Quality meals on a cruise will influence which line people book with, according to the findings of a new survey.
Sixty per cent of British cruise passengers said that a cruise line’s overall reputation for quality cuisine would affect their choice of cruise.
And 97% said dining was important or very important as part of the overall ambiance on a cruise ship.
Two UK cruise companies topped the list for best cruise cuisine. Cunard Line was voted fine food flagship (21%) followed by P&O (15%).
The poll by CruiseCritic.co.uk found that the other top five cruise lines for dining were Royal Caribbean International,Celebrity Cruises and Princess Cruises.
James Martin (Ocean Village) was top choice of celebrity cruise chef followed by Marco Pierre White and Gary Rhodes (both P&O Cruises).
The poll found that 63% of respondents said the best thing about dining onboard was the quality of the food.
And more than half (53%) said that they would use a gourmet specialist restaurant as an alternative to the main dining rooms at least once or twice during a week’s cruise.
Although buffet style dining has become increasingly available, 60% of people said that traditional silver service was their favourite type of dining on board a cruise ship.
More than half (52%) of those surveyed admitted that they would eat more than normal and put on weight during a cruise holiday.
The company of fellow passengers was the least favourite thing about dining on board and the worst – having to eat with people they might not like.
When asked their first thoughts if invited to dine with the captain just over a fifth (22%) said “how can I get out of this” and concerned about conversation, the same number thinking “what shall I say”.
