Not too long ago, I sailed aboard Attract of the Seas on a brief 4-night cruise to the Bahamas and loved eating at eating places like Samba Grill, the Important Eating Room, and even the Chef’s Desk for the primary time.
I had an amazing expertise eating on Imaginative and prescient of the Seas earlier this 12 months and was curious to see how the meals on a ship as giant as Attract of the Seas would examine.
Furthermore, having branched out to different traces like Celeb and Princess, I puzzled whether or not Attract would change my opinion on the standard of Royal’s eating.
Even higher, I introduced my dad alongside, who sailed on Attract in 2014. He had recollections of the meals being wonderful, so he was desirous to see if it lived as much as his recollection.
Total, the meals on Attract of the Seas was fairly good! Some meals have been much better than others, with some being mediocre. This is a breakdown of all the things I ate throughout my 4-night cruise aboard Attract, together with just a few dishes I might skip subsequent time.
Of observe, I am not a meals critic and am not classically educated in something cuisine-related. Others could come to their very own conclusions, as everybody has completely different style buds and preferences.
Embarkation Day Lunch
One among my favourite locations to kickstart a cruise is the Park Cafe. Normally, it’s far much less overwhelming than the Windjammer, and it’s good to get a made-to-order salad whereas stress-free in Central Park forward of a busy schedule.
I’ve a tried-and-true salad order that by no means disappoints: blended greens with cucumbers, tomatoes, crimson onion, boiled egg, croutons, and honey mustard dressing. At any time when I’ve a salad from Park Cafe, I’m reminded of how a lot I take pleasure in honey mustard dressing however one way or the other fail to overlook the second I disembark.
I additionally had the signature Kummelweck sandwich with spicy mustard and horseradish. Nevertheless, the roast beef was too uncommon for my liking.
Embarkation Day Dinner
Although this was my third time on Attract of the Seas, I had by no means tried Samba Grill. When strolling across the ship on embarkation day, my dad and I have been provided a deal too good to move up: dinner for 2 for simply $70, or $35 every.
We have been grateful we had a lighter lunch since we had an unexpectedly giant meal deliberate for dinner. It was actually a meat overload. Nevertheless, we undoubtedly felt as if we received our cash’s value.
My favourite meats have been the filet mignon, beef ribs, and sirloin. Every was tender and cooked to perfection, and I cherished the assorted sauces—particularly the chimichurri—supplied to reinforce the flavour of the meats.
The celebrities of the present, although, have been the desserts. The caramel flan and chocolate rum cake have been each scrumptious. My dad even debated asking if we might take an additional rum cake to the room.
If you happen to’re too full to benefit from the heavier desserts, I like to recommend a minimum of attempting the grilled pineapple. It’s a easy but refreshing strategy to cleanse your palate in spite of everything that meat.
Sorrento’s
Later that evening, we snacked on pizza from Sorrento’s, regardless of saying I wouldn’t eat once more till breakfast. Sorrento’s is my least favourite cruise ship pizza; nonetheless, it’s exhausting to withstand late-night pizza when the odor fills the Royal Promenade.
That stated, after attempting Princess Cruises’ pizza final month, Sorrento’s appeared way more mediocre than I remembered. In my view, the dough was approach too chewy.
Breakfast Day 2
We wakened early on our solely sea day, arriving at Johnny Rocket’s about fifteen minutes earlier than it opened at 8:00am. We loved immediate service after being seated. The espresso was piping scorching—virtually too scorching to drink! Nevertheless, it’s higher than the lukewarm various.
I ordered the Veggie Lover’s scramble with out mushrooms. There aren’t lots of issues that I refuse to eat, however mushrooms are one among them. My solely grievance is that I want it had been served with further cheese. As soon as I blended the scramble up, the cheese taste wasn’t as prevalent as I hoped.
That stated, it had a superb egg-to-veggie ratio. I didn’t wish to really feel like I used to be simply consuming bell peppers and onions early within the morning!
The surroundings was maybe the very best a part of breakfast. It was peaceable, and eating exterior on the Boardwalk earlier than it received scorching and crowded was a pleasant strategy to begin our day at sea.
Lunch Day 2
My dad and I returned to Park Cafe for lunch, desirous to keep away from the crowds on the Windjammer. I initially ordered the jerk pork wrap earlier than noticing a Cuban sandwich within the show case after the Kummelweck carving station.
Not desirous to waste meals, I attempted the wrap earlier than realizing it wasn’t all that good. The rice-to-meat ratio was off, with approach an excessive amount of rice and never sufficient of the juicy pork I anticipated.
I additionally observed the Poblano pepper soup once I returned to order a Cuban sandwich. Being a fan of the soup served on Mexican evening within the Important Eating Room, I gave it a attempt, and it was the very best factor I ate within the Park Cafe whereas on Attract of the Seas!
The Cuban sandwich was significantly better than the jerk pork wrap. For an informal lunch on a cruise, it was satisfying.
Sabor
Later that afternoon, we have been craving chips and salsa. This isn’t out of the extraordinary, as my dad and I are big followers of spicy meals and love including completely different scorching sauces to our salsa.
After I completed up some work, he determined he needed to ask the wait workers at Sabor if we might take pleasure in chips and salsa with out paying the quilt cost for the complete meal. They’d no points accommodating our request and even introduced freshly chopped habanero peppers to boost the guacamole and salsa.
This was a spotlight of our trip, as we received to take pleasure in one among our favourite actions collectively whereas sitting on the Boardwalk and taking within the sights of an Oasis Class ship.
Dinner Day 2
It is virtually inconceivable to go fallacious with Royal Caribbean’s French Onion Soup. This 12 months, I’ve had it on Quantum, Imaginative and prescient, and Attract of the Seas, and it has been scrumptious every time!
The broth is wealthy and savory; the onions are completely caramelized; and the melted cheese topping provides simply the correct quantity of indulgence. Critically, for those who’ve by no means tried Royal’s French Onion Soup, I encourage you to order it in your subsequent cruise.
Whereas I assumed I used to be finished consuming meat, the opposite entrées did not sound too interesting. I’ve tried the seafood linguine twice this 12 months and have been disenchanted each instances.
Relatively than risking one other letdown, I ordered the meat tenderloin, which was cooked to an ideal medium. Not solely did I benefit from the minimize of meat itself, however the peppercorn sauce added simply the correct quantity of spice with out overwhelming the dish.
Lastly, I had the nice and cozy apple cobbler for dessert. That is one among my favourite treats, and I by no means move up the chance to have it when it is on the menu.
Nevertheless, I virtually determined to combine issues up and order the toasted almond cream puffs, however I couldn’t resist the acquainted consolation of the apple cobbler.
Learn extra: Royal Caribbean menus: Important eating room, specialty eating places & extra
Breakfast Day 3
At any time when my dad and I cruise collectively, we restrict our time within the Windjammer. Not solely do we discover the meals to hit and miss, however we aren’t followers of the hectic surroundings. It makes for a less-than-ideal eating expertise for us.
As such, we did not step foot within the Windjammer whereas on Attract of the Seas. As a substitute, we loved breakfast at Johnny Rocket’s, the Solarium Bistro, and the Important Eating Room. Whereas the Solarium Bistro’s meals high quality is analogous, it is far more relaxed than the Windjammer.
On the morning we arrived in CocoCay, we needed one thing fast, so we might head to Thrill Waterpark and knock off as many rides as potential earlier than the crowds constructed up.
Usually, I’ve a lighter breakfast in favor of heavier lunches and dinners; nonetheless, I needed to gasoline up for our day within the solar, so I added a waffle to my typical go-to order of eggs, fruit, and a hashbrown patty.
Lunch Day 3
Although my dad’s final go to to CocoCay was in 2010, he spoke about how a lot he loved the beachside BBQ lunch buffet, so, initially, our plan was to depart Thrill Waterpark and benefit from the choices on the Chill Grill. Nevertheless, after strolling previous Captain Jack’s, my dad determined he’d somewhat attempt the mango habanero hen wings.
Whereas the wings aren’t included—priced at $9.95 for ten—we discovered the additional price value it. The wings have been crispy on the surface and juicy on the within. Plus, the mango habanero sauce added the right quantity of warmth and sweetness. We additionally ordered steak fries for a further $3.
Professional tip: attempt the TLC (tequila, lime, and chipotle) sauce. The chipotle taste added a smokey richness that paired properly with the tangy lime, making for an amazing dipping sauce that wasn’t your common honey mustard or ketchup.
Dinner Day 3
After an extended day of climbing numerous flights of stairs, we freshened up and returned to the Important Eating Room for dinner. Tonight’s theme was Caribbean—one among my favorites due to the crispy coconut shrimp on the menu.
That stated, I’ve discovered that typically, they don’t seem to be essentially the most beneficiant with the candy chili dipping sauce. Nevertheless, I ordered further, which made an enormous distinction.
I attempted one thing new for my entrée: the Caribbean hen. I used to be stunned by the portion of juicy hen breast, making certain that even essentially the most ravenous visitors would not depart hungry.
Your entire dish was flavorful, aside from the dry Jamaican fried dumpling. Every little thing else, from the pineapple and black bean salsa to the rice and candy plantains, was satisfying.
The blueberry cobbler wasn’t as memorable because the apple cobbler the evening earlier than. Nonetheless, it was an amazing candy deal with to wrap up the meal.
Breakfast Day 4
Our assembly time for our tour to Blue Lagoon Island wasn’t till 10:30am, so we had a leisurely breakfast within the Important Eating Room. Whereas I want savory breakfasts, I assumed I might attempt the French Toast.
It was tasty with a delicate, fluffy inside and generously dusted with powdered sugar. Nevertheless, I nonetheless want my go-to of eggs. I am simply not an enormous fan of sweets within the morning.
Lunch Day 4
Our 5-hour tour to Blue Lagoon Island included lunch. It was a normal beachside cookout, with burgers, scorching canines, BBQ hen, and veggie patties.
I most popular the burger to the BBQ hen and located the inexperienced bean salad fairly tasty! It was served chilly with a powerful vinegary style, which everybody may not take pleasure in.
Nonetheless, with regards to island meals, it is exhausting to compete with Good Day at CocoCay! From tacos to burgers and loads of desserts, there’s a greater diversity obtainable, and you may get as a lot meals as you need!
Dinner Day 4
Whereas I have been on over 20 cruises, I had by no means tried the Chef’s Desk earlier than crusing on Attract of the Seas. Within the days main as much as our cruise, I observed an amazing deal on the 6-course meal on the Cruise Planner.
The specialty meal price $165.16 for 2 individuals; nonetheless, after making use of our $50 in onboard credit score, the worth per particular person decreased to simply $57 every.
The thyme and lemon bread was full with melted truffle oil butter and, as our waiter Allen stated, was the very best bread on the ship.
After bread, we dove into the primary programs, beginning with scallop carpaccio. The thinly sliced scallops have been fairly flavorless; nonetheless, they allowed the yuzu French dressing to shine by way of.
To me, the smoked tomato soup was the star of the present.
It was strong, with a smoky depth that included a complete new dimension to the basic dish, and the drizzle of crème fraîche added a creamy distinction.
The Maine lobster salad introduced the contemporary, candy flavors of the lobster entrance and middle.
I wasn’t an enormous fan of the vanilla dressing or the hearts of palm, however the tender lobster was much better than any I’ve ever had within the Important Eating Room.
My least favourite course was the roasted branzino. Fish is not one thing I usually take pleasure in; nonetheless, I used to be prepared to attempt it throughout our Chef’s Desk expertise.
The fish itself was cooked properly, being moist and flaky. That stated, I could not get previous the distinct taste of the branzino, which was too fishy for my liking. One among our desk companions urged I attempt it with one of many orange slices on the plate, which helped stability the flavour a bit. Nonetheless, it wasn’t sufficient to utterly change my opinion of the dish.
Others who take pleasure in fish stated it was scrumptious, so I might take my phrases with a grain of salt. Everybody has completely different preferences with regards to meals!
Compartively, the filet mignon was a favourite. The steak was tender and completely seared on the surface whereas juicy and pink within the middle. Every chunk melted in my mouth and was complemented by the bearnaise sauce!
I additionally cherished the accompanying truffle mashed potatoes. The potatoes had a easy texture, with simply the correct quantity of seasoning to stability out the richness of the steak.
Chocolate lovers will adore The World, that includes layers of wealthy, chocolate mousse, silky ganache, and a crisp, darkish chocolate shell that encases all of it.
Contained in the sphere, the salted caramel ice cream provides a salty distinction to the in any other case chocolate-heavy dessert. Even higher? It pairs properly with the included salted caramel espresso martini!
Disembarkation Breakfast
We weren’t in a rush to get off the ship on disembarkation morning, so we headed to the Important Eating Room for one ultimate meal within the three-story restaurant round 7:40am.
As anticipated, I went with eggs and fruit, somewhat than loading up on sugar earlier than going to the airport. The eggs have been much better than these within the Solarium Bistro just a few mornings prior, and I used to be stunned by how contemporary the fruit was on the final day of the cruise.