Best cruise lines for food lovers

For those to whom fine dining makes the perfect holiday • Costa Cruises – has as its slogan ‘Cruising Italian Style’ is borne out in everything from food to décor, from excursions to art. There is a very European atmosphere and French, German, Russian and Dutch passengers are to be found in large numbers on Costa cruises, along with Italian, and English speaking ones. The cooking is Italian, of course, and quite superb • Fred Olsen Cruise Lines – this is a Scottish themed (but not Scottish owned) cruise line popular with the over-55s for its very British cruises, which offer set dining times and very many formal nights. • P&O Cruises - The hallmark of the British cruise experience, P&O has reinvented its dining to please everyone – for the gourmet there are formal evenings and set dining, but there is an opt-out on many ships for those who want to do their own thing dining-wise. • Princess Cruises – It may seem a contradiction in terms, but this cruise line offers elegant American-style cruising. What does that mean? Well, are formal evenings, but they are relatively relaxed compared to Fred Olsen or P&O and there’s an Anytime Dining option for people who don’t like being told when to eat.