Cruise ships are a foodie's heaven. There's something for every craving, whether it's late-night pizza, a juicy steak, seafood, or salad for those looking for a lighter option. Plus, it's possible to not spend an extra dime on food—so long as you stick to the complimentary restaurants.
That said, cruise lines aren't typically known for their high-quality food. While that's not to say you won't have delicious meals, not everything offered will be the same quality you would expect in fine-dining restaurants.
If you have a sensitive stomach or simply want to avoid some of the worst options, here's a list of 5 foods you should never eat on a cruise.
Communal condiments
In the buffet, you'll see a whole station of communal condiments. While it's suggested that everyone wash their hands before entering the buffet, it's unlikely that absolutely everyone scrubbed with soap and water before filling their plates with food. Personally, I like to wash my hands before entering the buffet and after grabbing my food.
Additionally, condiments are supposed to be refrigerated after they're opened. On cruise ships, however, they're often left out for hours. I've even seen condiment stations outdoors, like at Big Chicken and Guy's Burger Joint on Carnival Celebration. Since their temperature isn't being controlled, the chances of pathogenic bacteria growing is increased. You do not want to get food poisoning while on vacation!
For those reasons, you will want to think twice before pumping ketchup or mayonnaise on your burger.
Read more: 20 rules of cruise ship etiquette no one ever tells you (but should)
Tap water in port
Staying hydrated on your cruise is important. Otherwise, you might develop a pulsing headache in the middle of an activity.
All cruise lines include water in your base fare. While you may not be able to stock up on plastic bottles without paying extra, you can always bring a refillable water bottle to keep in your cabin's mini-fridge.
While ashore, you should also avoid the local water. Many destinations, such as Mexico and the Dominican Republic, do not have clean drinking water. The distribution system may contribute to the water becoming contaminated (i.e., containing bacteria and parasites) while en route to the tap.
Drinking contaminated water is one way to quickly ruin your trip, as it's likely that you'll have to remain close to the bathroom for some time, meaning you won't be able to enjoy the ship's onboard amenities and might even miss an entire day ashore!
Scrambled eggs at the buffet
I love starting my morning with some protein, and scrambled eggs are usually my go-to.
On cruises, however, the eggs at the buffet tend to be a miss—it's not uncommon for cruise lines to use powered eggs, which have a squishy texture. Even if prepared fresh, scrambled eggs kept under heat lamps dry out quickly. The same is true for hardboiled eggs, which may be too hot to touch!
Instead, I prefer to go to the made-to-order section and get an omelet. Not only am I guaranteed fresh eggs, but I also get to add spinach, cheese, and other customizations.
Speaking of the buffet, you'll want to be careful to put each utensil back in the correct space. If you don't, it could lead to cross-contamination.
So, for example, if you use tongs to pick up vegetables, do not place them near any meats. Additionally, if you see utensils that have fallen into a dish, flag down a crew member, so they can get you a fresh serving tool and discard the contained food.
Read more: 10 things you should never do at a cruise ship buffet
Soft serve ice cream cones
Similar to the condiment situation, on ships where the soft serve is self-serve, you'll want to ensure that before digging in, you sanitize the hand that touched the lever before it grabs the cone.
There are a lot of hands, including those of young children, that will have touched the lever before you, and, unfortunately, you have no way of telling if they were clean or not. Another solution is to either use a napkin when serving yourself or ditch the cone completely and use a bowl.
Some cruise lines have crew members available during operational hours to prepare the cone for you!
Don't overdo it with dinner rolls
Finally, while dinner rolls aren't an item you should completely avoid, you should approach them with caution. Yes, they're delicious, but if you eat too many, you likely will not have room for your appetizer, entrée, and dessert.
In general, you should monitor what you eat. It's tempting - and easy - to go overboard (no pun intended) while on a cruise when you have seemingly unlimited food options.
Before heading back up to the buffet for a second plate, consider whether you're just eating because you can or if you are hungry for more. The last thing you want to happen on vacation is an upset stomach because you overate.
Read more: Your really dumb cruise ship dining questions answered
For the best options on a cruise ship, you'll want to splurge on specialty dining
The main dining experience on cruise ships is supposed to be indulgent. Where else can you have three courses each evening without worrying about receiving a large tab at the end of the meal? Of course, the main dining staff caters to thousands of individuals each night.
If you are someone seeking an elevated dining experience that's more intimate, consider splurging on at least one specialty meal. While not included in the cost of your cruise fare, dining at one of these restaurants is more akin to what you can expect while eating at a land-based restaurant. There are fewer seats, and the ingredients are of higher quality.
Oftentimes, specialty restaurants offer a unique experience, too. Many ships have teppanyaki venues, where you can get a delicious hibachi meal and a show! Others, such as Wonderland on select Royal Caribbean ships, have fun themes with adventurous menus.
Cruise ship dining FAQ
Do the dining room menus change?
Yes, you can expect new menu options in the main dining room each night of your cruise. Specialty restaurants, however, tend to have the same menu for the entire cruise.
One pro tip is to check the main dining room's menu in advance, and if there's a night that you are not particularly fond of, you might consider booking a romantic dinner at the steakhouse or a lively teppanyaki experience.
How much do specialty restaurants cost?
The cost of each specialty restaurant will depend on which cruise line you're booked on. The ship sometimes makes a difference, too, as older vessels do not have as many to choose from.
That said, you can find cruises with specialty restaurants serving anything from sushi to steak, upscale French cuisine, handmade pasta, casual bar bites, and more.
Some cruise lines have dining packages you to bundle multiple specialty venues for a flat fee. Royal Caribbean, for example, offers a package that allows guests to dine at Chops and another venue of their choosing for around $105 when booked in advance on the Cruise Planner.
Read more: 16 tips to not waste money on your first cruise
Is there a limit as to how much food I can eat?
Generally, no. If you are in the buffet and want a third or fourth serving, there will not be anybody stopping you. Similarly, it is not uncommon to hear of people ordering multiple appetizers, entrées, and desserts in the main dining room.
Some cruise lines, like Carnival, charge for extra entrees, though, and Royal Caribbean no longer allows you to order unlimited lobster tails on formal night.
That said, even though you can eat as much as you want, you do not want to overdo it and feel ill or bloated later in the cruise. It's okay to indulge while on vacation but keep an eye on your consumption!
Do cruise ships have room service?
Room service is one of many dining options while onboard your cruise. What is and is not included, however, is dependent on which line you're sailing with.
At a minimum, you can usually expect a complimentary continental breakfast during certain hours, though. You can select from basic offerings like assorted pastries, fruit, cereal, juice, and coffee.
If you're in the mood for an afternoon or late-night snack delivered right to your door, you can often find things like pizza, quesadillas, chicken tenders or wings, french fries, sandwiches, salads, and desserts. Even if room service is included, you may have to pay a mandatory service charge for the delivery. Plus, you may want to tip the crew who brings your order to you!
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
