Certain foods on a Royal Caribbean ship are well-known favorites that cruisers come back to time and time again, but what about the unsung heroes?
Royal Caribbean cruisers that have been sailing with the line for a few years know there are certain foods that always hit the spot, but it's usually a surprise to new cruisers.
The Main Dining Room serves lobster on the second formal night, but nearly everyone looks for lobster on the menu. Beyond the usual favorites, there are a handful of foods I think are fantastic choices most people are unaware of.
Maybe on your next cruise you can check out one of these underrated finds and add it to your list.
Toppings bar at El Loco Fresh
One of the best, yet largely unheralded, improvements Royal Caribbean has made to its pool deck was the addition of El Loco Fresh.
I don't think you'll confuse the tacos, burritos, and quesadillas served here, but the beauty of it is how you can customize your food.
After you get your food from the buffet line, there's a toppings bar where you can load it up exactly the way you want it.
There's pico de gallo, guacamole, jalapenos, and a pretty good variety of hot sauces.
I can't tell you how many times I've gone here for a quick bite, even when I've stayed in Star Class.
Filet and lobster at Coco Beach Club
In coming up with this list, there's a few foods at Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas, starting with the Coco Beach Club.
The Coco Beach Club is an extra cost area within Perfect Day at CocoCay that usually costs over $100 per person for a day pass. That's a high price, but the food might make up for it.
Within the club's sit down restaurant is arguably the best steak and lobster you'll find.
You'll find very large portions that are exactly the kind of lobster or steak you'd imagine when thinking of a great dish.
It's essentially the best surf and turf you'll find across Royal Caribbean.
Secret sandwich
In keeping with our CocoCay faves, since Perfect Day opened, there's been a menu item you have to know to ask for in order to order.
At any of the Snack Shack locations, you can walk up and ask for "the secret sandwich". Given it's name, it has to make this list.
A lot of cruisers know about it now, but it's still something that will turn a few heads when you order it.
It's essentially an amalgamation of two regular menu items: the chicken sandwich and mozzarella sticks, with marinara sauce added on top.
The result is a chicken parmigiana sandwich, and it's really good. Some people prefer no pickles (because the pickles come with the chicken sandwich), but I kind of like it for the twist on the flavor.
Campfire cookie
If you're looking for an indulgent food that you might overlook, it's by far the dessert at Playmakers Sports Bar.
Imagine a hot skillet that offers spoonful's of marshmallow, ice cream, and cookie together. It's a mess, but probably one of the best desserts Royal Caribbean has ever conjured up.
When you have a chocolate chip cookie with marshmallows on top, it's a great combination.
Because Playmakers is priced a la carte, you can drop in to order just the cookie and only spend $6.
Mozzarella sticks
One more amazing food on CocoCay has to be the mozzarella sticks.
It's become a meme within our team when someone goes to Perfect Day at CocoCay, to brag about the mozzarella sticks.
While you can get mozzarella sticks on the ship, the ones served at the Snack Shack are a different recipe and they're so darn good.
I think it's the breading that makes it stand out, but we'll order mozzarella sticks with our secret sandwich, every time.
Asian stir fry cooking station
When I walk into the Windjammer, the first place I look are the cooking stations.
I think most cruisers overlook them because they're fixated on the traditional buffet areas. While the food around the buffet is indeed quite good, nothing compares to a freshly prepared dish.
There are a few varieties, but my favorite is the Asian stir fry option. I'll probably forgo food elsewhere in the Windjammer just for this when it's available.
You get to select the vegetables and meat of your choice to be stir fried together with noodles and soy sauce.
Crepes at Aquadome Market
Royal Caribbean knew it had a hit on its hands when they created their first food hall concept on Icon of the Seas, and the crepe station is by far the runaway winner.
Aquadome Market offers a few types of cuisines to choose from, but the one with the longest line is always the crepe station.
You tell the crew member what you want in the crepe, and they make it on the spot for you.
The result is a delicate and delicious decadent dessert/breakfast/snack.
Plus it's free!
