The best first-time cruisers have questions about everything, ranging from the cabins to onboard activities, port of call, and dining.
Dining is especially important because nobody wants to end up on a ship with food they don't like. Not only that but the cruise ship dining experience differs from land-based restaurants.
For one, most meals are included in your cruise fare, but some specialty restaurants are an extra charge. Plus, you will have to decide whether you want to eat at the same time each evening or opt for the flexible dining option.
It might sound more confusing than it actually is! Thankfully, we're here to help ease your mind and help you understand how dining works on a cruise ship. No question is silly or dumb when it comes to spending your hard-earned money on vacation!
Is food included on a cruise?
There's an abundance of food included on all cruise ships for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In other words, you won't have to pay extra for food if you don't want to.
Most mainstream cruise ships have a large buffet and Main Dining Room included in your fare. However, newer vessels tend to have more fast-casual options. Icon of the Seas, for example, is Royal Caribbean's first cruise ship with a food hall-style venue called the AquaDome Market.
Likewise, Carnival Cruise Line's newer ships have the infamous Guy's Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina on board, as well as complimentary BBQ and Big Chicken for tasty chicken sandwiches and crispy tenders!
Can I bring my own food on a cruise?
With so much food available on a cruise ship, I'm not sure why anyone would want to worry about hauling bags of chips around on embarkation day. However, you're typically allowed to bring non-perishable, pre-packaged items onboard.
Cruise ships prohibit guests from bringing fruits, vegetables, and home-cooked food onboard. If you try to smuggle something onboard, it will be confiscated by a crew member.
That said, if you're traveling with an infant, you can bring your child's baby food onboard. Just make sure it's in the original packaging and still sealed. If you need distilled water for powdered infant formula, request it through the special needs form before your cruise, pre-purchase it online, or contact room service when onboard.
Do the dining room menus change nightly?
The Main Dining Room and buffet menu change nightly. You may find a few classics, like grilled chicken breasts, served each night, but most options rotate, so nobody gets tired of eating the same dishes.
For example, Royal Caribbean's Main Dining Room menus are themed. One night may be focused on Caribbean-style food while the next is more upscale and refined, with dishes inspired by French cuisine.
The main exception is specialty restaurants, as the menu usually stays the same for the entire cruise. I suggest browsing the Main Dining Room's nightly menus. If there's one night you aren't interested in, book a specialty meal at the onboard steakhouse or Italian restaurant!
Read more: Carnival menus 2025: Main dining room, specialty restaurants & more
What's the difference between traditional and flexible dining?
Most mainstream cruise lines—including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Disney, and MSC—offer traditional dining, where guests can select the early (5:30-6:00pm) or late seating (7:30-8:00pm) and dine at the same table with the same waitstaff each night, ideal for passengers who want to build connections with their serves.
However, some lines also have a flexible option for cruisers who don't want to plan their days around dinner. Carnival, for example, has Anytime Dining, while Royal Caribbean offers My Time Dining. Instead of having an assigned table, you are seated wherever there's an opening.
Dining times only apply to the Main Dining Room's dinner service. There are no flexible or traditional times for breakfast or dinner in the buffet.
Read more: Guide to flexible dining vs traditional dining on a cruise ship
Will I be seated with other passengers?
More often than not, you won't be seated with other passengers. However, if you are concerned, mention your request to dine alone to your travel agent or visit the Main Dining Room on embarkation day to check your seating arrangement.
Disney Cruise Line is the primary exception, especially if you have a smaller party. Because their ships are designed for families, it's not uncommon for Disney to group parties of two together. For example, when my partner and I sailed on Disney Magic, we were assigned a table with another couple traveling from Florida.
I've also had the opposite experience on other lines. When traveling alone, I often like to dine with other passengers, rather than eating by myself. However, depending on the number of solo travelers, there may not be a table for travelers by themselves.
Read more: I tried eating alone in the Main Dining Room on my cruise
Is there a limit to how much food I can eat during my cruise?
If you're trying to diet on a cruise ship, good luck! There's so much tempting food available nearly 24/7, and you can have as much as you'd like. For example, during the buffet hours, you can return for as many plates as you'd like.
Plus, you can order more than one appetizer, entrée, and dessert in the Main Dining Room. However, Carnival Cruise Line charges an extra $5.00 for the third entrée—unlimited food isn't technically included because they want to help monitor food waste.
That said, you do not want to overdo it. While it's okay to indulge more than usual, you don't want an upset stomach on vacation!
Can I order room service?
One of my favorite ways to kickstart a day at sea is with room service breakfast on my balcony! Continental breakfast is usually included and features simple items like fruit, cereal, juice, milk, assorted pastries, and coffee. Hot breakfast items, such as pancakes and eggs, often cost extra.
Room service outside continental breakfast hours may incur an additional delivery fee, even if the food is included. The menu typically features items like chicken tenders, pizza, wings, quesadillas, sandwiches, salads, and desserts. You can also order alcoholic drinks, but they’re not included, even if you have a drink package.
For example, Royal Caribbean changes $7.95, plus an 18% service charge, per room service order. bringing the total to around $9.40, regardless of how much food is ordered.
How much do specialty restaurants cost?
You do not have to spend extra on food while on your cruise if you don't want to. Between the Main Dining Room, buffet, and grab-and-go options, there's enough food variety to keep you satisfied and within your budget.
However, specialty restaurants provide an elevated experience compared to the large dining rooms. These extra-cost restaurants usually focus on a specific cooking style or cuisine and are more intimate, mimicking trendy land-based restaurants.
Depending on the ship, there may be steakhouses, French bistros, hibachi and sushi restaurants, or Italian eateries dishing up handmade pasta.
Read more: Carnival Cruise Line Specialty Dining Guide
There isn't a standard pricing structure for specialty restaurants. Carnival, for example, charges around $52 for its specialty steakhouse, while the price for Chops Grill can cost upwards of $60 on Royal Caribbean ships, especially if you wait until you're onboard to make your reservation.
Some cruise lines have specialty dining packages that bundle multiple specialty restaurants for one set price. The total cost does vary, though.
For example, on an upcoming cruise on Icon of the Seas, a 3-night dining package costs $143.99 per adult before gratuities. The unlimited specialty dining package goes for over $340.
Is there a dress code for cruise ship restaurants?
Generally, cruise lines are less formal than they were decades ago. However, it's still polite to consider other passengers when planning your vacation wardrobe.
Even if you're sailing with a casual line like Carnival, you won't want to wear your favorite swim cover-up to dinner in the Main Dining Room. A simple sundress or pair of jeans with a button-up T-shirt will suffice.
However, you may want to dress your best on formal night. Though the number of passengers sporting full ballgowns and tuxedos is fewer than in the past, the tradition of formal night still holds strong for many cruisers!
Specialty restaurants may also have stricter dress codes than the Main Dining Room, so if you want to eat in the steakhouse, bring at least one nice outfit, even if you don't plan on participating in formal night.
Are reservations required?
Reservations are not necessary for guests with set dining. You will automatically be assigned a table number and waitstaff that will remain the same throughout your cruise.
However, reservations are recommended for passengers with flexible dining, if available. With Royal Caribbean, for example, you can make My Time Dining reservations through the Cruise Planner. This will save you the hassle of planning your dining times on embarkation day!
Moreover, reservations are highly recommended for specialty restaurants. It's best to make these in advance through your line's online planning portal too, as it's not common for popular restaurants to sell out. Plus, the earlier you book, the more options you'll have!
Read more: 9 things you have to book in advance for cruise vacations
Where do crew members eat?
Most crew members live their lives below the passenger decks where they have their own laundry facilities, bar, and dining hall. Food is included for crew members, so they don't have to pay extra for meals in the crew mess. It's open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
While working aboard Virgin Voyages' Valiant Lady, Lucy from Cruising as Crew shared a video showing what she eats in a week. Dishes in the crew mess range from Thai vegetable curry to pasta, bean salad, pizza, a salad bar, roasted pork, different breads, grilled fish, and desserts.
Some crew have special privileges that allow them to eat in the passenger areas, and if there's availability, they can even spend extra money on specialty restaurants!
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.
