Embarking on my first cruise aboard Princess Cruises’ Enchanted Princess, I was excited to explore the promised gourmet culinary offerings on a journey that would take me to Spain, Gibraltar, France, and Italy. With years of experience as a food editor at top magazines, I was eager to dive into the culinary scene on the ship.
One of the culinary highlights onboard was The Catch by Rudi, curated by Princess’ culinary director Rudi Sodamin. The seafood-centric menu featured delicacies like fresh seafood platters, smoke-filled glass cloche presentations, and whole Dover sole. The attention to detail and whimsical plating style of Sodamin shone through each dish, making it a memorable dining experience.
Mixed Experiences
While The Catch by Rudi was a standout, other dining venues like the Crown Grill and Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria provided mixed experiences. While Crown Grill offered light and tasty starters, the main course fell short with gristly porterhouse. Sabatini’s, on the other hand, delivered a flavorful osso buco with risotto Milanese, despite a disappointing Caprese salad.
For those looking to elevate their dining experience, options like the 360 Dining Experience or a wine dinner curated by Princess in partnership with Caymus Vineyards offer a unique culinary journey. While some dishes may miss the mark, standout desserts like the Chocolate Raspberry Dream at the Wine Dinner make up for it.
Buffet Delights
The Enchanted Princess boasts two expansive buffets, the World Fresh Marketplace and International Cafe, offering a variety of cuisines from around the world. From Indian curries to Italian-American baked pasta, the buffets cater to diverse palates, though lacking in spice. Specialty coffee drinks and freshly pressed juices add an extra touch of luxury to the buffet experience.
Main Dining Rooms
With three main dining rooms, Amalfi, Capri, and Santorini, the Enchanted Princess caters to different tastes and preferences. While the daily dinner menus offer a wide selection, the experience of waiting in line for a table can detract from the fine dining atmosphere. Each dining room has its highs and lows, with standout dishes like Caesar salad and decadent chocolate cake.
Casual Dining Options
For casual dining throughout the day, guests can enjoy offerings at the Salty Dog Cafe, Gigi’s Pizzeria, and Alfredo’s Slice. The wood-fired pizzas at Gigi’s are particularly noteworthy, with crisp crusts reminiscent of pizzaiolos in Naples. The OceanNow on-demand delivery service adds convenience, though wait times for orders can vary.
Dining on the Enchanted Princess offers a mix of gourmet delights and minor setbacks. While some venues excel in culinary mastery, others fall short in execution. Whether indulging in a seafood feast at The Catch by Rudi or grabbing a quick bite at the buffet, guests can expect a variety of dining experiences during their cruise journey.
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