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[INFOGRAPHIC] A GUIDE TO THE BEST CRUISE SHIP RESTAURANTS

An Insider's Look Into the Best Cruise Ship Restaurants

By Amanda Mesa Published on February 2, 2024

 
From fast-casual eateries serving up the perfect balance between crave-worthy flavors and convenience to specialty cruise ship dining that will take your taste buds on a mouthwatering world tour — Discover how Royal Caribbean is behind some of the best cruise ship restaurants in the industry in the infographic below.
Best Cruise Ship Restaurants In The Fleet
Best Cruise Ship

Restaurants

In The Fleet

When you sail with Royal Caribbean, you can indulge in a dining scene that rivals most culinary capitals. With complimentary and specialty cruise ship restaurants, your taste buds will travel to the world's best foodie destinations like Tokyo, Tuscany and beyond.

Best Complimentary

Cruise Ship Dining Options

Every ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet is home to a Main Dining Room and the Windjammer, as well as a selection of other all-inclusive favorites to look forward to.

Main Dining Room

Main Dining Room

An elevated multi-course dinner with dishes that run the gamut from succulent duck a l'orange to savory prime rib.

Windjammer

Windjammer

An ever-changing feast of global fare served buffet-style in a casual setting during breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Sorrento's Pizza

Sorrento's Pizza

Cheesy goodness by the slice, available late at night.

Dog House

Dog House

Artisanal hot dogs topped any way you like.

El Loco Fresh

El Loco Fresh

Classic tacos, shareable nachos, and loaded burritos served poolside.

Top Elevated

Onboard Eats

Plan a romantic dinner or celebrate a milestone at these specialty cruise ship restaurants, included when you purchase a specialty dining package.

Chops Grille

Chops Grille

A classic steakhouse best known for its juicy prime cuts and mouthwatering sides — think truffle fries and Gruyère tater tots.

Giovanni's Italian Kitchen

Giovanni's Italian Kitchen

Homemade pastas, hearty entrées and a head-spinning wine list. Fleet-wide variations include Giovanni's Table and Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar.

Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine

Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine

Creative dishes — like refreshing gazpacho paired with pepper spheres and cloud-like bread foam — served in a whimsical setting.

Family-Friendly

Fare

Some of the best cruise ship restaurants across the fleet are perfect for the whole family.

Hooked Seafood

Hooked Seafood

New England-style seafood favorites like buttery lobster rolls and succulent crab cakes.

Izumi

Izumi

Fresh sushi, teppanyaki-style apps and an exciting hibachi show.

Playmakers Bar & Arcade

Playmakers Bar & Arcade

Sports bar classics like juicy burgers and saucy wings, ice-cold brews and plenty of arcade games.

The Mason Jar

The Mason Jar

Delicious flavors from the Deep South and the bayou served during breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Portside BBQ

Portside BBQ

Finger-lickin' BBQ, southern-inspired sides and decadent desserts.

Insider Dining

Tips

Make the most of every meal onboard with these tips.

  1. Purchase a speciality dining package

    Enjoy discounted access to the ship's specialty restaurants during your cruise vacation

  2. PURCHASE A SPECIALTY BEVERAGE PACKAGE

    Sip unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages throughout your getaway with this guest-favorite package.

  3. MAKE RESERVATIONS

    Get dressed up, and surprise your special someone with a date night at one of the specialty restaurants. Save your spot via the Royal Caribbean app, or visit the restaurant onboard to make a reservation.

Jamie's Italian Hanging Cured Meats
Cured meats hanging at Jamie's Italian on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship
 

Getting There

The perfect cruise getaway, filled with all kinds of delicious flavors? Plan your cruise today!

Book Now

This round-up of guest-favorite complimentary and specialty dining restaurants highlights the standout menu items, options for couples and families, as well as pro tips on making dining reservations during your cruise and how to maximize your meals onboard with a specialty dining package.

Warning: The following cruise ship dining guide may cause some serious cravings.

Can't-Miss Complimentary Cruise Dining

Taste your way around the world without spending a single dollar at these complimentary cruise ship restaurants. 

One of the best complimentary cruise ship restaurants you'll find, Windjammer is a staple across the Royal Caribbean fleet. This laid-back, family-friendly restaurant serves delicious global fare during breakfast, lunch and dinner. You'll find a bit of everything here — flaky pastries, decadent desserts, crisp salads, made-to-order omelets and more, plus international stations that change daily. Everything at the Windjammer is completely free and reservations are not required, making this a top pick for families and guests who don't want to stick to a schedule.

Another hallmark cruise ship restaurant you'll find across the fleet is the Main Dining Room. No matter what ship you choose to sail on, the Main Dining Room is always a sprawling, multi-level space with beautiful decor and five-star service. A great option for an elevated date night or family dinner, it serves up courses that range from tender duck a l'orange to Moroccan-spiced ahi tuna and savory prime rib. Like Windjammer, everything here is included in your cruise. You can make a reservation through your Cruise Planner app. 

After a day of soaking up the fun at the onboard water park, grab something satisfying from one of the fast-casual spots like Dog House, El Loco Fresh or Sorrento's Pizza. At Dog House, you can enjoy a variety of artisan hot dogs, each inspired by a culinary capital — the Big Apple and Coney Island dogs are big winners. At Sorrento's, bite into the perfect cheesy slice with pies baked to perfection — from plain cheese and fresh Margherita to the meat-loaded Carnivore and pineapple-sprinkled Caribbean Dream. And at El Loco Fresh, it's all about crazy-good eats from south of the border — think hearty burritos, melt-in-your-mouth quesadillas and the best tacos at sea.

Specialty Cruise Dining Standouts

Every Royal Caribbean ship hosts several specialty restaurants. Available at an additional charge, but included when you purchase a specialty dining package, these culinary concepts are all people-pleasers.

Debuted recently on Wonder of the Seas, The Mason Jar brings a taste of the south to your next cruise getaway. While this top-rated specialty restaurant serves dinner and late-night meals, brunch is its true claim to fame. Must-try dishes include crispy chicken and waffles, buttery johnnycakes, crab beignets and cinnamon rolls made to order. And then there's Hooked Seafood, a coastal-chic specialty restaurant inspired by the flavors of New England. Dig into succulent Maine lobster rolls, crispy golden Maryland crab cakes and raw bar staples during lunch or dinner.

A go-to for elevated evenings out, Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine turns traditional dining on its head. This acclaimed specialty restaurant offers a truly magical experience, complete with an invisible-ink menu, cocktails referred to as "elixirs" and dishes as photogenic as they are unique. Then there's Chops Grille, a Royal Caribbean mainstay that's been serving up a sophisticated steakhouse experience for over a decade — their tender filet, Gruyère cheese tater tots and truffled French fries are legendary. Or you can treat your special someone to a taste of Tuscany at Giovanni's Table, Giovanni's Italian Kitchen or Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver. Each of these cruise ship dining options serves authentic, homestyle old-world classics.

Top Picks for Families

One of the best family-friendly specialty restaurants onboard is Izumi. On some ships, diners are invited to gather around a hibachi table to watch as a master chef preps food right before their eyes. Plus, there's a kid's menu even the pickiest eaters will love. For something a little more casual — but just as fun — try Playmakers Bar & Arcade. Kids can chow down on tasty finger foods while having a blast playing the restaurant's arcade games. Meanwhile, parents can sip ice-cold brews while watching their home team live on dozens of screens. And at Fish & Ships, families can fuel up in between adventures onboard with crispy battered cod and hand-cut fries just steps from the pool.

Cruise Ship Dining Tips

Now that you're more familiar with some of the best cruise ship restaurants available when you sail with Royal Caribbean, maximize your experience with these tips: 

·    Purchase a specialty dining package. It'll give you discounted access to the ship's specialty restaurants, offering more value than going a la carte.

·    If you plan to drink, purchase a specialty beverage package to enjoy unlimited beverages, including coffee, alcoholic drinks, non-alcoholic drinks and more.

·    Some specialty restaurants require reservations. Get dressed up for date night, and reserve a table ahead of time via the Cruise Planner app or at the restaurant onboard the cruise ship.

Written By
AMANDA MESA

Amanda has written for Royal Caribbean since 2017. She also covers travel, lifestyle, food and beverage for Indulge Magazine, the Miami Herald and PureWow. She's traveled extensively around the world, enjoys building unforgettable itineraries and loves introducing readers to lesser-known destinations.

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