The Clipper Dining Room, in shades of royal blue and dark red, is the ship's most attractive room. It is designed on three terraces encircling the atrium balconies above. The central ceiling, three decks overhead, is the glass bottom of one of the dipping pools. Tables in various sizes and shapes seat two, four, six or eight. Breakfast and lunch are buffet style, with an omelet station in the morning and a pasta or stir-fry prepared fresh at lunch. Service is adequate, but if you want a second cup of coffee or tea, you may have to flag down a waiter. Should you want espresso, it comes from the bar and costs 1.5 Euros. A cappuccino costs 2 Euros.
Dinners are served a la carte. Seating is open. If you're a party of two on a full ship, you'll probably be placed with other diners (who may even be eating their main courses while you're still ordering an appetizer). Though this occurred for us most evenings, no one seemed to mind.
Caveat: There were 13 nationalities on our cruise. Be sure to ask to be seated with passengers who speak your language.
Each evening, a display of the menu dishes is set up in the Piano Bar. It's a great idea. I really appreciated being able to see exactly what I would get before I ordered. On our Caribbean cruise, a special local dish was offered nightly, plus two standard entrees and a vegetarian selection. Wine choices are limited, with few bottles priced under $25.
With the exception of an "early bird" continental breakfast in the Piano Bar (also the place to go for 24-hour coffee, tea and fresh fruit), most meals are taken in the dining room. In the Caribbean, some lunches are set up outdoors in the Tropical Bar. Room service is offered only to guests in the two Owners and 14 Deluxe Suites.
