There is no question that dining on a Royal Caribbean cruise has become a major aspect of the cruise experience. The food available onboard ranges from simple and classic to extravagant and contemporary. In short, there are a lot of great dining choices available on Royal Caribbean.
With so many choices, often guests preparing for their cruise have many questions about what is included, which options are available and how it all works. What follows is our guide to understanding better the basics of dining on a Royal Caribbean cruise.
Complimentary food
Simply put, there is plenty of great food included in the cost of your Royal Caribbean cruise. One can easily go on an entire cruise and enjoy nothing but food that has no additional cost from morning to night. After all, that is what the concept of a cruise has been for a long time.
Royal Caribbean ships have different names and venues for its dining options, but you will find some basic characteristics among them all to prepare you for what to expect.
Main Dining Room
The Main Dining Room (MDR) is the stalwart institution upon which cruise ship dining was established. It has changed over the years, but the principles remain the same, and the Main Dining Room is available on all Royal Caribbean ships.
The MDR is a large, sit-down restaurant with waiter service that is included in your cruise fare. Guests may dine in the Main Dining Room for breakfast and dinner every day of their cruise. Lunch is served in the MDR on sea days only.
For dinner, Royal Caribbean offers a traditional set dining time with assigned seating, or an alternative first-come, first-served option (My Time Dining).
Both offer the same menu, which changes every night, and in both cases, there is the possibility that you will be seated with other guests. Passengers can contact their travel agent or Royal Caribbean before the cruise to ask to be assigned to a smaller table if they do not wish to sit with other cruisers
Dinner is the most popular and common time to dine in the Main Dining Room, as this is when there's a complimentary menu that features appetizers, entrees, and desserts to choose from.
You may order as much (or as little) as you like, and it's all complimentary, with the exception of a few premium dishes that have an additional surcharge. Premium beverages, such as soda, alcohol, and specialty coffee, are also not complimentary in the Main Dining Room but can be purchased individually or as part of a beverage package.
Breakfast and lunch are less formal than dinner, with guests seated as they arrive. Make sure you check the posted hours of when the dining room is open. In both cases, the meals are served to you at your table. While the breakfast menu stays the same, the lunch menu changes daily.
The Main Dining Room has a dress code. The dress code for dinner changes each evening, while breakfast and lunch are far more casual.
When guests hear the word, "dress code," they often ponder what's acceptable to wear. The reality is that on most nights, guests can easily wear what would be defined as "resort casual," which can mean a sundress or skirt for women and a collared shirt and slacks for men. "Nice" jeans are appropriate for both men and women too.
On formal nights, the suggested attire gets a bit fancier, with cocktail dresses or gowns for women and suits for men.
Windjammer
First-time cruisers often imagine a large buffet when they think of eating on a cruise, and the Windjammer is the closest thing to that concept.
The Windjammer is a buffet restaurant that is included in your cruise fare and serves meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Windjammer locations are not open all the time but have long enough hours to cover nearly all the times guests would like something to eat.
The buffet has lots of seating and more food variety than anywhere else on the ship. You will find burgers, soups, sandwiches, ethnic dishes, salads, pastas, desserts, and much more every day.
The buffet is self-serve, so guests walk up to the buffet station and use serving spoons or tongs to place food on their plates.
Guests can sit at a table to eat in the Windjammer but are also free to take their food elsewhere on the ship, like the pool deck. There are crew members who are responsible for clearing plates, cleaning tables, and bringing you beverages.
Unlike the Main Dining Room, the dress code for the Windjammer is casual. It's a great alternative to any sit-down restaurant, including the Main Dining Room. In fact, some guests opt to eat exclusively at the Windjammer for dinner instead of the MDR.
After a long day in port or onboard, some guests do not want to get ready for a long sit-down meal and prefer a quick, casual dining experience.
Quick service restaurants
The bulk of complimentary food on a Royal Caribbean cruise is available from quick-service restaurants, which offer quick, grab-and-go food to guests.
Quick-service restaurants offer sandwiches, burritos, snacks, pizza, and everything in between. Each Royal Caribbean ship will offer a number of these locations around your ship, so you are never too far away.
There is usually limited seating available at these locations, but most guests get the food and then bring it somewhere else on the ship to eat, such as in their stateroom or by the pool. It is designed for guests who want something quick to eat on their way to somewhere else.
AquaDome Market
Available exclusively on Icon Class ships, the AquaDome Market is Royal Caribbean's first-ever food hall. Inside, you'll find five different stalls that each highlight a different cuisine or type of food:
- Crème de la Crépe (Crèpes)
- GNGR (Asian)
- Mac's (Mac and cheese)
- Feta (Mediterranean)
- Toast & Garden (Sandwiches and salads)
It was purposely placed at the front of the ship to help alleviate the crowds present at the ever-popular Windjammer Marketplace.
El Loco Fresh
El Loco Fresh is Royal Caribbean's grab-and-go Mexican joint where you'll find burritos, quesadillas, beans, rice, nachos, tacos, and more. There's also a toppings and salsa bar, so you can customize your food to your liking.
It's a popular spot on sea days, so you shouldn't be surprised if you walk up to find a line!
Mini Bites
Mini-Bites is your go-to spot for burgers, fries, hot dogs, salads, quesadillas, omelets, and more.
It's perfect to grab a quick bite to eat before returning to the action at the Pool and Sports Zone, which is home to the mini-golf course, zip line, and FlowRider Surf Simulator, not to mention some amazing views of the Boardwalk Neighborhood below!
Dog House
Craving a juicy frank on your afternoon at sea? Look no further than the Doghouse, which dishes up different links with a toppings bar.
The Coney Island dog is a classic made with American beef. Alternatively, you can opt for The Smoke House, which is a pork bratwurst that's seasoned with traditional spices for a hint of heat! There's also a Chicken Sausage for those who don't eat red meat.
Park Café
Park Café first debuted on Oasis of the Seas and is home to the legendary Royal Kümmelweck sandwich. If roast beef isn't your thing, you can craft your own salad or order one of their pre-made sandwiches.
Park Café is open for breakfast, too, and you can come here for a quick breakfast featuring a bagel bar, fruit, oatmeal, and more. It's much more relaxed than the Windjammer Marketplace.
Café at Two70
Café at Two70 is essentially Quantum Class' rendition of the Park Café. Located near the Two70 venue in the aft of the ship, you'll find various salads, soups, and sandwiches available in the afternoon.
In the mornings, Café at Two70 serves bagels, breakfast sandwiches, and other light bites, all steps away from amazing aft views.
Sorrento's
Sorrento's Pizza is a staple Royal Caribbean eatery that dishes up fresh pizza at nearly all hours of the day.
It's not uncommon for it to be open daily until 2:00am or 3:00am, making it a popular spot for a quick grab-and-go lunch or late-night snack after enjoying some of the various onboard entertainment.
Café Promenade
Café Promenade is a 24-hour venue that serves complimentary coffee, pastries, sandwiches, and fruit. You can also purchase specialty coffee here. Those who have a Royal Caribbean Deluxe or Refreshment Beverage Package won't have to worry about paying anything extra, though.
Fish & Ships
Fish & Ships is an á la carte fast-casual restaurant, meaning that all menu options are only available to those who pay an extra charge. Prices range from $2 for a deep-fried candy bar to $10 for a lobster roll that's served with chips.
Other options include fish & chips ($7), fried shrimp ($5), fried calamari ($5), battered sausages ($4), hand-cut fries ($3), and a sandwich filled with chips for $3.
On Independence of the Seas, Fish & Ships is included.
Johnny Rockets Express
While some ships feature a sit-down Johnny Rockets, Johnny Rockets Express is for those who want to take their burger and shake to-go. The restaurant even features spiked milkshakes for those who are in the mood for something slightly more spirited.
Note that this venue, like Fish & Ships, isn't included in the cost of your cruise fare.
Room Service
Room service is available 24 hours per day on your Royal Caribbean cruise.
Royal Caribbean charges a $7.95 per order fee for room service. Whether you order one item or ten items, a $7.95 fee per room service order will be levied. There is a complimentary continental breakfast option, with menu items like muffins, bagels, oatmeal, and toast, that is free.
Just like room service at a hotel, you can call room service and place an order to have a crew member deliver the food to your room. Royal Caribbean has also added a room service ordering option via the stateroom television, which simplifies the ordering process.
The room service menu does not change and is limited in scope.
Specialty Dining
In addition to all the food included in your cruise fare are specialty dining options. Specialty dining restaurants carry an extra cost to dine there. The exact amount will vary from restaurant to restaurant, and ship to ship.
In most cases, the specialty dining options offer a greater variety of food choices than what is available at complimentary dining locations. Royal Caribbean has designed its specialty restaurants around themes or cuisines (Italian, steakhouse, sushi, etc).
Royal Caribbean recommends making a reservation in advance for its specialty restaurants to ensure there is seating available. Unlike the Main Dining Room, you will not be seated with other guests except for the Izumi Hibachi experience.
Specialty restaurants are priced in one of two manners: cover charge or à la carte pricing. With a cover charge, there is one price for all the food on the menu (except for beverages). There can also be a surcharge for ordering more than one entree, although this rule varies based on the specialty restaurant you happen to be dining at.
À la carte dining charges you just for what you order, and is similar to how food is billed at a conventional land-based restaurant.
Specialty dining can be booked prior to a cruise via Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner or once onboard the ship. Reservations made online for a specialty restaurant with a cover charge will charge the full amount to your credit or debit card at the time of booking, whereas reservations made onboard the ship will not be charged to your SeaPass account until you dine at the restaurant.
Izumi Hibachi & Sushi
Izumi is a Japanese restaurant that may either be a stand-alone sushi joint or feature an interactive teppanyaki experience.
Both have separate menus, allowing passengers to choose from enjoying freshly prepared sushi or enjoying the excitement of watching a skilled tableside chef prepare hibachi.
Those with a dining package will have to pay an upgrade for the teppanyaki.
Chops Grille
Chops is Royal Caribbean's signature steakhouse that's available on every ship in the fleet.
Regardless of whether you're sailing on Grandeur of the Seas or the brand-new Icon of the Seas, you can indulge in prime cuts of meat and savory sides, from delicious mashed potatoes to creamy mac and cheese.
Wonderland
Those seeking perhaps the most unique dining experience onboard any cruise ship at sea should elect to dine at Wonderland. Themed after Alice in Wonderland, your meal at Wonderland will take you on an adventure unlike any other.
To reveal the menu, which was inspired by the five different natural elements, you must "paint" on a canvas provided by the wait staff. Expect to find dishes like liquid lobster, crispy crab cones, tomato water, and more.
Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade
Playmakers is Royal Caribbean's sports bar that features classic bar food like nachos, sliders, fries, and chicken tenders.
Those craving a sweet treat cannot go wrong with the campfire cookie. Like Fish & Ships, everything at Playmakers is à la carte. Pile On Nachos, for instance, costs $8.99, while 12 wings can be purchased for $13.99.
150 Central Park
150 Central Park is an elegant restaurant available exclusively on Oasis Class ships. As the same implies, the restaurant is situated in Central Park alongside Chops Grille, giving both specialty restaurants a serene setting.
The menu focuses on dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. To kickstart the meal, you'll be given an assortment of bread, butter, and six varieties of salt.
The Mason Jar
The Mason Jar is a southern-inspired restaurant that serves up classics like fried chicken and lobster and crawfish gumbo, as well as a separate brunch menu featuring the popular cinnamon roll. It's one of the newest specialty restaurants, first launching on Wonder of the Seas.
Instead of highlighting a single Southern region, the restaurant encompasses dishes from throughout the American South, each with its own special touch.
Hooked Seafood
Like the Mason Jar, Hooked Seafood is relatively new, too. It first debuted on Symphony of the Seas and has since been added to other ships like Navigator of the Seas and, of course, the new Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas.
This seafood restaurant highlights dishes and popular flavors from the Northeast, including clam chowder and oysters.
Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen
Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen is Royal Caribbean's newest Italian specialty restaurant allowing you to get a taste of Italy on the high seas.
On the menu, you'll find everything from fresh pasta and pizza to classic Old World dishes like Veal Meatballs. They also have an extensive wine list to complement the menu.
Giovanni’s Table
Before there was Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, there was Giovanni’s Table, a traditional Italian restaurant offering items such as Pasta Carbonara and Eggplant Parmigiana.
It's a bit more upscale with a larger menu that has a reputation for its hearty dishes, whereas Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen has a more contemporary feel that focuses on shared dishes.
Jamie’s Italian
Jamie’s Italian is Royal Caribbean's modern take on Italian cuisine that features the famous meat and cheese plank, along with homemade pasta.
In mid-2023, Royal Caribbean and Jamie Oliver announced a new menu for Jamie’s Italian. On the lunch menu, you will no longer find the JI Burger, Calabrian Chicken, and Jamie's Caesar Salad. Instead, the Crispy Chicken Burger and Avocado Caesar Salad are available to order.
Samba Grill
Samba Grill is your traditional, all-you-can-eat-meat Brazilian rodizio. It's only found on two ships in the fleet: Radiance of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. On the latter, it's located in the Solarium Bistro, which transforms into this unique specialty restaurant in the evenings.
The meal includes a buffet and sit-down dining experience that features endless selections of freshly-carved meats.
Sabor
Those who are a fan of Mexican fare will appreciate a visit to Sabor, which offers classic fare like tacos, quesadillas, empanadas, chips and salsa, and other small plates.
Currently, it's only on three ships in the fleet: Harmony of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, and Liberty of the Seas.
Johnny Rockets
Johnny Rockets isn't a Royal Caribbean-exclusive restaurant. The beloved diner-style chain was founded in 1986 and has over 90 locations throughout the United States. Though they're found in popular tourist spots like Orlando, Florida and Las Vegas, Nevada, you will only find Johnny Rockets at sea on Royal Caribbean ships!
Whether you're craving a milkshake, juicy burger, or cheese fries, Johnny Rockets has you covered with all your favorite American diner classics.
Portside BBQ
Oasis of the Seas is home to the only Portside BBQ in the fleet. This à la carte venue dishes up delicious ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and even turkey legs!
There are plenty of sides to complement the meat, too, including mac & cheese and home-style cornbread. Don't fill up without trying one of the desserts, though!
Chef's Table
Dining at the Chef's Table is more than your average specialty meal; it's the ultimate experience for foodies that's hosted by the chef and sommelier.
During this six-course meal, each of which is paired with the perfect wine, you will embark on a culinary journey like no other alongside a small group of other diners.
Specialty restaurant costs
The cost of specialty dining varies considerably and the same restaurant can have a different price depending on the ship. The price of a restaurant can also fluctuate from sailing to sailing.
Most specialty dining has a flat-fee surcharge, ranging from $15 (Johnny Rockets) or $60 (Chops Grille) to $100 (Chef's Table). Most specialty dining restaurant cover charges fall into the $20 to $45 range. Dining at a specialty restaurant for lunch can often be half the price of dinner while still providing the same menu.
The à la carte priced restaurants will have item prices ranging from just a few dollars up to around $20.
Some guests may wish to purchase a dining package before their cruise. By reserving an Ultimate Dining Package or 3-night Dining Package, guests can enjoy a variety of restaurants at a lower cost than purchasing meals at each restaurant individually.
Specialty restaurant hours
All Royal Caribbean specialty restaurants are open for dinner, with some open during breakfast and/or lunch.
Lunch meals at specialty restaurants usually are priced a bit lower and only on sea days. Breakfast is quite rare to be offered at Royal Caribbean specialty restaurants aside from an included breakfast for Pinnacle members. Some specialty venues, like Johnny Rockets on Oasis Class ships, transform to offer breakfast for no additional fee.
For breakfast or lunch, advanced reservations are not usually available or required.
Kids at specialty restaurants
Royal Caribbean welcomes children that are 12 years old or younger to its specialty restaurants (when accompanied by an adult) and even offers them special pricing.
Kids ages 6-12 can dine at specialty restaurants for a $10 cover charge. Kids 5 years old and under eat free.
In fact, some specialty restaurants have a special kids menu that offers kid-friendly favorites from the regular menu. Children under the age of 5 will have a menu similar to the kid's menu from the Main Dining Room.
Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine, 150 Central Park, and Chef's Table do allow kids, but they are best enjoyed by children 13 years or older.
Dietary restrictions and special requests
Royal Caribbean is very accommodating when it comes to guests with special dietary needs. The cruise line can handle a number of requests, such as food allergies, gluten-free, Kosher, low-fat, and low-sodium.
Vegetarian meals (including Indian-style vegetarian) are available on all menus in the Dining Room and Windjammer every day. Guests do not need to make a special request for these meals.
Lactose-free milk, ensure, and kosher meals are available at no extra charge. All you have to do is notify Royal Caribbean at least 45 days prior to sailing (90 days for European/South American Itineraries).
A selection of non-dairy milk is available at coffee shops and at the Windjammer or Main Dining Room upon request.
For any and all dietary requests, contact your travel agent or Certified Vacation Planner and request that the remark be noted in your reservation details. If you made your reservation online at royalcaribbean.com, you may add your request to the "update personal information." section. You may also send an email request to [email protected].
Please include in the email the guests' names, booking number, ship name, and sail date. E-mails will receive an automated response.
More Royal Caribbean food info
This blog post is just the beginning of the many options, choices, and tips about dining on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Here are a few more resources that will help you better understand what to expect once onboard:
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