Over the last few years, international restaurants in non-Muslim countries have become more accommodating when it comes to catering to Muslim guests and their needs. When Muslim travelers go abroad, especially to European countries, it’s become very easy for them to find healthy, diverse halal food options that aren’t just veggie-focused. Unfortunately, many Muslim tourists might avoid going on a cruise because of the lack of quality food options.
While there’s no denying that vegetarian food options on a cruise can be healthy and hearty, sometimes Muslim diners crave meat. Likely due to cost-related and supply chain reasons, many major cruise lines do not offer halal food. However, Royal Caribbean — one of the world’s largest cruise companies — has made strides to accommodate Muslim diets, particularly on select itineraries. Halal food is available on Royal Caribbean Cruises per the company’s own website, but only on cruises departing from Dubai and Singapore. This effort enables Muslim passengers to enjoy their vacation while adhering to dietary requirements.
Why Royal Caribbean Cruise Only Offers Halal Food from Dubai and Singapore
Unfortunately, Royal Caribbean Cruise hasn’t explicitly said why halal meat is only available from ports in Dubai or Singapore. However, strategically speaking, these two locations make tons of sense. These ports represent key markets where the demand for halal food is extremely high, as both can be labeled Muslim-majority countries. Naturally, with most individuals from these ports eating halal, Royal Caribbean Cruise wants to tailor its offerings based on guest needs.
If you’re traveling from a port that isn’t Dubai or Singapore, consider filling out Royal Caribbean’s Special Needs form and requesting halal meat accommodation. There is no guarantee that they can accommodate such a request, but it’s always worth a try. Be sure to fill out at least 90 days prior to your cruise’s departure. Per the Royal Caribbean website, Kosher-friendly meals can also be offered upon request.
Where do Royal Caribbean Cruises go from Dubai and Singapore?
Now that you know Royal Caribbean Cruises offers halal food from Dubai and Singapore, it’s time to start thinking about where you’re going to go! As of this writing, Royal Caribbean only has one cruise from Dubai, which is the Spice Route Cruise. 14 nights long, the ship takes passengers from Dubai to Asian hotspots like Thailand, Malaysia, and India, which happens to be travel expert Rick Steves’ favorite country.
Travellers from Singapore have tons of options when it comes to Royal Caribbean cruise offerings. There are low-key, weekend getaway-style trips that take you throughout Singapore, or international options, like cruises from Singapore to Brisbane, Australia. Wherever you decide to go with Royal Caribbean, be sure to double check that your cruise offers halal food by speaking directly with a booking agent or travel specialist.
