On the best cruise lines, the food is a reason to travel in itself: celebrity-chef restaurants, Michelin-starred talent, regional menus that change with the itinerary and speciality restaurants included in the fare.
Here are the best cruise lines for food lovers.
You’ll find on this page
- A comparison table of every cruise line in this guide
- Eight lines for food lovers
- Foodie tips
- Answers to the questions we’re asked most
- How to book or get expert advice at the end of the page
At a glance: compare the cruise lines
| Cruise line | Style | Fleet | Best for | Included highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oceania Cruises | Premium ocean | 8 Mid-size ships | Pure food focus | All dining, WiFi, Soft drinks and bottled water |
| Seabourn | Luxury ocean | 6 All-suite ultra-luxury ships | Celebrity-chef dining | Premium drinks, All dining, Gratuities |
| Explora Journeys | Luxury ocean | 3 Ships delivered (6 planned by 2029) | Relaxed fine dining | All dining, Premium drinks, In-suite minibar |
| Regent Seven Seas Cruises | Luxury ocean | 6 All-suite all-balcony ships | Everything included | Business-class flights, Pre-cruise hotel, All dining |
| Hapag-Lloyd Cruises | Luxury ocean | 5 Six-star ships | European fine dining | All dining, All drinks, WiFi, gratuities, port charges |
| Virgin Voyages | Premium ocean | 4 Lady ships | Variety and fun | WiFi, All dining, Soft drinks |
| Celebrity Cruises | Premium ocean | 16 Ships in the fleet | Foodie value | Main dining, eXhale bedding, Pools & hot tubs |
| Silversea | Luxury ocean | 12 All-suite ships in the fleet | Luxury dining | Door-to-door transfers, Flights, Premium drinks |
Fleet sizes and inclusions are from each line’s own information and can change; inclusions often depend on the fare you book.
Quick verdicts
Eight lines for food lovers
1. Oceania Cruises
- Premium ocean
- 8 Mid-size ships
- 1,250 Max guests / ship
Its tagline is “the finest cuisine at sea”, and it is widely praised for it, with all dining included and mid-size ships.
Best for: Pure food focus
2. Seabourn
- Luxury ocean
- 6 All-suite ultra-luxury ships
- 232 To 600 guests — yacht-scale
The Restaurant by Thomas Keller on every ship, caviar on deck and all dining and premium drinks included.
Best for: Celebrity-chef dining
3. Explora Journeys
- Luxury ocean
- 3 Ships delivered (6 planned by 2029)
- 922 Maximum guests — super-yacht scale
Ultra-luxury all-suite ships with all dining and premium drinks included and a slower pace.
Best for: Relaxed fine dining
4. Regent Seven Seas Cruises
- Luxury ocean
- 6 All-suite all-balcony ships
- 700-746 Guests per ship — small-luxury scale
All dining included, with premium wines and spirits, on all-suite ships.
Best for: Everything included
5. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
- Luxury ocean
- 5 Six-star ships
- 516 Max guests (Europa 2)
German six-star cruising with all dining and drinks included and onboard enrichment.
Best for: European fine dining
6. Virgin Voyages
- Premium ocean
- 4 Lady ships
No buffets, more than 20 eateries included, and dining created with Michelin-starred chefs, for adults only.
Best for: Variety and fun
7. Celebrity Cruises
- Premium ocean
- 16 Ships in the fleet
A wide choice of chef-led restaurants on board, at premium rather than luxury prices.
Best for: Foodie value
8. Silversea
- Luxury ocean
- 12 All-suite ships in the fleet
Ultra-luxury all-suite ships with premium drinks and in-suite dining included.
Best for: Luxury dining
Foodie tips
Check whether speciality restaurants are included or cost extra, and book popular ones early. Look for regional menus that change with the itinerary, and culinary excursions such as market visits and cooking classes. Luxury lines usually include fine wines and spirits; premium lines often sell drinks packages.
How we compared them
We compared lines known for their food, using the information on our own cruise-line pages. Our comparisons are based on what each line offers as standard: ship size, what’s included, atmosphere and who it suits. Fares and inclusions change and often depend on the fare type, so check the details for your sailing, or ask a Travel Designer to compare them for you.
Frequently asked questions
Which cruise line has the best food?
Oceania Cruises is famous for its cuisine; Seabourn and Explora are standouts in luxury.
Are speciality restaurants included?
On luxury lines like Oceania, Seabourn and Regent, yes; on many mainstream lines they cost extra.
Does Virgin Voyages have buffets?
No, Virgin Voyages has no traditional buffets.
Which mainstream cruise line has the best food?
Celebrity Cruises is a strong choice.
Find your cruise
Browse every cruise line we sell, or ask a Travel Designer to compare ships, cabins and itineraries for you.
Keep planning
Updated October 2026. Cruises can be booked through Travelisto, with flights and hotels added where you need them.
