As someone who writes about dining experiences, it is impossible to resist writing about my food-related experiences on board Royal Caribbean. I enjoy the cruise a lot, it is a nice relaxing getaway with plenty of entertainment and recreational facilities to keep boredom at bay. So how do the food measure up to my expectations? Actually, knowing that the kitchen has to handle three thousand plus guests, I do not set my bar too high. I do feel that the crew does very well to manage that many guests and provide decent meals. Anyway, onto the restaurants!
Windjammer is where guests are treated to free flow of mainly Western and Indian food. The spread is pretty impressive, spanning over four long tables and another six standalone counters. On first visit, I do munch happily on the food due to the variety. But the thing is the spread is almost the same everyday, and it does not differ much between lunch and dinner. So for subsequent visits, I just find myself eating for the sake of eating. For breakfast, I prefer the spread here as compared to the limited one at the Dining Room. Anything that you can think of for a western breakfast, Windjammer has it. Sausages, eggs, cereals, yoghurts, bacons, hams, breads, they have them all here.
Dining Room is another place where one is not charged to have meals there. The good part about breakfast there is that you can choose a freshly warmed breakfast from a list of selections. The mini buffet spread situated at the centre of the hall is nothing to shout about—just regular stash of cereals, drinks and not-so-nice yoghurts. For lunch and dinner here, we get to select a dish from each section of the three course meals. I prefer this place is because the menu keeps changing for every meal, so I get to try different dishes every time. And most of these dishes are pretty good in taste, especially the appetizer of Scallop Gratin. For desserts, opt for the cakes and panna cotta instead of the mango rice, which is simply awful in taste due to the use of artificial mango flavour. One thing to note: bring along a set of formal clothes if you want to dine at here on the last night of the cruise, or else it is off to dining at Windjammer.
There will be staff going around to promote specialty restaurants and special set meals, and I get to try The Brunch. My verdict is unless you are interested in the kitchen tour, which is part of the package, do not bother to try out the brunch. The free flow of champagne is great, but the food is not good enough to match it. The selection is very limited, spanning over only two long tables, and the food are mostly cold. I think I rather go and eat the same old dishes at Windjammer instead, seriously.
One last tip: go early to have your meals. It will be less crowded and in the case of Windjammer, it will be easy to find seats.
Bon voyage and Bon appétit!
