Best cruise lines for food and drink

Big cruise liners have a tempting array of restaurants, but the best food at sea is found on small ships, according to Which? readers.

When we asked 1,700 holidaymakers about their cruise experiences, only five out of 23 ocean cruise lines scored full marks for food and drink. Four of these offer small ship cruises: Noble Caledonia, Viking, Saga and Oceania.

Virgin Voyages also scored the maximum five stars for its culinary offerings, even though its mid-sized ships don’t have the traditional dining room or self-service buffet.

Unlike most cruise lines, none of these companies charge extra for 'speciality' restaurants. Saga, Oceania and Noble Caledonia’s cruises are all-inclusive, so your drinks are included in the upfront fare as well.

Whether you’re looking for good, old-fashioned service or varied cuisine, you won’t go hungry if you book with these top-rated cruise lines.

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Viking

Customer score: 87%

Passengers choose from seven all-inclusive dining options, including a Norwegian cafe and afternoon tea in a leafy conservatory. Wines, beers and soft drinks are included with onboard lunches and dinner.

Several guests praised the personalised service as well as the excellent food. One told us: 'We have always had good service from friendly staff, many remembering our names and preferences.' There are no formal nights, but 'elegant casual' attire is expected after 6pm.

This luxury Swiss-based cruise line has nine small ships that carry a maximum of 930 passengers and two smaller Arctic and Antarctic expedition ships. It’s a Which? Recommended Provider with five stars almost across the board.

Find cruises with Viking

Virgin Voyages

Customer score: 80%

There are no buffets or meal times on board Virgin Voyages’ ships, and the raft of dining options include a steakhouse, a Korean barbecue restaurant, a food hall, a veggie diner and experimental fine dining. They’re all included in the upfront price (as are tips and wi-fi). 

Passengers can quench their thirst at a dozen equally varied bars serving up everything from craft beer to high tea. Soft drinks are included but barista coffee, fresh juices and alcohol cost extra. Expect to pay around $6 (£5) for a bottle of beer and $9 (£7) for a glass of wine. 

Launched in 2021, it’s not just the full five-star rating for food and drink that makes Virgin’s mid-range cruise line stand out. Its 2,700-capacity vessels are probably the only ocean liners with a tattoo parlour, while entertainment ranges from comedy to Shakespeare-themed acrobatics. The only dress code is on Scarlet Night when everyone is encouraged to wear red for a ship-wide party.

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Saga

Customer score: 85%

A choice of wines, draught beer, cocktails and spirits and all the restaurants are included on Saga’s mid-range over-50s cruises (as well as tips, wi-fi, some excursions, travel insurance and transfers to UK departure ports).

Its 999-capacity ships have a formal, informal and al fresco dining room serving up the à la carte menu. Guests were even more impressed by the three speciality restaurants, which are included in the headline fare and range from Nepalese to a 50s-style cabaret club. 

Bars include a lounge where you can order coffees and cocktails and an art-deco style venue. Denim and T-shirts are frowned on in the evening, and every cruise has at least one formal night. 

Saga has landed one of the top spots in our past five cruise surveys and is also a Which? Recommended Provider.

Read our full review and find cruises with Saga

Oceania

Customer score: 83%

This luxury cruise line’s small and medium-sized ships have a chandelier-adorned dining room with waiter service. Up to half a dozen alternative restaurants serve steaks, French, Italian and Asian dishes. 

They’re almost all included in the headline fare,  and guests lauded the 'first-class' food and slick service. Shorts, T-shirts and jeans are a no-no at dinner but there aren't any formal nights. You do have to pay extra for the fine dining option, which dishes up seven-course menus paired with wine. 

Drinks options include a martini bar and wine bar with tastings. Alcoholic beverages aren’t included and a 20% gratuity is automatically added to your bill (along with a daily service charge). Wine starts at $12 (£10) a glass, while a bottle of beer is $6.50 (£5). 

This Miami-based line also clinched the maximum five stars for its customer service, onboard facilities and social atmosphere.

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Noble Caledonia

Customer score: 90%

Dining options are more limited on board Noble Caledonia’s tiny ships, but guests didn’t seem to mind. There’s usually just one dining room and the option to dine on deck in warmer climes. Dinner is usually à la carte, and beer and wine are included with meals. 

There are no formal nights or dress codes. One guest said: 'Free seating at all meals encouraged mixing and a community atmosphere.' Its biggest ship - the 230-capacity Hanseatic Inspiration - has three restaurants, including one with a Japanese and Peruvian menu. 

Noble Caledonia was the top-rated ocean cruise line in our survey and is a Which? Recommended Provider. Its small-ship cruises are very pricey, but customers think they offer superb value for money.

Read our full review and find cruises with Noble Caledonia

Is a cruise drinks package worth it? We added up how much you have to consume on a P&O, Cunard, Princess, Celebrity or Fred Olsen cruise to get your money’s worth