Food and drinks on a cruise ship: what’s free and what’s available for an extra charge

What’s Included in Dining Without Extra Charges

The base cruise price almost always includes unlimited meals in the main restaurant and the buffet, served as many times per day as you like, as well as water, tea, and coffee at these venues. This applies to any fare, even the most basic one, so questions about extra charges mostly concern drinks and venues beyond the standard set. A full breakdown of what’s included in the fare and what isn’t is collected in a separate Hub article; here you can read more specifically about dining.

Main Restaurant: How It Works

In the main restaurant, you’ll enjoy a full multi-course dinner with several choices per course. The service format depends on the company: some lines keep a fixed time and a reserved table for the entire cruise, while Norwegian Cruise Line offers a flexible format not tied to a specific time or table-details about this company feature are in a separate Hub article. Both formats are free within the standard fare.

National Cuisine and Menus on Different Lines

MSC and Costa’s Italian roots are evident in the main restaurant menu: pasta, pizza, and Mediterranean dishes can appear even outside the paid specialty venues. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity focus on a broader selection of international cuisine, while in Celestyal even the daily main restaurant menu has a distinct Greek character. These differences are worth considering not only as an interesting fact, but also as a practical selection criterion when choosing a cruise line-read more about the atmosphere and cuisine of each line in a separate Hub article.

Buffet: When It’s More Convenient Than the Restaurant

The buffet usually runs longer than the main restaurant and doesn’t require table reservations, making it more convenient for breakfast, lunch, or quick bites between excursions. The self-service format is also practical for families with children and for those who don’t like a rigid schedule for meals. The quality of dishes at the buffet is typically a bit simpler than in the main restaurant, but the choice of dishes within a single meal is wider.

Specialty Restaurants for an Additional Fee

In addition to the main restaurant and buffet, several themed venues operate on the ships: steakhouses, Asian cuisine restaurants, and other formats that require separate payment or a fixed fee to visit. This is a good option for a special dinner during your trip, not for everyday dining: the price per visit is noticeably higher than the cost of dinner in the main restaurant.

In-Cabin Service

Basic stateroom service on most ships is available without extra charge, although the list of items is usually more limited than the menu in the main restaurant. Some companies charge separately for overnight orders or for certain premium items on the in-cabin service menu, so the exact terms should be checked directly on board or in the fare description.

Drinks Included Without Extra Charges

Water, tea, and coffee in the main restaurant and buffet are typically included in the standard fare. Alcohol, freshly squeezed juices, soft drinks, and drinks at bars are usually paid separately unless you’ve purchased a special drink package. The package payment process and how it’s charged to your onboard account are described in a separate Hub article.

Alcohol Purchased On Shore

Some cruise companies allow you to bring a limited amount of alcohol purchased in advance or in port-most often with certain conditions regarding quantity and type of drink-while others prohibit it entirely. Always check the rules on the specific company’s website before traveling, since regulations differ, and breaking them may result in the drink being confiscated during embarkation.

Tipping for Restaurant Service

Service in the main restaurant and buffet is already included in the overall service charge, which is often called tips and is automatically added to your onboard account for each day of the cruise. Additional cash tips to the waiter beyond this charge are optional, though some passengers leave them for especially great service. Learn more about how this charge is calculated and distributed in a separate Hub article.

Dietary Needs and Allergies

Cruise companies are generally willing to accommodate vegetarian or vegan menus, gluten-free dishes, and food allergies if you notify them in advance during booking or online check-in. On board, it’s also a good idea to remind the restaurant staff about your special needs on the first evening-this helps avoid misunderstandings throughout the entire trip.

Food for Children

In most restaurants, there is a separate children’s menu with simple, familiar dishes, while the buffet allows you to choose food for even the most picky little passenger without the limitations of the main menu. If needed, the restaurant staff will suggest which dishes are suitable for a child’s specific age or any allergies.

Snacks and Ice Cream Throughout the Day

In addition to the main meal times, there are usually several spots on the ship offering pizza, ice cream, or light snacks throughout the day, and this is typically included in the standard fare at no extra charge. These locations are convenient between excursions or for children who don’t want to wait until the next proper meal.

How Not to Overpay for Food and Drinks

Before booking, honestly assess your habits: if you rarely order alcohol or premium drinks, a drink package most likely won’t pay off. Specialty restaurants should be planned as a separate occasion once or twice per trip, not an everyday habit-then additional food costs will stay reasonable even on a long cruise.