10 Types of Food to Avoid Eating During a Cruise Vacation

Key Takeaways:

Avoid foods that may increase the risk of stomach discomfort, foodborne illness, or seasickness.
Choose freshly prepared and thoroughly cooked meals whenever possible.
Practice moderation with rich, greasy, or spicy foods to stay comfortable throughout your cruise.
Stay hydrated and make balanced food choices to help you feel your best during your vacation.

After you’ve had fun swimming in the ship deck’s swimming pool or playing roulette on the gambling floor, you’re going to need some food to fill your stomach. However, you should be careful when eating certain kinds of food on the ship because it may suddenly ruin your trip.

1. Raw or Undercooked Seafood

Fresh seafood is one of the most appealing options on a cruise, especially with buffets and specialty dining offering sushi bars, oysters, ceviche, and tuna tartare. However, eating raw or undercooked seafood can expose you to harmful bacteria, parasites, and viruses such as norovirus or Vibrio.

These illnesses are notorious for spreading quickly in enclosed environments like cruise ships. What starts as an upset stomach could turn into vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration that keep you confined to your cabin for days. Even though ships follow strict food safety regulations, the risk is higher when seafood isn’t fully cooked.

2. Undercooked Meats and Poultry

From carving stations to gourmet steak dinners, meat is a staple on cruise ships. But when food is prepared in bulk for hundreds or thousands of passengers, there’s always a chance that some cuts of meat don’t reach safe cooking temperatures. Undercooked beef, chicken, or pork can harbor pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria, all of which can lead to severe foodborne illness.

The danger is amplified at sea since medical care is limited compared to what’s available on land, and being bedridden while others enjoy shore excursions is a quick way to ruin your trip. Always check that meat is cooked thoroughly. Steaks should not be overly rare, chicken should be white with no pink inside, and juices should run clear.

3. Unwashed Raw Fruits and Vegetables (Especially from Port Vendors)

Cruise buffets and dining rooms typically serve properly washed and stored produce, but the same can’t always be said for fruits and vegetables sold at ports. Buying a juicy mango or a crisp cucumber salad from a street vendor may look refreshing, but if the produce was rinsed with contaminated water, it can easily introduce harmful bacteria or parasites into your system.

Gastrointestinal illnesses from tainted produce can take effect quickly, often leaving you sick before you even make it back on board. To be safe, stick to fruits that come with a peel, such as bananas, oranges, or avocados, since the outer skin protects the edible part from exposure. If you do want to try local produce, make sure it’s from a reputable, clean-looking vendor where you can observe the preparation process.

4. Buffet Items That Have Sat Out Too Long

Buffets are a highlight of cruising, offering endless options at nearly all hours of the day. However, food that sits out too long becomes a hot spot for bacterial growth, especially if it isn’t kept at the proper hot or cold holding temperatures. Items like creamy pasta dishes, potato salads with mayonnaise, or open meat trays are particularly risky if they’ve been left unattended.

If food looks dry, congealed, or simply not appetizing, it’s a sign that it’s been sitting too long. To minimize risk, go for dishes that are freshly brought out by the staff or visit specialty main dining rooms where food is prepared to order. Remember, fresh and hot is always the safer bet at sea, even if it’s just a plate of scrambled eggs.

5. Excessively Greasy or Fried Foods

Fried chicken, onion rings, burgers, and French fries are almost unavoidable temptations on a cruise, especially when relaxing poolside or grabbing a quick bite at the buffet. While indulging occasionally is part of the fun, overloading on greasy and fried foods can lead to indigestion, bloating, and discomfort that may worsen with the ship’s rocking motion.

Combine that with alcohol or seasickness, and you’ve got a recipe for an uncomfortable day. Instead of piling your plate with fried items at every meal, balance them out with grilled meats, fresh salads, or steamed vegetables. Your body (and stomach) will thank you, especially on days packed with excursions or activities.

6. Too Much Dairy (Especially Soft Cheeses & Creamy Desserts)

Cruise ships are dessert havens, with rich cheesecakes, milkshakes, ice creams, and cream-based dishes available daily. However, consuming too much dairy, especially if you’re sensitive or lactose intolerant, can lead to bloating, cramps, and diarrhea. This can be particularly disruptive when you’re trying to enjoy port excursions or evening entertainment.

Soft cheeses such as brie, camembert, or blue cheese may also carry a higher risk of bacterial contamination if they aren’t stored at the correct temperature. While the ship’s crew is trained in proper food handling, storage lapses can occasionally happen when serving thousands of passengers at once. Enjoy dairy-based treats in moderation, and opt for alternatives like sorbet or fruit-based desserts if you’re prone to digestive discomfort.

7. Street Food from Certain Ports

Trying local food at the port is part of the adventure, but not all street food vendors maintain the same hygiene standards you’d expect on board. Street food can sometimes be prepared with contaminated water, cooked in reused oil, or stored without proper refrigeration, which can expose you to a host of illnesses, ranging from mild stomach upset to severe bacterial infections.

While it may be tempting to dive into a roadside taco stand or sample seafood by the dock, make sure the vendor looks clean and that the food is cooked fresh in front of you. If in doubt, it’s safer to stick to food offered through cruise-sponsored excursions or well-reviewed restaurants ashore.

8. Excessive Alcohol With Rich Meals

Alcohol flows freely on cruise ships, especially if you purchase a drink package. While a cocktail or glass of wine can enhance your dining experience, drinking excessively alongside heavy meals can cause dehydration, nausea, and fatigue. On a moving ship, this combination can intensify seasickness, making it hard to enjoy onboard activities.

Alcohol also lowers your inhibitions, which may lead you to overeat or make less-than-ideal food choices, compounding the problem. To stay comfortable, pace your drinking, hydrate with water, and avoid mixing rich, fatty foods with too many cocktails. This balance ensures you can enjoy the nightlife and entertainment without paying the price the next morning.

9. Highly Spiced or Unfamiliar Exotic Dishes (in Excess)

Cruise lines often highlight international cuisines to give passengers a taste of the world. Sampling new flavors is part of the fun, but indulging too heavily in heavily spiced dishes or unfamiliar foods can upset your digestive system. Dishes with excessive chili, curry, or unusual seasoning may trigger acid reflux, stomach cramps, or worse if your body isn’t used to them.

Trying a small portion is usually safe and even exciting, but piling your plate high with exotic foods that your stomach isn’t accustomed to can ruin your evening plans. Moderation is key. Sample widely, but don’t overload. This way, you’ll enjoy the cultural experience without spending the night in your cabin nursing stomach pains.

10. Leftovers Kept Too Long in Your Cabin

It’s common for cruisers to take a plate of snacks or a late-night dessert back to their cabin, but storing food improperly in a small, warm room can turn harmless leftovers into a breeding ground for bacteria. Cruise cabins don’t usually have full refrigerators (just small coolers, if any), so items like sandwiches, dairy-based desserts, or meat dishes can spoil quickly.

Eating food that’s been sitting out for hours may lead to food poisoning, which is the last thing you want on vacation. If you want a midnight bite, order fresh room service instead of saving buffet leftovers.

Make Your Cruise Line Vacation Easier by Booking With Travel With Brigitte!

Apart from looking for the right food to eat, you should also find the right cruise line vacation that matches your exact preferences. Once you call or email us, our travel booking agents will be there to give you all of the answers you need. Our years of experience handling cruise line bookings enable us to provide top-quality results to every client we serve.