The best sushi at sea is found at Royal Caribbean's Izumi, Carnival's Bonsai Sushi, and Princess's Kai Sushi.
Enjoying sushi during a cruise combines the excitement of traveling on a cruise ship with the culinary skills of Japan. Ranging from inexpensive sushi on a conveyor belt to expensive omakase, cruise lines have transformed sushi from a specialized cuisine to the favorite specialty restaurant cuisine aboard cruise ships. No matter whether you want to try a classic California roll, an expensive sashimi, or even the new fusion sushi rolls, the best sushi restaurants on cruise ships serve excellent dishes prepared from fresh ingredients flown in from time to time.
Fresh Rolls at Sea
Cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Princess, and Celebrity and luxury cruise ships, among others, are competing in terms of providing excellent sushi on their cruise ships. This document takes a closer look at the best sushi restaurants on cruise ships, their menus, prices, reviews, and much more.
Why Sushi on Cruise Ships Is So Popular
Sushi on a cruise ship is able to take advantage of the fact that there are strict supply chains that provide quality and fresh fish. A lot of cruise ships even send flights for their seafood at least twice a week. There is always a chef who prepares the sushi on-demand, and the leisurely ambiance of the holiday makes it an ideal place for dining.
Top 10 Sushi Restaurants on Cruise Ships
Here is the list of the best sushi spots taking into account the opinions of passengers, food quality, atmosphere, and prices:
1. Izumi (Royal Caribbean) - The Best Sushi on Cruise Ships
One of the most popular sushi spots on cruise ships. It can be found onboard almost all Royal Caribbean cruise ships (such as Oasis, Quantum, and Icon classes). Travelers looking for the full Izumi menu, prices & ships can explore the restaurant's offerings before sailing. The restaurant provides traditional Japanese cuisine, including sushi, sashimi, unique sushi rolls, and hibachi cooking. Some of the best sushi there includes Spicy Tuna Rolls, Rainbow Rolls, and other specials by chefs. Nowadays, many cruise ships have larger Izumi spots that offer Omakase dishes too. The price for dishes is à la carte (sushi rolls ~$8-$15*), although guests may also want to check whether a Royal Caribbean dining package offers additional value for their onboard dining plans.
2. Bonsai Sushi (Carnival Cruise Line)
Bonsai Sushi is an excellent place to eat sushi in a casual atmosphere for a relatively cheap price. It is found aboard many Carnival cruise ships in a casual atmosphere with bonsai trees. Some of the popular menu items are Bang Bang Bonsai Roll, Spicy Tuna, California Roll, and Ship for 2. It is priced very competitively (sushi rolls are $8-$10*, and sashimi costs $2.50*). Some customers have noted it as providing the best value for sushi on their cruises. There is also an option for traveling Bonsai Sushi Express.
3. Kai Sushi by Makoto (Princess Cruises)
In line with their efforts to provide high-quality services and satisfy their customers, Princess Cruise Lines has enhanced its sushi service with Kai Sushi by Chef Makoto Okuwa. This restaurant is found in select cruise ships of Princess Cruise Lines, such as the Sun Princess®, Star Princess®, and Diamond Princess®. Friends and families will get the taste of authentic Japanese cuisine as they enjoy Edomae-style sushi made using top-quality materials through Chef Makoto's skills. For just $14.99-$19.99*, guests will enjoy unlimited servings of the delicious sushi set menu, which consists of sashimi, nigiri, maki rolls, and dessert! Guests have commented on how beautiful the dishes look and how fresh the fish tastes. If you want a high-end Japanese dining experience when cruising on Princess Cruise Lines, you must visit Kai Sushi by Chef Makoto Okuwa!
4. Sushi on Five (Celebrity Cruises)
Is sushi more delicious when eaten while out at sea? Yes, it certainly is, according to many people who think this way when they visit Sushi on Five. This is due to the fact that the sushi served there is always made fresh right before you consume it. There is always a team of chefs who ensure that you get the best quality. What also makes tourists love their sushi is the uniqueness of the place. Every client will always leave with a different kind of sushi since they make it according to your own requirements.
5. Tamarind / Nami Sushi (Holland America Line)
The Tamarind and Nami Sushi restaurants of the Holland America Line offer a great time for those who wish to enjoy the taste of Japanese cuisine. The Tamarind is an Asian restaurant that not only offers great quality sushi but also serves many other cuisines from across Asia. The Tamarind restaurant has been rated very highly by frequent cruise customers.
6. Teppanyaki & Sushi (Norwegian Cruise Line)
The Norwegian Cruise Line food guide packages and menus offer top-of-the-line Japanese food at all of their Teppanyaki restaurants and sushi bars. Not only are the meals delicious, but the show put on by a hibachi chef while you are eating your food is very entertaining and makes the experience enjoyable for families and group bookings. The quality of their food has improved greatly in the last few years, offering large portions and a wide variety of unique rolls to choose from, which will meet everyone's needs.
7. Silk (Virgin Voyages)
Silk is an example of a unique and innovative concept that combines sushi and Asian foods. The restaurant of Virgin Voyages has an avant-garde appearance, with interesting combinations of flavors and creative roll designs. It will be especially attractive to young people and food lovers who do not want to have ordinary sushi.
8. Sushi at Rotational Restaurants & Specialty Venues (Disney Cruise Line)
Although Disney doesn't usually specialize in sushi, new ships such as Disney Wish and Disney Treasure feature great sushi at their rotation venues and even their Asian facilities. The quality of ingredients is exceptional, and the presentation will delight your eyes, thanks to Disney's creative ideas.
9. Kaiseki/Seishin (Silversea Cruises)
At the highly luxurious Silversea cruises, both the Kaiseki and Seishin restaurants feature some of the best sushi dining experiences at sea. Frequently served as part of the cruise fare, the two restaurants provide an excellent dining experience with extremely fresh ingredients prepared masterfully in an omakase style of service.
10. MSC Yacht Club Sushi & Specialty Japanese (MSC Cruises)
With the expansion of the MSC Cruises brand, there has been a considerable improvement by the company in terms of providing customers with a variety of Japanese cuisine such as sushi and other specialties of Japan. The yacht club of the cruise and its specialty services provide a remarkable range of sushi, creative rolls, and sashimi dishes. Customers coming from other continents than North America have noted the quality of the sushi provided onboard and how creatively prepared they are.
Sushi Cruise Menu Highlights & Pricing
Most sushi venues are à la carte or have set menus:
- Carnival Bonsai Sushi: Rolls $8–$10*, sashimi $2.50/piece*, and the “Ship for 2” platter ~$32–$34*.
- Royal Caribbean Izumi: Rolls $9–$16*, chef selections $17–$25+*.
- Princess Kai Sushi: Set menu ~$15–$20*.
- Dining specials on most cruises can be quite cost-effective and may help guests save money on specialty dining compared to purchasing individual premium dining experiences throughout their voyage.
The menu usually features traditional sushi rolls, fusion rolls (such as tempura and spicy mayonnaise), sashimi, nigiri, and various Japanese starters, including edamame, gyoza, and miso soup.
Tips for Enjoying Sushi on a Cruise
- Make advance reservations, particularly during sea days.
- If visiting regularly, look into sushi dining plans.
- Lunch is less busy than dinnertime.
- Inquire about daily specials, including fresh catches.
- Those who don’t eat sushi can try other dishes such as tempura and teriyaki.
Sushi on cruise ships has come a long way. Whether you choose the high-energy fun of Carnival’s Bonsai Sushi, the creative flair of Royal Caribbean’s Izumi, or the refined elegance of Princess Kai Sushi, you’re likely to enjoy one of the most memorable dining experiences at sea.
FAQs
Who has the best sushi among all the cruise lines?
As of now, the Izumi restaurant at Royal Caribbean has the best sushi among the cruise lines due to its high-quality sushi and innovative creation of sushi; however, when analyzed using the cost-benefit approach for the "best sushi" criteria, Bonsai Sushi from Carnival, Kai Sushi from Princess Cruises, and Sushi on the 5th Floor from Celebrity were considered the most complex.
What is the price of sushi on a cruise ship?
Sushi is à la carte service. A roll at Carnival costs $8-$11 and $9-$16* at Royal Caribbean and $15-$25* at Princess and Celebrity as part of a set menu. Dining packages may provide better value if sushi will be ordered repeatedly.
Is the food in the sushi restaurants fresh?
Yes, as the main cruise ships have fresh seafood supplied weekly. They are of excellent quality, especially in some special restaurant areas such as Izumi, Bonsai Sushi, and Kai Sushi. The majority of the tourists say that it is even better than any sushi restaurant in other places.
Do I need to make a reservation for sushi on the cruise ship?
It’s advisable to make a reservation for dinner. However, lunch service may be easily obtained without making a reservation. The most popular places, such as Izumi and Kai Sushi, may be reserved fast.
Is there vegetarian sushi?
Yes. Most sushi places provide vegetarian rolls consisting of vegetables such as avocado, cucumber, sweet potato, and much other Japanese food. Some restaurants that provide these delicacies include Bonsai Sushi and Izumi.
Do they provide sushi in the cabin?
Some of the cruise lines provide sushi delivery services through room service and apps on some of the ships (mostly new ones of the Royal Caribbean and Carnival brands).
Should you opt for the more expensive sushi available on cruise ships?
Yes, especially since it can be enjoyed by many sushi lovers out there because of its high-quality standard and the uniqueness of dining on cruise ships. This is considered one of the most sought-after specialty meals on any cruise ship.
Note: *All prices, discounts, etc. mentioned in this article have been researched carefully. However, despite our best attempts, these prices can change based on cruise demand, price, and changed schedules. Please refer to the cruise line website for accurate and latest rates.
