Best cruise lines for vegans

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• Entirely, 100% plant-based cruises
• Mainstream cruise lines raising the vegan standard

At a glance

Traditionally, going on a cruise as a vegan was an unappetising prospect. Unless you secretly enjoyed hanging out at the salad bar all day. Fortunately, that bleak era of wilted lettuce and greasy spuds has sailed into the sunset. Cruising vegan-style these days promises varied menus and authentic culinary exploration.

So, whether you're in the market for an entirely plant-based voyage or looking into which mainstream cruise lines offer the best meat-free options, it’s fair to say the tides have turned deliciously in your favour.

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The articles on World of Cruising and Cruise Trade News, our sister publication, are written by experts and journalists with years of cruise experience. Our team and network of contributors have been on dozens of ships and cruises. We combine our knowledge with in-depth research to bring you accurate and up-to-the-minute information on all things cruise.

Entirely, 100% plant-based cruises

Vegan Travel

Setting sail from Germany, Vegan Travel is a pioneer in the realm of all-vegan expeditions and charters, both on tranquil, evocative European rivers and more adventurous oceangoing routes. With meticulous attention to detail – everything from vegan toiletries in your cabin to gourmet multi-course meals that will dazzle even the fussiest palate – every aspect of your journey is compassionate, by design. Savour sun-kissed jaunts up and down the Adriatic coast of Croatia, or swashbuckling sojourns as far afield as Antarctica, with dishes as cool as the icebergs you’ll bob alongside.

Visit website: Vegan Travel 

Holistic Holiday at Sea

Currently celebrating twenty radiantly healthy years on the waves, Holistic Holiday at Sea masterfully mixes vegan luxury with top-tier wellness. Imagine starting the day with a revitalising yoga session against the backdrop of a smouldering Caribbean sunrise or ravishing Alaskan coastline. Then later feasting on a meticulously balanced five-course vegan menu before expanding your consciousness at an insightful talk, led by some of the world’s leading vegan health and wellness experts. Cruising never felt so wholesome.

View website: Holistic Holiday at Sea

Mainstream cruise lines raising the vegan standard

Norwegian Cruise Line

This cool as a cucumber cruise company just made a splash with the April 2025 launch of its latest vessel, Norwegian Aqua, including the delightfully upmarket-sounding "Planterie", the line’s first-ever exclusively vegetarian restaurant. Diners can indulge in nourishing plant-based bowls and other similarly colourful concoctions, confirming Norwegian’s longstanding commitment to clean cruising.

View offers: Norwegian Cruise Line

Oceania Cruises

With a frankly dizzying 250+ vegan dishes available across the Oceania fleet – including imaginatively international treats like vegan tortilla Española or sultry pad – the experience is uncannily like dining at a high-end restaurant. Oh, and you’ll adore what they claim is the only cold-pressed raw juice and smoothie bar at sea – truly impressive.

View offers: Oceania Cruises

Carnival Cruise Line

Once synonymous with sizzling steaks and meat-heavy menus, Carnival enthusiastically embraces the opportunity to delight vegan guests these days. How so? The main dining rooms now boast dedicated vegan menus with clean-eating starters, hearty meat-free mains and toothsome desserts. Guy's Burger Joint, famously meaty, has even been known to flip vegan burgers on request – although it’s definitely a good idea to check in advance, as service may vary across sailings.

View offers: Carnival Cruise Line

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean has recently been sailing into vegan-friendly waters with typical panache, offering innovative fleet-wide fare such as edamame-stuffed portobello mushrooms and vegan spaghetti Bolognese in the main dining rooms – rich, wholesome and nostalgically authentic. In the Windjammer Marketplace buffet, vegan options are there for the taking and often labelled, though it can vary by ship. As ever, it’s a good idea to communicate in advance and make sure the crew is aware of your requirements.

View offers: Royal Caribbean

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises are rolling out the red carpet with dedicated vegan menus across all vessels in the main dining rooms. Expect rich pickings – farfalle and summer squash with tomatoes, basil and pine nuts, plant-based shepherd’s pie or baja-style cauliflower tacos. Buffets are labelled – although, again, it’s never a bad idea to check, and advance-ordering is usually wise if you want to relax into a seamless dining experience.

View offers: Princess Cruises 

Cunard

Cunard, ever the elegant host, provides vegan menus that are available upon request in the main dining rooms, with beautifully presented dishes that could well inspire an Instagram post or three. The buffet includes vegan-friendly sushi and stylish breakfast staples like avocado toast. Portion sizes may lean petite and beware – late-night options can be limited. But refinement, as ever, comes with a touch of restraint.

View offers: Cunard

Celebrity Cruises

Famously accommodating Celebrity Cruises offer extensive vegetarian menus that include a decent selection of clearly marked vegan options. Speciality restaurants are happy to accommodate vegan diners, so long as you give them a little advance notice. Buffets feature custom pasta stations, crispy vegan pizzas, and lively stir-fries, so your meals can be as colourful as your itinerary.

View offers: Celebrity Cruises

Vegan Cruising Top Tips

• Advance notice is a good idea: Alert cruise lines about your dietary preferences, both at the booking stage and upon embarkation. A little foresight ensures your culinary needs are met effortlessly.
• Pack like a pro: Bringing along favourite snacks can smooth out shore excursions and leisurely breakfasts, ensuring every moment onboard is wonderfully carefree.
• Buffets are your friend: Buffets, as you probably know, can be a treasure trove of sumptuous surprises, with top-notch vegan choices often hiding in plain sight.
• Speciality restaurants love a challenge: Don’t hesitate to ask the best places to accommodate your vegan diet. But let the chef know in advance, so you won’t end up with any unexpected beef.