What to wear. 

I also had food from the pub and buffet and will be reviewing all of them below.

The Golden Lion Pub

The Golden Lion Pub is a real ‘British pub’. They serve traditional ‘pub grub’ and it was okay. Nothing particularly good to write home about. They have dishes like fish and chips, cottage pie and curries.

The buffet (Lido restaurant)

The buffet was of a high standard, always clean and full of food. It was considerably smaller than what you’d find on larger ships but was also a lot quieter. I only had trouble getting a table once (and that was on disembarkation morning which is to be expected). Overall it was a pretty impressive buffet.

Britannia dining room

Cunard only offers set dining so I went for the early slot. I’m more used to freestyle dining on cruise lines like NCL and P&O so it was a little strange to have to eat at a set time. But dinner is such a big event onboard Cunard ships that I didn’t mind.

The starters in the Britannia restaurant were a mouthful or two, normally pretty yummy but tiny. Below is a photo of the fanciest egg on toast in the entire world! I’m not sure if Cunard would like me calling it an egg on toast.. but it was an egg and it was on some toasted bread so I think that qualifies.

 Deserts.

 Room service.

Overall impressions

Have you cruised with Cunard? Did you like the food? Let me know in the comments.

Sunday 10th of September 2017

Ive read your Cunard blogs for some weeks now and I really wonder why you ever sailed with them in the first place!

Emma Le Teace

Because it was a family trip :) I enjoyed it and would cruise with them again!

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Cunard Review

Wednesday, April 24th

2024 Cruise Line Reviews

• Best for British-style luxury sailing worldwide
• Three ships in the fleet (with another debuting in 2024)
• Guests of all ages permitted (not an 18+ cruise line)
• Most dining is included (The Golden Lion gastro-pub is extra)
• Recommended gratuities ($14.50 or $16.50 per person, per night) not included in fare

Cunard is a British cruise line with a rich history and tradition, dating back to 1840. It is known for its luxurious ships, outstanding service, and elegant formal evenings. Cunard operates three ocean liners, the Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth, which offer a wide range of itineraries around the world.

Think British and formal

The Queen Mary 2 is Cunard's flagship and the only ocean liner in the world that regularly makes transatlantic crossings between New York and Southampton. It is a grand and stately ship that harks back to the golden age of ocean travel, with elegant public areas, formal dining rooms, and spacious cabins. Onboard, guests can enjoy a wide range of activities, including live entertainment, art classes, and lectures by well-known experts.

More relaxed experience on the smaller ships

The Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth are both smaller than the Queen Mary 2 but still offer a luxurious cruising experience. These ships have a more contemporary design and a relaxed, informal atmosphere, but still retain the high standards of service and cuisine that Cunard is known for. They offer a range of itineraries, from short breaks to longer voyages to destinations such as the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and the Caribbean.

Spring break cruises are available - just not in the Caribbean

Because of what Cunard does and doesn't specialize in, it was to be expected that there wouldn't be any March sailings in the Caribbean (which is what we used as a comparison point across cruise lines): they're just not operating in that part of the world at that time. Of course not: why would a cruise line with British heritage have anything to do with spring break timing in the US?! But, if you're trying to line up an amazing trip over that holiday, Cunard can be found going from Sydney to Hong Kong (16 nights), Sydney to Singapore (22 nights), Sydney to Cape Town (39 nights), or taking "short break" trips in Australia, from Hong Kong to Singapore, you get the idea.

Pack your tux or gown

One of the unique features of Cunard is its formal evenings, which are a throwback to the grandeur of the early days of ocean travel. On these evenings, guests are expected to dress up in their finest attire, with men wearing tuxedos or suits and women donning elegant gowns. The formal evenings include a special dinner, dancing, and live entertainment, and are a highlight of the Cunard experience.

Cunard is also known for its exceptional dining options. Each ship offers a range of restaurants, from traditional formal dining rooms to more casual eateries. Most dining choices are included in your fare, but the gastro-pub options at The Golden Lion will incur an extra cost. The cuisine is inspired by the destinations visited on the itinerary, with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Cunard also offers a famous afternoon tea service, which is a nod to the line's British heritage.

Luxury but not all-inclusive

Cunard is a luxury cruise line, but it's not all-inclusive. You'll have to pay for any shore excursions you choose, and your gratuities ($14.50 per person per night for Britannia and Britannia Club staterooms, $16.50 per person per night for Queens and Princess Grill suites) will be automatically added to your account. WiFi is another extra that you'll pay for, unless you reach Gold, Platinum, or Diamond World Club "frequent sailor" benefits - or if you're taking one of Cunard's exceptional World Voyages (think sailings of at least 16 nights, and ones that go up to 100+ nights and visit ports in all four continents).

Not adults-only

Also, don't expect your Cunard cruise to be child-free. Children are welcome on Cunard, and there are clubs for those young cruisers with age-specific activities offered day and night.

Wonderful cruise line but not a match for many US-based guests

For US-based vacationers looking to cruise in exotic locations around the world and have a fancy onboard experience, Cunard could be worth looking at - especially for those who love all things British and having a daily afternoon tea would be the epitome of excellence. On the other hand, if you want easy-peasy departures from US ports year-round, Cunard won't fit the bill.

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The 15 Best Cruise Lines

Which cruise line is the best.

Cruising is a popular way of traveling for many people, offering a unique experience that combines the convenience of a floating hotel with the excitement of visiting multiple destinations in one trip. In an average year, over fifteen million people say "all aboard" and set sail on an amazing vacation.

There are many different cruise lines to choose from, and each one offers a different type of experience. Some are geared towards families, while others are more focused on luxury or adventure. What would you like to see and do while you're onboard? Is a casino a must-have or a rather-avoid? Would a Broadway-caliber show tip the scales for you? Do you need a wide range of activities to keep the kiddos happy while the adults live it up or relax? The onboard activities and amenities can really make or break your vacation, so be sure you know what you're getting.

Cruise Line FAQ

Which cruise line is the best, what is included in the cost of a cruise, what is the minimum age to cruise, what are the dining options on a cruise ship, are cruise ships crowded, do i have to dress up, are activities included at destination ports, can i bring my own alcohol onboard.

Continued from above...

Another factor that can influence which cruise line you choose is the itinerary. Cruise ships travel all over the world, but some cruise lines may not have destinations available where you're hoping to go. You should also consider the size of the ship: larger ships offer more amenities, but smaller ships can access ports that bigger ships can't.

Speaking of amenities, make sure you understand what you'll get as part of your fare and which extras will come with an additional cost. For example, most cruises offer drink packages for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, but a few have drink stations where you can get complimentary lemonade, coffee and tea. Other amenities that might be important to you are Wi-Fi, spa services, babysitting, fitness classes, and upgraded dining experiences. You can usually get a decent discount if you sign up for an amenities package before you sail, so keep an eye out for promotions in the months leading up to your sailing.

When you take a cruise, it's almost always expected that you'll tip the crew members who have attended to your needs while onboard: your cabin steward ( who probably leaves your towels folded into fun shapes every night ), your servers at your nightly meals, and the head waiter. Cruise lines have a recommended gratuity to cover all three of those staff members, usually $15-$20 per traveler, per day; the total gratuity amount may be charged automatically to your account, or you may be given envelopes to make cash payments.

While it usually isn't mandatory to pay those gratuities - you can ask to have them removed if they're applied automatically, especially if you've received poor service - it's typically considered in poor taste not to tip at the suggested levels (because crew members' salaries, much like servers at your local restaurant, are based on the expectation of tips paid by guests). And, if you receive service that goes above and beyond, adding to the recommended gratuity is always appreciated. Be aware that tips for bartenders, poolside servers, and professional services provided in the spa or elsewhere are not included in the daily suggested gratuity and may be charged automatically at the time of service.

Now that you have a good overview of the cruising experience, which cruise line should you choose? Beyond the points we already covered, here are a few additional criteria that might make it easier to pick:

• Embarkation port. You could get a great deal on a cruise, but what will it cost you to get to the port? That could involve airfare, an overnight stay or two in a nearby hotel (so that you're less likely to be affected by travel delays), and transportation from the airport or hotel to the port. This is especially true if you're taking a cruise that departs from an international destination.
• Perks for repeat cruisers. Like frequent flyer programs on airlines, most cruise lines offer benefits the more you sail. If you find yourself absolutely loving cruise vacations, it can be advantageous to put all of your eggs in one basket, so to speak. Rewards programs can include casino benefits, complimentary meals at the upgraded dining experiences, exclusive sail-away parties with free cocktails and tchotchkes, early-access booking on future cruises, and much more.
• Reputation. It's a really smart idea to see what other travelers have said about their overall experience with a cruise line before booking your trip. The ads on TV may make that private island look amazing, but someone who's been there might point out that you'll pay extra to get on that waterslide. Or, previous cruisers could tell you that despite having several formal nights on the schedule, a particular cruise line has no problem with people showing up to dinner in flip-flops and swimsuit coverups. Find out if the cruise line you're considering lines up in reality with what they advertise.

Here at Top Consumer Reviews, cruising is one of our favorite ways to travel and experience new things. And with so many different cruise lines to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. But, don't worry: take a look at our in-depth analysis of today's most popular options, find the one that's the best match for your vacation ideas and your travel party, and book that trip you've been dreaming of. Bon voyage!

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Gluten Free Dining onboard Cunard Queen Victoria

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We recently sailed with Cunard onboard the wonderful Queen Victoria, and one of my main questions before getting on board was, How is Gluten Free dining onboard Cunard Queen Victoria?

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How easy it is to find gluten free food onboard cunard queen victoria.

For everyone that loves to cruise, one of the main topics the conversation starts with is how the was food & drink! So when it comes to someone like myself that has to eat Gluten Free it adds another level to the experience, which starts with how easy it was to eat. Usually, a good gauge is how many crew you need to ask about the Gluten Free offering before you can eat!

My Cunard experience was an excellent experience for me. We only did a four-night cruise, which included a chance to try the main dining and speciality dining onboard. This means I got to experience most of the formal dining on board. We were onboard for four nights, so we only had limited opportunities to sample the casual dining onboard, such as the Golden Lion Pub, Winter Garden and Lido Grill.

Lido – Queen Victoria Buffet for Gluten Free

The Lido buffet was available for the vast majority of the day, with break, lunch, afternoon tea and evening dining available, with only a few hours each day where The Lido was closed to allow the crew time to change between meal services.

For breakfast, on one side, they have a dedicated counter for all your free-from options, including gluten-free bread/toast, pastries, cereals, and dairy-free alternatives, making things nice and easy to find and readily available.

I started there depending on my mood and then selected fruit options, cooked breakfast, cold meats etc. When using the other counters, I just read the labels to check what was gluten-free.

You can also get the Cunard famous Afternoon Tea in the Lido if you prefer a more casual vision rather than opting for the pageantry offered in the Queen’s Ballroom. Here you can help yourself, with once again a counter set up with all the gluten-free options to create your Afternoon Tea.

Bamboo Speciality Restaurant

We also dined at the speciality evening menu one night in The Lido. During the evenings, one section is transformed into a pop-up venue, which we were told changes its menu depending on the region of the world the is travelling. In this case, the restaurant was called Bamboo, and featured a pan-Asian menu.

Food is prepared fresh nearby, which offered a fun bit of food theatre and atmosphere, and for the gluten-free option, they could easily swap items out for me. The food was fantastic, and this experience is a gem that many may need to pay attention to due to the location being set up in The Lido buffet; the food was incredible and one to be noticed if you are a fan of the cuisine on offer on your sailing at this location. I recommend booking this as a speciality option.

Britannia Dining Room – Main Dining Room

The main dining room onboard Cunard Queen Victoria is the Britannia Dining Room; this is where you would eat your evening meals if you choose not to upgrade to speciality dining.

You can also opt to eat a table-service breakfast or lunch here if you prefer your meals to be on the formal side.

When it comes to Gluten Free, when you are presented with the menu, you can choose from the clearly marked Gluten Free items. However, should you plan it dine in the Britannia Dining Room nightly, In that case, the head waiter will show you the menu for the following evening and discuss with you what options are available to you. This allows you more flexibility for substitutions as the chef will have time ahead to prepare.

Our waiting team was confident in the menus and knew what was available and what could be substituted easily on every menu we dined from, so there were no issues in finding something you would enjoy.

The food here was lovely, and the dining experience was excellent, a shining example of the White Star service Cunard pride itself on. We were not on a fixed dining time, so when we dined in the main dining room on our first and last evening, I hadn’t preordered my meals, and nothing was a bother; I had a range of options and simple things like gluten-free bread, just came out without any fuss or significant delay.

Speciality Dining – The Verandah Restaurant

This steak restaurant is amongst the best we have ever had on any cruise ship, possibly even on land; that’s not hyperbole!

Not only was the food incredible, but the whole dining experience was elevated from when we arrived to when we left completely stuffed and satisfied. You even get a choice of knives to dine with.

My steak was excellent, and again the whole experience of dining Gluten Free was easy, with the menu clearly marked, and the waiter knew what options were available and able to recommend substitutions on those that weren’t marked; it’s always worth asking, as there are often more choices then the menu first may suggest if you are willing to work with your waiter.

Queens Ballroom and Cunard Afternoon Tea

It’s fair to say that when people think of Cunard, they think of Afternoon Tea, and it’s hardly a surprise. We’ve mentioned that you can have a casual afternoon tea in The Lido. However, this is where you want to be. There is a brilliant spectacle and sense of occasion when taking afternoon tea in the Queens Ballroom.

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I’m pleased to say as a Gluten Free person; everything was covered and available for me, including gorgeous sandwiches and scones.

All you do is let the waiter know once seated, and they will make a note to bring you the tray with the Gluten Free options, be prepared to wait, as it can take some time for them to bring the plates around to you, depending on how busy service is, which usually its a sell-out event. However, you should put this on your cruise to-do list when sailing with Cunard, as it’s a highlight and included in your fare unless you decide to add some bubbles! And why not I say!

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Kosher food on Cunard

By shafirboy , December 29, 2011 in Cunard Line

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I am looking at booking a family trip for 10+ people during Summer 2012 (probably on Queen Elizabeth). Some of the party keep kosher and I would appreciate hearing from any cruisers that have recently cruised on Cunard and ordered kosher food. I would like to know what sort of options are available e.g. if the food is double wrapped or freshly prepared in the kitchens using kosher food. I would also like to hear of any other options people have used such as having fish double wrapped. If I should also post this query in another forum, please let me know. Thank you.

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I have no personal experience of anyone requesting kosher food on the QE, but the Cunard web site says:

Special Requirements - If you require kosher or halal meals please contact our reservations department on 1-800-CUNARD (1-800-728-6273) no later than six weeks prior to departure.

They may be able to answer your questions.

FWIW, this is from the Cunard site:

Can you provide a Kosher diet?

Cunard Line provides frozen 'TV-dinner style' meals. If you require Kosher meals, please inform us no later than 6 weeks prior to your voyage. Once we have received your request we will send you a list of the products available and ask you to make your selection and return. The ship will also carry a limited supply of Kosher products. If you prefer these items, rather than the TV-dinner style, please email us at [email protected]

For bookings made less than 6 weeks prior to sailing, regrettably we are unable to guarantee availability and/or choice of Kosher food items.

Please note that Cunard Line do not have a Kosher kitchen and Kosher meals are served within the packaging.

Some scheduled airlines are able to provide kosher meals depending on the destination. If you require a kosher meal on your scheduled flight, please contact our Flights Department 0845 356 0005

Thanks for the replies. I contacted Cunard and was able to obtain some more information on the options available. I would still appreciate hearing from anyone who has sailed recently on Cunard and ordered kosher food.

Cunard Line provides frozen 'TV-dinner style' meals.

What is meant by this??

Cunard Line provides frozen 'TV-dinner style' meals.   What is meant by this??   Barry

This "TV dinner" article from wikipedia may help.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TV_dinner

Cunard Line provides frozen 'TV-dinner style' meals.     What is meant by this??   Barry

It means "prepackaged" and frozen meals. You should be able to see similar in you local grocer's freezer section. Your travel agent is a good start when it comes to kosher meals. It's part of their job to relay this info. to Cunard(or other lines) I have a C-Pap machine(for sleep apnea) it requires distilled water in the humidifier tank. The T/A relays this to Cunard & it arrives in my cabin. It has been late a few times, but it is available on ship.

I went on a 2 day mini cruise in Nov 2010 on the QM2 from Southampton to Cherbourg in France. The food was double wrapped in microwaveable plastic containers which was supplemented by matzos and fresh fruit! The meals were either supervised by the OU or the london beis Din. There was 3 kosher wines on the wine list. Overall the food was very basic but we missed having fresh food. The staff were extremely obliging and as it was the first time they had an orthodox Jewish couple on board the Head Waiter was very interested in learning about the various kosher laws e.g. not serving dairy and meaty meals togethe.r Email me on [email protected] if you have any further queries.

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