🍽️ FOOD & DINING ON BOARD
What’s included, what costs extra, what perks you might already have — and how not to spend your entire holiday budget on food! 😂🍴
“Right…
I've got a VERY important cruise question.
WHERE DO WE EAT? 🍽️😂
Because apparently on a cruise you can have:
🍕 Pizza
🍔 Burgers
🥩 Steak
🍣 Sushi
🍝 Italian
🥐 Breakfast
🍰 Desserts
🍦 Ice cream
🍹 Cocktails
…and somehow…
I'm STILL being offered food.
I'm beginning to think the cruise ship is actually a restaurant…
and occasionally it sails somewhere. 😂
But here's where cruising gets confusing.
What's actually included?
What's extra?
Do I already have a dining voucher?
Is there a cover charge?
Is gratuity included?
Is that ice cream free?
And why am I being asked to book dinner three days before I'm even hungry? 😂
So today we're talking:
Let's eat! 🚢🍴
1️⃣ 🍽️ FIRST THING — YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY EXTRA FOR EVERY MEAL
“Let's start with some good news.
YOUR CRUISE FARE ALREADY INCLUDES FOOD.
Exactly what is included varies by cruise line and ship, but mainstream cruises commonly include several dining options such as:
🍽️ Main dining room
🥐 Breakfast
🥗 Buffet
🍕 Casual food
☕ Some basic drinks
🍰 Selected snacks and desserts
And that's before we even start talking about speciality restaurants.
So before you see:
STEAKHOUSE — £££
and think:
‘WE NEED TO BOOK THAT.’
remember:
YOU ALREADY HAVE FOOD INCLUDED. 😂
Speciality dining is an upgrade.
It isn't a requirement.”
2️⃣ 🔎 BEFORE YOU BOOK ANYTHING — CHECK YOUR BOOKING!
“Now…
this is one of my BIGGEST Cruise & Confused rules.
CHECK YOUR BOOKING FIRST. 📱
Before you start booking:
🥩 Speciality dining
🍣 Sushi
🍝 Italian
🍸 Dining packages
🍰 Premium desserts
go back to the original cruise booking.
Because you might already have a perk sitting there that you've completely forgotten about.
Depending on the cruise line, fare and promotion, you might already have:
🎁 Dining vouchers
🍽️ Complimentary speciality meals
💳 Onboard credit
⭐ Loyalty benefits
🥂 Dining-related perks
For example, Norwegian's current promotions can include a set number of speciality dining meals depending on the length of the cruise, while eligible loyalty benefits can also include dining vouchers on qualifying sailings. (ncl.com)
So before you reach for your credit card…
LOOK AT WHAT YOU'VE ALREADY PAID FOR.
Because nobody wants to pay £100 for something that was sitting in their booking for free.
😂
CHECK THE BOOKING → CHECK THE APP → THEN BOOK.”
3️⃣ 🎁 LOOK FOR THE PERKS
“Now…let's talk about one of my favourite cruise words:
PERKS. 🎁
Sometimes the best dining deal isn't a cheaper restaurant.
It's something you've already received as part of your cruise.
Look for:
🎟️ Dining vouchers
🍽️ Complimentary speciality meals
💳 Onboard credit
⭐ Loyalty benefits
🥂 Drinks benefits
🍦 Complimentary ice cream or dessert options
And here's the important bit:
VALUE THE PERK YOU'LL ACTUALLY USE.
If you don't like steak…
a free steakhouse dinner isn't worth the same to you as it is to someone who loves steak.
If you don't drink coffee…
a coffee voucher isn't much of a perk.
Value is personal.”
4️⃣ 🍦 THE UNLIMITED ICE CREAM TEST
“Let's take something simple.
ICE CREAM. 🍦😂
Depending on the ship, you may have:
🍦 Complimentary soft-serve
🍨 Included desserts
🍧 Free snacks
and then:
PREMIUM ICE CREAM
which costs extra.
Royal Caribbean, for example, lists complimentary dining options alongside paid ice-cream venues on some ships. (royalcaribbean.com)
So if your kids are standing there saying:
‘Can I have ice cream?’
don't automatically head for the premium ice-cream shop.
FIND OUT WHAT'S ALREADY INCLUDED. 😎
Try the complimentary option first.
If it's brilliant?
YOU'VE SAVED MONEY.
If it's rubbish?
Well…
THAT'S WHEN WE UPGRADE. 😂”
5️⃣ 🥐 BREAKFAST — THE BUFFET ISN'T YOUR ONLY OPTION
“Breakfast.
Everyone sees:
THE BUFFET.
And everyone goes:
THE BUFFET.
😂
Suddenly:
🥐 Croissants
🍳 Eggs
🥓 Bacon
🍉 Fruit
🥞 Pancakes
are surrounded by approximately:
THE ENTIRE SHIP.
But depending on the cruise line, you may also have:
🍽️ Main dining breakfast
☕ Café
🥐 Grab-and-go
🛎️ Room service
And sometimes…
THE QUIETER OPTION IS MUCH BETTER.
So don't automatically follow the crowd.”
6️⃣ ☕ THE COFFEE QUESTION
“Now…
COFFEE. ☕😂
What's included?
What's extra?
Because on some cruises, basic coffee and tea may be included…
while speciality coffee from a premium café costs extra.
And if you're a:
‘I NEED A LATTE BEFORE I SPEAK TO ANYONE’
person…
that can become a daily expense.
One coffee.
Two coffees.
Afternoon coffee.
Post-dinner coffee.
KERCHING! 💷
So check:
✅ What's included?
✅ What's premium?
✅ Is there a package?
✅ Do you actually need it?”
7️⃣ 🍕 THE INCLUDED FOOD GOLDEN FIND
“Here's something experienced cruisers learn pretty quickly.
THE BEST INCLUDED FOOD ISN'T ALWAYS WHERE YOU EXPECT.
You might assume:
Buffet = everything.
But your ship could have several included options:
🍕 Pizza
🍔 Burgers
🥪 Sandwiches
🍜 Noodles
🌮 Casual food
🥗 Healthy options
🍰 Desserts
And sometimes one of them becomes your:
SECRET FAVOURITE. 😍
That's why I always recommend:
EXPLORE THE SHIP ON DAY ONE.
Find out what's actually included.
Don't spend the entire cruise eating the same buffet because you never looked around.”
8️⃣ 🍽️ THE MAIN DINING ROOM — DON'T WRITE IT OFF
“Some people hear:
MAIN DINING ROOM
and think:
‘Formal.’
‘Slow.’
‘Too much effort.’
Not necessarily.
Depending on the cruise line, the main dining room can be one of the best-value parts of your cruise.
You may get:
🍽️ Multiple courses
🥗 Starters
🍝 Mains
🍰 Dessert
…and menus can change throughout the cruise.
And here's the bonus:
YOU CAN TRY THINGS YOU WOULDN'T NORMALLY ORDER.
Because if you don't like it…
you may be able to choose something else.
THIS IS NOT YOUR LOCAL RESTAURANT WHERE YOU'RE MARRIED TO YOUR ORDER. 😂”
9️⃣ 🍰 THE CRUISE RULE — TRY SOMETHING NEW
“Want pasta?
Try it.
Want steak?
Try it.
Never had that dessert?
TRY IT.
Depending on the dining venue and cruise line, you may also be able to order additional courses or alternatives.
And remember…
YOU'RE ON A CRUISE. 😂
You don't need to spend seven nights ordering the same chicken you eat at home.”
🔟 🥩 SPECIALITY DINING — NOW WE'RE TALKING
“Ahhh…
SPECIALITY DINING. 💎
This is where cruise lines start whispering:
‘Would you like something a little more special?’
And suddenly you've got:
🥩 Steakhouse
🍣 Sushi
🍝 Italian
🍷 Fine dining
🍤 Seafood
👨🍳 Chef-led restaurants
And yes…
they can be REALLY good.
But…
DO YOU NEED THEM?
No.
CAN THEY BE WORTH IT?
Absolutely.”
1️⃣1️⃣ 🎟️ IS IT A VOUCHER, A PACKAGE OR A COVER CHARGE?
“Now this is where cruising gets:
CONFUSING. 😂
You see:
SPECIALITY DINING
But that could mean:
✅ Completely included
🎟️ One or more dining vouchers
📦 Included in a dining package
💷 A fixed cover charge
🍽️ À la carte pricing
or…
A MIX OF ALL OF THE ABOVE.
Norwegian, for example, currently publishes cover charges for a number of speciality restaurants, with different restaurants carrying different charges and additional terms. (ncl.com)
Royal Caribbean also offers speciality dining packages, with the restaurants and options varying by ship. (royalcaribbean.com)
So before you walk into a restaurant thinking:
‘This is included!’
ask:
‘Included HOW?’ 🤔”
1️⃣2️⃣ 💳 WHAT EXACTLY IS INCLUDED?
“Is the:
🍽️ Cover charge included?
🥩 Main course included?
🍰 Dessert included?
🍷 Drinks included?
💳 Gratuity included?
Because those are NOT necessarily the same thing.
For example, a dining package might cover the restaurant's basic dining charge but leave premium items, extra courses or drinks outside the package.
Norwegian's current dining terms state that certain additional main courses and surcharge items can attract additional charges. (ncl.com)
So:
COVER CHARGE ≠ EVERYTHING ON THE MENU IS FREE.
That little distinction can save you a nasty surprise.”
1️⃣3️⃣ 🚨 THE SNEAKY DINING CHARGES
“Let's say you see:
STEAKHOUSE — £60
You think:
‘That's the price.’
Maybe.
But check whether that's:
💷 Cover charge
💷 Service charge
💷 Gratuity
💷 Basic menu
💷 Premium upgrade
💷 Drinks
Because just like our drinks-package episode…
KERCHING! 💰
You order the £40 premium steak upgrade.
KERCHING!
You add wine.
KERCHING!
You add something extra.
And suddenly:
‘DINING PACKAGE INCLUDED’
has become:
‘WHY IS MY FINAL BILL £180?’ 😂
If something isn't clear:
ASK BEFORE YOU ORDER.”
1️⃣4️⃣ 🧮 THE “IS DINING WORTH IT?” MATHS
“Let's say a dining package costs:
£150 per person.
Ask:
How many meals?
Which restaurants?
What's included?
Are there extra charges?
Would I have eaten there anyway?
Then compare it with:
WHAT WOULD I SPEND PAY-AS-YOU-GO?
If the answer is:
£100…
don't buy the £150 package.
😂
This sounds obvious.
But cruise holidays have a funny way of making people say:
‘Well… it's a package.’
The word:
PACKAGE
doesn't automatically mean:
BARGAIN.”
1️⃣5️⃣ 🍽️ WHEN IS SPECIALITY DINING WORTH IT?
“Here's when I'd seriously consider it.
❤️ SPECIAL OCCASION
Birthday?
Anniversary?
Celebration?
BOOK IT.**
🥩 YOU LOVE FOOD
If food is a major part of your holiday…
paying extra for one great meal can be worth it.
🚢 LONGER CRUISE
On a two-week cruise, you might want more variety.
🎁 IT'S INCLUDED IN YOUR PERKS
Then…
USE IT!
🍽️ YOU'VE TRIED THE INCLUDED OPTIONS
And you genuinely want something different.
Again…
GO FOR IT.”
1️⃣6️⃣ 🤔 WHEN IS IT NOT WORTH IT?
“If you've got:
7 nights
with:
🍽️ Several included restaurants
and you're:
🏝️ Off the ship most days
and speciality dining isn't particularly important to you…
spending hundreds on extra meals may not be the best use of your budget.
Because remember:
YOU ALREADY PAID FOR FOOD. 😂
You don't have to upgrade every meal.”
1️⃣7️⃣ 🍕 THE ‘TRY ONE’ RULE
“Here's my Cruise & Confused rule.
If you want to try speciality dining:
TRY ONE.
Don't automatically buy a three-restaurant package.
Pick the one you're most excited about.
Have the experience.
Then decide:
DO I WANT ANOTHER?
Because:
ONE GREAT DINNER
can be more memorable than:
FOUR DINNERS YOU BOOKED BECAUSE THEY WERE ON SALE. 😂”
1️⃣8️⃣ 📱 BOOK POPULAR RESTAURANTS EARLY
“Now…
if there's a restaurant you REALLY want…
DON'T LEAVE IT UNTIL THE LAST NIGHT.
Check the cruise app.
Look at:
🍽️ Restaurants
🕐 Available times
💳 Pricing
📅 Availability
Because the restaurant you wanted at:
7:30pm
might have:
7:00am
or
10:45pm
left. 😂
And suddenly you're eating steak for breakfast.”
1️⃣9️⃣ 🕐 EARLY OR LATE DINING?
“There's no universal right answer.
EARLY
Great if you want:
🎭 Early shows
👨👩👧 Children
😴 Earlier bedtime
LATE
Good if you want:
🍹 Pre-dinner drinks
🌅 Sunset
🎭 Earlier entertainment
And sometimes…
LESS RUSHING.
Don't automatically choose whatever time looks most popular.”
2️⃣0️⃣ 👨👩👧 FAMILIES — KEEP IT SIMPLE
“Parents…
I see you. 😂
Your child wants:
🍕 Pizza.
You want:
🍣 Sushi.
One wants:
🍔 Burger.
One wants:
🥗 Something healthy.
And somebody is already hungry.
FLEXIBILITY WINS.
Look for ships with:
🍕 Casual dining
🍔 Fast options
🍝 Family restaurants
🍦 Ice cream
👨👩👧 Kids' menus
Because sometimes:
THE BEST FAMILY MEAL IS THE ONE EVERYONE WILL ACTUALLY EAT. 😂”
2️⃣1️⃣ 🍦 THE ICE CREAM PERK FOR FAMILIES
“Now parents…
this could be your golden find.
FIND OUT WHAT ICE CREAM IS FREE. 🍦
Depending on the ship, you may have complimentary:
🍦 Soft-serve
🍨 Included desserts
and then premium options that cost extra.
So don't let the kids drag you straight to the most expensive ice-cream shop on deck three.
TRY THE INCLUDED OPTION FIRST. 😂
Because:
FREE ICE CREAM = HAPPY CHILDREN.
And:
HAPPY CHILDREN = HAPPY PARENTS.
That's just science.”
2️⃣2️⃣ 🛎️ ROOM SERVICE — THE TEMPTATION
“Now…
ROOM SERVICE. 🛎️
Breakfast delivered to the cabin?
Coffee with an ocean view?
Fresh fruit?
A snack?
YES PLEASE. 😍
But don't assume it's all free.
Depending on the cruise line and order, some room-service items may be included while others carry fees or charges.
So:
CHECK THE MENU.
Because:
FREE BREAKFAST WITH A SEA VIEW
is lovely.
£25 TOAST
is slightly less lovely. 😂”
2️⃣3️⃣ 🌅 BREAKFAST ON THE BALCONY
“If you've got a balcony…
do this at least once.
Wake up.
Open the curtains.
Order breakfast.
Sit outside.
Watch the ship sail.
THAT IS A CRUISE MEMORY. ❤️
Would I pay a giant surcharge for it every single morning?
Probably not.
Would I do it once?
ABSOLUTELY. ☕🌅”
2️⃣4️⃣ 🥪 THE ‘I'M HUNGRY NOW’ PROBLEM
“Sometimes it's not breakfast.
Not lunch.
Not dinner.
It's:
‘I'M HUNGRY NOW.’ 😂
This is where knowing your ship is essential.
Find:
🍕 Pizza
🥪 Sandwiches
🍔 Burgers
🍎 Fruit
🍪 Snacks
☕ Cafés
Because one of the great things about cruising is…
YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR A FORMAL MEAL.”
2️⃣5️⃣ 🍰 DESSERT — OBVIOUSLY
“I'm sorry.
But:
IT'S A CRUISE.
Dessert is compulsory.
😂
You've got:
🍰 Cheesecake
🍮 Puddings
🍨 Ice cream
🍓 Fruit
🍫 Chocolate
And possibly…
THE BEST DESSERT YOU'VE EVER EATEN.
Try it.
And remember…
YOU CAN ALWAYS WALK IT OFF LATER. 😂”
2️⃣6️⃣ 🍽️ DON'T FORGET THE BUFFET PAIN POINT
“Now…
we have to talk about:
THE BUFFET.
Because on a sea day at lunchtime…
IT CAN BE CHAOS. 😂
People stopping.
People reaching.
People changing their minds.
Someone standing in the middle of the walkway.
And you're thinking:
WHERE IS THE PIZZA?!
💡
Try:
🕐 Earlier
🕑 Later
🍽️ Alternative included venues
And walk around before filling your plate.
DON'T JOIN THE QUEUE WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT YOU WANT. 😂”
2️⃣7️⃣ 🍷 DRINKS WITH DINNER — WATCH THE COST
“We've already done our full:
🍹 ‘DRINKS PACKAGE — IS IT WORTH IT?’
episode.
But food and drink go together.
So don't automatically add:
🍷 Wine
🍹 Cocktails
☕ Coffee
to every meal.
Sometimes:
WATER + AMAZING FOOD
is perfect.
Sometimes:
WINE + AMAZING FOOD
is even better. 😂
But remember:
EVERY EXTRA ADDS UP. 💷”
2️⃣8️⃣ 🧑🍳 TALK TO THE CREW
“Want to know where the best food is?
ASK.
The crew know the ship.
Ask:
‘Where's the quietest breakfast?’
‘What's your favourite restaurant?’
‘Where's the best coffee?’
‘Which restaurant gets busy?’
They may know things you won't find in the app.
And sometimes…
THE GOLDEN FIND COMES FROM THE PERSON SERVING YOU. ❤️”
2️⃣9️⃣ 🌍 TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT
“Cruising is one of the easiest holidays for trying new food.
You're travelling through:
🇮🇹 Italy
🇪🇸 Spain
🇬🇷 Greece
🇫🇷 France
🇭🇷 Croatia
So if something on the menu looks unfamiliar…
TRY IT.
Because maybe:
🍝 You discover a new favourite.
🍷 You discover a new wine.
🍰 You discover a new dessert.
And now…
YOU'VE GOT A CRUISE MEMORY. ❤️”
3️⃣0️⃣ 🧮 DINING CHECK
“Before you spend another penny, ask:
🍽️ WHAT'S INCLUDED?
🎁 WHAT PERKS DO I HAVE?
🎟️ DO I HAVE A DINING VOUCHER?
💳 DO I HAVE ONBOARD CREDIT?
🥩 WHAT IS THE COVER CHARGE?
🍷 ARE DRINKS EXTRA?
💷 ARE GRATUITIES / SERVICE CHARGES INCLUDED?
🍰 WHAT DESSERTS OR ICE CREAM ARE COMPLIMENTARY?
📱 DO I NEED A RESERVATION?
🧮 WOULD PAY-AS-YOU-GO BE CHEAPER?
And finally:
DO I ACTUALLY WANT IT?
Because:
‘It's included’
doesn't mean:
‘I have to have it.’
And:
‘It's extra’
doesn't mean:
‘It's not worth it.’
It's all about value.”
🏆 3️⃣1️⃣ THE CRUISE & CONFUSED GOLDEN FIND
“And here's my biggest dining secret.
YOUR BOOKING IS PART OF THE MENU. 😂
Seriously.
Before you buy anything onboard:
1️⃣ CHECK YOUR BOOKING
2️⃣ CHECK YOUR PERKS
3️⃣ CHECK YOUR VOUCHERS
4️⃣ CHECK YOUR ONBOARD CREDIT
5️⃣ CHECK WHAT'S INCLUDED
6️⃣ CHECK COVER CHARGES
7️⃣ CHECK SERVICE CHARGES
8️⃣ CHECK PREMIUM SUPPLEMENTS
9️⃣ CHECK THE APP
🔟 THEN DECIDE.
Because you might discover:
YOU'VE ALREADY GOT MORE FOOD THAN YOU REALISED. 🍽️❤️
And THAT…
is the best cruise deal of all. 💷🚢”
“So…
WHAT'S THE BEST FOOD ON A CRUISE?
Honestly?
THE FOOD YOU ENJOY. ❤️
Some people love:
🥩 Steak.
Some:
🍣 Sushi.
Some:
🍕 Pizza.
Some:
🍝 Pasta.
Some:
🍽️ Main dining.
Some:
🥪 Casual food.
And some of us…
WANT EVERYTHING. 😂
Don't assume you need to spend extra.
Don't assume the buffet is the only option.
Don't assume speciality dining is automatically better.
And definitely don't assume:
‘DINING PACKAGE’ = EVERYTHING IS FREE.
Check:
🎟️ Vouchers
🎁 Perks
💳 Onboard credit
💷 Cover charges
🍷 Drinks
💰 Service charges
🍦 Complimentary treats
And then…
DO THE MATHS. 🧮
Because we're not trying to spend the most money on food.
We're trying to get:
THE MOST ENJOYMENT FROM THE FOOD WE'RE ALREADY PAYING FOR. 🍽️❤️
And if that means:
THREE DESSERTS…
well…
I'M NOT HERE TO JUDGE. 😂🍰
Eat well.
Try something new.
Find the hidden included gems.
Use the perks you've already paid for.
And remember sometimes…
the best dining deal is sitting there waiting for you…
AND YOU JUST DIDN'T KNOW IT. 😂
I'll see you…
🚢❤️ SEE YOU ON BOARD!
