Bon Appétit on the High Seas: Cruise Ship Dining Etiquette

Welcome to your cruise. Your planning and packing has concluded, and it’s time to settle in and enjoy the great company, new sights, decadent food, and relaxation. It’s our pleasure to invite you to dine with friends and if you are lucky, the captain. The cruise ship culinary team has gone to great lengths to delight guests. We’ve pulled together a handful of cruise ship dining etiquette tips to prepare you for your voyage. Before we set sail, do you have any questions?

Bon Appétit on the High Seas: Cruise Ship Dining Etiquette

Q: What should I wear to dine at the captain’s table?

A: Generally, “formal dining” on a cruise is suit and tie and cocktail dress, however, it may include a tux and gown, depending on the event. Check with the cruise ship before you set sail.

Just remember, seated at the captain’s table, you are the “centerpiece” of the dining room and it’s respectful to dress accordingly. You have been hand-selected and your attire should reflect your appreciation.

Q: How can I appear confident at the table while navigating an unfamiliar menu?

A: Feel free to snack on the Crudités but do not forget your manners. (Yes,  you may use your fingers.)

Enjoy the signature Crème de Cacao martini with your table guests. (But, don’t overindulge.)

Indulge in the delightful Amuse-Bouche. (Don’t ask for seconds.)

Feeling a bit like Phở but not sure how to order? (Watch your  host for cues.)

Share a large Quinoa salad with your mate. (Ask for a small, separate plate.)

What type of Intermezzo would you like between courses? (You are not given a choice but one has dairy.)

You may have a yearning for a hearty Bouillabaisse. (Careful not to splash or spill.)

Which way will you pass the bread basket when the captain asks for a second Baguette? (To the right, of course.)

A light dessert is welcome but make sure you’re saying it correctly – Sherbet vs Sorbet.

Here is how you pronounce some often-confusing menu items:

Crudités  – cru-dee-tay – Strips of raw vegetables which are meant for dipping, or can be eaten alone, often offered as an appetizer or at the start of the meal.

Crème de Cacao – krem-de-ka-kau – A sweet liqueur, flavored with cacao beans and vanilla that tastes like chocolate.

Amuse-Bouche – ahmuz-boosch – A small, one-bite appetizer.

Phở – fuh – A Vietnamese soup made with chicken or beef broth and served with rice noodles and other ingredients.

Quinoa – keen-wah – A seed that comes from the Chenopodium quinoa plant, technically a seed but classified as a whole grain that can be used as a main course or side dish.

Intermezzo – inter-medzo – A small, light, and refreshing dish, such as sorbet or frozen fruit, served between courses to cleanse the palate before the next course.

Bouillabaisse – boo-yae-base – A spicy fish or shellfish stew.

Sherbet vs Sorbet – sher-but vs sor-bae – Commonly misspelled and mispronounced as “sherbert”, sherbet is a frozen dessert, made of fruit or fruit juice and contains dairy. Sorbet is fruit-flavored ice served between courses as an intermezzo and does not contain dairy.

Bon Appétit – bo-nah-pa-tee – Enjoy your meal!

Q: My family has some dietary restrictions. What is the best way to notify the cruise ship kitchen?

A: Never feel shame around the need to be sure your food is safe so you can savor every bite! Krista Gray for Business Insider writes, “In addition to staff recommendations on-board and on the shore, know that you can also ask staff for dishes that will satisfy special diets — there’s no need to sacrifice taste if you have restrictions.” Bring on the gluten-free, nut-free, vegan, or other alternatives.

Bon Appétit!

For more information about working with Diane, America’s “Go to” social and professional (manners) skills authority, please visit The Protocol School of Texas. 

You may also like 20 rules of cruise ship etiquette no one ever tells you (but should) from the Royal Caribbean blog. See what Diane is up to by following her on Instagram and Facebook. Find etiquette inspiration on her Pinterest account and keep up with her latest tweets. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips, refer to her posts on Inc. and HuffPost.