Celebrity Beyond is home to four complimentary main dining rooms. While these venues offer an array of menu options, the ship is also home to several specialty restaurants. These up-charge restaurants promise more expertly prepared cuisine and personalized service. So, on our last Celebrity Beyond cruise, we decided to break the bank and try the most expensive restaurant on the ship, Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud. Did it live up to its hefty price tag? Well, we are back with our detailed review of Le Voyage on Celebrity Beyond.
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Dining at Le Voyage on Celebrity Beyond
Nestled mid-ship on deck 4, the façade of the restaurant is simple yet elegant. This inviting entrance offers the first hints of what separates this venue from other restaurants on Celebrity Beyond. Unlike other specialty restaurants nearby, like the Fine Cut Steakhouse or Le Grand Bistro, Le Voyage is closed off from the music and crowds of the Grand Plaza.
Once the sliding door closes, diners are immersed in an upscale and intimate dining experience. Once inside, one quickly forgets that there are 3,000 other guests also sailing on Celebrity Beyond. With many cozy nooks, guests can settle into a quiet table set aside just for their dining party.
Interior decor features shades of red and pink which blend with the crystal and beadwork adorning the restaurant. It certainly feels exclusive and reserved. With only 50 seats in the entire restaurant, it is the most sought-after dining reservation on the ship.
Luckily, we reserved months in advance so we could dine here on one of the two evening chic nights during our cruise.
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Dining At Le Voyage
Le Voyage is the brainchild of chef Daniel Boulud. This award-winning French chef mixes cooking styles from around the world, adding his unique French flair. Thus, the menu is peppered with selections from North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.
Once seated, it didn’t take long for our server to stop by the table and introduce himself.
Reviewing the menu, our waiter asked about dietary restrictions and allergies. I advised him of my scallop allergy because Le Voyage is a seafood-heavy restaurant. But, knowing what I would order beforehand, he assured me the options would be perfectly fine.
Dinner begins with a complimentary welcome glass of champagne and an amuse-bouche to prime the appetite.
With our server’s approval, I opted for two starters. The Tuna Crudo Riviera was light with sushi-grade tuna and just the right hint of spice. However, my favorite appetizer was the Tamarind and Peanut Crusted Prawns. These pan-seared crispy shrimp came topped with a light, tangy sauce that was just spicy enough to give the appetizer some dimension.
Further, Heidi’s Vidalia onion tart was certainly distinct from a main dining room version of this classic starter.
For dinner, Heidi went with the Poulet aux Morilles. This sliced chicken dish was served with a lush gravy, asparagus, and mushrooms. She gave the dish her approval.
A true standout at Le Voyage was my entree, Risotto au Homard. It featured chunks of lobster claw and tail meat, accompanied by a light tomato sauce and zucchini. Each bite just melted in my mouth. The flavor was not overpowering, with al dente risotto and just the right of amount of sauce.
When it comes to picking desserts, it is always a test of which of us will select the best option. Again, my selection of the Café Cardamom was the clear winner (in my opinion).
This heavenly chocolate dessert was smooth and rich, and big enough to share. So, I didn’t feel too bad offering Heidi a spoonful. Though, her raspberry and lime pavlova was a decent dessert contender.
If you aren’t already full enough, the restaurant delivers even more sweet treats including a small tray of candies and madeleines that are irresistible.
Was It Worth it?
With the cover charge and gratuity, our dinner clocked in at $180 for the two of us. This $90 per person charge was the most we have ever paid for a specialty dinner. In fact, it is the most expensive specialty restaurant in the Celebrity Cruises’ fleet.
However, combining global flavors with a modern twist, Le Voyage delivered one of the finest meals we have had at sea or on land. Our dishes’ rich, savory flavors paired well with the cocktails and glasses of wine we ordered as part of the Celebrity Cruises’ Premium Drink package.
The personalized service and intimate setting made this formal night dinner even more special. The dining experience took around two hours. Yet, the pacing between courses never felt delayed.
The menu is rather seafood-centric, so it might not be a good option for some cruisers. Meat lovers might want to head over the Fine Cut Steakhouse instead.
In conclusion, cruisers with a broad palette, or those looking to try something a bit different, will appreciate this fine dining experience. Despite the price, we would certainly dine at Le Voyage again in the future.
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All The Details of Le Voyage on Celebrity Beyond
Le Voyage is open nightly for dinner from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and the restaurant requires reservations. We strongly recommend booking pre-cruise, as it fills up quickly due to the limited capacity.
The restaurant offers an a la carte menu for $75 that includes one starter, entrée, and dessert. Although, you can probably persuade the servers to bring an extra appetizer or dessert to the table to sample. Extra entrees do have a surcharge.
Or, cruisers can opt for a decadent 5-course tasting menu for $125. To complete this expertly crafted experience, guests can even opt for a wine pairing at an additional $100. All charges are subject to a 20% service charge.
Celebrity Beyond is currently the only ship in the fleet boasting this exclusive dining experience. But, that won’t last for long. The newest ship in the fleet, Celebrity Ascent, is debuting soon with its own version of this epicurean delight.
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