Captivating Cuisine On A Caribbean Cruise

Never mind the luxurious stateroom, don?t bother telling me where the gym is or the shuffleboard games are held, point me in the direction of the most fabulous restaurant afloat! Everybody knows that one of the biggest drawing cards of a Caribbean cruise is the dining options. Every person?s first and last taste bud will be satisfied, belts will be let out, groans of delight will be heard from each and every passenger ? all in response to the gastronomic delights that await on an all-you-can-eat Caribbean cruise.

Oh sure, the balmy days and moonlit nights are big attractions. And yes, it is a wonderful opportunity to meet hundreds of other people, all in a fantastic mood because they?re all on vacation. Take in a movie, play a round of poker, catch up on sleep, do whatever takes your fancy, but at some point, you have to eat. And eat you will. On a Caribbean cruise, consuming can be time consuming, not because you have to wait for service, but because it?s so easy to sit there in the restaurant and be waited on hand and foot, presented with fine, island delicacies as well as mainstream delicious delights. A Caribbean cruise provides every chance for you to work off those calories but when they keep on bringing food out and every dish looks better than the last, how can you resist?

Caribbean cruise companies pride themselves on their selection of highly trained chefs who gain diverse and valuable experience at sea. Their job is made more complicated by having to have on hand, all the ingredients they will need for the journey, at least until they reach each port of call. A Caribbean cruise may visit between two and ten destinations and each will offer individual cuisines that the chefs will showcase for passengers. Naturally, what?s on offer on a Mediterranean trip will differ to what is served on a Caribbean cruise. Imagine visiting Grenada, Guadeloupe, Caracas, Aruba and sampling the exotic local delights, all from the supreme comfort of your restaurant table, overlooking the ocean as the water glistens beyond the massive windows.

Your day begins with breakfast, perhaps in your cabin or if you prefer, at the seemingly endless buffet. Your eyes widen like saucers at the sight of a gazillion different options. There you are on an exciting Caribbean cruise and you at first tackle the bacon and eggs. Then you realize, you can have that ordinary staple at home. Instead, try something from the dazzling array of exotic fruits you?ve never eaten before. A Caribbean cruise is the best place to sample unknown treats; not only are they beautifully prepared but you can be sure of the quality and hygiene, unlike the game of chance that is eating from a roadside stall on a port of call.

Morning tea time and you?re faced with topping up your already substantially full stomach. Maybe you pass in favor of looking forward to a glorious lunch, Caribbean cruise style. There are platters of intricately garnished baked fish, endless, multicolored salads, silver buckets of shrimp and crab, even lobster. You begin to imagine a team of fisherman trailing nets and lines over the stern of the ship twice a day to catch the freshest of fresh seafood. After all, what would a Caribbean cruise be without lobster, swordfish, shrimp cocktail and crab claws?

Dinnertime presents a challenge in itself on a Caribbean cruise. Should you tread lightly and save up for dessert, or pile your plate high and see what a trouper you can be? Go for the meat lovers? feast or fiddle your way through some tempting soup, salad and pieces of fruit? It?s all there for you to enjoy on a Caribbean cruise and passengers return home with legendary tales of how much food there was, how much variety they enjoyed, how stunning it all looked ? and how they?ll never eat again as long as they live!

If your ideal vacation involves indulgence of the culinary kind, you can?t beat a Caribbean cruise for 100% satisfaction. Just be sure that you pack a few items of clothing that are designed for comfort and not speed!

Linda Woods is a freelance writer and radio talk show host with a focus on healing, self-help and empowerment. Intention is everything. Get all the latest information on cruising (and taking time for yourself) at http://www.takethatcruise.com. Be sure to check out our Caribbean cruise pages.