One of the reasons I come back to Princess time and time again is the food – it’s some of the best in the cruise industry.
A feast for the senses
As with her sisters, Discovery Princess features 25 bars and restaurants, with a mix of included and for-fee options. As part of Ocean Medallion, you can seek to Dine My Way, where guests can seek to customise every aspect of dining on board – this includes making reservations at the various restaurants on board at your preferred time of day. You can also order food/drinks right to your location using OceanNow on the Medallion Class App.
And it’s no joke, you really are spoilt for choice on board. In terms of the main dining rooms, you have a choice of three on board, which offer breakfast, lunch and dinner. Or if you fancy something a little more casual you can also opt to visit World Fresh Marketplace, the on-board buffet restaurant which features a variety of international and regionally inspired dishes, as well as old favourites.
Then there is of course Gigi’s Pizzeria (included in the cruise fare). It has to be said that if you come on a Princess Cruise, you must try the pizza – consistently voted the best pizza at sea. And Gigi’s is a charming venue just off of the Piazza where you can enjoy freshly prepared pizzas, and why not wash it down with a nice glass of beer and wine.
On top of this there is a variety of other casual outlets around the ship including International Café to grab a quick bite to eat and a variety of other offerings around the pool including Slice Pizzeria and the Salty Dog Café.
Bars and Lounges
I’ve already spoken about some of the bars found on board Discovery Princess, including the Vista Lounge and Princess Live!
In addition to this, there are a plethora of other bars on board including some Princess staples. This ranges from high-end cockatils at Bellinis (which also has an incredible view across over the Piazza), the Crown Grill Bar, Crooners, and Good Spirits, the go-to place for craft cocktails and experiences. I have to say i have a soft spot for both Bellinis and Good Spirits to start and end an evening!
Up on the outdoor decks you’ll find plenty of bars adjoining the pool areas, my favourite being the Wake View Bar which is adjacent to the aft pool affording the best views in the house, especially at sunset.
Speciality Restaurants
There are a number of speciality restaurants on board, and they are all worth trying if you get a moment.
Firstly, there is the Princess favourite, Sabatini’s. This is the signature Italian restaurant found across Princess’ fleet featuring handmade pasta and freshly prepared dishes. It’s honestly one of the top reasons I enjoy coming back to Princess and is a must.
Then you have another Princess staple, Crown Grill – this is the on-board steakhouse featuring premium aged beef, cuts of chops and seafood. One of the unique features is its salt pairing for steaks, which is definitely worth a try if you go. It’s all truly delightful and has been named among the best cruise ship steakhouse restaurants over the years, and you can see why when you visit.
And then there is 360. We were lucky enough to try 360 on board Discovery Princess and boy it does not disappoint. Put simply, there’s not a dining experience at sea quite like it – featuring an immersive story, with the sights, sounds, textures and smells of the Mediterranean, together with incredible service, and high-quality food and locally sourced ingredients. It’s quite a feat to pull off and one of the best restaurants I’ve experienced at sea.
Truly, pictures do not do this space or experience justice – so head on over to my instagram where you can get a flavour of this experience.
Discovery Princess will soon feature two new speciality spaces on board. The First being The Catch by Rudi (replacing Bistro Sur la Mer). This is the first Princess restaurant primarily devoted to seafood and offers a completely fresh take on seafood with the chef’s contemporary interpretations of classic dishes, international fusion influences, highly creative presentations and an engaging dining experience.
Secondly, there is O’Malley’s, a contemporary Irish pub featuring traditional Irish music, interactive entertainment and extraordinary food including the new O’Malley’s ribeye burger. Located on Deck 5 in the piazza where the Salty Dog Gastropub Experience previously operated, the O’Malley’s menu also includes Scotch eggs, fried pickles, pan-fried Guinness chicken, along with favourite Irish beers, ales and whiskeys. The new pub will also offer tasting experiences that include an introduction to the history of Irish Whiskey along with a tasting flight, as well as Guinness cocktail classes. Offering more than just a great menu, O’Malley’s will overflow with the exuberance, banter, and vivacity synonymous with the vintage Irish pub experience.
So, the question is, where do you start?
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