Cruising and food seem to go hand in hand since dining has always been a vital part of the entire cruise vacation experience. It’s no surprise then that food and dining options are a big selling point for cruise lines. Today, cruise lines are offering more dining choices, modern menus, and great new venues in which to enjoy them.

To keep up with the increasing array of culinary and dining trends, cruise lines are investing in larger ships with innovative dining enhancements such as multiple restaurants with 24-hour dining and room service. These are just a few of the reasons why cruising is growing in popularity. On a typical day, cruise ship passengers may dine on oysters, shrimp cocktail, lobster, escargot, filet minion, rack of lamb, fresh salads, fresh fruits, exotic deserts like chocolate molten lava cake–and that’s just for dinner.

Most cruise lines offer vast choices in menus and venues. Guests can choose to eat al fresco or inside, grab a quick meal at a buffet, or spend the evening dining on a six-course menu. In fact, many ships have half a dozen or more dining venues on board. From delis and steak houses to Italian trattorias and French bistros, cruise ships have multiple dining options to please every palate and every craving.

Part of catering to cruise ship guests’ every need includes accommodating passengers who require diabetic, low-fat or low-salt meals, kosher or other special dietary requests or who just want healthful choices. Spa cuisine is now popular with many lines and guests now have choices of low-calorie, low-fat and heart-healthy foods. With the growing number of children sailing these days, most cruise lines offer special children’s menus designed to satisfy the littlest gourmand. Most offer the kid dining staples of chicken fingers, pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled cheese and, of course, ice cream.

In addition to 24-hour buffets, pizza stands, and ice cream parlors, many cruise lines offer gourmet fare for the more sophisticated palate as well. Some lines host regular food-and-wine festivals and invite chefs and wine experts to lead seminars and tastings.

One of the big culinary trends in cruising is alternative dining venues where, for an additional fee, guests can indulge in a truly special dining experience themed around such cuisine as Asian, Italian, New Orleans or Seafood. Highlighting that commitment in food excellence, cruise lines also often feature menus created by celebrity chefs that highlight different food themes and employing cutting-edge preparation techniques.

Additionally, cruise lines have begun to follow land-based food trends more closely. As an example, more ethnic food is showing up on the menus these days from Thai to Indian. So, if you’ve been craving to explore new cuisines from different countries taking a cruise vacation is a great way to satisfy that gourmet curiosity.

Cambridge combines the best of traditional and modern life in one city. By visiting Cambridge superb sites, you will also need to grab a bite to eat now and again. Whether you prefer a formal meal, a light snack or a traditional English tea, you can easily find a place in Cambridge that suits your appetite and your budget. If you fancy a pint, there are many pubs to choose from as well. Restaurants in Cambridge offer fine cuisine from around the world. From Mexican to Malaysian you are sure to find it within easy reach of the Town Centre.

The number of restaurants in Cambridge has grown substantially in the last two years, due in part to an increase in the number of Italian migrants settling in the surrounding villages. Not only has this lead to an increase in the number of restaurants, but also in the number of diners passing through their doors. Another trend that has seen a big increase in the number of people making use of the diverse range is the ever increasing student population who are making the most of student specials and other hot offers that the restaurateurs are promoting. In the town centre, the two main areas for dining are Regent street and Bridge Street where most of the restaurants are situated.

Regent Street tends to be more noisy and family orientated with the big restaurant chains such as Pizza Express and Pizza Hut dominating the street. There are a couple of good Chinese and Indian restaurants along here, as well as some good pub Grub if Pizza isn’t your thing.Bridge Street, with the river Cam flowing nearby, is a more tranquil and upmarket setting for dining and that is reflected in the quality of the restaurants. The cuisine is more Bistro and tapas than pizza and curry, although that is also available if that’s what you want. We would recommend Chez Gerard and La Tapas as two good examples of Bridge Street dining.

Outside of the main shopping area, back towards the Grafton Centre you have the student area around Mill Road where a lot of the Indian restaurants are. These tend to cater more for the student crowd and if it’s just a good value curry and a beer you are after you can do much worse than check out the Curry Queen at 106. Cambridge has attractions all year round to suite any tastes. At night the charming City comes alive and shows off its vibrancy through a great mix of restaurants, bars and cafes. You can choose to dine in style in one of the modern Michelin Star restaurants or visit a traditional pub for a hearty pub meal; there is something for every palate. If it is a great night out you want, there are plenty of bars to choose from.