The two main dining rooms (each seats about 525) have tables for 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10, in two seatings. Medina, the midships restaurant, has a vaguely Moorish theme, while Alexandria, with windows on three sides, has Egyptian decor. Both are non-smoking, and both have more tables for two than in the equivalent restaurants aboard close sister ship Oriana. The china is Wedgwood, the silverware is by Elkington, the food by P&O.
The typical menu cycle is 14 days; anyone on a long voyage may find it quite repetitive). The cuisine is very British – a little adventurous at times, but always with plenty of curry dishes and other standard British items. Presentation is better than on other ships in the P&O Cruises fleet.
You should not expect exquisite dining, though – this is British hotel catering that doesn’t pretend to offer caviar and other gourmet foods. But what it does present is attractive and tasty, with some excellent gravies and sauces to accompany all dining room meals. In keeping with the Britishness of P&O Cruises, the desserts and cakes are always good. The service is provided by a team of friendly stewards from India, with which P&O has had a long relationship.
In addition to the two formal dining rooms, there are several other dining options. You can, for example, also have dinner in the 24-hour, 120-seat French bistro-style restaurant, Cafe Bordeaux, for which there is a cover charge (for dinner only), good for morning pastries. Breakfasts and lunches are also featured here, as are several types of coffees: espresso, cappuccino, latte, ristretto, as well as flavored coffees. So, if you want a croque-monsieur (a toasted ham and Gruyère cheese sandwich) at five in the morning, you can have it.
Casual, self-serve breakfasts and lunches can be taken from the buffet in a dazzlingly colorful eatery named “The Orangery”, which has fine ocean views. Other casual dining spots include the Sidewalk Cafe (for fast food items poolside), champagne bar and, in a first for a P&O cruise ship, Raffles coffee and chocolate bar (but without the ceiling fans). All casual eateries are non-smoking.
Berlitz Guide © Apa Publishing 2008
