SeaDream Yacht Club Posts

Not everyone who steps onboard a cruise ship will be a meat eater. And while they have a bit of a reputation for being a real meat feast, cruise lines – like a lot of other places that serve food over the last few years – have made their menus as veggie and vegan friendly as possible in plenty of different ways. So, the good news is there’s no need to dodge the dining halls or, worse, settle for chips and salad every night. In fact, vegetarian-friendly cruises tend to be so well-stocked with non-meat and non-dairy options that they’ll have even the most red-blooded meat eater looking longingly at your plate. But which cruise lines and ships are the best of the best when it comes to animal-free eating? Whether you’re a committed veggie or you’re giving Veganuary a go, we’ll run through the cruise menus that properly cater to holidaying herbivores. A few things to know ahead of time Forward planning is important. Assuming your cruise ship is going to have veggie or vegan food onboard could lead to an empty stomach. Keep these helpful pointers in mind before you book: Meat-free could mean different things on different cruise ships. So, while some dishes might not feature the flesh of animals, they could be heavy on cheese, eggs and dairy products, which could be a problem depending on your diet or lifestyle. Most veggies will probably be OK for the most part, but vegans shouldn’t be so gung-ho. To avoid disappointment, it’s always a good idea to get in touch with the cruise line to let them know of your requirements ahead of time. Similarly, vegans should make way for the maitre d’ or head chef on their first day to discuss what food is on offer. There’s a good chance that the next day’s meals will have to be pre-ordered the night before so that the chefs can rustle something up that’s plant-based. Veggies should be fine, but if veggie menus aren’t readily apparent on the cruise line’s website, they should probably enquire. Another way to play it safe is to bring your own snacks and dairy-free milk if your options are on the slim-to-none side. That said, some lines have different rules about bringing food and drink onboard, so always double-check ahead of time to see if you get the green light. It’s possible to find entirely plant-based cruises out there too; whether it’s a themed cruise or a 100% vegan cruise line (such as Vegan Culinary Cruises), you can definitely track down something that caters to your lifestyle with a bit of scouting. The best cruise ships for vegetarians and vegans Holland America Line Previously, Holland America Line required alternative dishes to be ordered 24 hours in advance. Thankfully, their vegan and veggie options are now less stashed away and a lot more out in the open. Head chef Rudi Sodamin created a very exclusive (not to mention lavish) 22-dish vegetarian and vegan menu – available across all ships – that highlights the health aspects of a meat-free diet. Low on processed foods and big on healthy and revitalising vegetables, the HAL veggie and vegan range is all available at no extra cost. What can you expect? How do the likes of curried cauliflower steaks, baked polenta with mushrooms and artichokes, and fresh Vietnamese spring rolls sound? That’s not all: even the buffet’s salad bar puts most other lines to shame. Oceania Oceania could well stake its claim as the best veggie and vegan food cruise line out there. And we mean it: it’s basically a herbivore’s dream. Something they’ve been working hard to develop and expand since 2017, the line’s offerings now serve veggie and vegan dishes that number in the hundreds. You can even order plant-based grub at Polo Grill – and that’s the line’s own steakhouse! As for specifics, their Marina and Riviera boast a vegan juice bar over on its pool deck. Open every morning, it’s perfect for a revitalising, all-natural energy boost to start your day. Think raw, cold-pressed juices, smoothies and energy bowls packed with superfoods like acai berries and chia seeds. Just what you need ahead of a day of adventuring. Carnival Veggies are in for a treat aboard Carnival. Not only are many of their venues, even the most casual diners, packed with vegetarian options, but the vast majority of them are included in the upfront cruise price. Expect burgers stacked high with sauteed onions and mushrooms, bean burritos over at the BlueIguana Cantina, and a feast of Indian dishes as authentic as they are delicious. Vegans are less well catered to by comparison, but there’s still plenty to dine for. There are vegan options over at Bonsai Sushi, and you can even ask the sushi chefs to make you classic rolls minus the fish, too. JiJi’s Asian Kitchen also has a few vegan options too, but for the vast majority of their other eateries, you may have to ask for certain ingredients to be left out – though the waiters and chefs will be more than happy to do that. Regent Seven Seas Offering a 100% vegan menu, you’ll find no such need to make requests to the wait staff with Regent Seven Seas. Vegan food is never in short supply, with 200 gourmet plant-based meals to choose from, including wild mushroom tart and Hawaiian poke bowls. We also want to highlight the special Canyon Ranch menu too. Named after their onboard spa, the food takes the same approach to health and wellbeing as the treatments do. Expect something fresh, revitalising and – most importantly – meat-free! SeaDream Yacht Club How’s this for luxury? Onboard SeaDream, veggies and vegans get the star treatment. There’s plenty of menus that cater to both, but don’t be afraid to cast your net further and ask for something specific. Chances are the dining team will be more than capable of chef’ing that request up for you. As for the menus themselves, SeaDream I and SeaDream II boast totally plant-based and organic options. Think truffle tagliatelle, shiitake and pink grapefruit ceviche, and lapsang souchong portobellos. You’ll even find a choice of raw dishes too. The line has also gone gourmet with its alternative dishes thanks to its five-star Living Food menu, a luxurious approach to healthy eating that features nutrient-rich takes on the likes of lasagne and cheesecake! Stomach rumbling now? We’re glad to hear it! We hope this little appetiser has got you excited for your holiday, whatever you’ll be dining on. While you’re here, feast your eyes on our unbeatable range of cruise holidays right here.

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SeaDream Yacht Club Posts

SeaDream Yacht Club

The Best Cruise Lines and Ships for Vegetarians and Vegans