Amanda PhillipsFor over a century, Cunard Cruises has been famed for their traditional and refined cruising experience. Never leaving the smallest detail unpolished, Cunard are proud of their exceptional service and have made their mark as one of the world’s most elegant cruise lines.
Their reputation for luxury extends all the way throughout their vessels, including the culinary experience. While on a Cunard Cruise, passengers are treated to high-end food and drink from their selection of main dining rooms and speciality dining. To illustrate just how delightful the options are, here is a quick guide to the food and drink you’ll be treated to on a Cunard Cruise.
The most important meal of the day
Start your day on board an opulent Cunard cruise with a filling breakfast in the Britannia and Queens Grill restaurants. The menu is the same in both areas and features a mixture of cold and hot foods.
Treat yourself to full English breakfast and continental cheeses, or keep it simple with fresh fruit and cereal. The breakfast menu also contains items that are approved as healthy by the CanyonRanch Spa.
Break up the day with Afternoon Tea
A traditional British Afternoon Tea is a signature experience that Cunard Cruises pride themselves on. Relax while white-gloved waiters attend to guests with charming cucumber sandwiches and scones. For ambience, afternoon Tea is accompanied by the gentle sounds of an orchestra.
Available on: Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.
The elegance and flavours of Paris
French cuisine is symonous with refinement, so there’s no surprise that Cunard Cruises boast their own dedicated French restaurant Verandah. Their bilingual menu comprises of starters, mains and desserts with delicacies such as Escargot Crumble, Grilled Beef and Foie Gras Burger, and Grand Marnier Soufflé.
Available on: Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.
A bit of pub grub
Exclusive to the Queen Elizabeth, The Golden Lion is an authentic British pub where passengers can relax with traditional comfort food, while sipping on a wide selection of beers and lagers. The short but tempting menu includes pub favourites such as beer battered Atlantic cod, oven-roasted Cumberland sausage and chicken tikka masala. The drinks menu is extensive and offers a wide selection of draught beer, ciders, pale ales, cocktails, whiskies, wines and spirits.
Available on: Queen Elizabeth,
Dine in a new destination every night
The Queen Mary 2’s Kings Court restaurant transforms itself into a new restaurant every evening. Sometimes you’ll walk in to Find Lotus, a delicious Asian experience. Then the next night it might be Coriander where you can soak up the spicy Indian ambience. Or if it’s Italian your taste buds crave, La Piazza might make an appearance. Or it might be Smokehouse, which celebrates the flavours found in America.
Available on: Queen Mary 2
Exclusive dining for exclusive guests
Passengers staying in Princess Grill, Queens Grill and Britannia Club suites are welcomed to the intimate and exclusive restaurants of the same name. The Queens Grill Restaurant and Princess Grill Restaurant are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner – with dinner served between 6.30pm and 9pm.
Both restaurants have their own unique menu with highlights including Beef Consommé with Herbed Pancake Strips (Princess Grill), Shellfish Minestrone Consommé (Queens Grill), Roast Duck à L’Orange (Princess Grill) and Roast Breast and Confit Legs of Grouse (Queens Grill).
The Britannia Club Restaurant also offers a similar affair, and boasts the same grandeur as the Britannia Restaurant, but in a more intimate setting. Dinner menu highlights include Pineapple Carpaccio with Ricotta Cheese & Peppered Strawberries, Châteaubriand, Larded Peas & Gratin Dauphinoise Potatoes and Baked Alaska with Flambéed Morello Cherries.
Relax with an evening drink
Cunard is proud of its impeccable drinks menu that includes premium spirits, quality wines and intricately-made cocktails. Whether you choose to sail on the Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria or Queen Elizabeth, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting your evening tipple.
On every ship you will find the Commodore Club – along with its 25 page drinks menu. Sip on classic cocktails such as a Cosmopolitan or something with a twist such as a Smoked Mary (a mix of Chase Islay Whisky Cask Vodka, Tomato Juice, Worcestershire and Chipotle Sauce). Alternatively discover a new malt or whiskey, with help from their menu that includes each bottles origin. Soft drinks here are not lacklustre either – choose from non-alcoholic cocktails and a choice of hot drinks.
Exclusive to the Queen Mary 2 however is the Carinthia Lounge offering a unique drinks selection originating from the Iberian Peninsula. Boasting a comprehensive drinks menu that serves wine, port and sherry indigenous to Spain and Portugal, this is where all drink connoisseurs should be spending their evenings.