Cruise passengers are losing their taste for dining at the captain's table, it was revealed today.

An invitation for a meal with the ship's master was once considered a great honour.

But a poll from cruise review site CruiseCritic.co.uk showed that 22% would try to get out of a dine-with-the captain invitation.

And around the same number would worry about what they would talk about if invited.

The poll of cruise travellers found that most would prefer to eat on their own than share a table with people they might not like.

The survey also found the best cruise line for food was Cunard, whose ships include the Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Victoria, with P&O in second place, both based in Southampton.