For the first time in history, the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide‘s Star Awards have included cruise ship restaurants in their ratings, a groundbreaking moment that underscores the evolution of luxury cruising. This recognition, long reserved for the world’s finest land-based hotels and dining establishments, is a testament to the exceptional calibre of the culinary experience now available at sea.
At COLUMBIA signature, we know the importance of exquisite dining for creating a memorable cruise ship experience. Here, we share insights about what the new recognition means.
Industry experts agree it’s truly a new era for cruise ship dining. Cruise lines have long been elevating their gastronomic offerings, recruiting world-renowned chefs, embracing farm-to-table concepts, and curating Michelin-level dining experiences. With Forbes Travel Guide now selecting cruise ship restaurants for its Star Awards, the industry has gained further validation that its dining venues rival those of top-tier establishments on land.
The Forbes Travel Guide (FTG) Star Awards is an annual list of the most outstanding hotels, restaurants, spas and ocean cruises, and now cruise ship restaurants. The 2025 FTG list includes such outstanding onboard restaurants as: Candles, a romantic al fresco restaurant on Windstar’s Star Pride, a ship touted as offering yacht-style intimacy with liner-like amenities; the dining room on SeaDream II, where the casually elegant restaurant is acclaimed for its focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients; Fine Cut Steakhouse aboard the Celebrity Ascent, recognised for its premium meats and sauces; The Grill on Silversea’s Silver Origin, recommended for its Ecuadorian cuisine; and S.E.A. on The Ritz-Carlton’s Evrima, noted for having one of Europe’s finest chefs.
A look ahead at fine dining at sea
The inclusion of cruise ship restaurants in the Forbes Travel Guide ratings has far-reaching implications. This milestone reinforces the fact that the highest standards of fine dining are no longer exclusive to luxury resorts and standalone restaurants. Travellers who seek Forbes-rated dining experiences can now enjoy them on the high seas, further cementing cruise vacations as a top-tier luxury travel option and helping guests find the elevated experiences they seek. Cruise lines that receive Forbes ratings gain a prestigious edge in an already competitive market, attracting discerning guests who prioritise gourmet experiences.
As the cruise industry continues to push the boundaries of hospitality, we can expect further innovations in shipboard dining, from expanded partnerships with celebrity chefs to even more sustainable and locally sourced ingredients. With Forbes Travel Guide’s endorsement, the bar for onboard culinary excellence has been raised, setting the stage for even more ambitious dining concepts in the future.
For cruise operators, this recognition is both a celebration and a challenge—to continue redefining what’s possible in luxury dining at sea. The future of cruising is not just about the journey; it’s about the exquisite flavours that make the voyage unforgettable.