15 Essential Cruise Dining Tips + 5 Bonus Hacks You’ll Be Glad You Knew
Cruise dining is so much more than grabbing a plate at the buffet—it’s a full-on experience, and knowing a few tricks can make it even better.
Whether you’re sailing for the first time or you’re a seasoned cruiser, there’s always something new to discover when it comes to eating at sea. Want to score the freshest lobster tail? Or snag a table at that exclusive specialty restaurant without paying extra?
I’ve picked up tons of hacks from my time on the water, and now I’m sharing them with you. From hidden menu gems to timing your meals just right, here’s how to cruise (and dine) like a pro. Ready to upgrade your food game onboard? Let’s dig in!
1. Reserve Specialty Dining Early
Popular specialty restaurants book up fast, especially on sea days. I learned this lesson the hard way when I couldn’t get into the steakhouse on my anniversary cruise. Most cruise lines open reservations months before sailing.
Making these bookings should be one of your first tasks after completing online check-in. Some cruise lines even offer discounts for first-night dining at specialty venues.
If you’re flexible with dining times, you might score a table even when the online system shows no availability by checking with the maître d’ once onboard.
2. Try the Main Dining Room at Least Once
Main dining rooms offer surprisingly excellent food without the extra charges of specialty restaurants. The multi-course meals typically include appetizers, soups, salads, entrees, and desserts – all included in your cruise fare!
These venues often showcase the ship’s best service teams and provide a more elegant atmosphere than the buffet. I particularly enjoy the chance to try unusual dishes I wouldn’t normally order at home.
Main dining rooms also accommodate special requests, so don’t hesitate to ask if you’d like a different preparation or combination of menu items.
3. Don’t Skip Lunch in the Buffet
Lunchtime at the buffet showcases some of the most diverse food offerings on the entire ship. From international stations to made-to-order sandwiches, you’ll find something for every craving.
My favorite buffet strategy is to take a walk around the entire venue before grabbing a plate. This reconnaissance mission helps me spot the unique daily specials rather than filling up on everyday items.
Many cruise buffets have hidden stations tucked away in corners that serve specialty items like freshly made pasta, stir-fry, or carving stations with prime rib or other premium meats.
4. Ask for Off-Menu Items
Cruise ship kitchens can often prepare dishes that aren’t listed on the menu. If you’re craving something specific or have dietary restrictions, just ask your server what’s possible.
Indian vegetarian meals, plain grilled chicken, or special pasta preparations are usually available with advance notice. During my last cruise, I requested a simple grilled fish with lemon that wasn’t on the menu, and the chef happily accommodated.
For those with food allergies, speaking with the maître d’ on the first day allows the kitchen to prepare safe alternatives throughout your voyage.
5. Share Plates to Sample More
Cruise dining is the perfect opportunity to try new foods without committing to an entire portion. My partner and I always order different appetizers and entrees, then share everything family-style.
Most servers are happy to bring empty plates for sharing or even split portions in the kitchen before serving. This approach lets you taste twice as many dishes without wasting food.
At specialty restaurants where you’re paying extra, sharing allows you to experience more of the menu without ordering too much food or spending additional money on multiple entrees.
6. Take Advantage of Room Service
Room service offers a delightful way to enjoy meals privately on your balcony or in your stateroom. While some cruise lines now charge for room service, breakfast often remains complimentary if you fill out the door hanger the night before.
Starting the day with coffee and pastries on your balcony while watching the sunrise is a cruise experience not to be missed. For those late-night munchies after shows or casino visits, a room service sandwich can hit the spot perfectly.
Remember that even on lines that charge for room service, the fee is typically flat regardless of how much you order.
7. Be Aware of Dress Codes
Nothing ruins dinner plans faster than being turned away for inappropriate attire. Many ships still maintain dress codes, especially in the main dining room and specialty restaurants.
Casual nights typically allow nice jeans and collared shirts, while formal nights may require dresses, suits, or at minimum a jacket for men. If you’re not in the mood to dress up, the buffet usually has no dress code and serves many of the same dishes as the main dining room.
Check your daily cruise planner or app to know which nights have specific dress requirements so you can pack accordingly.
8. Arrive Early for Popular Restaurants
Even with reservations, arriving 10-15 minutes early often means getting a better table. This strategy works particularly well for venues with premium views like restaurants facing the back of the ship.
Early arrivals sometimes get window seats with stunning ocean views that enhance the dining experience. For venues without reservations, like specialty food stations or popular casual eateries, showing up right when they open means minimal wait times.
Guy’s Burger Joint on Carnival ships and Johnny Rockets on Royal Caribbean can develop long lines by noon, but arriving when they first open means you’ll be enjoying your food while others are still waiting.
9. Use the App to Track Menus
Most major cruise lines now offer apps that display restaurant menus for the entire voyage. Checking these in advance helps you plan which nights to visit specific venues based on appealing menu items.
These apps often show the rotating menus for the main dining room, helping you decide when to splurge on specialty restaurants instead. While relaxing in your cabin before dinner, you can browse the evening’s offerings and make informed decisions about where to eat.
Some apps even allow you to pre-order at casual venues, letting you skip lines at popular spots like the pizza station or deli.
10. Ask Crew for Recommendations
Crew members eat on the ship every day and know which dishes truly shine. Your cabin steward, favorite bartender, or regular server can provide insider tips about hidden food gems throughout the ship.
I always ask which specialty restaurant is worth the splurge or which buffet station has the most authentic international cuisine. On my last cruise, our waiter steered us toward an incredible Indian curry station hidden at the back of the buffet that we would have completely missed otherwise.
These recommendations often lead to discovering signature dishes that don’t get enough attention in the cruise line’s marketing materials.
11. Avoid Buffet at Peak Hours
Breakfast between 8-9 AM and lunch from 12-1 PM create the perfect storm of hungry passengers converging on the buffet. During these peak times, finding a table becomes a competitive sport, and lines at popular stations stretch endlessly.
Adjusting your dining schedule by just 30 minutes earlier or later dramatically improves the experience. Early breakfast at 7 AM offers peaceful dining with fresh food and attentive service. Late lunch around 2 PM means shorter lines and relaxed atmosphere.
For those who can’t adjust their schedule, heading to the far ends of the buffet area often reveals empty tables when the center sections are packed.
12. Eat Breakfast Off-Peak (bonus hack)
While everyone rushes to breakfast between 8-9 AM, savvy cruisers enjoy peaceful dining by shifting their schedule slightly. Early risers can enjoy sunrise breakfast around 6:30 AM with attentive service and prime window seats.
Late sleepers benefit from the 9:30-10:00 AM timeframe when crowds thin and food remains fresh. Many passengers don’t realize that breakfast venues often operate until 10:30 AM or later, allowing for a leisurely meal without the chaos.
This approach works especially well on port days when most passengers are rushing to disembark, leaving ship restaurants pleasantly uncrowded.
13. Don’t Overload Your Plate
The temptation to pile everything onto one plate at the buffet is strong, but it usually leads to food waste and an unsatisfying meal. Small portions of items that truly appeal to you make for a more enjoyable dining experience.
You can always go back for seconds of dishes you truly enjoyed. This approach prevents the common buffet problem of eyes bigger than stomach. Taking smaller portions also allows you to sample more varieties without wasting food or feeling uncomfortably full.
Remember that cruise buffets are designed for multiple trips rather than one-time loading.
14. Try the Chef’s Table Experience (bonus hack)
For serious foodies, the Chef’s Table offers an unforgettable culinary journey worth every penny. This exclusive dining experience typically includes a galley tour, interaction with the executive chef, and a multi-course tasting menu with wine pairings.
Limited to just 10-12 guests per seating, this intimate experience showcases the culinary team’s finest creations not available on regular menus. While prices typically range from $75-150 per person, the value far exceeds standard specialty restaurant charges.
Bookings open months before sailing and fill quickly, so reserve early if this experience interests you.
15. Stay Hydrated During Meals
Between the sun, sea air, and alcoholic beverages, dehydration happens quickly on cruises. Smart passengers keep water flowing during meals to maintain energy for all the ship’s activities.
Servers in the main dining room will keep water glasses filled, but at the buffet, you’ll need to be more proactive. Finding the water stations or asking for water at the bar counters keeps you properly hydrated.
Some ships now provide reusable water bottles in cabins or as loyalty program perks that you can refill at water stations throughout the ship, saving both money and reducing plastic waste from disposable bottles.
16. Bring Snacks from Port (bonus hack)
Port days offer perfect opportunities to sample local treats that you can bring back to enjoy on the ship. Fresh tropical fruits, local chocolates, or specialty baked goods make delightful additions to your onboard dining experience.
These local snacks can provide welcome variety between ship meals or serve as late-night treats in your cabin. Just remember to consume perishable items quickly and be aware of customs restrictions before bringing food back onboard.
Some ports have amazing bakeries just steps from the cruise terminal where you can purchase authentic pastries for a fraction of shipboard prices.
17. Be Mindful of Allergies
Cruise ships take food allergies seriously, but you need to communicate your needs clearly. Speaking with the maître d’ on embarkation day ensures your allergies are noted for the entire voyage.
Most cruise lines can provide specialized menus for common allergies or even prepare custom meals with advance notice. At the buffet, staff can often retrieve allergen-free items directly from the kitchen upon request.
For serious allergies, some cruise lines offer tours of the galley to show their allergen protocols, providing peace of mind throughout your vacation.
18. Bring Your Own Refillable Cup (bonus hack)
The standard cups at cruise ship beverage stations are notoriously small. A large insulated tumbler saves countless trips for refills and keeps your drinks at the right temperature longer.
This hack works brilliantly for morning coffee, poolside lemonade, or evening tea. Many cruise lines now permit personal containers at beverage stations as long as you don’t directly touch the dispensers.
Some passengers bring special tumblers with compartments for ice that keep drinks cold for hours in the hot sun, perfect for long pool or beach days.
19. Tip Your Servers Appropriately
While many cruise lines add automatic gratuities to your bill, exceptional service deserves recognition. Your dining team works tirelessly to create memorable experiences throughout your voyage.
If you have the same servers nightly in the main dining room, they’ll learn your preferences and often go above and beyond with special touches. Additional cash tips for standout service show appreciation and motivate continued excellent care.
For specialty restaurants where you might have different servers each time, immediate recognition of exceptional service with an additional tip creates goodwill throughout the ship as word spreads among the crew.
20. Ask for Second Helpings (bonus hack)
Unlike land restaurants, cruise dining rooms encourage you to order multiple appetizers, entrees, or desserts at no extra charge. If you can’t decide between two appetizers, order both! Particularly enjoyed your entrée? Request another portion.
Servers are happy to bring additional items, as your cruise fare covers unlimited food in the main dining room. This approach lets you create your own tasting menu by sampling more dishes than a standard three-course meal would allow.
For couples with different appetites, one person might order an extra appetizer as their main course while the other gets a standard entrée, creating perfect portion flexibility.