What to Expect in the Dining Rooms
Cruise lines do try to offer above average desserts. The desserts in the dining room are generally more exotic than the ones served at the buffet or more casual venues. The standard desserts include creme brulee, chocolate lava cakes, mouse, cream puffs, assorted cakes, ice cream, and fruit. The dessert selection will change every day, although it will repeat over the course of the cruise. There will usually be one “no sugar added” desert and an assortment of ice cream and sorbets. I often skip the dessert unless I find something particularly appealing on the menu. I just don’t need the sugar and have usually had my fill on the previous courses. I will get a dessert if the ship offers something particularly appealing. I find that the desserts on Cunard, Princess (see my comments below), and Celebrity to be better than those on Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Carnival.
What to Expect at the Buffet
Desserts and sweets will vary over the course of the day at the buffets. Some ships have complimentary ice cream as well, although the selection will depend on the ship. Normally, there is a separate section for desserts. While the selection at the buffet may be similar to that of the dining room, there will be differences. What I like about most ships is that they offer a selection of freshly baked cookies. I like to have cookies for an afternoon or late night snack. Other than ice cream and cookies, I do not find too many great desserts in the buffet.
Where Has the Chocolate Extravaganza Gone?
When I first started cruising, it seemed like every cruise included a chocolate or dessert extravaganza. This was an event, normally about mid-cruise, with a spread of fantastic specialty desserts, chocolate fountains, carvings, and pure decadence. It was a showcase of what the ship’s galley had to offer, including a huge variety of every type of chocolate or dessert you could envision.
One of my best memories was of the Chocolate Decadence we enjoyed mid-cruise on my first cruise aboard the Holland Veendam in 2004. It was a spread of dozens of different chocolate desserts, food sculptures, and chocolate fountains. The variety of chocolate items was unbelievable. Since then, I have not experienced an event of this magnitude, although several ships have offered something nearly as good.
Unfortunately, I believe the extravaganza is a thing of the past. It has been several years since I have enjoyed such a magnificent spread. I suspect the cost of hosting such an activity combined with the movement for healthier eating has resulted in the demise of the extravaganza.
How I Miss the Baked Alaska
While the parade of the baked Alaska is still a part of many cruises, it has seen changes that reduce is elegance. Many, but not all cruise lines, set aside a day where the waiters parade the baked Alaska. This is a chance for the staff to be recognized and is often a fun event. The traditional fixed dining provides a better opportunity for this parade since you have the same dining staff the entire trip. With the advent of flexible dining, such an event is much more difficult to orchestrate, although many ships still hold the parade.
However, my main complaint is not the parade, but the baked Alaska itself. A baked Alaska should be brought to the table flaming and served to the diners at the table. I guess safety considerations have resulted in the parade using fake baked Alaska with fake flames. They then serve a prepared baked Alaska, not the one being transported during the parade. I will say that the quality of the baked Alaska has gone down and I really miss the day when our waiter went to retrieve a real, flaming baked Alaska, bringing it to the table as part of the parade.
Princess Chocolate Journeys Ups the Ante
Princess Cruises has found a way to entice us chocolate addicts. They brought on a chocolate chef, Norman Love, who has crafted some exotic desserts as part of his Chocolate Journeys. While these are not served every night, they are served on at least two nights of a seven-day cruise. As you can see from the photos on this page, these desserts have a fantastic presentation. Even more important, they are delicious. Not too sweet with a fantastic blend of chocolate, caramel, fruit, nuts, and other flavors. Each one is a delight. I look forward to the nights they serve one of these gems.
Being a diabetic, I must watch my nutrition. Even so, the Chocolate Journeys desserts do not spike my glucose level like some of the standard desserts. I suspect that less sugar is used, focusing on the blend of ingredients and the exotic presentation. And, while they are not small, they also were not overwhelming. My kudos to Princess for finding such a solution for my chocolate fetish.
Recommendations
Knowing it is very easy to over-indulge while on a cruise, I do have some recommendations for handling desserts and sweets while on a cruise.
Check All Venues to Understand Your Options
The desserts many vary with the venue. Take the time to explore your ship to find out what is available. Most ships have a cafe or sandwich shop that serves desserts that are not served elsewhere and are complementary. For example, Princess has their International Cafe, which is open 24-hours on most ships. Although they charge for coffee and tea, the cookies, pastries, and other sweets are complementary – and they have a great selection.
Take Desserts to Your Room
We are not bashful. If we find a dessert we want, we take it to our room for late consumption. This is particularly true of cookies as we have often found out that the selection of cookies can vary during the day. So, if we want a particular cookie flavor, we grab some and hide them in the room until we are ready to eat them. Also, if the dining room has a dessert we want but are unable to handle at the time, we ask our waiter to prepare it so we can take it to our room. In some cases, the waiter will have it sent to the room. Other times them will cover it so we can carry it ourselves. Do not assume the dessert you want will be available later or in another location.
Beware of the Changing of the Menu
We all know that the buffet changes the selection of foods several times during the day. This is also true for desserts. A dessert that is available for lunch may not be available later in the day. We discovered on the Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas that the buffet and many other food venues were closed by 9 PM. I like something sweet at night – sometimes fruit, but often a cookie or dessert. I quickly learned that I had to get my food early and store it in my stateroom if I wanted my late night snack. Also, ice cream stations will close early on many ships. So, make sure you know the schedules and grab your delicacies when you can.
Most of All – Enjoy
In the end, I encourage you to partake of the sweeter side of the menu. You will not be disappointed. Just be wary not to overindulge.
Please let me know in the comments below if you have experienced any unique or above-standard desserts on your cruise. I know everyone is not a chocolate aficionado like me, so let me know what other desserts add that special note to your dinner.
