Fine Dining in Antarctica – My Sapphire Princess Dining Experiences Including The Chef’s Table

Last Updated on 11/10/24 by Rose Palmer

My cruise on the Sapphire Princess to South America and Antarctica was a dream come true. It had everything I have come to expect from a Princess cruise, including lots of good food.

I spent 16 days on the Sapphire Princess cruising to South America and Antarctica. I described this experience in detail in my posts Finding My blue Heaven on a Princess Cruise – A Detailed Sapphire Princess Cruise Review With Photos and What is a Princess Cruise to Antarctica Really Like?.

Over the course of these 16 days, I had plenty of time to try the majority of the dining options offered on board the Sapphire Princess. I never had trouble finding something I liked, and my meal was always served with a smile.

The Sapphire had plenty of complimentary dining choices that were included in a standard fare. I could also choose Casual and Specialty restaurants for an additional cost without one of the special fare packages.

For each cruise I evaluate if it makes sense to purchase a Princess Plus or Premier package. This post Princess Cruises Drinks Packages and Fare Packages – Which One is Best?

The daily Princess Patter listed all the operating hours for all the food and drink venues on board the ship.

The Sapphire Princess dining options – complimentary dining

The Main Dining Rooms – Decks 5 and 6

I really liked that there were five smaller dining rooms, each one decorated with a different theme. It made meal time feel more intimate and it was fun to have a choice of décor to pick from each day.

I did not make reservations for dinner in the main dining rooms and I had no trouble finding a table whenever I chose to eat. For larger groups, a reservation would be recommended.

International dining room – traditional dining

The International dining room offered traditional dinner seatings with two fixed seating options per night at 5 PM and 7:30 PM. This was ideal for guests who liked to eat at the same time each evening, at the same table, and with the same wait staff. Note that I could only reach this dining room via the aft elevators or by using the aft stairs from deck 7.

Pacific Moon and Santa Fe dining rooms – walk in anytime

The Pacific Moon dining room and the Santa Fe dining room on deck 6 were the “walk in any time” dining rooms where dinner reservations were not necessary. Afternoon tea was also served in the Pacific Moon dining room on sea days. This was also where I had the special Chef’s Table Lumiere dinner. The Santa Fe dining room was where Reserve Class dining was available for suite guests and those staying in Reserve Class mini suites.

Savoy and Vivaldi dining rooms – flexible, reservable anytime dining

The Savoy dining room and the Vivaldi dining room on deck 5 offered reservable anytime dining. Dinner reservations could be made in 20 minute increments beginning at 5 PM.

The dinner menus were the same in all five dining rooms and changed daily. There were always a vegetarian option along with gluten free choices and there was also a separate vegan menu.

If I wanted a sit down breakfast or lunch, these were available in the International Dining Room. Breakfast was available every day and lunch was offered during sea days.

I am not a morning person and don’t like a big meal before noon, but I do like breakfast food. I appreciated that the lunch menu included items like French toast, eggs benedict, or omelets so I could have brunch at lunch if I wanted it.

Afternoon tea

One of the best things about sea days is that afternoon tea was served in the Pacific Moon Dining Room. Waiters walked around serving a variety of mini sandwiches, mini desserts, and of course scones, cream and jam, along with pots of tea. Yum!

International Café – Deck 5

The International Café is my favorite eatery on a Princess ship. This was where I picked up one of their delicious almond croissants, a smoked salmon sandwich, or a yogurt parfait for breakfast.

And if I was in the mood for a latte or a cappuccino, I got that here as well (note that specialty coffees were an extra charge without a package).

Since the International Café was open late, this was also the go to spot for a late night snack or for one or two of their good cookies.

World Fresh Market Place at Horizon Court – Deck 14

The World Fresh Marketplace buffet at the Horizon Court was open continuously from early morning till late into the evening. While the food serving area was not very large, they managed to offer quite a diverse selection for each meal which changed daily.

I found plenty of healthy salad and fruit options, hot foods on the cold days, cold foods on the hot days, soups, breads, and many dessert choices. And in the afternoons, they also offered scones, cream, and jam so I could get my afternoon tea fix without going to the dining room.

I also liked that besides the serve yourself options, there were individually prepared and presented choices as well.

The seating area around the Horizon Court was huge and I never had a problem finding an open table. Not surprising, the window seats filled up quickly though.

Waiters always came around promptly and took orders for drinks to go along with my meal. I could also refill my water bottle here with water, iced tea, or lemonade, or get hot tea and coffee any time of the day.

Prego Pizzeria – Deck 14

Princess has been dubbed with “the best pizza at sea” and I would have to agree. This is where I got individual slices of pizza for lunch or a snack. Each day they made three types: cheese, peperoni, and a special pizza of the day and I liked them all. I especially enjoyed watching Movies Under the Stars and indulging in a slice of pizza.

Trident Grill – Deck 14

I will admit that I do occasionally get a hankering for a burger or an order of French fries, even with all the other good food choices available. In a few minutes, the cook whipped up a fresh burger, a pulled pork sandwich, or tacos, along with an order of fries. With a soda from the Mermaid’s Tail bar next door, this was another meal of choice while watching a Movie Under the Stars.

Swirls – Deck 14

For most of this cruise, it was a tad too cold for ice cream. But once we reached the tropical waters near Argentina, a cone of soft serve ice cream was a cooling treat.

Room Service on the Sapphire Princess

In my opinion, one of the best things about a cruise is room service, especially for breakfast. I could order room service via the Princess app or by using the phone in my room. (Depending on the type of Princess package purchased, there may be an additional charge for room service delivery.)

For breakfast, I put out a paper Stateroom Breakfast card with my choices which I hung on my cabin door knob the night before. Breakfast was delivered the next morning at my chosen time (there was no delivery charge for this).

I did this cruise over my birthday and I could think of no better way to start my special day than with a room service breakfast.

Other included dining opportunities

Platinum and Elite loyalty guests and suite guests also had other included dining options.

Reserve dining

Suite guests and guests booked in a Reserve class mini suite could eat in the Reserve section of the Santa Fe dining room. No reservations were necessary. Dining here included an expanded menu and a dedicated wait staff.

Captain’s Circle cocktail hour

Each afternoon, platinum and elite loyalty members were offered a cocktail party with a variety of finger foods and snacks.

Breakfast at Sabatini’s

Guests staying in suites are offered breakfast at Sabatini’s restaurant with a dedicated, made to order menu.

Casual Dining on the Sapphire Princess

 Alfredo’s Pizza – Deck 5

Princess makes great pizza. At Alfredo’s I could get a freshly made, hot, straight from the oven, individual sized pizza that had the perfect crispy crust that I love. I ate here a few times over the course of the cruise for dinner and lunch. I also found that it was not busy during formal night.

Depending on the type of Princess package purchased, there may be an additional fee to eat here.

Vines – Deck 5

This was another casual dining option on the Sapphire Princess. I could get a charcuterie board to go along with that special glass of wine. On certain days, a special pop up Ocean Terrace sushi menu was also offered. Extra charges applied without a package.

Sapphire Princess specialty dining restaurants

Churrascaria – Deck 14

In the evening, the back starboard corner of the Horizon Court became the private, fancier Brazilian style Churrascaria restaurant. This was one of the two specialty dining restaurants on board the Sapphire Princess and required a reservation. Extra charges applied to eat here without a package.

I did not have a chance to try this on the Sapphire Princess, but I did recently try it on the Diamond Princess. For meat lovers, this was a carnivore’s delight.

The dining experience came with an extensive and delicious salad bar and an antipasto bar which would have satisfied me by itself. Then, the server came around with skewers of different cuts of meat – eleven choices in all (I stopped after seven). Even though I asked for very small portions, it was  still A LOT of food. Each cut of meat was well prepared and flavorful. I also had a choice of sides which were served family style.

Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria – Deck 7

Sabatini’s is the other specialty restaurant on board the Sapphire Princess (and will also cost an extra fee without a package).

I had my birthday dinner here and it was excellent, though as always, way too much (great) food. Even though the portions were small, 5 courses was a lot of food.

The staff also surprised me with a special cake and candle and by (very enthusiastically) singing happy birthday which was a really nice touch (though also a little embarrassing).

Menus to Princess’ Specialty Restaurants can be found here.

Crab Shack Pop Up

I’ve tried the crab shack pop up on other ships and loved it. It was a lot of food and well worth the cost. The Princess Patter listed on which sea days the crab shack was offered and the location.

Experiential dining on the Sapphire Princess

Balcony dining

Balcony dining was available for either breakfast or dinner. Since I did not have a room with a balcony on this cruise, I did not indulge this time. I have tried the balcony breakfast on the Majestic Princess, and it was a divine experience with a huge amount of food.

Chef’s Table Experience

This was my second Chefs Table Experience with Princess, and it did not disappoint. A few times during a cruise, the ship’s executive chef presents a special menu that he has personally designed, and which is paired with fine wines.

The Chef’s Table is offered only a few times each cruise to 10-12 guests per sitting and does cost extra. If you are interested in the Chef’s Table you need to go to Guest Services as soon as you get on board the ship and get your name put on “the Chef’s Table list”. You will then be notified when the dinner is offered and if you made it to the table.

For me, this was gourmet, foody type food that I love to try – food that stimulated my senses and titillated my taste buds. I am sharing my Chef’s Table menu on the Sapphire Princess below. Your experience will probably be different, but it will be just as good or better.

My Chef’s Table menu was presented by Executive Chef Ravindra Dulipalla. Each chef puts his own spin on this special meal.

Starter

Lobster, avocado, and mango margarita

Crab cake with Maryland sauce

Slow roasted pork belly with honey soy sauce

Soup

Carrot bisque infused with ginger and raisin

First course

Spanish saffron fishmonger’s risotto

Sorbet

Cucumber and raspberry sorbet served with Beefeaters gin

Second Course

Seared beef medallion topped with Maine lobster thermidor with béarnaise sauce, lambchop Villeroy with rosemary jus, salsa verde and fresh market vegetables

Dessert

Passion fruit and Bavarian mousse with strawberry cheesecake garnish with fresh berries and chocolate

Caymus Winemaker dinner

Like the Chef’s table, the Caymus winemaker dinner is a special event that I needed to reserve once I was one board. A unique and dedicated menu was developed to compliment special Caymus wine vintages. I’ve tried this event on other ships and thought the food was well worth the cost even though I don’t drink very much.

Ordering via the Ocean Now app

A convenient feature of the Princess app is the Ocean Now function. This allowed me to order food or drinks to be delivered to wherever I was located. I could get room service for dinner or a late night snack or have a drink brough to me as I was lounging by the pool or in a hot tub. Extra charges applied without a package.

 

Yes – this was a very memorable cruise, and the food on board the Sapphire Princess definitely added to the overall experience.

 

Links to all my cruising content, including all my other Princess cruises, can be found on my Experience – Cruising page.

 

I like to look for cruise deals and book all my cruises directly with the cruise line on the Princess website.

 

Other Princess cruising stories:

 

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

 

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