Insider Tips on Dining on Royal Caribbean Cruises

With ships sailing to more than 300 destinations around the world — and with guests just as globally diverse — Royal Caribbean dining delivers fresh, delicious and authentic cuisine catered to a range of tastes and preferences. Food lovers have a lot to look forward to on board. Royal Caribbean ships offer more than 20 dining venues, each with rotating menus that bring something new to the table every day.

Featuring everything from casual pizza and burger joints to formal and innovative dining concepts like Japanese hibachi and authentic Italian pasta, even your group’s pickiest eater will find something they love.

Travelers’ feedback drives enhancements and new additions to menus — which the chefs test and collaborate on across the fleet. There’s also flexibility, with chefs on board adapting menus and dishes to accommodate dietary requirements. And menus already note items that are vegetarian or gluten- or dairy-free.

This guide will help you navigate all your options and give you the inside scoop about how dining works on a Royal Caribbean cruise. We’ve gathered tips to help you get the most out of your dining experience, so get ready to indulge. Bon appetít.

Key Takeaways

● Complimentary dining options are plentiful, with everything from buffets to casual grab-and-go spots included in your cruise fare.

● Menus rotate daily, so you’ll always have new dishes to taste test.

● Flexible dining programs like My Time Dining make it easy to plan meals around your schedule.

● Drink packages offer convenience and value, and can be used at any venue on board.

● You’re allowed to bring a limited amount of wine or champagne on embarkation day.

● Prepaid gratuities simplify the experience, so you can focus on enjoying your meals.

● Room service provides a convenient way to munch on delicious food from the comfort of your stateroom.

● Want to see how dining works on a Royal Caribbean cruise for yourself? Explore cruise options and get a taste of the sweet life.

1. Eat When and Where You Want, With Tons of Complimentary Options

Wondering what dining is free on Royal Caribbean? Dining at any complimentary venue is included in the cost of your cruise. From the Main Dining Room and Windjammer Café, the signature buffet serving all meals of the day, to Sorrento’s Pizza and El Loco Fresh®, you’ve got plenty of fast-casual and high-end spots to grab a bite to eat. 

You also have the option of choosing to reserve a seat at specialty dining restaurants for a nominal cover charge per person. But if you want to try more than one, you’ll save more if you book a specialty dining package.

2. Savor New Entrees Daily

Royal Caribbean chefs work to ensure your meals never feel repetitive or staid. Menus change daily at complimentary dining facilities, so there are always fresh options for you and your family to choose from. 

At specialty dining restaurants, menus may shift because they operate similarly to restaurants on land. These dining spots take into account what’s in-season and available locally, and like the menus at all dining venues, are always being tested by the team for tweaks or enhancements. Menus at specialty dining restaurants are designed for variety and innovation and, during your cruise, you’ll have plenty of time to try whatever dish might catch your eye.

3. Use My Time Dining for Seamless Scheduling

Curious if you can do anytime dining on Royal Caribbean? Yes, dining times are extremely flexible, whether you want to grab a quick snack or stop and stay for a while. 

Reservations aren’t required for complimentary dining venues, but My Time Dining and My Family Time Dining programs give you flexibility when you eat, while reserving you a table. With My Time Dining, reservations are encouraged for each evening, but you’ll be able to choose a different time each day so you can seamlessly schedule dinner around the rest of your plans. To ensure quick seating, make your reservations before you start your vacation, particularly if you’re planning to eat during the most popular window, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

For those traveling with smaller kids, My Family Time Dining allows parents to get into the dining room right away and serve their kids first. Then they get whisked off for a night of fun activities by the ship’s dedicated Adventure Ocean® Youth Program staff, while parents stay and enjoy a leisurely dinner and some alone time. This perk is offered during the early seating time in the main dining room for families with children ages three to 11.

Note that reservations are needed for specialty dining restaurants. To make sure you get a table, you can make your arrangements online by going to royalcaribbean.com/booked.

Want to snag a great table right now? You can start making reservations 90 days before you sail until two days before your cruise begins. If you’d rather consider your options in person, you can make a reservation at the restaurant once you’ve boarded the ship.

4. Enhance Your Cruise With Drink Packages

Royal Caribbean has both alcoholic and non-alcoholic packages, which cover everything from wine, water, soda, coffee, tea and more. You can purchase all drink packages in advance up to two days before your cruise, as well as on board.

Royal Caribbean even has a soda package and VOOM internet bundle or an option that combines the Deluxe Beverage Package with Wi-Fi for one device, providing you with all the essentials while you’re on board for less.

5. Take Advantage of Drink Packages at Any Venue

Guests can enjoy their chosen beverage packages at any Royal Caribbean bars or lounges, including the Windjammer Café — a modern and casual food hall open for every snack and mealtime — the Main Dining Room and specialty dining restaurants. Room service and minibar aren’t included.

6. Bring Personal Drinks for Onboarding Day

For the most part, you can’t bring liquor, fortified wines or non-alcoholic beverages on board. However, you can bring personal wine or champagne on the day you first board the ship — one 750 ml bottle for each person, to be exact. If you purchase wine or liquor at a destination you visit on your cruise, the crew will store it on board for safekeeping and return it to you on the last day.

7. Enjoy Stress-Free Dining With Tips Automatically Added to Your Reservations

Gratuities are automatically added to your reservations, enabling you to sip and savor your meals without worrying about extra fees or cash requirements. Some guests do choose to recognize particularly exceptional service with an added cash gratuity throughout their cruise.

8. Get Deluxe Dining From the Comfort of Your Bed

Royal Caribbean cruises offer a diverse in-room dining menu, located in your stateroom, which is available day and night and includes a service fee. 

If you have kids, there’s a portion of the menu dedicated just to them, so your children can stay energized for their next adventure without the fuss. For everyone else in your group, choose from mouthwatering finger foods like grilled cheese sandwiches, chicken tenders, a Royal Burger and more.