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The main dining room on a cruise ship serves good meals at no extra charge, while speciality restaurants can cost dozens of euros per person. For many travellers, the difference in quality and experience between these options is not always clear. The question is: when does the added value of a steakhouse or sushi bar justify the surcharge? Read on to discover how to make deliberate choices.
Meals are a significant cost item when planning a cruise. The ticket price is one thing. In addition, your choices around food also influence your overall budget. You can find more information about the different cost items in our article on cruise prices and hidden costs. Below we explain when free food is sufficient and when a paid restaurant is worth the investment.
Is food in the main dining room free and good?
Yes, the main dining room on almost every cruise ship is included in the ticket price. You can eat there three times a day at no extra cost: breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu offers daily variety with international dishes, from classic pastas to grilled fish and vegetarian options.
The quality of the food in the main dining room is generally good. Cruise lines invest in varied menus and offer multiple courses at dinner. You can usually choose between starters, main courses and desserts. Children’s menus and options for diets such as gluten-free or vegetarian are also available.
The buffet is an alternative to the main dining room and is also freely accessible. Here you will find a wide range of dishes in an informal setting. This is convenient if you want to eat quickly or are looking for a light meal. The quality is often slightly lower than in the main dining room, but the buffet offers more flexibility in terms of timing and choice.
What do speciality restaurants on board offer?
Speciality restaurants are themed restaurants that focus on a specific cuisine or style. Think of a steakhouse, Italian restaurant, sushi bar or French fine dining. These restaurants charge a surcharge that ranges from 15 to 75 euros per person, depending on the cruise line and the type of restaurant.
The added value lies in several aspects:
- Refined dishes with special ingredients such as dry-aged steaks, fresh lobster or authentic sushi
- A calmer ambience with fewer guests and more attention to detail
- Better service with specialist knowledge of wine and preparation methods
- A culinary experience that goes beyond standard meals
Many cruise ships offer drinks packages that include some restaurants. This can affect your total costs. So check in advance which restaurants are or are not covered by the package.
When should you book a speciality restaurant?
A speciality restaurant is especially worthwhile for special occasions or if you deliberately choose a culinary experience. Think of a birthday, anniversary or if you simply enjoy high-quality meat. For a one-week cruise you might consider booking a speciality restaurant once or twice. The rest of the time you can use the free options.
Do you love sushi or authentic Italian cuisine? Then a specialised restaurant offers more depth than the main dining room. The difference in flavour and preparation is noticeable.
Reserve speciality restaurants before departure or immediately after boarding. Popular restaurants are quickly fully booked, especially on busy cruises. Some cruise lines offer discounts. If you book in advance via their website, this can add up to 20 per cent off the regular price.
Is the surcharge for speciality dining worth it?
Whether the surcharge is worthwhile differs per traveller. It depends on your expectations and budget. For travellers who do not care much about culinary refinement, the main dining room is more than sufficient. The meals are well prepared, varied and included in the price. You can easily save 50 to 150 euros per person per cruise by choosing only free options.
If you consciously opt for a food experience, the surcharge can definitely be worth it. The difference in quality, ambience and service is tangible. A good piece of meat in a steakhouse or fresh sashimi in a sushi bar offers a level that the main dining room cannot match.
On most ships, you should count on an average of 30 to 50 euros per person per speciality restaurant. Top restaurants with master chefs can run to 75 euros or more. Drinks are usually not included and are added on top. A bottle of wine will easily cost an extra 25 to 60 euros.
‘ Watch out for hidden costs such as service charges or automatically added tips. ’
Practical considerations for conscious travellers
Draw up a budget plan in advance indicating how much you want to spend on extra meals. Then choose strategically which evenings you book a speciality restaurant. For example, combine one fine dining experience with free food for the rest of the time. That way you keep control of your costs while still enjoying a highlight.
Watch out for hidden costs such as service charges or automatically added tips. Some cruise lines charge an 18 per cent service charge on top of the menu price. This increases the final bill considerably. Find out about the tipping policy in advance to avoid surprises.
For groups or families it may be worthwhile to compare drinks packages. Some packages give access to certain speciality restaurants without extra surcharge, or at a reduced rate. This can lower your total costs if you are planning to book several times anyway.
Quality differences between free and paid options
The main dining room works with larger volumes and has to serve hundreds of guests per service. This means the kitchen has to work efficiently and does not have time for complex preparations. Dishes are good, but often follow standard recipes without much refinement.
Speciality restaurants have a smaller capacity and more time per guest. The chefs can focus on details such as the perfect doneness of meat, fresh ingredients and presentation. This results in dishes with more depth of flavour and texture. For those who appreciate nuances in food, this difference is noticeable.
The service is also different. In the main dining room you have a fixed team serving several tables. In a speciality restaurant the attention is more personal and the staff have more knowledge about the dishes and wines. This contributes to the overall experience.
What suits your travel budget?
For budget-conscious travellers who mainly want to enjoy the journey and the destinations, the free food options are the smartest choice. You save a considerable amount and the quality is certainly sufficient. Use the money you save on food for excursions or souvenirs.
If you see culinary experiences as part of your holiday, plan one or two speciality restaurants. Choose restaurants that match your preferences and book in advance to avoid disappointment. This way you combine cost control with a special experience.
Bear in mind that some cruise lines offer dining packages with which you can book multiple visits to speciality restaurants for a fixed amount. This can be cheaper than paying per visit. Compare the options and calculate what best fits your plans.
On the Traveler Tips website you will find much more information about cruises, budget planning, excursions and practical tips for your trip. Discover more articles and plan your next holiday even more smartly and consciously.
Frequently asked questions
Combine cheap meals with a few targeted visits to speciality restaurants by checking promotions and birthday deals in advance and building them into your travel planning. On ‘more expensive’ days, opt for an all-you-can-eat or discount offer so that you can taste a lot for relatively little money. Deliberately plan the truly culinary experience (with special dishes and ambience) as the highlight of your trip, and eat more simply or for free where possible on the other days. Share costs with travel companions with group deals so that speciality restaurants become more affordable.
Opting for free food often limits your day planning to specific times, conditions (such as reservations and the presence of extra people) and locations where the offer applies, which makes your route less spontaneous. Speciality restaurants give you more freedom to choose the time and place, but usually require booking ahead if you want to visit popular venues. If you focus strongly on free deals, you will be more likely to plan your route around those restaurants. With speciality restaurants you can more often plan your day around activities first and arrange food afterwards.
Always try to choose dishes that are typical of the region, whether you are eating for free or in a speciality restaurant, and ask the staff for their local favourites. Visit places where lots of locals also go and pay attention to what they choose, instead of relying only on tourist recommendations. Combine food with context: for example, go for a meal after visiting a local market, taking a walk or doing an activity that is typical of the area, so that you understand where the ingredients come from. Take time to taste, ask questions about preparation and origin, and avoid international standard dishes that you can get anywhere.
It is essential that you check the conditions and availability in advance: for free food (such as birthday promotions) this often means ID, a minimum group size and drinks at your own expense, and for speciality restaurants usually mandatory or recommended reservations. Plan your itinerary around the times and days of promotions and opening hours so that you do not make unnecessary detours or incur double costs. Check online menus, any dress codes and additional fees (reservation or service charges). Finally, make sure you always have your means of payment (debit/credit card) and identification to hand.
