Is Specialty Dining Worth It on a Celebrity Cruise?
Cruise vacations are about more than just destinations. They’re about experiences along the way, and for many travelers, food is king. When I plan a trip, I always research dining options because a great meal can make or break a vacation, especially if you’re a foodie. On my 12 day sailing aboard Celebrity Ascent, I wanted to see if specialty dining on a Celebrity Cruise was truly worth it.
What is Specialty Dining on a Cruise?
Most cruise fares include accommodations, some meals, snacks, and onboard entertainment. However, alcoholic and many non-alcoholic beverages, as well as specialty restaurants, are additional costs. Specialty dining refers to premium onboard restaurants on Celebrity Cruises that aren’t included in your standard fare. They may charge a cover fee or offer a la carte pricing, but they provide higher quality meals and unique dining experiences, from steakhouses to sushi bars.
Planning My Specialty Dining Experience on Celebrity Ascent
Before boarding, I read many reviews, some mixed, but mostly positive. I booked three specialty restaurants plus Dinner on the Edge on Celebrity Ascent to break up the main dining routine. I set dining times at 6 PM to avoid eating too late. The Magic Carpet, unique to Celebrity’s Edge Class ships, is an open air platform that moves up and down the side of the ship. On my cruise, Dinner on the Edge was served on day four above the Caribbean Sea in St. Kitts. The only stressful part was not knowing the exact night until the ship set sail. I had dinner at 5:30 PM.
My Specialty Dining Rankings
Here’s how I ranked the restaurants I visited: Eden as the clear winner, followed by Dinner on the Edge for overall experience, then Fine Cut Steakhouse, and Rooftop Garden Grill. The staff and crew at all locations were exceptional, elevating every meal with professionalism and attentiveness.
Fine Cut Steakhouse
For appetizers, I had a crab cake, which was mediocre, and a lobster cocktail with melon, which I rated 10/10. The entrée was a lemon-poached lobster tail with spinach, mushrooms, and lobster ravioli, which I rated 8/10. The lobster cocktail was perfectly sweet and savory, a dish I almost recommended to neighboring diners. The crab cake was a little disappointing.
Rooftop Garden Grill
At Rooftop Garden Grill, I started with a watermelon and feta salad, which was excellent at 10/10. For the entrée, I had grilled branzino with creamed corn and dirty rice, which I rated 8/10. Dessert was peach cobbler. The branzino and salad were perfect, while the dirty rice was not my favorite, but overall the meal was enjoyable.
Dinner on the Edge
The open air dining experience on the Magic Carpet was unforgettable. The meal included a cheese and charcuterie board, seafood platter with shrimp and lobster, pan-seared branzino with sautéed spinach, and a dessert trio. Every dish was beautifully prepared, and on this ship the chef consistently cooked branzino perfectly. The charcuterie board was visually stunning with smooth, velvety textures. This experience rates 10/10 for food and ambiance.
Eden
Eden was next level cuisine. I had a jumbo lump crab cake with cucumber, Nova Scotia lobster casserole, and a Meyer lemon tart. Every dish was bursting with flavor and beautifully presented. The lobster melted in my mouth, and the dessert was refreshing and eye catching. Eden earns a 15/10 in my book, and I would sail again just to dine there.
Main Dining Rooms
While specialty dining was a highlight, meals in the main dining rooms on Celebrity Ascent were also excellent. Highlights included perfectly cooked branzino and the best corn soup I’ve ever had.
Final Verdict: Is Specialty Dining Worth It?
So, is specialty dining on a Celebrity Cruise worth it? For me, absolutely yes. Specialty dining offers more than just a meal. It creates memorable experiences, showcases elevated cuisine, and allows you to enjoy unique spaces onboard like Dinner on the Edge. If you’re a foodie or simply want to make your cruise extra special, these restaurants are worth the additional cost.
Plan Your Celebrity Cruise Dining Experience
If you’re planning a cruise and want help picking the best specialty dining on Celebrity Ascent, I’d be happy to help you create an unforgettable experience.
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Shareljia Lawrence is the founder of Passports and Promises Travel, LLC, specializing in meaningful travel experiences, group travel, and unforgettable journeys around the world.
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