When it comes to planning a cruise, one of the most important considerations is the food. After all, a big part of the fun of a vacation is indulging in delicious meals and treats. If you’re considering a Royal Caribbean cruise, you may be wondering: does Royal Caribbean have free food? The answer is a bit more complicated than a simple yes or no.
Understanding Royal Caribbean’s Dining Options
Royal Caribbean offers a variety of dining options onboard, ranging from complimentary buffets and restaurants to specialty eateries that come with an extra fee. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect:
Main Dining Room
The Main Dining Room is the primary restaurant onboard, offering a rotating menu of international cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Meals in the Main Dining Room are included in the cost of your cruise, and you can choose from a variety of options, including vegetarian, gluten-free, and kids’ menus.
Buffets
In addition to the Main Dining Room, Royal Caribbean ships also feature buffets that offer a wide range of options, from salads and sandwiches to hot entrees and desserts. Buffets are also included in the cost of your cruise and are a great option if you’re looking for a quick and easy meal.
Room Service
If you prefer to dine in the comfort of your own cabin, Royal Caribbean offers room service for a fee. The menu is limited, but you can choose from a variety of options, including sandwiches, salads, and snacks.
Specialty Restaurants
If you’re looking for a more upscale dining experience, Royal Caribbean offers a range of specialty restaurants that come with an extra fee. These restaurants include:
- Chops Grille: a steakhouse serving high-quality meats and seafood
- Giovanni’s Table: an Italian restaurant offering pasta, pizza, and other Italian favorites
- Sabor Modern Mexican: a Mexican restaurant serving tacos, burritos, and other Latin-inspired dishes
- Jamie’s Italian: a Italian restaurant created by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver
- Vintages: a wine bar offering a selection of wines and small plates
These restaurants offer a more intimate and upscale dining experience, but come with an extra fee, which can range from $20 to $50 per person, depending on the restaurant and the menu.
What’s Included in the Cost of Your Cruise?
So, what’s included in the cost of your Royal Caribbean cruise when it comes to food? Here’s a breakdown:
- Main Dining Room meals: all meals in the Main Dining Room are included in the cost of your cruise
- Buffets: all buffets onboard are included in the cost of your cruise
- Room service: room service is available for a fee, which ranges from $7.95 to $10.95 per order, depending on the menu items
- Specialty restaurants: meals at specialty restaurants come with an extra fee, which can range from $20 to $50 per person, depending on the restaurant and the menu
Additional Fees to Consider
In addition to the cost of specialty restaurants, there are a few other fees to consider when it comes to dining onboard:
- Beverage packages: if you plan to drink soda, juice, or cocktails onboard, you may want to consider purchasing a beverage package, which can range from $50 to $100 per person, per day
- Wine and liquor: if you prefer to purchase wine or liquor onboard, you can expect to pay a premium price, with bottles of wine starting at around $30 and cocktails starting at around $10
- Special dining events: Royal Caribbean occasionally offers special dining events, such as wine tastings or chef’s tables, which come with an extra fee, which can range from $50 to $200 per person
Tips for Dining Onboard
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when it comes to dining onboard:
- Make reservations: if you want to dine at a specialty restaurant, be sure to make reservations as soon as possible, as tables can fill up quickly
- Plan ahead: take a look at the menu and plan your meals in advance to ensure that you don’t miss out on any of your favorite dishes
- Consider a beverage package: if you plan to drink soda, juice, or cocktails onboard, a beverage package can be a cost-effective option
- Don’t be afraid to ask for special requests: if you have a special dietary request or preference, don’t be afraid to ask your server or the chef, who will do their best to accommodate your needs
Dining Onboard: A Value Comparison
So, how does the cost of dining onboard compare to the cost of dining on land? Here’s a rough estimate of the cost of a meal at a mid-range restaurant on land:
- Appetizer: $10 to $15 per person
- Entree: $20 to $30 per person
- Dessert: $8 to $12 per person
- Beverages: $10 to $20 per person
Total cost per meal: $48 to $77 per person
In comparison, the cost of a meal onboard is included in the cost of your cruise, with the exception of specialty restaurants and beverage packages. Here’s a rough estimate of the cost of a meal onboard:
- Main Dining Room meal: included in the cost of your cruise
- Buffet meal: included in the cost of your cruise
- Specialty restaurant meal: $20 to $50 per person
- Beverage package: $50 to $100 per person, per day
Total cost per meal: $0 to $50 per person (depending on the dining option)
As you can see, the cost of dining onboard can be a significant value, especially when compared to the cost of dining on land.
Conclusion
So, does Royal Caribbean have free food? The answer is yes, with some caveats. While meals in the Main Dining Room and buffets are included in the cost of your cruise, specialty restaurants and beverage packages come with an extra fee. However, with a little planning and research, you can enjoy a delicious and varied dining experience onboard without breaking the bank. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy meal or a more upscale dining experience, Royal Caribbean has something for everyone.
What types of free food options are available on Royal Caribbean cruises?
Royal Caribbean offers a variety of complimentary dining options onboard, including the Main Dining Room, Windjammer Cafe, and Solarium Bistro. The Main Dining Room serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a rotating menu that changes daily. The Windjammer Cafe is a buffet-style eatery that offers a wide range of international cuisine for breakfast and lunch, while the Solarium Bistro serves healthy and light options for breakfast and lunch.
In addition to these main dining venues, Royal Caribbean also offers several complimentary snack options throughout the ship, such as the Cafe Promenade, which serves pastries, sandwiches, and coffee, and the Pool Bar, which offers snacks like burgers, hot dogs, and nachos. Room service is also available, but a convenience fee may apply.
Are there any specialty restaurants on Royal Caribbean that offer free food?
While Royal Caribbean’s specialty restaurants do come with an additional fee, some of them offer complimentary options for certain groups of guests. For example, suite guests and Pinnacle Club members can enjoy complimentary breakfast and lunch at Giovanni’s Table, a specialty Italian restaurant. Additionally, guests who have purchased a specialty dining package may be able to dine at certain restaurants for free, depending on the package they’ve chosen.
It’s worth noting that while these specialty restaurants may offer some complimentary options, they are generally not entirely free. Guests can expect to pay a fee for dinner at these restaurants, even if they are suite guests or have a specialty dining package. However, the fees are often worth it for the high-quality cuisine and exceptional service.
Can I get free room service on a Royal Caribbean cruise?
Royal Caribbean does offer room service, but it’s not entirely free. While guests can order room service at any time, a convenience fee of $7.95 per order applies. This fee is waived for suite guests and guests who have a disability or medical condition that prevents them from dining in the ship’s restaurants.
It’s worth noting that the room service menu is limited, and guests can expect to pay extra for certain items, such as specialty coffee drinks and bottled water. However, the convenience of having food delivered to your stateroom can be well worth the fee, especially if you’re looking for a quick and easy breakfast or snack.
Are drinks included in the free food options on Royal Caribbean?
Royal Caribbean’s complimentary dining options do include some beverages, such as coffee, tea, and juice. However, soda, bottled water, and specialty coffee drinks are not included and must be purchased separately. Guests can purchase a beverage package, which includes a set number of drinks per day, or pay for drinks individually.
It’s worth noting that guests who have purchased a beverage package can enjoy their included drinks at any of the ship’s bars and restaurants, including the complimentary dining venues. This can be a great way to stay hydrated and enjoy your favorite drinks without breaking the bank.
Can I get free food at the specialty restaurants on Royal Caribbean if I have a loyalty program membership?
Royal Caribbean’s loyalty program, Crown & Anchor Society, does offer some perks and benefits, including discounts and complimentary amenities. However, free food at specialty restaurants is not typically one of them. While loyalty program members may be able to enjoy discounts or special offers at certain restaurants, they will generally still need to pay for their meals.
That being said, loyalty program members can enjoy other benefits, such as priority check-in, complimentary upgrades, and access to exclusive events. These perks can enhance the overall cruise experience and make it feel more special and rewarding.
Are there any free food options available for kids on Royal Caribbean cruises?
Royal Caribbean offers a variety of complimentary dining options that are perfect for kids, including the Main Dining Room, Windjammer Cafe, and Solarium Bistro. The Main Dining Room offers a kids’ menu, which includes favorites like mac and cheese, chicken tenders, and burgers. The Windjammer Cafe also offers a variety of kid-friendly options, such as pizza, pasta, and sandwiches.
In addition to these main dining venues, Royal Caribbean also offers several complimentary snack options that are perfect for kids, such as the Cafe Promenade, which serves pastries, sandwiches, and ice cream. Room service is also available, but a convenience fee may apply. Kids can also enjoy the ship’s buffet, which offers a variety of kid-friendly options, including a dessert bar with ice cream and candy.
Can I get free food on Royal Caribbean if I have a special dietary need or restriction?
Royal Caribbean is happy to accommodate guests with special dietary needs or restrictions, including gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan diets. Guests can notify the ship’s dining staff of their dietary needs in advance, and the chefs will do their best to accommodate them. Complimentary options may be limited, but the ship’s restaurants can often provide special meals or substitutions.
It’s worth noting that guests with special dietary needs or restrictions should notify Royal Caribbean in advance, so that the ship’s staff can prepare accordingly. This can be done by contacting the cruise line’s special services department or by notifying the ship’s dining staff onboard. With a little advance planning, guests with special dietary needs can enjoy a variety of delicious and safe options onboard.