Six Best Sushi Spots on Cruise Ships

By Brooke Franco

These are the top places to enjoy a sushi meal on a cruise ship. - *Photo by Canva*

Most cruise lines are (pardon the pun) on a roll with their sushi offerings these days. Planning for the sushi specialty dining on a cruise makes for both a perfect romantic date night and a fun dining experience for the entire family.

Sushi meals are so popular that many cruise ships have introduced dedicated restaurants where guests can enjoy fresh rolls, sashimi, and other Japanese staple dishes. Where else can you enjoy freshly-caught fish while on the ocean watching the waves pass by?

If you are new to sushi, here’s a guide to some of the lingo you might find on the menu:

Sashimi - Fresh sliced raw fish
Nigiri - A pillow of rice with a sliced piece of raw fish
Sushi Roll - Combines the dishes’ ingredients and is wrapped in a roll of sushi rice and seaweed
Hand Roll - A cone-shaped item comprised of the sushi ingredients, rice, and wrapped in a piece of seaweed
Tempura - This means that the roll or a food item has been battered and deep-fried

Now that you have the terminology down, you can order like a pro. We rounded up our top six picks for the best sushi spots on cruise ships. If you are a sushi lover (or a newbie), you will find these eateries ‘soy’ delicious!

1. Sushi on Five - Celebrity Cruises

*Truffle Albacore Tataki* - *Photo by Celebrity Cruises*

Sushi on Five is a specialty restaurant open for both lunch and dinner. The menu features a variety of sushi rolls, sashimi, ramen, and a selection of sake and Japanese beers. Looking for something special? Try the omakase sashimi, which features five of the chef’s top cuts of fish for the day. Starter dishes, like the chicken ginger gyoza and spicy ahi tuna, are perfect for sharing.

Must-Try Dishes: The Eel Dragon Roll, which features shrimp tempura topped with grilled eel, furikake, and eel sauce. Also, try the Matchamisu, a Japanese matcha green tea tiramisu.

Found on Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Silhouette, Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Reflection, Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Millennium, Celebrity Summit, and Celebrity Infinity (Extra Cost)

Explore Celebrity Cruises Sailings

2. Nami Sushi - Holland America Line

The decor and sushi offerings at Nami. - *Photos by Holland America Line*

Nami Sushi, a specialty restaurant on several Holland America’s ships, offers a menu designed by world-renowned sushi master Andy Matsuda. The eatery serves sushi rolls, sashimi, nigiri, and a variety of Pan-Asian-inspired dishes. Sushi lovers will delight in signature rolls such as Spicy Scallop, the Dragon Roll (tempura shrimp, unagi sauce, and avocado), the Tsutsumi Roll (snapper, green olive, capers, and avocado), or the Futomaki Roll (crab, avocado, and cucumber). In addition, Nami Sushi features an eclectic nigiri selection of tuna, yellowtail, shrimp, albacore, octopus, salmon, and eel. The restaurant also offers delicious warm dishes such as its Thai Basil Szechuan Shrimp and Wasabi & Soy Crusted Beef Tenderloin. The word ‘nami’ means ‘wave’ in Japanese, which is appropriate as you can watch the ocean views as you dine!

Must-Try Dish: Hamachi Usuzukuri - This is one of Chef Matsuda’s signature dishes. Features yellowfin tuna sashimi with a truffle ponzu sauce.

Found on Nieuw Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam, and Eurodam (Extra Cost)

Explore Holland America Line Cruises

3. Sushi - Seabourn Cruises

*Sushi offers delicious rolls and other offerings in an elegant setting. - Photo by Seabourn*

The restaurant Sushi is an eatery found on select Seabourn vessels. As is standard with all dining experiences from Seabourn, Sushi is an exceptional eatery that showcase’s the line’s culinary expertise. Sushi is open for lunch and dinner, with different menus served at each seating. All food features fresh, fine ingredients, with special products shipped from Japan.

The menu at Sushi includes caviar, small shareable plates, sushi rolls, sashimi, and salads. Featured dishes are the Salmon Tataki (avocado, salmon roe, and romaine topped with sesame seeds, and creamy wasabi), a chef’s selection of sashimi (tuna, salmon, yellowtail, bonita, and seabream), and the Hamachi signature roll (yellowtail, scallions, and cucumber).

Must-Try Dishes: Check out the Dragon Maguro Roll. This roll is made of spicy tuna, seaweed, avocado, rice crackers, and spicy mayo. We recommend pairing it with the Sake Verde cocktail. This signature drink is made with Junmai Daiginjo sake, Ketel One vodka, cucumber juice, lime juice, beet sugar water, and Moscato D’asti.

Found on Seabourn Encore and Seabourn Ovation (Included)

See Seabourn Cruises Sailings

4. Wasabi - Norwegian Cruise Line

A Wasabi sushi restaurant is on most Norwegian ships. - *Photo by Norwegian Cruise Line*

At Wasabi you will find a full sushi bar complete with a Yakitori grill. Sushi options at Wasabi include a selection of rolls, sashimi, and Japanese appetizers. Guest favorites are the Godzilla Roll (sweet shrimp, mango, avocado, caramelized cashews, and coconut), the Dynamite Roll ( tempura-style roll with yellowtail, salmon, and green onion), and the Rainbow Roll (fresh tuna, yellowtail, cucumber, tobiko, and avocado). You can also try a wide selection of sashimi and nigiri made from ahi tuna, ebi (prawn), yellowtail, big-eye tuna, salmon, and octopus.

Must-Try Dishes: We recommend the Diamond Sushi Combo which comes with ahi sashimi, shrimp sushi, a Rainbow Roll, and a California Roll (crabstick, cucumber, and avocado).

Available on all Norwegian Cruise Line ships, except Norwegian Encore (Extra Cost)

Check Out Norwegian Cruise Line Sailings

5. Red Ginger - Oceania Cruises

*Photos of Red Ginger by members katzaway / Canes1949*

Red Ginger is a delicious Pan Asian restaurant on select Oceania ships. The menu features a great selection of sushi, made with the freshest quality ingredients. Featured sushi-specific dishes at Red Ginger are the Tuna Tataki (seared tuna filet, shiso, sesame crust, and wasabi cream) as well as the Sushi Chef’s Selection - a combination of sashimi and sushi roll.

Must-Try Dish: If you’re dining with a group try the Skewers, Sushi and Tempura appetizer sampler. This plate serves 2-4 guests and includes a Chefs Sushi Selection and a variety of grilled skewers and tempura bites.

Found on Marina, Riviera, and Sirena (Included)

Explore All Cruises with Oceania

6. Kaito Sushi Bar - MSC Cruises

*Kaito Sushi conveyor belt on MSC Seashore. - Photo by member Suushiaddict*

Kaito is a specialty sushi restaurant that you will find on a number of MSC Cruises’ ships. All dishes are prepared on the spot by chefs, using the freshest ingredients. Sushi options at Kaito include a selection of fresh sashimi, traditional rolls, hand rolls, and sake. Some locations offer fun conveyor belt-style serving where freshly plated sushi travels around on a moving belt. Guests grab a seat at the bar, pick dishes they would like to try, and simply take them right off the belt to enjoy. Each dish is served on a colored plate, which dictates the cost of the sushi item. Similar to other cruise lines, some Kaito Sushi locations are combined with Kaito Teppanyaki. At these restaurants, you can choose a variety of dishes to try from both eateries.

Must-Try Dish: We recommend any of the fresh-cut sashimi sushi options.

Found on MSC Seashore, MSC Virtuosa, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Bellisima, MSC Meravigllia, MSC Poesia, MSC Musica, and MSC Lirica (Extra Cost)