Founder & Cruise Expert
Avid cruise enthusiast who cruised so many times he decided to make it a career. Ian has sailed on over 30 cruise lines across 6 continents, from budget-friendly Carnival sailings to luxury Regent Seven Seas voyages. He built CruiseShipTracking to help fellow cruisers track ships, plan voyages, and find the best deals.
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Most cruise ship dining is included in your fare, the main dining room, buffet, and casual eateries are all free. Specialty restaurants cost $25-75 per person and should be booked on embarkation day.
In This Article
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Cruise ship food has a reputation it does not deserve. Yes, there are buffet lines with industrial-scale scrambled eggs. But there are also Italian trattorias, Japanese teppanyaki tables, farm-to-table chef's menus, and hand-tossed pizza at midnight. Most of it free.
Dining is one of the most underrated parts of cruising. Once you understand how the system works, what is included, what costs extra, and how to get the best table in the house, you can eat extraordinarily well every single night.
This guide covers everything: the types of restaurants on cruise ships, what is included vs. what costs extra, how every major cruise line compares for food, and the practical tips that separate first-timers from seasoned cruisers.
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Types of Dining on Cruise Ships
Modern cruise ships are essentially floating restaurant districts. A large ship like Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas carries 20+ dining venues. Even a mid-size ship will have eight to twelve options. Here is how they break down.
Main Dining Room (MDR)
The main dining room is the centerpiece of every cruise ship and included in your fare. It offers full waiter service, multiple courses, and a rotating menu that changes nightly. Breakfast and lunch are also served in the MDR on most sea days.
Quality varies by cruise line, but a well-executed MDR dinner, with a proper appetizer, soup or salad, entree, and dessert, is a genuinely enjoyable experience. This is not cafeteria food. It is a restaurant with tablecloths and a team of servers dedicated to your section.
Assigned vs. flexible dining: Most cruise lines offer two MDR systems.
Traditional (assigned) seating gives you the same table, the same waiters, and the same dinner companions every night. You choose early seating (typically 6pm) or late seating (typically 8pm). The advantage: your waiters learn your preferences quickly and the experience feels personal.
Anytime (flexible) dining lets you show up whenever you want and sit with whoever is available. More convenient for port-heavy itineraries, though waits are common at peak hours (7-8pm).
Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, MSC, and Celebrity all offer anytime dining options. Carnival has introduced "Your Time Dining" fleet-wide. Princess uses a hybrid system called "Dine My Way."
The Buffet
Every ship has a buffet. And on the biggest ships, it spans the width of the vessel with dozens of stations. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served daily. Many buffets stay open until midnight with reduced options. Some lines run a 24-hour pizza or dessert station adjacent to the main buffet.
Quality has improved markedly on every mainstream line over the past decade. Carnival's Lido Marketplace and Norwegian's Garden Cafe both punch well above the "mass catering" expectation, with action stations for pasta, carving stations at dinner, and a rotating spread of global cuisines.
The buffet is casual, quick, and always free. It is the right choice when you are in your swimsuit and hungry after a morning at sea.
Specialty Restaurants
Specialty restaurants are the ship's premium dining venues. Independently themed, reservation-required, and priced separately from your cruise fare. Common venues include:
Steakhouses ($35-55 per person)
Italian trattorias ($30-50 per person)
Sushi and Japanese restaurants ($35-55 per person)
Seafood restaurants ($40-65 per person)
Asian fusion ($35-50 per person)
French bistros ($45-75 per person)
The food quality at the best specialty restaurants genuinely competes with good city restaurants on land. Norwegian's Cagney's Steakhouse, Celebrity's Le Voyage (on the Edge class), and Oceania's specialty dining are consistently excellent.
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View on AmazonDining packages offer savings if you plan to eat at specialty restaurants multiple times. Royal Caribbean's 3-Night Dining Package, NCL's specialty dining bundles, and Celebrity's "Always Included" packages can reduce per-visit costs by 20-40% compared to a la carte pricing.
Room Service
Room service is included on most mainstream cruise lines, though some charge a delivery fee (typically $3-9.95 per order). The menu is smaller than what you find in the MDR, with sandwiches, salads, soups, fruit, and desserts as the staples. Most lines offer 24-hour room service.
Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, and MSC charge delivery fees fleet-wide. Celebrity, Carnival, and Princess include basic room service in the fare. Suite guests on virtually every line receive complimentary room service regardless of the general policy.
A continental breakfast delivered to your balcony before a port stop is one of cruising's simple pleasures. Worth using at least once.
Pool Deck and Casual Eateries
Scattered across the pool deck and upper decks, casual eateries serve the food you actually want when you are in vacation mode. These are always included in your fare.
Typical offerings:
Burgers and hot dogs. Royal Caribbean's Guy's Burger Joint (Carnival collaboration) and Johnny Rockets (extra charge on some ships) are passenger favorites
Pizza. Often available 24 hours, made to order on Celebrity and NCL
Tacos and Mexican street food. Increasingly common on newer ships
Poolside grill. Grilled fish, chicken, ribs
Ice cream and soft serve. Always free, always crowded
These spots are the backbone of daytime eating at sea. The food is simple, satisfying, and free.
Chef's Table
The Chef's Table is the most exclusive dining experience on the ship. A multi-course tasting menu hosted in the galley or a private dining room, usually accompanied by wine pairings and commentary from a senior chef. Capacity is small (eight to sixteen guests), prices run $100-200 per person, and spots sell out quickly.
If you care about food, the Chef's Table is worth doing once. It is interactive, the portions are generous, and the behind-the-scenes access to the ship's kitchen is genuinely interesting. Book the moment your cruise opens for advance reservations.
What's Included vs. Extra
Here is the clear breakdown, no ambiguity.
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View on AmazonMain dining room (all meals)
Buffet (all hours open)
Pool deck casual eateries (burgers, pizza, tacos, grill)
Basic room service (delivery fee may apply on some lines)
Soft drinks and juice at the buffet
Water, iced tea, lemonade, and coffee/tea throughout the ship
Costs Extra
All specialty restaurants ($25-75 per person)
Chef's Table ($100-200 per person)
Alcoholic beverages (unless you have a drink package)
Premium non-alcoholic drinks (specialty coffee, fresh-squeezed juices, bottled water, premium sodas)
Room service delivery fee on Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, and MSC
Late-night room service on some budget cabin categories
Varies by Cruise Line
Item | Royal Caribbean | Carnival | NCL | Celebrity | MSC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MDR | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included |
Buffet | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included |
Room service delivery | $7.95 fee | Included | $9.95 fee | Included | $5 fee |
Specialty restaurants | $30-65 | $20-55 | $30-70 | $30-75 | $20-45 |
24-hour pizza | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included |
Specialty coffee | Extra | Extra | Extra | Included (Always Included fare) | Extra |
Dining by Cruise Line
Not all cruise lines invest equally in food. Here is an honest assessment of where each line stands.
Best for Serious Foodies: Oceania and Celebrity
Oceania Cruises has built its brand almost entirely on food. Their ships carry the tagline "finest cuisine at sea". And the claim holds up. Jacques Pepin serves as culinary director. The Canyon Ranch spa cafe, Polo Grill, and Toscana Italian restaurant are consistently ranked among the best afloat. Food is a reason to choose Oceania, not just a perk.
Celebrity Cruises has improved sharply since the Edge-class ships launched. Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud, Raw on 5 (oyster and sushi bar), and Fine Cut Steakhouse are genuinely impressive specialty options. The main dining room quality is above average for the mainstream segment.
Best Variety: Royal Caribbean
On the Oasis and Icon-class ships, Royal Caribbean operates 20+ dining venues per ship. From Jamie's Italian to Izumi Hibachi to Sugar Beach candy shop, the sheer volume of options is unmatched. If your travel group has wildly different tastes, Royal Caribbean's variety makes everyone happy. The MDR is competent but not the reason you choose this line.
Best Overall Value: Celebrity
Celebrity's "Always Included" fare bundles gratuities, classic drinks, and basic Wi-Fi into the base price. For dining specifically, the MDR quality is among the best of the mainstream lines, and the specialty restaurants are priced fairly. You get more for your money than comparable Royal Caribbean or Norwegian fares.
Best Buffet: Carnival
Carnival's Lido Marketplace consistently outperforms expectations. Their "Cucina del Capitano" lunch, free Italian served family-style on sea days, is a standout. The Guy's Burger Joint (on ships without a separate charge) and BlueIguana Cantina taco bar have cult followings. Carnival passengers eat well without spending extra.
Best Specialty Dining: Norwegian Cruise Line
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View on AmazonNorwegian built the "Freestyle Dining" concept and pioneered the specialty restaurant wave on cruise ships. Cagney's Steakhouse (one of the best steaks at sea), Teppanyaki (high-demand, book early), Onda by Scarpetta Italian, and Q Texas Smokehouse give NCL a genuinely strong specialty lineup. The MDR is average. The specialty restaurants are where NCL shines.
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View on AmazonTips for Getting the Most from Cruise Dining
Book Specialty Restaurants Early. Then Book Again on Embarkation Day
The best specialty restaurant slots open for advance booking 90-120 days before departure. Book them then. If you miss it, your second chance is embarkation day. Head directly to the restaurant or the reservations desk when you board. Staff often run first-day promotions (10-20% discounts) and spots do open up.
Avoid waiting until day two or three. Popular venues like NCL's Teppanyaki and Celebrity's Rooftop Garden Grill fill up completely before the ship leaves port.
Use the MDR at Least Three Times
First-time cruisers often eat exclusively at the buffet and miss the main dining room entirely. This is a mistake. The MDR at dinner is a different experience. Multi-course, unhurried, with a server who knows your preferences by night two if you have traditional seating. Go at least three times per seven-night sailing. Order the special. Try the dessert soufflé.
Early Seating vs. Late Seating: The Real Trade-offs
Early seating (around 6pm) works best if you have young children, if you want to be done before the evening show, or if you plan to go to bed before midnight. The downside: if your shore excursion runs long, you will miss dinner and scramble for alternatives.
Late seating (around 8pm) gives you more time after ports and sea days before sitting down. It fits adults who cruise for the nightlife. The downside: dinner runs until 10pm or later, which cuts into evening entertainment.
Anytime dining solves the scheduling problem but creates a different one: wait times of 20-45 minutes are common at peak hours (7:30-8:30pm). Either go at 6pm or after 9pm to avoid the rush, or use the virtual queue app if your ship offers one.
Communicate Dietary Restrictions Before You Board
Do not wait until you are standing in front of a waiter to mention your celiac disease or shellfish allergy. Here is the correct sequence:
Mark your dietary requirements when you complete your online check-in or fill out pre-cruise forms (most lines have a dedicated field).
Email the cruise line's special needs or dietary team directly 30-45 days before sailing to confirm your requirements are noted.
On embarkation day, speak with the main dining room maitre d' and, if applicable, the head chef on duty.
On your first MDR night, tell your server again. A well-run MDR will then prepare your next night's meal in advance based on what you choose from tomorrow's menu.
Buffets are inherently higher-risk for severe allergies due to cross-contamination. Stick to the MDR for allergy-sensitive meals where chefs can prepare your food separately.
Formal Nights: What to Expect
A standard seven-night sailing typically includes one or two formal nights in the main dining room. The dress code ranges from "smart casual" (Carnival) to "black tie optional" (Cunard). Mainstream lines like Royal Caribbean and Celebrity ask for cocktail attire. A dress, blazer, or suit. You are not required to attend the MDR on formal night. The buffet and casual spots have no dress code. But formal nights have a certain atmosphere that many passengers genuinely enjoy. It is worth experiencing at least once.
Tipping in the Dining Room
Automatic gratuities cover your MDR servers, assistant waiters, and behind-the-scenes kitchen staff. You do not need to tip them in cash on top of the daily auto-gratuity. If your servers went above and beyond, remembered your preferences, arranged something special, a $10-20 cash tip at the end of the voyage is a thoughtful gesture. For the full breakdown of cruise gratuities, see our cruise tipping guide.
Food Allergies and Special Diets
Cruise ships serve thousands of meals per day. Managing dietary restrictions at that scale requires planning. From you and from the cruise line. Here is what you need to know.
How to Notify the Cruise Line
Submit your dietary requirements in writing at least 30 days before sailing, preferably at booking. Most cruise lines have a special needs or dietary services team accessible by email. Include:
The specific allergy or intolerance (e.g., "tree nut allergy. Anaphylactic, carries EpiPen")
Whether you need a fully allergen-free preparation environment or whether traces are acceptable
Any secondary requirements (e.g., gluten-free AND dairy-free)
Vague requests ("I don't eat nuts") are less effective than specific ones. Be precise.
Vegetarian and Vegan Options
Every mainstream cruise line now offers vegetarian options at every meal. Vegan options vary widely:
Celebrity Cruises. Best mainstream vegan program, dedicated plant-based menus in MDR
Norwegian Cruise Line. Improving; vegan options available but less extensive
Royal Caribbean. Solid vegetarian selection, vegan choices available on request
Carnival. Growing vegan menu; dedicated vegan options added across MDR menus
MSC Cruises. Mediterranean cuisine skews vegetable-forward; vegan clearly labeled on menus
Oceania Cruises. Premium plant-based dishes equal in quality to other menu items
On all lines, pre-ordering your vegan meals the night before through the MDR will give you better quality than last-minute requests.
Gluten-Free
Gluten-free dining has become standard across the industry. The MDR can prepare gluten-free versions of most dishes with advance notice. The buffet is higher risk, opt for the MDR or speak with the buffet chef on duty about safe options. Dedicated gluten-free bread, pasta, and desserts are stocked by Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Carnival, and NCL.
Kosher and Halal
Kosher: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Holland America, and NCL can accommodate kosher meal requests with advance notice (usually 60+ days). Meals are prepared off-ship and sealed, then reheated onboard. Options are more limited than the standard menu but cover breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the MDR.
Halal: MSC has the strongest halal accommodation program due to its large European and Middle Eastern passenger base. Royal Caribbean and Norwegian can accommodate halal requests with advance notice, though availability varies by ship.
Final Thoughts
Cruise ship dining is one of the most underestimated parts of the vacation. The included options (the main dining room, the buffet, the pool deck) are genuinely good if you know how to use them. The specialty restaurants, at $35-65 per person, deliver experiences that rival good shoreside restaurants. And the sheer volume of it (available around the clock, without worrying about a bill at the end) is part of what makes cruising feel special.
The keys are simple: book specialty restaurants early, use the main dining room for at least a few evenings, communicate dietary needs before you sail, and do not judge the whole experience by the lunch buffet on embarkation day.
Ready to start planning? Browse cruise ships to see what dining each vessel offers, or explore our cruise line guides to compare dining quality across the major lines.
