During my recent cruise on Princess Cruises' newest and largest ship, I ventured from the included dining options in favor of their specialty restaurants to elevate my culinary experience.
While you'll get the most bang for your buck by sticking with complimentary restaurants on cruise ships, specialty restaurants are known for offering higher-quality cuisine in intimate environments.
Despite the extra cost, I've grown fond of the specialty experience. Sometimes, I find the main dining rooms too overstimulating to enjoy a relaxing meal, and the dining room's food quality isn't always top-notch.
You can only expect so much on a cruise trying to feed thousands of people within hours, though. Still, specialty restaurants rarely disappoint me, and I wanted to see if they proved to be as memorable aboard the brand-new Sun Princess.
During my 8 nights on the 177,882 gross registered ton ship, I dined at Love by Britto; The Catch by Rudi; O'Malley's Irish Pub; Makoto Ocean; Alfredo's Pizzeria; and Umai, Princess' first Teppanyaki restaurant. Each offered a unique twist that set it apart from standard cruise fare. However, the experience was not without its highs and lows.
Here's my ranking of the six specialty restaurants I ate at on Sun Princess.
#1: Umai Teppanyaki
When I saw that Sun Princess had a Teppanyaki restaurant onboard, I scoured the app for an available reservation. The intimate restaurant also has hot pot tables, offering a unique dining experience that combines the excitement of hibachi with the interactive and personal nature of hot pot.
The meal began with edamame, and while I'm usually a fan of edamame, this was my least favorite course. Overall, the soybeans were bland and needed to be saltier.
Thankfully, the quality of the food increased after that. From the rich miso soup to the crispy shrimp firecracker roll, my appetizers didn't leave much to be desired.
That said, my fiancée went with the Kabuki Salad and was disappointed with the ginger dressing. She tried the Prawn Cracker Shrimp and said it was much better, regretting her initial choice.
The fried rice was perfectly cooked, and I appreciated the ratio of vegetables/egg to rice. The rice wasn't over-seasoned, either. It had the right amount of soy sauce to elevate the taste without overpowering the dish. In fact, I think it was some of the best Teppanyaki fried rice I've had in a long time and was a highlight of the meal.
I was disappointed to learn that lobster wasn't included, as my go-to order at hibachi restaurants is usually filet and lobster. At Umai, the lobster tail had a $15 upcharge, which would have brought the cost of the specialty meal to $60 versus $45/each.
Wanting to be mindful of my spending, I ordered shrimp and filet mignon. I was worried I'd regret not spending the extra $15; however, the shrimp and filet were exceptional. The shrimp were cooked to perfection. They were juicy, tender, and had a slight char that enhanced their natural flavor.
The filet was equally impressive, though I wish it was seasoned slightly more. Cooked to a perfect medium, it was tender, with each bite melting in my mouth.
By this point, I was questioning whether I had room for dessert. The mochi ice cream portion, however, was perfect. Drizzled with a little caramel sauce, it was the ideal sweet finish. My only complaint is that I wish the flavor had been different.
#2: Love by Britto
Love by Britto is a brand-new restaurant for Princess Cruises and is a vibrant feast for the eyes and the taste buds. The artistic-inspired dining experience costs $79 per person and combines Romero Britto's colorful art with a menu curated by celebrity Chef Rudi Sodamin.
“Love by Britto on the Sun Princess celebrates the universal language of love, expressed through Britto’s vibrant art and design and promises to be uplifting and transformative for our guests," said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises, "With a perfect blend of art, beauty, and soul, Love by Britto is destined to leave a lasting impression.”
The meal began with fluffy heart-shaped bread. It was so flaky it reminded me of a warm, perfectly cooked croissant!
From there, I opted to try the Pumpkin Ricotta Ravioli with Carrot Foam. I was worried it would have a strong pumpkin taste, similar to a pumpkin pie. However, I was pleasantly surprised. It was tender and sweet with a subtle hint of pumpkin, rather than being overwhelmed by a single flavor.
My second course was pretty much decided for me, as I'm not a fan of tuna or mushrooms—meaning neither the Tuna & Avocado Togarashi nor the Cappuchio of Wild Mushroom sounded appealing. Instead, I ordered the Salad of Beets, Figs, and Goat Cheese.
The presentation definitely honed in on the concept of "love." That said, there wasn't anything overly special about it. The dressing was good and the figs were sweet, but there were few beets.
Afterward, we were presented with a palate cleanser called Granita of Pink Champagne and Rose Petals, which was a little alcoholic sorbet. It was a nice, refreshing treat before our entrées.
The star of the show was the Duet of Prime Beef and Wagyu, which was cooked to a juicy medium. The cuts of meat were drizzled with a red wine reduction that elevated the flavor, and I equally enjoyed the vegetables, particularly the tender carrot!
Unfortunately, our meal ran later than expected, and we had to skip dessert to make it to one of the shows on time. I was looking forward to trying Tyra Banks' Smize & Dream ice cream inspired by Lionel Richie!
While the food was delicious, the attention to detail—from the forks with heart-shaped cutouts to the beautiful decorative plates—made this meal so memorable.
#3: Alfredo's Pizzeria
Alfredo's Pizzeria should be on everyone's must-eat list on Sun Princess. From the Mozzarelle Fresca e Verdure Grigliate to Tony Gemigani's award-winning pizzas, the food is spectacular and of great value.
The $14.99 cover charge includes an appetizer, one pizza or calzone, and a dessert. With Tony's pizzas priced at $12 à la carte, the fixed price is a no-brainer.
During my 8 nights on Sun Princess, I had the opportunity to sample quite a few pizzas from Alfredo's. My favorite, however, was the Honey Pie with calabrese peppers, mozzarella, Parmigiano, hot honey, green onions, applewood smoked bacon, and fried onions.
The combination of flavors was mindblowing. The sweetness of the hot honey balanced well with the spicy kick from the calabrese peppers, and the crispy fried onions added a satisfying crunch to each bite.
I also enjoyed the Hot Soppressata pizza. As the name implies, this pizza also had a kick with the spicy soppressata and hot honey drizzle.
The soppressata had a savory punch that paired nicely with the sweet heat of the hot honey. Plus, I think it was a little healthier since it had arugula, right?
If you're looking for something a little different, I'd recommend trying the Cal Italia. Topped with prosciutto, sweet fig preserves, and a balsamic reduction, it has an interesting contrast of savory and sweet.
Read more: Princess ships by size
#4: Makoto Ocean
The brainchild of Master Chef Makoto Okuwa, Makoto Ocean on Sun Princess is a must-try for sushi lovers! Wanting to be adventurous, I tried the Omakase prix fixe menu, which began with edamame.
Though I preferred the overall dining experience at Umai, the edamame at Makoto Ocean was superior. The sprinkle of chili powder and flaky sea salt set them apart, adding a nice kick to an otherwise simple dish.
Similarly, I thought the miso soup at Makoto Ocean was great. The broth wasn't lacking in flavor and was comforting. The abundance of scallions added a crunch to each bite.
From there, the courses became more adventurous—at least for someone who doesn't eat raw seafood regularly. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the Bluefin Toto Tartare. The egg yolk sauce complemented the fish well, and the massive rice cracker gave each bite a satisfying crunch.
After the tartare, we were given our first round of nigiri, which consisted of two pieces of Spanish Bluefin Tuna and Atlantic Ora King Salmon. Between the two, I preferred the salmon. The buttery texture and subtle sweetness paired well with the hint of wasabi. Plus, I didn't find it overly fishy.
Like my experience at Love by Britto, the service was a bit slow, so we were running late to another event, meaning we didn't have long for the next course. When the next round of nigiri came out, I opted to try the Canadian Scallop and Japanese BBQ Water Eel.
As a fan of scallops, it should come as no surprise that this was my favorite. It was incredibly tender, and each bite practically melted in my mouth.
That said, I was surprised by the eel. Though I don't think I'd seek it out, the delicate texture paired with the BBQ flavor made it rather enjoyable. For $45, I'm glad I forced myself out of my comfort zone!
#5: The Catch by Rudi
The Catch is another restaurant by culinary mastermind Rudi Sodamin, who has been working with cruise lines for dozens of years. The Catch by Rudi is his newest addition and showcases his passion for seafood, offering a menu that highlights fresh, sustainable ingredients.
I began with the Lump Crabcake served with a caramelized mustard hollandaise sauce. The crabcakes were perfectly golden on the outside. The crispness gave way to a tender, flavorful center that wasn't shy with the succulent crab meat. I thought the cakes themselves were nicely complemented by the creamy hollandaise.
Unfortunately, my Sea & Shore (AKA the surf & turf) fell far short of my expectations. While the lobster was cooked well, I wasn't impressed by the filet. I thought it was underseasoned and overly chewy, which wasn't what I expected from a specialty restaurant.
Not only that, but another gentleman at my table ordered the same dish, and the presentation was drastically different. While my steak was presented with a sauce, his was bone dry! Plus, the cut of meat was noticeably different.
Though the entrée was a letdown, I was impressed with the dessert. Mozartís Berry Composition is Chef Sodamin's hometown berry soufflé and was perhaps the most memorable course of the meal. I was initially taken aback by its size; however, it was so light and airy with a small dusting of powdered sugar.
The Catch is included in Princess Premier. Otherwise, you'll have to pay $45 to dine at the specialty seafood restaurant.
#6: O'Malley's Irish Pub
O'Malley's Irish Pub launched on Enchanted Princess in 2021. It was named after Ireland's legendary pirate queen Grace O'Malley. In addition to serving lunch and dinner for $14.99, it's also a hot spot for live music in the evenings and has a great cocktail menu, as well as plenty of beers.
I had really high hopes for O’Malley’s. Sadly, the service ruined the experience. We ordered our food at 7:15pm and didn’t get our entrées until 8:35pm. The long wait was disappointing for a “casual” meal that isn’t included in the cost of the cruise fare. Plus, the food wasn't necessarily anything to write home about.
While I enjoyed the horseradish ranch dipping sauce for the onion rings, they weren't as crispy as expected. That said, my fiancée ordered the Irish Onion Soup, which was the highlight of the meal. The Guinness-infused broth was rich and flavorful, and they were generous with the caramelized onions.
Moreover, my burger was just okay. The slathering of BBQ sauce was a nice touch, and the caramelized onions added a sweetness that complemented the sauce; however, I found the meat dry and lacking flavor.
Dessert was the most disappointing. The boozy brownie came out ice cold. The cake wasn’t moist and lacked the rich chocolate taste I expected. Not only that, but the boozy kick was barely detectable.
While the food at O'Malley's was a letdown, we were kept entertained by a guest guitarist! He played a mix of classic tunes like Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love" and Irish folk tunes. Many guests stopped in just for a drink and to enjoy the music, so if visiting O'Malley's is on your must-do list, you'll want to secure a table early!
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.
