Get ready to experience a culinary adventure on the high seas because Norwegian Cruise Line has recently revamped its main dining room experience across its entire fleet.
Join me as I highlight what’s new and what’s improved in NCL’s dining experience. I will reference Prima, one of NCL’s newest ships, as it was the first to feature the new menus.
What Is New About the Norwegian Cruise Line Menus?
The menus on board Prima and other Norwegian ships no longer change each night. Instead of rotating selections each evening, one set menu will be offered each night of the cruise — no need to check the menus each morning.
This is a significant change, one that not everyone will like. However, from the start, Norwegian promised that the new menus would offer various selections, including items from some of the specialty venues and a mix-and-match pasta section where diners can customize their preferred flavors.
Why Did NCL Decide to Change the Main Dining Room Menus?
Norwegian Cruise Line’s decision to change the main dining room menus is rooted in the desire to modernize and improve the overall dining experience for their guests.
As the cruise industry has evolved, the abundance of dining options on modern cruise ships has made rotating menus in the main dining rooms less necessary.
Norwegians recognized that frequently changing menu items originated when the main dining room was often the primary dining venue on ships.
Nowadays, however, with the increase in specialty restaurants and cafes, guests have a wide range of dining choices available throughout their voyage, which makes it unnecessary to have a rotating menu.
By streamlining the main dining room menu and focusing on fewer, more refined dishes, NCL aims to enhance the quality of each menu item and improve the overall service.
That makes sense, right?
Why divide your attention across a constantly changing menu when your culinary team can concentrate on perfecting fewer recipes and preparations?
This change aligns perfectly with modern dining trends and preferences, where guests appreciate a carefully curated menu with exceptional quality and consistency.
ALSO READ: 5 Significant Changes to Norwegian Cruise Line
How Was the Decision to Change the Menus Met?
Despite the initial feedback from some loyal passengers, NCL’s recent reviews suggest that the new main dining room menu has been well-received by many guests.
While some individuals miss the ability to plan their specialty dining around the rotating menu, others have praised the improved quality and consistency of the new menu.
The reviews indicate that every meal and menu item was cooked perfectly and presented beautifully. They also indicate that the new menu boasts a wide variety of offerings.
Norwegian Prima’s Two Main Dining Rooms
Before we dive into the menus on Prima, let’s talk about the ship’s two main dining rooms.
First and foremost, the dining rooms aren’t huge. They’re like Taste and Savor on other Norwegian ships, in which menus are the same but with different settings.
One of them is The Commodore Room located on Deck 6. This space features porthole windows, modern chandeliers with round translucent discs, and a dark carpet with geometric lines.
Interestingly, there is more than one color of fabric on the chairs; it’s worth noting that this particular venue is only open for dinner.
Hudson’s, however, is quite larger compared to The Commodore Room. It is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This restaurant is special because it oozes with light and modern décor.
MORE: Cruise Packing List: 10 Things You’ll Be Glad You Threw in Your Suitcase
Let’s Talk About the New Menus
Breakfast
The breakfast menu items include express breakfast, hot and cold cereals, and made-to-order eggs, which remain on this menu.
Steak, eggs, Benedict, pancakes, and waffles are also available.
Additionally, Starbucks beverages are on the menu. However, they come with an additional charge.
Lunch
Lunch is served only at Hudson’s. The starters and soup offerings include six selections: spinach and artichoke dip with tortilla chips, a few varieties of soups, and a mushroom flatbread.
The typical lunch dishes include burgers, smash burgers, fish and chips, tacos, two sandwiches—the French dip and crispy chicken—and a veggie burger. All these come with fries or a side salad.
Those seeking a larger meal should look at the specialties section on the menu, which offers fish, pasta, pork, risotto, steak, and chicken. The pasta and risotto are the meatless options.
Salad lovers will find several options for making a meal from a salad – or as an appetizer before a specialty dish. Choices include Caesar, Thai steak and noodles, mahi-mahi, and kale and chicken salads.
Dinner
The menus at dinner start with a few suggested wines. I never saw anything that would be included in the beverage package. A separate wine menu features about ten bottles of red and white wines included in the beverage package.
The menu starts with appetizers, including spare ribs, crab cakes, quesadillas, and coconut shrimp, followed by an excellent selection of soups and salads.
I was surprised to see chili listed, but I didn’t have a chance to try it. Three other soups and four salads complete that section of the menu. There is also a create-your-own-pasta section.
Diners seeking meatless options have three choices for a main course — cauliflower piccata, the Buddha bowl, or risotto ai funghi.
Other main dishes include five seafood and six meat options.
For those wanting to try specialty restaurants, a featured dish comes with an extra charge. On one of the nights, the Signature Taste option was coq au vin for $15.
Ten sides are available to accompany the main dishes – or to add to another dish. Some sides include sweet potato fries, garlic mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus, and mac and cheese.
Desserts
Cake lovers will certainly have difficulty finishing their dinner. The menu includes a variety of cakes, including lava cake, carrot cake, and cheesecake.
Crème brûlée, apple pie, bread pudding, a fruit plate, and a daily selection of ice cream and sherbet are rounding out the menu.
Final Thoughts
Despite the new setup, plenty of food is still available.
If that’s not something you’re interested in, there are other choices, like Indulge Food Hall, The Local, and the Surfside Café. Bon Appétit!
Be sure to check out my other Norwegian Prima articles:
- My First Impressions of New Cruise Ship Norwegian Prima
- Checking Out 5 New Bars on Norwegian Prima
- Everything You Need To Know About Indulge Food Hall on Norwegian Prima
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