The era of assigned tables and seating times is fast being eclipsed by one of the cruise industry's most welcome innovations: alternative eateries.
These new eateries -- including steak houses, Italian trattorias and fast food chains -- have exploded. And with very few exceptions (such as SeaDream's tiny 112-passenger yachts), you'll find them everywhere these days, big ship or small. In fact, the option is so popular with cruise travelers that it is right up there with must-have mainstays, like a plethora of private verandahs.
Giving passengers a choice in dining isn't a brand-new trend: Norwegian Cruise Line started it with its specialized Bistro in 1988; Crystal Cruises followed suit, creating specialty boutique restaurants from Japanese to Italian. In the late 1990's, the former Renaissance Cruises joined the game; though the cruise line is now defunct, its ships -- which are now operated by lines such as Princess Cruises and Oceania Cruises -- maintain the forward-thinking, all-open-seating philosophy.
It really was the success of NCL's Freestyle Cruising, which combines an all-open-seating policy with up to 10 boutique restaurant choices that definitely fueled the revolution away from set seating times and, beyond the buffet, few alternatives. The line's newest ships, Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Pearl, were purpose-designed with Freestyle Cruising in mind; older vessels in which restaurants have been added to reconfigured spaces are gradually being moved out of the fleet. NCL's upcoming Norwegian Epic will feature an even larger selection of alternative restaurants.
Even Celebrity Cruises, whose older ships stick to traditional set-seating dining (though a flexible option was introduced in 2009) and only offer one alternative restaurant, added a whopping 10 restaurants to its new Solstice class of ships. The onboard eateries offer a range of culinary styles, including Continental, Italian and Asian Fusion.
The only real downside, if there is one, is that too much choice can be as challenging as too little choice can be claustrophobic. Do you want a Johnny Rockets cheeseburger or a four-course repast with prime rib at Royal Caribbean's Chops Grille? Are you willing to fork out a $35 per-person service charge for Celebrity's vintage-themed gourmet restaurants? Can you even get a reservation at Crystal's Silk Road?
Good questions, all. In general, we recommend booking ahead (online, if possible, or on your first day onboard; see our Online Reservations feature for more information) or, if you want to be spontaneous, aim to eat at the busier alternative restaurants on formal nights (passengers still prefer to eat in the dining room then) or during intense days at port.
Here's our guide to alternative restaurants at sea:
Carnival Cruise Lines
Ships: Almost all newer Carnival ships (from the Destiny class onward) now have alternative "supper clubs."
Theme: Elegant, old-time supper clubs, with a jazz combo and dancing after dinner. Each restaurant has a different vibe and different decor, of course, but the concept is the same.
Signature Dish: Filet mignon and -- for enormous appetites only -- a 24-ounce Porterhouse.
Get This: The jazz combo is a nice idea, but we've found the music can often be loud and overwhelms conversation at times. The most hidden secret about most of these restaurants is that they have a lovely bar (and the ship's best wine list) -- they are fabulous spots for an aperitif, no matter where you happen to dine.
Restaurant Names: Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox feature Murano, Tuscan Grille, Silk Harvest, Blu (for spa cabin passengers; others on space-available basis) and the casual Bistro on Five. Millennium's restaurant is called the Olympic Dining Room, after the RMS Olympic (sister ship to the Titanic). Infinity's is the SS United States (at one time she was the world's fastest ship), Constellation's fine-dining establishment is Ocean Liners, and Summit houses the Normandie (named for the classic transatlantic liner). All are 134-seat specialty restaurants and offer "butterfly service" with waiters serving, presenting and removing dishes at the same table in unison. Celebrity Century features the 66-seat Murano.
Theme: On Solstice and Equinox, Silk Harvest offers Asian fusion dishes in a setting featuring long wooden tables alongside the traditional round and square, paper lantern lighting, and lots of reds and pinks. Blu serves up "clean cuisine" (simply prepared dishes using Mediterranean ingredients, such as herb-crusted lamb). The design blends a simple white-and-blue color scheme with beaded chandeliers, raised rose patterns on walls and wall sculpture with multi-colored circular cut-outs. The rustic-looking Tuscan Grille, an Italian steakhouse, has an entryway that looks like a wine cellar. Bistro on Five is a casual spot offering crepes (the specialty), soups, salads, panini and desserts.
In keeping with "ye olde" elegance, Millennium's decor features original French walnut paneling from the RMS Olympic. On Infinity, the SS United States dining room features original etched glass panels that decorated the ballroom on the old ship. Aboard Summit, the Normandie features memorabilia including original gold-lacquered paneling depicting hunt scenes that originally adorned the smoking room on the SS Normandie. Constellation draws inspiration from the Art Deco design on 1927's Ile de France. Murano, with fantastic crystal chandeliers from Italy's famed glass designer Murano as focal points, is the most contemporary of them all -- with a sleek white-on-white decor.
Get This: On Celebrity Millennium, Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Summit and Celebrity Century, the restaurants, easily ranking among the most elegant at sea, feature cuisine that favors the Continental style of Europe; tableside cooking, carving and plating is part of the charm. The Olympic, Normandie and Murano restaurants all have a dine-in wine cellar (for small groups), as well as an open galley.
Signature Dishes: Menus at the Continental restaurants include a nostalgic recreation like Waldorf Pudding or Roast Long Island Duckling l'Orange -- but the most popular options are a bit more food-forward, such as the goat cheese souffle, sole stuffed with lobster mousse, foie gras, lobster bisque and rack of lamb en croute. On Solstice, Silk Harvest's Green Curry Pork and Spicy Pad Thai are tasty; Tuscan Grille's pasta with Kobe beef meatballs is a winner; and Blu's roasted beet salad with goat cheese is zingy.
Booking Rules: Capacity is limited when you consider the fact that the ships carry over 2,000 passengers. Reservations are first come, first served; suite holders get preference.
Extra Fee: $30 per person for the Millennium-class ships, and Murano on Solstice, Equinox and Century. On Solstice and Equinox, it's $25 for Tuscan Grille; $20 for Silk Harvest; and $5 for Bistro on Five. Blu is available at no cost to passengers staying in spa accommodations (though suite guests can request reservations based on availability; a $5 gratuity is recommended).
Editor's Note: For all bookings made after November 1, 2009, for sailings departing on or after January 1, 2010, restaurant surcharges will increase to $35 for the Millennium-class ships and Murano, $30 for Tuscan Grille and $25 for Silk Harvest.
Restaurant Names: On Costa Atlantica, Ristorante Club Atlantica; on the Costa Victoria, Ristorante Magnifico; on Costa Fortuna, Club Grand Conte 1927; on the Concordia, Club Concordia; on Serena, Club Bacco; on Magica, Vicenza Club; on Costa Mediterranea, Club Medusa; and on Costa Fortuna, Club Gran Conte. The spa eatery on Concordia, Pacifica and Serena is called the Samsara Restaurant.
Theme: The restaurants are similar stylistically, emphasizing intimate settings with candlelight, live music and Versace tableware. The spa restaurants are far from soothing, with lots of gold offset by abstract wall art in a kaleidoscope of colors.
Signature Dishes: At the supper club restaurants, you'll find a plethora of tasty seafood dishes, like grilled sea scallops, shrimp pie and swordfish as well as the obligatory steaks. Cuisine at the Samsara Restaurant is lighter, with more salads, vegetables, fish and veal.
Booking Rules: Advance reservations are required. The restaurants are closed on embarkation day on Caribbean sailings, but open seven nights a week elsewhere. Suite holders automatically get an invitation for one night's reservation -- and there's no service fee on select sailings for passengers booked on Costa's Suite Deal packages. The Samsara Restaurant is ostensibly for spa cabin passengers, but it's also opened to the remaining passengers (a la carte pricing is similar to other alternative restaurants). Reservations are recommended for dinner.
Extra Fee: Costa offers prix fixe and a la carte pricing in specialty dining restaurants on non-Caribbean based ships. Prix fixe pricing for a three-course menu is 20 euros, plus a 15 percent service charge (23 euros total). A la carte items range from 8 - 12 euros a piece.
Costa Atlantica and Fortuna, which sail out of Ft. Lauderdale, offer a special "Tuscan Steakhouse" menu. The menu is completely a la carte and items range from $4 - $16 ($4 item is a lobster bisque; $16 item is a Chilean Sea Bass).
Restaurant Names: Both ships have two alternative restaurants, Silk Road and Valentino at Prego.
Theme: Prego is an intimate space offering Northern Italian cuisine. There's lots of top-end flatware and crystal, and gold-tinged chandeliers hang from the ceiling. Silk Road, celebrity chef Nobu's restaurant, offers elegant Asian cuisine done "Nobu-style," which means the dishes utilize Nobu's special sauces and marinades, including miso and Truffle-Yuzu. The space features shimmering reds, jade-colored upholstery and wall art with Japanese calligraphy. There's also an adjoining sushi bar with eight stools (first come, first served).
Signature Dish: Top choices at Silk Road include seafood ceviche, black cod with miso, sushi and sashimi, and a grilled Wagyu rib eye. For dessert, the trio of creme brulees is a winner. Try the lobster ravioli and the pea and shrimp risotto at Prego.
Get This: Reservations are hard to come by, so book early. Try the sushi bar if you can't get a table -- it's first come, first served, and you can order some items off the regular Silk Road menu. Hint: During formal nights in the dining room, the alternative restaurants can be nearly empty -- so it's a good time to get a second reservation.
Booking Rules: Reservations are almost always required; you might be able to saunter in after 9 p.m. though.
Extra Fee: There's no extra fee to eat at either Prego or Silk Road, though it is recommended that folks tip $7 per person. The service is so superb we typically tip about the recommended rate.
Restaurant Name: QM2 features the 156-seat Todd English, named after the Boston restaurateur. Queen Victoria also has Todd English; the ship is much smaller, so seating here is for 87.
Theme: Mediterranean with a fanciful touch.
Signature Dish: The Mediterranean-influenced eatery features highlights such as oven fried asparagus and morel tart, Paella Olivacious, and the Thai Iced Coffee Tiramisu. The Chocolate Fallen Cake is also divine.
Get This: When Queen Mary 2 first began sailing, reservations for Todd English (which at the time did not charge a service fee) were so tough to get that one day a near riot broke out among passengers waiting to book a table. Things have apparently calmed down. The restaurant is open for lunch on sea days, which can be easier to book than dinner.
Booking Rules: Reservations are absolutely required.
Theme: Sleek and trendy in style, Palo (same restaurant on both ships) has a Northern Italian focus with an open-air kitchen and top-deck panoramic views. The restaurant is an adults-only venue.
Signature Dishes: Chilean sea bass, pizza, calamari, souffle, Sunday brunch with fresh fruits, smoked fish and fresh shellfish.
Get This: You can try out the restaurant for high tea on Disney Magic's seven-nighters.
Booking Rules: Reservations are required; the best time to book is on embarkation day between 2 and 4 p.m. Buyers of Disney Cruise Line honeymoon and romance packages get an automatic reservation.
Extra Fee: $10 per person for supper and brunch (in our opinion, the experience is worth 10 times that amount); high tea on Disney Magic only requires a $5 surcharge.
Restaurant Names: Pinnacle Grill fleetwide. On HAL's newest ship, Eurodam, there are two additional alternative restaurants, Tamarind and the evening-only Canaletto.
Theme: The Pinnacle Grill features Pacific Northwest atmosphere and ambience with style: Bvlgari china, Frette linens and Reidel stemware adorn the tables. Wines from Pacific Northwest vintners are offered. Tamarind, an Asian Fusion joint has a huge menu, hardwood floors, lovely views and lots of two-tops; a corner of the Lido buffet becomes Canaletto at night, with tablecloths, silverware and waiter service.
Signature Dish: Pinnacle Grill's signature dish is the Planked Salmon and Sterling Silver Filet Mignon, which comes in two sizes. For dessert it has to be the warm Grand Marnier Chocolate Volcano Cake. At Tamarind, try the Szechuan shrimp with Thai basil or the Szechuan sesame salad. You can't go wrong with the nice selection of sushi and sashimi. Canaletto offers Italian-styled antipasti and a set menu of pasta dishes and desserts.
Get This: The lunch menu at both Pinnacle Grill and Tamarind is different from dinner. Regardless when you eat at Pinnacle Grill, portion sizes are still large -- the filet mignon topped with blue cheese is worth skipping supper for. Tamarind offers dim sum during lunch hours.
Booking Rules: Reservations are recommended. The Pinnacle Grill is open for breakfast for those in upper-level suites, and serves a limited lunch menu (open seating) for half the cost of dinner. Tamarind is open for lunch (dim sum menu) and dinner, and Canaletto is open for dinner.
Extra Fee: Pinnacle Grill is $20 for dinner, $15 for lunch; Tamarind is $15 for dinner, free for dim sum lunch; Canaletto is free.
Restaurant Names: All NCL ships have similar restaurants, even though the names sometimes differ. There are typically two main dining rooms, both serving the same cuisine although prepared slightly differently (one is more contemporary, the other more traditional); a 24-hour fast food/comfort food restaurant with no surcharge; a tapas bar with no surcharge; and, of course, the Lido Deck buffet and grills with no surcharge.
There are also, on each ship, restaurants that do levy a charge; the cost depends on which restaurant. The for-charge restaurants include the French Le Bistro, an Asian fusion eatery (East Meets West or similar names), a sushi bar, a teppanyaki bar, a Tex-Mex joint, an Italian restaurant and a steak house. Fees range from $10 to $25 per person.
Signature Dish: Each restaurant has a specialty item, and as part of the Freestyle 2.0 initiative (the line put $50 million into food!), each also features at least one lobster dish. Most memorable, however, are two desserts: in the Asian fusion restaurant, the Tempura Cake makes a huge statement (be sure to leave room for it), and in Le Bistro, you can literally make a meal of the fabulous fruit and chocolate fondue, sure to make you weak in the knees.
Get This: On Norwegian Dawn, Le Bistro is decorated with a quartet of Impressionist masterpieces -- and it's worth the cruise alone to dine alongside fabled works by Van Gogh, Matisse, Renoir and Monet (they're originals, too; they belong to the collection of the owner of Star Cruises, which owns 50 percent of NCL). Fleetwide, NCL is one of the few cruise lines to incorporate some menu items that are priced individually -- so that in addition to paying a service fee you may wind up forking out for the food, too. This ranges from an a la carte price (sushi, $2 per order) to a flat $25 for "surf and turf" at one of the steakhouses. Also, here's a tip: On some ships and some itineraries, the specialty restaurants are half price during set hours evening (early bird style).
Booking Rules: Reservations are recommended for the specialty eateries (urgently so on many ships), but there is no limit to the number of times you may eat in a particular restaurant. Reservations are not required for the traditional dining rooms unless you want the same table at the same time every evening. Some of the specialty restaurants are open for lunch.
Restaurant Names: Each ship has a traditional dining room and two specialty restaurants. The Polo Grill is the clubby steak and chop house; Toscana serves creative Tuscan-style fare. Oceania's specialty restaurants are tops in the industry -- the experience (and the cuisine) is consistently exceptional.
Signature Dish: Osso Buco (veal chop) with porcini mushrooms at Toscana, prime rib or "surf and turf" at The Polo Grill
Get This: While most cruise lines open up their buffet venues at night for more casual dining, Oceania actually creates a fresh ambience. Called Tapas on the Terrace, it's one of cruising's most delightful alternatives, and includes bite-sized nibbles (both light and substantial); try the fabulous homemade sangria.
Booking Rules: Reservations are required at Polo Grill and Toscana.
Extra Fee: None of the specialty restaurants carries an extra fee.
Restaurant Names: Sabatini's, an Italian trattoria, is featured on Grand Princess, Golden Princess, Star Princess, Coral Princess, Island Princess, Tahitian Princess, Pacific Princess, Diamond Princess, Sapphire Princess, Caribbean Princess and Crown Princess. Sterling Steakhouse offers steakhouse fare aboard Sun Princess, Dawn Princess, Sea Princess, Pacific Princess, Tahitian Princess, Star Princess, Golden Princess, Grand Princess, Caribbean Princess, Diamond Princess, Sapphire Princess and the Crown-class trio (where the steakhouse is called the Crown Grill). On Crown Princess, Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess, the line has added a casual international cafe, featuring a fantastic bakery, and a wine bar to the atrium area.
Theme: Sabatini's design varies slightly by ship (menus are consistent), but expect well-spaced tables, festive wall murals and Italian themes. The Sterling Steakhouse/Crown Grill is a traditional upscale steakhouse with a dark color scheme and great open-kitchen setup.
Signature Dish: Sabatini's appetizers, pizzas and first courses are selected from platters presented at tableside; freshly tossed salads at tableside, Chilean sea bass, tiger prawns and lobster round out the menu. At Sterling, the signature selection is beef of course, though other steakhouse options -- barbecue, Caesar salad, "blooming onions" -- are also available.
Get This: Crown Grill will likely be the template for steakhouses going forward, and its blend of seafood and meat -- not to mention the fabulous open kitchen -- makes it a place with something for all.
Booking Rules: Advance reservations are requested. There's no limit on repeat visits.
Extra Fee: $20 per passenger for Sabatini's, $10 to $15 per passenger for Sterling Steakhouse, $25 for the Crown Grill.
Restaurant Names: Signatures, the only Le Cordon Bleu restaurants at sea, are found on Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner. Voyager, Mariner and Navigator also offer Prime 7.
Theme: Signatures is classically French, as befits the line's partnership with the famed Le Cordon Bleu. Prime 7 is a steakhouse option offering U.S.D.A.-approved cuts, seafood and chops, along with sides like baked potatoes, creamed spinach, truffle fries and Lyonaise potatoes.
Signature Dish: At Le Cordon Bleu it is menu items like aromatic prawn curry with lemongrass or piquant garlic chicken thighs. At Prime 7, try the porterhouse, which is carved tableside.
Get This: The 70-seat Prime 7, the newest restaurant on RSSC, has been a big hit. Reservations are a must, and you may even find dining there limited to one reservation per week to allow all passengers to try it.
Booking Rules: Reservations are required at all venues.
Restaurant Names: Royal Caribbean is one of the most challenging cruise lines to master as it has a handful of different boutique eatery concepts available on varying ships. There's not necessarily an obvious rhyme or reason to it! What you need to know: Johnny Rockets, the 1950's-style burger chain (one of the first land-based fast food places to be found at sea) is available on Adventure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Sovereign of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas and the Freedom-class trio (Freedom, Liberty, Independence).
In lieu of Johnny Rockets, other ships have the Seaview Cafe, which also features fast food and is equally casual but a bit more sedate; it's on Radiance-class ships (which also include Brilliance, Jewel and Serenade). More traditionally upscale is the Italian-influenced Portofino. This dining venue can be experienced on Adventure of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Empress of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas. Chops Grille, an upscale steakhouse with family-style servings of sides, has a home on Brilliance of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas and the Freedom-class trio (Freedom, Liberty, Independence).
Theme: As you can see from the above, there's no attempt to create a dining theme amongst the variety of alternative restaurants on Royal Caribbean ships, just a balance between family-friendly casual venues and upscale eateries more suitable for adults.
Signature Dishes: At Johnny Rockets, go for the shakes (malts are divine), burgers, onion rings and chili. Freshly fried fish and chips is the fave at Seaview Bistro. Portofino is the cruise line's most delectable option -- don't miss the six-course menu; the signature dessert is, natch, tiramisu. Chops' options range from lamb to pork but of course it's the steaks that'll draw you back.
Get This: If you want to enjoy a Chops Grille-quality steak in the less-than-steakhouse-ambient main dining rooms, you must pay $14.95 for the entree.
Booking Rules: Reservations are required at both Chops Grille and Portofino. At Johnny Rockets and Seaview Cafe it's walk-in casual and family friendly (expect lines, especially at the former, during prime dining hours).
Extra Fee: Johnny Rockets charges a flat $4.95 per person for food (order as much and as wide a variety as you please); drinks, from milkshakes to draft beer are extra. There's no surcharge at Seaview Cafe, though drinks are again priced additionally. The surcharge for Portofino is $20; it's $25 for Chops Grille.
Restaurant Name: The Legend, Pride and Spirit trio of smaller ships feature Tastings@2. The larger Seabourn Odyssey introduced an all-new concept: RT, featuring innovative, tapas-sized pairings. Odyssey's Patio Grill offers a casual steakhouse option.
Theme: Each night, small-ship trio's Veranda Cafe is transformed into a different theme eatery; tapas one night, an Italian trattoria another and a French bistro on a third.
Signature Dish: Tomato and coconut cappuccino with a braised oxtail cigar, short ribs with foie gras ravioli, and sea bass in a citrus fondue, among others.
Get This: As an additional option, the trio of ships occasionally open Sky Grill (normally just a lunchtime venue) in the evenings; it features dining that's even more casual than tapas, such as grilled foods, steaks and lobster.
Booking Rules: Reservations are required at all venues.
Restaurant Names: On Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper, the primary alternative restaurant is Le Champagne. All four ships also feature La Terrazza.
Theme: Highfalutin European cuisine in all cases, paired with appropriate wines at Le Champagne; La Terrazza is still refined, but more comfort-oriented.
Signature Dish: Burgundy cheese brioche, slow roasted pear stuffed with dolce latte and pine nut millefeuille, and glazed lamb with gremolata at Le Champagne (menus are identical at both). At La Terrazza, specialties include ravioli that's pan fried with sage butter, crostini with swordfish and shrimp, and parmesan and black truffle flan.
Get This: Le Champagne, offering only wine-paired dinners, are operated as part of the line's partnership with the illustrious Relais & Chateaux group of wine restaurants.
Booking Rules: Reservations are required at all venues.
Extra Fee: At Le Champagne, there is a fee of $200 for the multi-course degustation menu -- which, of course, also includes the course-by-course wine -- or $30 for the more standard menu; there's no fee for La Terrazza.
Restaurant Name: All three ships offer Candles, and Wind Surf also has Degrees and Le Marche.
Theme: Candles is the poolside grill dressed up for dinner with a menu of steaks and skewers with a choice of sauces. Le Marche is an alfresco seafood bar on the ship's Star Deck. And Degrees is an intimate dining space, which takes on a different theme each night: French, steakhouse, Italian or Indonesian.
Signature Dish: Try the rib eye or New York steak at Candles, or the swordfish skewers. At Le Marche, Le Plateau de Fruits de Mer is a tower of lobster tail, clams, mussels, shrimp and langoustines -- perfect for sharing. At Degrees, the menu changes based on the night's theme -- the most unique is its "Orient Express" menu, where guests can partake of Tom Yam Goong hot and sour shrimp soup, Thai spicy chicken and Madras vegetable curry.
Get This: Dinner service in the two outdoor venues -- Candles and Le Marche -- is subject to weather conditions.
Booking Rules: Advance reservations are required.
Extra Fee: None applies.
--updated by Dan Askin, Associate Editor and Carolyn Spencer Brown, Editor in Chief
--Salmon dish appears courtesy of Holland America.
The era of assigned tables and seating times is fast being eclipsed by one of the cruise industry's most welcome innovations: alternative eateries.
Ships: All Millennium-class ships -- 
Ships: 
Ships: All ships feature Freestyle Cruising -- NCL's all-open-seating, all-the-time dining program, but it's the newer vessels that have been designed with Freestyle in mind. These include 
Ships: 
