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Dining on a cruise ship for many people is their first real experience with anything resembling 4 or 5 star service. Just the amount of silverware sitting in front of them on the table can be daunting. If your waiters are good, they will lead you to your table and hold your chair to seat you. They will then pick up your cloth napkin and spread it on your lap. The first time you encounter this, it can be more than you've been exposed to previously.

After seating, your water glass will be filled and menus will be distributed to everyone at your table. You will have a minimum of two waiters plus the head water that should service your table during the meal on most nights. The menu will offer appetizers, soups, entrees, and desserts. On a normal night, you will have many selections in each area. If you eat in the main dining room, everything except bar orders, and that includes carbonated soft drinks, is included in the price of your ticket.

Food is offered as all you want to eat. You can order multiples of anything on the menu. Two entrees or three desserts are still a part of what you paid for when you bought your ticket. Your drink should stay full. Plates will be removed as soon as you finish. The staff is at your disposal should you be served something that you are unsure of how to proceed to eat it.

From time to time, your crumbs will be removed from the table cloth. Unneeded silverware will be removed as you move through your courses. Plenty of time is allowed for your dining to be leisurely. A cruise ship dinner will last about 1 1/2 hours. It seems unhurried, but you are never waiting for necessities.

Food is always served at the correct temperature. Chilled soups are cool. Entrees are served hot. By the second night your main waiter knows what you like to drink. Even extra lemon for your iced tea will be waiting in a dish if you used it the night before. Your needs and wants are anticipated and looked after.

At least one night, the entire wait staff will entertain with some extravagant song and dance routine. Baked Alaska is often served after a song and dance in the dark lit by sparklers or candles. If your fortunate, you may even get a waiter and assistant that like to keep the evening light. They don't butt into conversations, but they will help you enjoy your meal in any way possible.

From 2 to 4 dining times are provided on cruise ships. Two early are, and two are late. You can always dodge the dining room and go for the buffet line, but I'm not sure why anyone ever does.

Learn more about this author, Allen Teal.
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