Shed Dollars To Put On Pounds

Posted on June 29th, 2009 by Phil Davies

I admit to having a knot in my stomach as I contemplate the enormous number of opportunities to gorge on board the world’s largest cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean International has just released details of the record 24 different ways to dine on board the 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas.

And it reads like a never-ending menu with what appears to be an endless array of both formal, flexible, upscale and casual places to eat and drink as you sail around the Caribbean.

Given that when the ship launches from its home port of Fort Lauderdale it will be running seven-day itineraries, I’m certainly not convinced that any passenger will be able to sample all that’s on offer in just a week.

It’s definitely a gastronomic smorgasbord that beats anything I’ve yet to experience on a cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean is so confident that people are going to be queuing to get their best tables for dinner in the top restaurants on board, that it is to start accepting reservations online from July 7 – a full five months before the first cruise departs from Florida.

Now I know you have to book ahead for a table at top London restaurants but this is erring on the ridiculous.

I have difficulty booking a week in advance to secure a table to eat at my local gastro-pub but, nevertheless, the cruise line is obviously confident that table bookings will start flowing from next week.

So what can we expect? First and foremost, a lot of cover charges to eat in not only the most exclusive restaurants Oasis of the Seas has to offer.

The top charge is $35 per person but others range from between $7.95 and $20 depending on the venue and whether you’re going for lunch or dinner.

Of course, the cost of many eateries on the ship come as part of the cruise fare, including the main dining room and a whole host of casual restaurants and cafes.

However, my tip is to plan your munching well in advance in order to budget for the speciality restaurants if you plan to experience all that the undoubtedly amazing Oasis of the Seas has to offer.

Because it would seem to be to be a shame to miss out on anything on board the gigantic vessel if humanly possible – just go prepared to shed dollars and add pounds.

Here’s a brief summary of some of the places to eat on the ship:

To begin with, a new dining flexibility is promised, called My Time Dining and My Family Time Dining, rather than passengers eating at set times.

I suspect form a practical perspective this is because with 5,400 passengers on board, there’s no-way the kitchens would cope if everyone turned up at the same time for dinner.

Passengers opting for My Time Dining will not have a pre-assigned table, but will be seated in the main three-level Opus Dining Room and order from the same traditional dinner menu.

Diners will be able to make daily reservations for specific seating times or just walk in.

My Family Time Dining accommodates parents and children by offering a 40-minute dining service for young cruisers, aged between three and 11.

The most exclusive dining venue on Oasis of the Seas is called 150 Central Park and carries a $35 cover charge.

The Solarium Bistro is for health-conscious dining for breakfast and lunch in a casual setting. In the evenings, it becomes a “romantic dining setting” for healthy dinners and dancing under the stars. Dinner carries a $20 cover charge.

Also new to Oasis of the Seas is the Seafood Shack, an indoor/outdoor casual family restaurant on the Boardwalk area of the ship. A cover charge of $7.95 will apply for lunch and $9.95 for dinner.

Asian restaurant Izumi will feature a sushi bar and
hot rock cooking, as well as other fare in a more formal setting.

Italian trattoria Giovanni’s Table will have both indoor and al fresco seating offering toasted herbal breads, pizzas, salads, pastas, Italian sandwiches, braised meat dishes and stews. Open for lunch and dinner there will be a $10 lunch and $15 dinner cover charge.

The Wipe Out Cafe self-service buffet will offer pizza, hamburgers, sandwiches, salads, quick snacks and desserts to young passengers.

Regular Royal Caribbean passengers will find familiar favourites such as the Johnny Rockets diner, which will offer breakfast for the first time; Chops Grille steakhouse and Windjammer Marketplace casual dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Other outlets will serve pizzas, donuts, sandwiches, paninis, crepes, soups, pastries, tapas, ice cream wraps and fruit – and that’s not to mention the cabin service menu.

Taking a crash diet before boarding and ensuring you’re a paid up member of WeightWatchers when you disembark seem to be the key ingredients for passengers planning to cruise on Oasis of the Seas.

Phil Davies