Food Editor's First Cruise Upends Expectations About Cruise Food

Instead of crowds and excess, she found thoughtful menus and a new way to travel.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 7:00pm

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A bold, geometric illustration in the Art Deco style depicts the sweeping, grand scale of a cruise ship on the open ocean, capturing the romantic and elevated nature of the travel experience described in the story.A luxurious cruise ship glides across shimmering waters, embodying the elevated hospitality and thoughtful dining experiences that changed one food editor's perspective on cruising.NYC Today

A skeptical food editor boards her first cruise on the Viking Vesta and is surprised by the thoughtful, small-batch cooking and personalized dining experiences that replace the stereotypical cruise ship buffet excess. The cruise completely changes her perspective on cruising and travel.

Why it matters

As a food editor, the author had modest expectations for cruise ship dining, assuming she would just "tolerate" the food. However, her experience on the Viking Vesta cruise ship challenged those preconceptions and showed how cruise lines can provide elevated, intentional dining experiences that elevate the overall travel experience.

The details

Instead of the expected crowds and endless buffet lines, the author found a calm, attentive dining experience at the World Café, with made-to-order dishes, fresh baked goods, and a focus on quality over quantity. A tour of the ship's galley revealed a rigorous system of small-batch cooking, real-time menu adjustments, and personalized accommodations for passengers. The variety of dining venues, from casual to elevated, provided flexibility and a sense of care in the hospitality.

  • The author boarded the Viking Vesta cruise ship for her first ocean cruise.
  • After checking into their stateroom, the author and her companion hurried to the World Café for the last lunch service of the day.

The players

Kate Merker

The author, who is the Chief Food Director of the Hearst Lifestyle Group, overseeing food content for several Hearst publications.

Viking Vesta

The cruise ship the author sailed on for her first ocean cruise experience.

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What they’re saying

“Even so, I tried to stay open-minded—this was meant to be an adventure of a lifetime, after all.”

— Kate Merker, Chief Food Director

“There were more crew members than guests. Tables—both inside and also out on deck—were set with linens and glasses, overlooking shimmering water.”

— Kate Merker, Chief Food Director

What’s next

The author plans to book another Viking cruise, eager to experience more of the thoughtful, elevated dining and hospitality that changed her perspective on cruising.

The takeaway

The author's experience on the Viking Vesta cruise ship showed that cruise lines can provide a dining experience that is the opposite of the stereotypical cruise buffet excess, with intentional, small-batch cooking, personalized service, and a focus on quality over quantity. This upended the author's preconceptions about cruise travel and inspired her to seek out more cruises that prioritize thoughtful hospitality.