Dining on a Cruise: What to Expect, What’s Included & What’s Worth Paying For
One of the biggest surprises for first-time cruisers is just how central food is to the cruise experience. Unlike a traditional holiday where you plan meals day by day, cruising offers multiple dining options every single day — some included in your fare, some optional, and some that feel more like a special night out.
If you’re new to cruising, terms like buffet, main dining room, rotational dining, and speciality restaurants can feel overwhelming at first. The good news? Once you understand how cruise dining works, it’s actually one of the most enjoyable (and flexible) parts of cruising.
This guide explains:
The three main types of cruise dining
What’s usually included in your fare
What costs extra — and when it’s worth it
How dining differs across cruise lines
Simple dining tips for first-time cruisers
Kids meal at Animator’s Palate - Disney Magic
Buffet Dining: Casual, Flexible & Always Available
The buffet is usually the most informal dining option on board and is open for extended hours throughout the day.
What to Expect from Cruise Buffets
Self-service stations
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks
Casual dress
No reservations needed
Buffets are popular with first-time cruisers because they feel familiar and flexible — you can eat quickly, sample lots of dishes, or grab something small between activities.
Quality & Variety: Set Expectations
Buffet quality can vary significantly by cruise line and ship. For example:
On Royal Caribbean, the Windjammer buffet is known for its wide international selection and rotating menus.
On P&O Cruises, buffet offerings tend to lean more towards the British market, which some cruisers love and others find limited.
On Disney Cruise Line, buffets are well organised and family-friendly, but many guests prefer main dining for evening meals.
Pros of Buffet Dining
✔ No set times
✔ Great for picky eaters
✔ Ideal for quick meals
Cons
❌ Can be busy at peak times
❌ Quality can be inconsistent
❌ Less of a “dining experience”
First-time tip: Use the buffet strategically — great for breakfast and lunch, but don’t rely on it exclusively.
Main Dining Rooms: The Heart of Cruise Dining
For many cruisers, the main dining room (MDR) is where cruise dining really shines.
What Is the Main Dining Room?
Main dining rooms are included in your cruise fare and offer:
Table service
Multi-course menus
Set dining times or flexible dining options
Most cruise lines offer either:
Fixed dining (same time, same table, same waiters)
Anytime / flexible dining (arrive when you like within opening hours)
Waffles with bacon, chicken strips and sauce - 6th Street Diner - Ariva
Why Main Dining Matters
Main dining is often a staple of cruise life — a chance to slow down, enjoy a proper meal, and experience service that improves as the cruise goes on.
However, quality does vary by cruise line:
On Royal Caribbean, main dining tends to offer strong menu variety and consistent service.
On P&O Cruises, main dining menus are traditionally British and included, but experiences can differ depending on staffing and ship — something we cover in our P&O dining article 👉 What’s the food like on P&O Arvia?
On Disney Cruise Line, main dining works differently through rotational dining, where guests rotate restaurants but keep the same serving team — a system many first-time cruisers love. We explain this in more detail in our Disney Cruise Line dining overview 👉 Disney Cruise Line Guide
Pros of Main Dining
✔ Included in your fare
✔ Proper sit-down meals
✔ Better service than buffet
Cons
❌ Can feel formal for some
❌ Fixed times may not suit everyone
First-time tip: Try main dining early in the cruise — don’t leave it until the last night.
Speciality Dining: Extra Cost, Extra Experience
Speciality restaurants are not usually included in your cruise fare, but they often provide the best dining experience on board.
What Counts as Speciality Dining?
Steakhouse
Italian
French fine dining
Teppanyaki
Tapas or themed restaurants
A Wonderland Dessert - speciality dining from Royal Caribbean
These venues typically require:
An additional charge or cover fee
Advance reservations
Smart-casual or formal dress
Is Speciality Dining Worth It?
For many first-time cruisers, yes — especially if:
You’re celebrating a special occasion
You’ve found main dining underwhelming
You enjoy food-focused experiences
On some cruise lines, speciality dining is where food quality really steps up. For example, on P&O Arvia, we found speciality dining significantly better than main dining — something we discuss in depth in our review 👉 What’s the food like on P&O Arvia?
Disney Cruise Line also offers adult-only speciality dining like Palo and Enchanté, which are particularly popular with couples and Disney adults.
Pros
✔ Higher-quality
✔ Quieter atmosphere
✔ Great for date nights
Cons
❌ Extra cost
❌ Can book up quickly
First-time tip: Book speciality dining as soon as reservations open - if you’re on a 3 night cruise, try one and maybe a 7 night try 2 if budget allows.
What’s Usually Included in Your Cruise Fare?
While policies vary, most cruise fares include:
Buffet dining
Main dining room meals
Basic drinks (water, tea, coffee, juice at breakfast)
Speciality restaurants and premium drinks usually cost extra unless you have a drinks or dining package.
Always check your cruise line’s inclusions before sailing.
Dining Tips for First-Time Cruisers
Here are a few simple tips that make a big difference:
🍽 Don’t stick to just one dining option — try buffet, main dining, and speciality.
📅 Check daily schedules for dining hours and themed nights.
👕 Pack smart — some speciality restaurants have dress codes.
🕰 Avoid peak buffet times if crowds bother you.
📲 Use the cruise app to manage reservations and menus.
How Dining Differs by Cruise Line
If you’re comparing cruise lines, dining is one of the biggest differences:
Royal Caribbean: Strong buffet and main dining variety
P&O Cruises: British-focused dining with speciality upgrades
Disney Cruise Line: Rotational dining and family-focused service
Linking these experiences together helps first-time cruisers understand that no two cruise lines feel the same — and that’s a good thing.
Final Thoughts: Dining Is One of the Best Parts of Cruising
For first-time cruisers, dining can feel intimidating — but once you understand how it works, it becomes one of the highlights of your holiday. Whether you prefer casual buffet meals, traditional sit-down dining, or premium speciality restaurants, cruising gives you choice without pressure.
The key is to try everything, keep an open mind, and remember that dining is part of the experience — not something to stress over.
Related Reading on Team Five Travels
OR WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW FOR OUR FULL FOOD ON ARVIA