Dining
Five-Star Dining for the American Palate
Prepare to eat well during your European river cruise! Perhaps you’ll savor a sumptuous dinner of beef with shallot red wine sauce and sautéed forest mushrooms with bacon. Or a juicy burger grilled just the way you like it. Visit the buffet brimming with field-fresh salads, local cheeses, and homemade breads hot from the oven. And be sure to choose from your ship's selection of local vintages to complement your dinners.
Inspired Cuisine — Every Day of Your Trip
We can call meals on our Europe river cruises "inspired" because they’re inspired by our travelers, whose tastes are reflected in the culinary marvels whipped up by our expert chefs, who have been trained at Europe’s best culinary schools. With so many of your meals included, you’ll have ample opportunity to sample the best of regional cuisine — on board our European river cruise ships, in our hotels, in restaurants, even at tastings on board and at private venues, where we learn (right from the source) how some of the local delicacies are prepared and, most importantly, how scrumptious they taste!
Fine Fare in the Bourbon Street Bistro
The Bourbon Street Bistro is our main shipboard dining venue. Our shipboard chefs have been trained in Europe’s best culinary schools. Look forward to gourmet cuisine based on classic continental and American favorites, accompanied by regional specialties and healthy choices at every meal. Dinners on our European river cruise ships are single-seating dining with no seating plan, so you can dine with whomever you choose. In this refined yet relaxed atmosphere, you’ll find crisp white table linens, fine crystal, Villeroy & Boch dinnerware and silverware, fresh flowers, and attentive service.
Healthy Choices at Every Meal
Along with the international fare you’ll also find many American favorites and choices for the health-conscious — such as a Broiled Filet of Halibut — noted with an asterisk on the daily menu. Aboard the
ms River Splendor, lighter fare is served for lunch and dinner in the Cotton Club Lounge (See below), and you are welcome to help yourself to a fresh fruit smoothie, available in the lounge. We are happy to accommodate any special dietary requests you may have, such as vegetarian, lactose-free, gluten-free, and diabetic fare — provided that you make requests to Vantage prior to departure. Please make your needs known at the time of booking, then confirm with the Reception desk or Concierge once on board.
Dine Alfresco in Our Cotton Club Lounge
For a change of pace while you cruise aboard the ms River Splendor, you'll also be able to dine in the new Cotton Club Lounge seating area, where you can enjoy healthy spa cuisine and other lighter choices, buffet-style. The Cotton Club Lounge boasts floor-to-ceiling windows for incomparable views. When the weather is right we retract the glass roof and slide open the back wall for a full alfresco experience. While seating is open during the day, demand is high at dinnertime and reservations are required. Send a request to your concierge prior to your cruise to confirm the evening you prefer, or wait and reserve once you are on board.
View our sample menu
In-Room Dining
If you have chosen accommodations in our Owner’s Suite or Deluxe Suite categories — or if you are a member of our President’s Club and have chosen any cabin category — you have the option of taking your meals in your room. In-room breakfasts are continental, but you may order lunch and dinner right off the regular menu. Simply speak to your steward in advance so that we may accommodate your wishes.
Raise a Glass
Aboard your Deluxe European river ship, local wines — as well as beer and soft drinks — are included at all dinners, including the special Captain's Dinner. And in the lounge, you’ll find a full cocktail selection during the afternoon and evening, in addition to fruit smoothies throughout the day.
Venues as Memorable as the Menus
And along with your included shipboard meals, you’ll have frequent opportunities to sample regional fare on land. Depending on your itinerary, you might enjoy an included meal at an authentic local venue or seek out tempting treats while exploring on your own. Our onboard Concierge will have plenty of recommendations for great restaurants, and can help make your reservations, too.
