Five cruise ship restaurants put a twist on usual dining options

Cruise ships’ vast, multistoried main restaurants, lavish buffets, and casual grills by the pool are key dining staples, but almost every line also offers alternatives for those who want a more upscale meal. These venues usually feature an intimate atmosphere, elegant ambience, and sophisticated menus, not to mention cuisine that rivals the top restaurants on land.

One of the best reasons to cruise on Crystal’s Serenity and Symphony, bar none, is the opportunity to dine at Nobu Matsuhisa’s Silk Road Restaurant and Sushi Bar, which offers a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cooking.

Or try Qsine (pronounced cue-zeen), one of the newer restaurant concepts in cruising, is an odd blend of comfort food with a global and gourmet twist.