7 Secret Off-Menu Dishes at Sea

by John Roberts

7 Secret Off-Menu Dishes at Sea

by John Roberts

Who doesn't like to be let in on a secret? Spice up your dining choices by ordering these off-the-menu items: 

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Crispy pig ears on Anthem of the Seas / Royal Caribbean International
Crispy pig ears at Michael's Genuine Food & Drink
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Crispy Pig Ears

Found on: Anthem of the Seas
Chef Michael Schwartz of Michael's Genuine Food & Drink offers the ultimate bar snack: spicy, deep-fried pig ears seasoned with nine different spices. He keeps them on hand for fans who order them at the bar of his restaurant.

Found on: Anthem of the Seas
Chef Michael Schwartz of Michael's Genuine Food & Drink offers the ultimate bar snack: spicy, deep-fried pig ears seasoned with nine different spices. He keeps them on hand for fans who order them at the bar of his restaurant.

Honey stung chicken
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Honey Stung Chicken

Found on: Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean removed the popular boneless fried chicken from its menu in the Windjammer buffet, much to the dismay of regular cruisers, who had given it a cultlike status. But you can still order honey stung chicken via room service ... if you know to ask.  

Found on: Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean removed the popular boneless fried chicken from its menu in the Windjammer buffet, much to the dismay of regular cruisers, who had given it a cultlike status. But you can still order honey stung chicken via room service ... if you know to ask.  

Pork katsu
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Pork Katsu

Found on: Crystal Cruises
Guests on both Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity can dine at Silk Road, the sushi bar and modern Japanese restaurant helmed by Iron Chef Nobu Matsuhisa. The Japanese chefs keep all of the ingredients on hand for Japanese comfort food dishes, including fried, crispy pork katsu.

Found on: Crystal Cruises
Guests on both Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity can dine at Silk Road, the sushi bar and modern Japanese restaurant helmed by Iron Chef Nobu Matsuhisa. The Japanese chefs keep all of the ingredients on hand for Japanese comfort food dishes, including fried, crispy pork katsu.

Chicken madras curry
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Traditional Indian Meal

Found on: Carnival Cruise Line
Chefs on many Carnival cruise ships hail from India, and they take pride in preparing authentic meals from home, complete with spicy curries and warm, puffy breads. Tell your maitre d' early in your cruise that you'd like an Indian meal, so he or she can coordinate with the kitchen for a night when your entire table can enjoy a feast of not-listed-anywhere treats, including basmati rice and chutneys. Just consider yourself warned: These recipes can be spicy. 

Found on: Carnival Cruise Line
Chefs on many Carnival cruise ships hail from India, and they take pride in preparing authentic meals from home, complete with spicy curries and warm, puffy breads. Tell your maitre d' early in your cruise that you'd like an Indian meal, so he or she can coordinate with the kitchen for a night when your entire table can enjoy a feast of not-listed-anywhere treats, including basmati rice and chutneys. Just consider yourself warned: These recipes can be spicy. 

Spaghetti and clams on the MSC Divina
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Authentic Italian Dinner

Found on: MSC Divina
MSC Cruises stocks its ship galleys with ingredients imported from Italy, including cheese, prosciutto, and extra virgin olive oil, and chefs prepare house-made pasta and tomato sauce on board. Ask for the "authentic" Italian dinner (not the American-style one), and you'll get a proper feast that's more Tuscany than New Jersey.

Found on: MSC Divina
MSC Cruises stocks its ship galleys with ingredients imported from Italy, including cheese, prosciutto, and extra virgin olive oil, and chefs prepare house-made pasta and tomato sauce on board. Ask for the "authentic" Italian dinner (not the American-style one), and you'll get a proper feast that's more Tuscany than New Jersey.

Request your family recipes
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Family Recipes

Found on: Regent Seven Seas Cruises
On Regent Seven Seas Cruises, you can have ... well, any dish you feel sentimental about. That's right, ask in advance, and the kitchen will cook your favorite meal. Craving a specific family take on a dish? Give the staff the recipe and, if the ingredients are on the ship, they'll make it for you.

Found on: Regent Seven Seas Cruises
On Regent Seven Seas Cruises, you can have ... well, any dish you feel sentimental about. That's right, ask in advance, and the kitchen will cook your favorite meal. Craving a specific family take on a dish? Give the staff the recipe and, if the ingredients are on the ship, they'll make it for you.

Pork adobo
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Filipino Adobo

Found on: Princess Cruises
Chefs on all Princess cruise ships are from the Philippines, and they're known to whip up authentic dishes from their homeland for guests who show an interest. Ask for adobo, and you'll get chicken thighs that have been stewed slowly in soy, garlic, and vinegar until they're the perfect mixture of sweet and savory. 

Found on: Princess Cruises
Chefs on all Princess cruise ships are from the Philippines, and they're known to whip up authentic dishes from their homeland for guests who show an interest. Ask for adobo, and you'll get chicken thighs that have been stewed slowly in soy, garlic, and vinegar until they're the perfect mixture of sweet and savory. 

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