To be honest, it's been a struggle to get the few dining menus I'm starting with.

Cruise lines pride themselves on their dining experiences but all the menus seem to be kept hidden away in locked vaults aboard the cruise ships. Try finding a menu off ship--unless you took one with you.

Luckily, I found some very cooperative people at Holland America and Carnival Cruise Lines. In the meantime, the rest can eat their hearts out.

Keep this in mind: The longer the cruise, the better your dining experience will tend to be.

It does seem cruise lines send out their least experienced chefs on the shorter cruises to learn their trade. Passengers would make these novice chefs walk the gangplank on anything longer than 3 nights.

Carnival Cruise Lines

Here's a sample of dining menus that covers an entire week of dinners and 4 lunches.

Luncheon Menu 1

Luncheon Menu 2

Luncheon Menu 3

Luncheon Menu 4

Captain's Welcome Dinner

Sample Gala Dinner Menu

Sample Dinner Menu 1

Sample Dinner Menu 2

Sample Dinner Menu 3

Sample Dinner Menu 4

Sample Dinner Menu 5

Holland America

The Pinnacle Grill

The Pinnacle Grill is part of HAL's alternative dining choices. The Grill features Pacific Northwest specialties and wines in a romantic, upscale atmosphere. Advance reservations are required and there is a charge of $20 per person.

Hopefully HAL will provide more. As mentioned elsewhere, some of the best meals I've ever had on land or sea were on a 2-week HAL cruise to the Caribbean. If I was Bill Gates, I would have hired that chef.

Dinner Menu: Starters

Dinner Menu: Entrees

Dinner Menu: Side Dishes

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