Royal Caribbean Cruises offers an all-inclusive cruise fare, including staterooms, dining in various locations, onboard entertainment, and access to pools and hot tubs. The cruise line offers a variety of complimentary dining options, including specialty restaurants that offer delicious food. While not all food is included, guests can choose to enjoy meals at the restaurants or spend extra on other food.
Meals are covered in the price of a Royal Caribbean cruise, with examples for each mealtime including breakfast, which includes room service continental breakfast and a wider choice of food from complimentary restaurants like the Windjammer buffet and the Main Dining Room. Basic beverages like water, lemonade, ice water, flavored waters, brewed coffee, assorted teas, iced tea, hot chocolate, milk, lemonade, and fruit juices are available.
Complimentary dining venues vary by ship, with Windjammer and the Main Dining Room open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on all ships.
Guests can enjoy a variety of dining options, including specialty cruise dining, onboard restaurants, unique culinary experiences, and the best free food onboard Royal Caribbean Cruises. Reservations are only required for these services.
📹 What food is included with your Royal Caribbean cruise?
When you go on a Royal Caribbean cruise, you have a choice of places to eat throughout the day. So which food is included and …
Can you eat as much as you want on a cruise Royal Caribbean?
Savor the savings with the Unlimited Dining Package! For one low price, visit multiple Specialty Restaurant every night of your sailing. And as an added perk, this unlimited package also applies to lunch at specialty restaurants on sea days. Plus, enjoy a discount of 40% off bottles of wine under $100 and 20% off bottles above $100 while dining in specialty restaurants.
What beverages are free on Royal Caribbean?
If you’re wondering what drinks are included on a Royal Caribbean cruise, the answer is simple. All guests can enjoy ice water, flavored waters, brewed coffee, assorted teas, iced tea, hot chocolate, milk, lemonade and fruit juices. These are dispensed at self-serve machines in Windjammer Café and other casual dining venues and served in the Main Dining Room and other restaurants.
All ships have at least seven dining venues,with enough free options that you can feast your way through an entire cruise without paying extra for a single meal. Complimentary dining venues vary by ship, with Windjammer and the Main Dining Room open for breakfast, lunch and dinner on all ships, along with as many as five additional free options.
Depending on your mood, you can rise and shine with a breakfast of eggs, bacon, fresh fruit and unlimited coffee at the buffet or order a big plate of blueberry pancakes in the Main Dining Room. For lunch, grab a barbecue chicken pizza at Sorrento’s (included), a fully loaded hot dog with sauerkraut at Dog House (included) or choose from international buffet selections, like paella or sushi. And dinner? It can match your mood: a casual buffet or an elegant sit-down meal with a selection of appetizers, entrees and desserts from inspired menus that change daily.
What is not free on a cruise?
Activities That Cost Extra on Cruises: Bingo, casino play, arcade games, escape rooms and golf simulators will all cost you extra on most ships. Additionally, hands-on cooking classes, wine and liquor tastings, and a few other courses require an extra charge outside your fare.
Our Tip: If you see a class that appeals to you, it may be worth the small fee to learn a new skill or do something you love. Browse our picks for best cruises for enrichment and find something that speaks to you.
The Aquamar Spa on Oceania Cruises (Photo: Oceania Cruises)
Do you have to pay extra for drinks on Royal Caribbean?
Are the drinks included enough for me?. The amount of drinks Royal Caribbean includes with your cruise fare are enough to keep you hydrated and likely satisfied during your cruise.
The area where you would need to spend extra for drinks would be alcohol, soft drinks, or juices. Depending on your personal preferences, this may or may not matter.
Some people are content with what Royal Caribbean includes, while others specifically seek out drink packages in order to indulge while onboard. Many people see going on a cruise and alcoholic beverages as interlinked experiences.
Is pizza free on Royal Caribbean?
Ask any foodie who’s ever sailed with Royal Caribbean and they’ll likely rave about Sorrento’s Pizza. The pies here are legendary, made using a secret recipe for mouthwateringly good dough and served hot from the oven while the cheese is still bubbling. Go for a classic option, like Margherita, pepperoni or cheese, or try one of Sorrento’s signature creations. The Caribbean Dream is infused with BBQ, bacon and pineapple, and brings the perfect amount of smokiness and sweetness. If you’re hungry, try the Carnivore — it comes loaded with savory, tender meat. After you’ve powered through a couple of slices, treat yourself to one of the assorted desserts on offer. Everything at Sorrento’s Pizza is included in your cruise fare, and the eatery is open late, too.
If you’re craving a little time away from the kids, head to the Solarium. This peaceful hideaway is open to guests aged 18 and older, and is the perfect place to kick back and relax. The Solarium offers multiple whirlpools, as well as plenty of room to lounge in the sunshine or the shade. It also features awe-inspiring sea views and a full bar just steps away. Drop by in the morning for some cool breezes and quiet tranquility, or settle in to watch dazzling sunsets in the afternoon — admission is complimentary for cruise guests.
7. Chase Thrills On The Perfect Storm And Tidal Wavesm Water Slides.
Do I have to pay for my time dining on Royal Caribbean?
Guests who choose ‘My Time Dining’ on all European sailings will have gratuities automatically added to their bill, as they may be served by different members of the team each night.
Guests who choose ‘My Time Dining’ on all European sailings will have gratuities automatically added to their bill, as they may be served by different members of the team each night. This means tips for your waiting staff – as well as other dining and housekeeping staff – will be included in the quoted price for ‘My Time Dining’ on your cruise holiday.
Guests who choose our open dining option may opt-in to pre-paid gratuities for dining, or add them to their account at check-out.
For all European sailings you will need to pre-pay your gratuities because you may be served by different members of the team each night. This means tips for your waiting staff – as well as other dining and housekeeping staff – will be included in the quoted price for your cruise holiday.
What costs extra on Royal Caribbean?
The following services are not included in the cruise price:Dining in Specialty Restaurants such as Chops Grille, 150 Central Park, Izumi, and more.Dining in Johnny Rockets (Where applicable)Spa and Salon services.Gambling (Including Bingo)Art Auction.Any purchases made in the gift shops onboard.Shore excursions.
Effective July 1, 2024, all Royal Caribbean cruise advertisements throughout the United States will include the cruise fare and mandatory taxes, fees and port expenses in one simple display price.
- Ship accommodations
- Ocean transportation
- Most meals onboard
- Some beverages onboard
- Most entertainment onboard
The following services are not included in the cruise price:
Do you have to pay for every meal on a cruise?
Cruises promise tasty food and lots of it — this can come in the form of large dining rooms, buffets and snack stations by the pool. As part of the cruise price, there is always complimentary food of many types and flavors. Drinks included are tap water, some juices and iced tea on most lines; everything else typically costs extra. Coffee and tea are complimentary, but you’ll usually need to pay for specialty coffee beverages.
Live music, crew performances, Broadway-style shows and musical revues are generally free on cruises. Some cruises may charge extra for certain shows, but in most cases, entertainment is included in your ticket.
Many cruise lines have children’s clubs with supervised activities, and the use of these is often included in the overall cruise fare. In-room babysitting, however, will cost you extra.
Is the food on Royal Caribbean free?
Meals from many onboard venues, such as the Main Dining Room and Windjammer Café, are included in the price of your cruise. Reservations are only required for dinner.There is a service charge per person to dine at Chops Grille and Johnny Rockets.Prices are subject to change.
How to cheat Royal Caribbean drink package?
How to Hack (and Share) the Royal Caribbean Drink Package1 Buy your drink package before the cruise.2 Share the drink package with someone else.3 Order top-shelf liquor at the bar.4 Take advantage of the non-alcoholic drinks.5 Take bottled water with you on excursions.
The best tips to get the most out of your drink package while enjoying your cruise.
Your cruise is booked, your itinerary is set, and your drink package is purchased! But when you take a look at the price of everything, your drink package might stick out as an expensive luxury. With a daily charge between $60 and $80, it’s no wonder that you’d want to save money and get the most bang for your buck. Fortunately for you, we’ve compiled the best drink package hacks you can use on your Royal Caribbean cruise to cheat the system and save money. Let’s dive in!
- Purchase your drink package ahead of time online to get a discount.
- Order top-shelf liquor when you get drinks to make the most of your money.
- Order non-alcoholic drinks, like juice, coffee, and soda, throughout the day as part of your drinks package.
Can you eat as many times as you want on Royal Caribbean?
Savor the savings with the Unlimited Dining Package! For one low price, visit multiple Specialty Restaurant every night of your sailing. And as an added perk, this unlimited package also applies to lunch at specialty restaurants on sea days. Plus, enjoy a discount of 40% off bottles of wine under $100 and 20% off bottles above $100 while dining in specialty restaurants.
Are cruise buffets free?
Is food included on a cruise, or do I have to pay extra?. Your cruise fare always includes food for breakfast, lunch and dinner on a cruise ship. However, not all venues that offer food will be free. The main dining room and cruise ship buffet will always be included in your cruise fare, though a few specialty items might cost extra. Most upscale or sit-down specialty restaurants incur an extra fee, either a flat cover charge or a la carte pricing per item. Some of the more casual additional spots are free, while some charge a nominal fee. Prices are typically marked at each venue.
What kind of dining options are on a cruise ship?. Cruise ships offer a variety of onboard restaurants and dining options. Typically, the bigger ships will have more options, but even the smallest ships tend to have more than one restaurant.
In general, cruise ships will have a main dining room, a sit-down venue where you can order from a menu of American and Continental favorites (often with some international choices). These are very large, banquet-style restaurants, with a dress code enforced at dinner, and where you will likely have to share a table with other passengers. Most ships will also have a buffet restaurant near the pool, where dress is more casual and passengers can help themselves to pre-prepared food.
📹 Ranking EVERY SINGLE Free Restaurant on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship
There’s lots of places you can eat at on a Royal Caribbean cruise that are included with your cruise fare, so here’s how I would …
Great article as always Matt! So many people don’t take the time to explore all of the great complimentary options. I think your rankings are very well thought out from the overall perspective. We have been on 20+ RC cruises, and we still love the MDR and the Windjammer. We are going on Oasis in September and it will be my first shot at El Loco Fresh, and I am pumped! Love Dog House, Sorrento’s, Park Cafe…Solarium Bistro is for sure a hidden gem! Next you should do a article on the best complimentary food item. The Roast Beef sandwich at Park Cafe is top notch, and I know it’s not on the actual ship, but the Chicken Sandwich (secret style) at the Snack Shack at Coco Cay is AMAZING!
This is a great article Matt! The boardwalk dog house on the oasis class ships is really good, but I can see why it’s at the bottom! The hotdogs and sausages are lukewarm at best! I think if they brought them up to temperature, they could really have something special! I do agree they should offer some additional toppings like chili, cheese, and peppers!!
Am on the Anthem of the Seas, from Southampton to Spain and Portugal 4600 on board! With so many on board Main Dining taking 2hrs, waiters working so hard. Queues move really quickly. The Windjammer main buffet, quality and choice of food is incredible. Even at busy times like days at sea, staff are processing through the queues to tables very efficiently. Staff always helpful
Great list and a must view. A few of those while I know they exist I keep forgetting to go to them. I never think of the main dining room for breakfast/lunch. Going on a 14 night cruise this Oct and this will be something I’ll keep in mind. I’ve found the solarium and cafe 270 are hidden gems as I’ve never seen them busy, then again they tend to be in locations you pass often
I agree with these rankings although I haven’t tried Coastal Kitchen yet. Technically not a restaurant, but I would have included Room Service somewhere near the bottom of the rankings since it’s food and complimentary. What surprised me most about Royal was there wasn’t a “burgers and fries” place by the pool as on other cruise lines. Yes, we could go to the Windjammer but it just wasn’t as convenient.
Lovely assortment of with the cruise offerings,,,,I appreciate for the budget cruiser you did this,,,at some time most of us are on an uber budget to get away or to add to number of getaways. It is superb to have many nice options in included fares. I have not been on Royal yet and look forward to it very much. I saw lots of fruit and bun or bread free and salad things one could do if dieting as well and you eat less calories so when hungry you are hungry and you can spread out bites all day on calorie perusal time as well.
The best pizza at sea in Sorrento’s on Odyssey last month. I ordered a custom pizza from Evan the mngr there, with pineapple/sausage/pepperoni He called it “Caribbean Dream” and we got it the next day and took it to our room. Crispy and delicious. ALWAYS ask if you want something special or something that is not to your liking, they aim to please! MDR had the best onion soup I ever had as well. Food much improved on Odyssey last month. Ewwww the Key lime pie in MDR…mmmmmmm “yes yes yes, I’ll have what she’s having” El Loco is a great quick eatery, not TexMex and no refried beans😪 just black beans, but still tasty!!!! We ate pool deck lunch there 2 times.
I’ve only been on 2 cruises, with the last one being Symphony of the Seas (their final cruise before pandemic shutdown in 2020). It was AMAZING and the main dining room was top notch. I used to think I would want to try all the restaurants and maybe someday I will, but I’m so happy with the food and service in the main dining room that I look forward to going there each night of the cruise. I’ve always had a specific meal time but I am trying “my time dining” on my next cruise, which is March 2023 on Oasis of the Seas. Can’t wait!!!
Just cruised RCCL Nov 26-Dec 3rd and for us, we were really disappointed in the complimentary dining. The lack of selection and the quality of the menu options that were offered were really subpar in the windjammer and Park Café, and Café Promenade. At the Windjammer we found rock hard biscuits, water gravy and warm yogurt. The cruise industry was built on quality cuisine offerings and we just didn’t find that in the complementary but did find it in the specialty restaurants. We would rebook, but only because of the outstanding care of the staff and activities of the ship.
Thanks Matt. I like your ranking. Can you create a article that advises people with special diets (especially gluten free) on how to get the best gf eating experience on their cruise and what each restaurant offers? It seems like a treasure hunt at times – e.g. discovering the made-to-order gluten free crepes at the Windjammer, which restaurants have gluten free bread upon request and which don’t, the gluten-free pizza option at Sorrentos, etc.
Including Coastal Kitchen seems unfair. That’s because it is not complementary to all passengers- only those who pay extra for a cabin. Otherwise El Loco Fresh I’d rank a bit higher. Then Cafe Promenade lower. Park Cafe would be in my top 3 for it’s fresher choices. Plus it’s location in Central Park is ideal. I get whet you’re saying about the hous of operation though.
I’d put Cafe Promenade dead last. I much prefer RC’s food to NCL’s, but I mass-produced stuff from the steamer at 2am will never compare with freshly made wings or burgers in the middle of the night at Norwegian. I wish there was a non-room service option to get decent food on Royal after the Windjammer closes, which there really isnt
I was on the Odyssey and the main dining room wasn’t all that great. I understand they were still short-staffed. I also went to El Loco Fresh and got a chicken quesadilla. There was only a single tiny piece of chicken in the two I got. Showed it to the ships officer and she spoke to the cooks about actually putting chicken in them She was hilarious because she told me they were probably Romanian chickens (se was from Romania) and they were pretty small. Then we were on the Enchantment of the Seas and the MDR was fantastic- as well as the staff. The Odyssey had terrible crab cakes and the Enchantment had the best crab cakes I have ever eaten, and I live in Maryland. So same line, different ships = different food experiences.
I like the MDR too. And for breakfast you can ask for other things and I’ve created my own meal, like avocado. The WJ is the same food for each meal/every day and it gets old quick. The desserts are the best thing about WJ and bad because you usually have to deal with crowds, lines and seating issues.
Fresh off a cruise on the Spectrum of the Seas which has Silver / Gold Dining and no Coastal Kitchen, i would say that Silver Dining which even Junior Suites get access to is considerably better than MDR. It has a smaller selection but everything is of higher quality, and the smaller crowd is wonderful.
Coastal Kitchen for dinner is our go to. Wife loves the pizza @ Sorrento’s for a quick bite. Loco Fresh and Windjammer work as well. You are right about the Solarium Bistro. If is often forgotten. Haven’t been in the MDR on our last couple of cruises. Don’t really miss it. Hate having to wait for late arriving folks or that pod/pool style of ordering and serving. I want to order, have the order placed, and served. Don’t like to have to wait.
❤As I woll be going on my first cruise in a few weeks I really appreciate this list! Thanks! For the short amount of time we will be there, there are so many choices for everything it seems overwhelming andnyour vlogs are so helpful! There is a sandwhich that you mentioned a few times but I could not figure out what you said…can you clarify? Looking forward to the culinary adventures on the seas!
I agree with the rankings, ive not been luck enough to have access to Costal Kitchen and i totally forget about the Solarium Bistro. I LoVe el loco fresh, and their docla leche is amaing my favorite desert hands down! I feel like Sorentos is a hit or miss and I LOVE Pizza. Mini bites looks intriguing, they could re-tool it and it would be great I think. The Dog House… I felt was lack luster.. they could be grilled!!! I wish there was a Deli-like place… included… it would be cheap, heck I think a pizza cost more to make.
It would be nicer if the cruises had 3-4 distinct restaurants with unique cuisines included in the fare. If that makes the costs higher thats fine. Also more seafood options please specially bone in fish grilled to perfection. We are litterally in the ocean for most cruises but the fish variety is severly lacking in many cruises
Onboard Spectrum, there’s no solarium bistro, since this Quantum ultra class was specifically designed for Chinese market, they had Silver dining (for Sea, Sky, Star suite guests) at deck 14 right at solarium bistro (in other Quantum ships) and Gold dining (for sky and star suite guest) at deck 16 where the gym was supposed to be (in other Quantum ships), completely replaced Coastal kitchen. Silver dining were more or less like solarium bistro, a scaled down version of windjammers if you want somewhere less busy and quiet. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well, while gold dining is a traditional sit down dining, unfortunately the menu in gold dining didn’t change at all, mostly Chinese “fine dining” dishes. I would personally rate Silver dining way to the top and gold at the bottom.
IMHO top 5: Coastal Kitchen > Solarium Bistro > Park Cafe > El Loco Fresh > Main Dining Room. Purely on quality of food and having food I like. I’ve been very disappointed with the MDR 2023 menus. I hate buffets but Solarium is small enough that it squeaks in but Wind Já Mer is a hard pass for me. Royal needs more food options ON THE POOL DECK! Princess has a pizza restaurant and a grill right by the pools and it’s fantastic to be able to go right up in a bathing suit and grab a slice.
Would you make a ranking of the specialty restaurants?!?! I’m going on the oasis with just my husband this fall, since we’re without kiddos this time we booked several specialty dining nights; chops, Giovanni’s and 150 Central Park. We’ve never done specialty dining on royal (well we did wonderland once) hoping we made good choices.
My family and I are booked to sail in Feb on Wonder and we can’t wait. I was on the website looking at the different restaurant options and the menus an I have a question about the doghouse. I luv hotdogs with chili, but I don’t see chili as a topping for the hotdogs so I wanna know does anyone know if the doghouse have chili as a condiment. Asking for a friend😂
I have tried El Loco fresh twice. Once on Symphony and recently on Wonder. I really didn’t like what I had which was the chicken taco. The chicken had no taste at all. I had high hopes! The best thing about the one on the Wonder was the really good Watermelon margarita I had from the bar. Next time you are in Southern California I will let you know what the best mexican food is right here in Long Beach. I may even join you since we are there every Saturday.
I think your list is pretty on target Matt. So, I’ve only cruised with Royal twice so far, Freedom and most recently on Harmony. It was interesting how the pastries, baked goods and Sorrento’s were better on Harmony and for some reason those breakfast waffles were delicious on Freedom, yet the ones on Harmony had no flavor. El Loco Fresh was just ok, and living in Los Angeles probably sets the Mexican bar pretty high. I was very disappointed with Park Cafe and mini bites was pretty bad. Windjammer for dinner on Harmony was not good (breakfast and lunch much better) and MDR for both ships were definitely at the top of my list. Dog House was another disappointment, breakfast and lunch at Solarium Bistro was quite good, but never made it to dinner. Hopefully next time on Ovation when we go to Alaska next May. I find with the other lines I’ve sailed (Carnival and Princess) each ship within their fleet has it’s inconsistencies, obviously now Royal included. Going on a quick 3 day on Navigator end of January so that should be fun to compare. Anyhow, thanks for posting!
Just got off the Freedom today and decided to see what people generally thought of the dining. Food was very underwhelming this time around and the main dining room dinner felt very rushed. I wonder how much of that comes down to it being a 3-night New Years cruise – you get what you sign up for I guess – but I will say the Chef’s Table was absolutely wonderful.
Wish there was a cruise ship experience on land with no fire hazards, no cramped spaces and no risk of drowning and for people with little money. You know like Disney World Expo but instead a Royal Caribbean Expo in Orlando with small park in between so that visitors can enjoy everything..maybe even stay at a hotel that shares the cruise ship atmosphere and water right outside the balcony. Come on, it can be done. Same restaurants shops and entertainment.
We were on navigator of the seas April 2023. I was really excited to try Royal Caribbean food. The windjammer was really disappointing. Not much tasted good and a lot of dishes were foreign country based. We ended up eating in the mdr for breakfast and lunch also. The prime rib in mdr was lousy. It was only 1/2″ thick and didn’t taste good. Same with the New York steak was really lousy. I paid for the chops filet mignon one night in the mdr and it was excellent. The beef tenderloin was almost just as good as the filet mignon. My favorite dessert in the mdr surprisingly was the key lime pie. It was excellent and I crave it still. Very mellow with a sweet creamy taste. Reminded me of a cheesecake. I was surprised the El loco fresh nacho cheese was terrible. I couldn’t even eat the nachos. Very runny consistency and terrible taste.
Solarium is our breakfast spot. After 45 minutes of opening you will have to wait for a table for a few minutes. It is very busy on the Wonder. Food is better than windjammer but not as much variety. The dining room food amass delicious except for the prime rib. I don’t care for the prime rib on any royal ship I’ve been on. Sorrentos only has pizza on newer ships. Oasis class they serve a lot more than pizza. I wished they served more than 3 pizzas on the Wonder and that was a disappointment.
Well I’m gonna disagree with you. lol I’m not a fan of MDR. I avoid it whenever I can. The service has always been good but the taste is hit or miss. And imo, it’s a miss most of the time. So MDR would be in my bottom third with Doghouse and Mini Bites. I would rank like this, just based on taste and options: 1. Windjammer 2. Sorrentos 3. El Loco Fresh 4. Johnny Rockets Breakfast 5. Solarium Bistro 6. Park Cafe 7. Cafe Promenade 8. Dog House 9. MDR 10. Mini Bites I haven’t eaten at the other 3 options yet.
I really dislike the Windjammer. I’m not a picky eater in the least, and very very little was appetizing in the Windjammer. As far as the Main Dining Room goes, most of my food came out cold, lacked seasoning, was over/under cooked, etc. Which makes it super sad that MDR had the “best” food on our cruise. We had a lot of trouble with the MDR food not matching what the menu said it was supposed to be. Sorrento’s was super disappointing. All in all, I was irritated with the food. Even Chop’s, Sabor, and Giovanni’s wasn’t anything I would want to pay money for. Cafe Promenade was not free on our cruise.
The food in the Windjammer is absolutely terrible, having a big variety doesn’t not make it good….and if your talking good food in the park cafe you can get cream cheese and lox on a bagel for breakfast in less than 3 minutes, made to order salads, and the best roast beef sandwich with gravy (plus ready made sandwiches and fruit cups and cookies)….all much better than cafe promenade (open 24 hours a day does not make it a good place to eat)