Best Cruises for Foodies: 5 Cruise Lines That Deliver on Wine, Tasting Menus, and Unforgettable Dining
If you're the kind of traveler who picks your vacation based on where you'll eat (same), you might assume cruising is off the table. Buffets? Assigned seating? Limited options? No thanks.
But here’s the good news: not all cruises are created equal. In fact, there are several cruise lines that are built around incredible dining experiences. Think wine-paired tasting menus, chef's table exclusives, sommelier-led pairings, and restaurants that rival what you’d find in major food cities.
Here are 5 cruise lines I recommend to foodie travelers who want their meals to be just as memorable as the destinations:
1. Oceania Cruises: The Finest Cuisine at Sea
Oceania doesn’t just talk a big game — their culinary focus is front and center. Every specialty restaurant onboard is included (no surprise upcharges), and their wine-paired experiences are some of the best at sea. Highlights include:
La Reserve by Wine Spectator: offering curated tasting menus with premium wine pairings
Dom Pérignon Experience: a six-course menu with exclusive champagne pairings
Regionally inspired menus tied to the ports of call
Perfect for: Food lovers who want variety, value, and refined cuisine without going full ultra-luxury.
2. Regent Seven Seas Cruises: All-Inclusive Elegance
Regent offers true luxury with everything included — yes, even the fine dining. Their ships feature multiple specialty restaurants like:
Chartreuse (French)
Prime 7 (Steakhouse)
Pacific Rim (Pan-Asian)
Regent's dining is elevated, globally inspired, and beautifully presented. The upcoming Seven Seas Prestige is launching with seven dining venues and eleven unique experiences.
Perfect for: Travelers who want it all included upfront, without having to think twice about what’s extra.
3. Seabourn Cruises: Boutique and Culinary-Forward
Seabourn blends small-ship luxury with inventive dining. One standout is their partnership with Chef Thomas Keller (of French Laundry fame), whose onboard restaurants bring a refined, seasonal steakhouse experience.
Other reasons to love Seabourn:
Complimentary wines and premium spirits
Market excursions with the ship's chef
Flexible, open-seating dining
Perfect for: Couples who want elevated service, more adventurous menus, and thoughtful culinary programming.
4. Celebrity Cruises: Elevated Dining Meets Modern Ships
Celebrity is a great option if you want luxury-lite with impressive food. Their Edge-class ships offer:
Chef’s Table by Daniel Boulud: a five-course, wine-paired tasting dinner
Specialty venues like Le Petit Chef (animated dining!) and Fine Cut Steakhouse
Menus that change often and lean into destination-inspired dishes
Perfect for: Food-forward travelers who want elevated dining on a ship with modern design and great amenities.
5. Explora Journeys: The New Name in Boutique Luxury
Explora is a newer cruise brand but already making waves (literally) with its food and wine program. Their onboard restaurant Anthology offers:
A 7-course Italian tasting menu with optional wine pairings
A strong focus on wine, with a curated cellar onboard
Stylish, all-suite ships designed to feel like luxury hotels at sea
Perfect for: Foodies looking for a fresh, boutique experience with bold, wine-forward menus.
If you’ve been skeptical about cruising because of the food, I get it. But the right cruise line can absolutely meet your high standards and might even exceed them.
