Let’s be honest—sometimes we book a cruise for the destinations… but stay for the food. That’s exactly what happened when I sailed on Star of the Seas.
Sure, the shows were great, and the ports were beautiful, but the food? That’s what I kept going back for.
And after a full week of “just one more bite,” a few dishes stood out so much that I’m still thinking about them.
1. The Unexpected Breakfast Obsession
I’ll be honest—I’m not really a breakfast person. Most days, I’m perfectly fine with just coffee and nothing else.
But somehow, that changed halfway through the cruise.
What pulled me in:
- Fresh chocolate croissant from Pearl Café.
- Buttery texture with rich chocolate inside.
- Quick grab-and-go option.
It started as a one-time thing… then it became an every-other-day ritual.
There’s just something about pairing a warm croissant with coffee while watching the ocean that feels oddly perfect.
It’s simple, but it became one of those small cruise moments I looked forward to.
2. The Smash Burger That Completely Surprised Me
Before this cruise, I kept hearing people rave about the smash burger at Basecamp. Honestly, I didn’t buy into the hype.
I thought, “How good can a cruise ship burger really be?”
Turns out… I was very wrong.
What makes it different:
- Cooked on a super-hot griddle.
- Crispy, caramelized edges.
- Juicy center.
- Classic toppings done right.
This wasn’t just a good burger—it was better than most burgers I’ve had at sea.
I grabbed one as a casual afternoon snack… and immediately thought about getting another. That’s how you know it’s good.
3. The Sushi Platter I Order Every Single Time
No matter which ship I’m on, there’s one place I always end up—Izumi. And no matter how many times I go, I always end up ordering a sushi platter.
It’s become a bit of a habit at this point.
Your main choices:
- Chef’s Sushi Selection (includes rice-based sushi).
- Assorted Sashimi (just the fish, no rice).
This time, I went with the Chef’s Selection—and it was exactly what I needed.
The balance of fresh fish and perfectly seasoned rice just hits differently after a long day onboard.
Plus, for the price and portion size, it’s actually one of the better-value specialty meals on the ship.
4. The Chicken Parm That Made Me Come Back Twice
You know how everyone has that one “test dish” they order at Italian restaurants? For me, it’s always chicken parmigiana.
If a place gets that right, everything else usually follows.
On this ship, I didn’t just order it once—I ordered it twice at Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen.
Why this dish stood out:
- Huge portion (seriously, you won’t leave hungry).
- Perfect balance of sauce and melted cheese.
- Chicken was juicy—not dry or rubbery.
- Came with just the right amount of spaghetti.
What really impressed me was how fresh everything tasted. It didn’t feel like mass-produced cruise food—it felt like something you’d get at a proper Italian restaurant.
And honestly, once you find a dish this good on a cruise, you don’t experiment… You just ordered it again.
5. The Chops Grille Filet Mignon (Classic Steakhouse Favorite)
If you ask any frequent cruiser about the best steak onboard, Chops Grille always comes up.
And for good reason—the filet mignon here is consistently one of the safest “can’t-go-wrong” orders.
Why it’s a must-try:
- Premium steakhouse-quality cut.
- Cooked to a consistent temperature.
- Served with classic sides (like mashed potatoes or asparagus).
- Rich, simple flavors that don’t overpower the meat.
If you’re comparing steaks onboard, this is the one most people use as the benchmark.
6. The Comfort Food I Kept Ordering Without Thinking
Every cruise has that one place you keep going back to—not for something fancy, but for something easy, satisfying, and just plain good.
For me, that spot ended up being Playmakers Sports Bar.
Why I kept going back:
- Giant, crispy chicken tenders.
- Perfect with BBQ dipping sauce.
- Served with addictive fries.
- Great “snack or meal” option.
I found myself ordering these almost automatically—whether I was watching a game or just passing by.
They’re not trying to be gourmet… but that’s exactly why they work. It’s the kind of food you crave without overthinking it.
7. Molten Chocolate Cake (The Dessert Everyone Orders)
No cruise food list is complete without dessert—and this is the one you’ll see on almost every table at some point.
Why everyone loves it:
- Warm chocolate cake with a gooey center.
- Served with vanilla ice cream.
- Rich, indulgent, and super satisfying.
- Available in the Main Dining Room and specialty venues.
Even if you’re full, this is the dessert people still say, “Okay, just one bite”… and finish it anyway.
8. The Steak That Quietly Became My Favorite
I didn’t expect this one to win—but it did.
There are a few places onboard where you can get a good steak, and everyone has their own opinion about which one is best.
But after trying a few, the filet mignon at Hooked Seafood ended up being the one I kept thinking about.
What made it stand out:
- Thick, generous cut of meat.
- Cooked exactly right (not overdone).
- Simple seasoning that actually worked.
- No need for heavy sauces.
Sometimes, the best dishes are the ones that don’t try too hard. This steak wasn’t overloaded with flavors—it just let the quality of the meat do the talking.
And honestly, that’s what made it memorable.
9. The “Healthy” Dish I Didn’t Feel Guilty About
After days of burgers, pasta, and snacks, I figured I should balance things out a bit.
That’s when I discovered the falafel bowl at Aquadome Market—and somehow, I ended up eating it multiple times.
Why it became a repeat order:
- Fresh, customizable ingredients.
- Loaded with veggies and hummus.
- Light but still filling.
- Felt like a “break” from heavy meals.
At first, I ordered it just to eat something lighter… but it actually turned out to be one of the most satisfying meals on board.
I even switched from the pita to the bowl version because it was easier to eat (and way less messy).
10. Garlic Butter Shrimp (A Cruise Classic That Never Fails)
Seafood hits differently on a cruise, and one dish that always delivers is garlic butter shrimp—whether you find it in the Main Dining Room or seafood-focused venues.
What makes it so popular:
- Juicy shrimp coated in rich garlic butter.
- Light but flavorful (great break from heavy meals).
- Often paired with rice or vegetables.
- Easy to enjoy without feeling overly full.
It’s one of those dishes that works perfectly for both lunch and dinner.
Honorable Mentions (Because I Can’t Ignore These)
Even though these weren’t my top picks, there were a few other dishes worth mentioning that really stood out.
Also worth trying:
- Margherita pizza
- Giant meatball
- House salad
- Blackened salmon
These weren’t my “repeat every day” dishes—but they were still really solid.
Food Is the Real Highlight of This Ship
If there’s one thing this cruise proved, it’s how much cruise dining has evolved.
It’s no longer just about having unlimited food—it’s about having good food you actually remember. And that’s what stood out to me the most.
From comfort snacks to restaurant-quality meals, there was always something new to try… and somehow, something I wanted to order again.
