Plant power is setting sail in a big way. Cruise ship menus, which once offered vegans little more than veggie burgers, are beginning to reflect the mainstream vegetarian and vegan trend found in restaurants ashore. More plant-based dishes are showing up in main dining rooms, buffet lines and specialty restaurants at sea.
It’s not surprising, given that some people, including the publication t he Economist, predicted 2019 would be the Year of the Vegan.
Among the front-runners in the cruise industry is Regent Seven Seas Cruises. It recently announced that, in October, more than 200 plant-based menu items — including the popular Impossible Burger — will be incorporated across its fleet for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
“We’re offering imaginative selections of bold, flavourful appetizers, entrees and desserts,” said Jason Montague, Regent Seven Seas Cruises president and chief executive, when announcing the menu changes. He bragged that the new menu “sets the highest benchmark in luxury cruising.”
Sweet and sour vegetables with tofu are served aboard Regent Seven Seas ships.
(Regent Seven Seas)
Not all cruise companies are in tune with the trend, of course, and it makes sense for vegans to contact their cruise line in advance to let them know their dining preferences.
Another good idea: Watch for theme cruises that promote a vegan philosophy. In addition, check out the list below of lines that are vegetarian- and vegan- friendly, courtesy of Cruise Critic.
Winning the first-place title from the website is Norwegian Cruise Line, which has a large number of dining venues and offers vegetarian and vegan items on most menus. You can even dine in a steakhouse and order something special that fits your dietary restrictions. The chef will make it for you or order it from a neighbouring restaurant.
Carnival Cruise Line comes in next on the Cruise Critic list because, like Norwegian, it’s a big fan of giving passengers choices. The main dining room always has one or two vegetarian entrees, as well as starters. “Indian food-lovers will adore the Indian vegetarian dish that is consistently offered on Carnival’s American Table menu (typically in addition to another meat-free option),” says Cruise Critic. Additionally, passengers can find veggie burgers at Guy’s Burger Joint and bean burritos at Blue Iguana Cantina.
Celebrity makes the list because it offers vegetarian menus in its main dining room, marking vegetarian and lactose-free dishes with colourful icons on its regular menus. And there are 14 days of variations, so you’re not stuck eating the same veggie burger every night.
Another good idea: Watch for theme cruises that promote a vegan philosophy. In addition, check out the list below of lines that are vegetarian- and vegan- friendly, courtesy of Cruise Critic.
Winning the first-place title from the website is Norwegian Cruise Line, which has a large number of dining venues and offers vegetarian and vegan items on most menus. You can even dine in a steakhouse and order something special that fits your dietary restrictions. The chef will make it for you or order it from a neighbouring restaurant.
Carnival Cruise Line comes in next on the Cruise Critic list because, like Norwegian, it’s a big fan of giving passengers choices. The main dining room always has one or two vegetarian entrees, as well as starters. “Indian food-lovers will adore the Indian vegetarian dish that is consistently offered on Carnival’s American Table menu (typically in addition to another meat-free option),” says Cruise Critic. Additionally, passengers can find veggie burgers at Guy’s Burger Joint and bean burritos at Blue Iguana Cantina.
Celebrity makes the list because it offers vegetarian menus in its main dining room, marking vegetarian and lactose-free dishes with colourful icons on its regular menus. And there are 14 days of variations, so you’re not stuck eating the same veggie burger every night.
Cruise Critic added the Italian line Costa to its list because it revamped its menus in 2015 to include new vegetarian and vegan items, making sure all regional menus include options, “a nice touch considering that most cruise line regional sections tend to be meat-heavy,” says Cruise Critic.
Oceania, known for its gourmet restaurants, added an expanded vegan menu in 2017, featuring more than 250 dishes in the dining room at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Early risers can tap into a vegan juice bar on the line’s newest ships, Marina and Riviera, where raw, cold-pressed juices and smoothies are available, in addition to energy bowls with ingredients such as acai berries and chia seeds.
SeaDream, says Cruise Critic “makes a point to pamper everyone, vegetarians and vegans included.” The line’s lunch buffet includes a DIY salad area with organic vegetables, plus pepper spreads and tapenades. Also, the daily soup is often meat-free. Dinner features a raw, organic and vegan meal option, with a starter, main dish and dessert.
Oceania, known for its gourmet restaurants, added an expanded vegan menu in 2017, featuring more than 250 dishes in the dining room at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Early risers can tap into a vegan juice bar on the line’s newest ships, Marina and Riviera, where raw, cold-pressed juices and smoothies are available, in addition to energy bowls with ingredients such as acai berries and chia seeds.
SeaDream, says Cruise Critic “makes a point to pamper everyone, vegetarians and vegans included.” The line’s lunch buffet includes a DIY salad area with organic vegetables, plus pepper spreads and tapenades. Also, the daily soup is often meat-free. Dinner features a raw, organic and vegan meal option, with a starter, main dish and dessert.
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