On the Sapphire Princess, passengers can opt for traditional evening dining or the cruise line's "Anytime" option.  Traditional dining is in the International restaurant with fixed sittings at 6 p.m. and at 8:15 p.m.

The ship's design avoids the cruise ship banquet ambience of one big restaurant in favour of four more intimate and welcoming restaurants. Each has its own theme:  the brash Santa Fe, the gilded Vivaldi, the serene Pacific Moon and the clubby, cozy Savoy. The four restaurants have largely the same menu but each features a specialty dish geared to that restaurant's theme such as Osso Buco in Vivaldi and Fajitas in Santa Fe.

The casual Horizon Court buffet is open 24hrs and pizza, hamburgers and hotdogs are served by the pool.

Afternoon tea -- complete with white gloved waiters serving scones, piping hot tea and petite sandwiches -- is offered at the International from 3:30 until 4:30 p.m.  

To celebrate a special occasion there is Sabatini's Italian restaurant for an extra charge of $20 per person.  If you're in the mood for a great steak try the Sterling Steakhouse, open for dinner at a nominal additional cost of $15 per person.