TO PAY OR NOT TO PAY; CRUISE SHIP FOOD

Probably no subject in the modern cruise industry ignites as much controversy as the rise of the extra-fee restaurants on board ships. Fine, inclusive dining was the norm on board ships since the beginning of luxury sea travel, people will tell you. Why should we have to pay extra for good food now?

Except, of course, that it wasn't. As early as 1905, the new German liner, Amerika, had a fully staffed branch of the Ritz Carlton on board, where the most discerning diners could eat for a nominal extra charge. A few years later, both the Olympic and her sister, the Titanic, had an extra charge, a la carte option available to the first class passengers.

Later, in the thirties, the extra charge grill rooms on the Normandie and Queen Mary became the best patronised supper clubs at sea. It was only the rise of cruising in the seventies, with the 'Love Boat' crowd at the spearhead of a new wave of travellers, that made round the clock, inclusive dining on most ships a virtual mantra for the industry.

It was never going to last. As times and tastes changed, the always revenue hungry cruise lines woke up to the fact that there were people prepeared to pay more for more exclusivity and elbow room. For some, it's the presumed social cachet of the venue. For just as many others, it is the chance to sample some truly international cuisine, lovingly prepared, and shared with family and/or friends to mark a special anniversary.

Either way, those extra charge alternative restaurants are here to stay. On some ships, they can outnumber the traditional, food inclusive venues by more than two to one. This comes amid complaints that the quality in the food offfered in the main dining rooms- as well as the list of choices- has declined and, on some lines, quite markedly so, too.

There will always be diehards who feel that the mushrooming of extra fee restaurants on cruise ships has helped diminish the overall quality of the contemporary cruise experience. Others will swear with equal vehemence that these venues enhance their enjoyment of any given voyage immensely. Horses for courses, as it were.

Either way, the choice lies with you, the consumer. You are quite right to want the best value from your cruise experience. And, if you consider that a nominal fee in an extra price restaurant is true value, then who is there to tell you that you are wrong? Enjoy.