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Do cruise ships have free food?

Last updated on March 6th, 2025 at 05:47 pm

Food is one of the allures of going on a cruise. Even if you’re not a foodie, cruise ship cuisine, with all it’s choice are one of the things that makes a cruise fun. So – is food free?

One of the biggest draws of going on a cruise is the promise of endless food options, often available 24/7. But is food on a cruise actually free? The answer is both yes and no. While most cruises include a variety of food options in the base fare, there are also plenty of dining experiences that come with additional charges. Understanding what’s included and what costs extra can help travelers plan their dining experiences and avoid unexpected expenses.

What’s Included in Your Cruise Fare?

Most major cruise lines offer complimentary dining options as part of the cruise fare. These usually include:

Main Dining Room (MDR) – The main dining room serves sit-down meals with multiple courses, similar to a fine-dining restaurant. Guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner here without any extra charges. The menu usually changes daily, offering a variety of appetizers, entrees, and desserts.
Buffet Restaurants – Nearly all cruise ships have a buffet restaurant, often open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The buffet offers a wide range of choices, from salads and sandwiches to international cuisine and desserts. The food here is included in the cruise fare.
Casual Eateries – Many cruises have casual dining spots, such as burger joints, pizzerias, or delis, that offer quick-service meals at no additional cost. These are great for grabbing a snack in between meals.
Room Service – Some cruise lines offer complimentary room service for select menu items, while others may charge a delivery fee or limit free service to certain hours of the day.
Poolside Snacks – Many cruises have small food stands near the pool that serve items like hot dogs, tacos, fries, or soft-serve ice cream—all included in the fare.

Main Dining Room

If you choose an early or late seating, you would be seated at a table for anywhere from 2 to 8 people (you can choose your table size after your cruise is booked), and eat in the same area, with the same people, with the same wait staff. A lot of passengers like this format because the wait staff get to know you (and hopefully offer exceptional service) and it allows for meeting new people who sit at the same table.

Most cruise lines also have a dress code for dinner time in the MDR. Business casual is typically appropriate (i.e. no shorts, tank tops or bathing suits). If the cruise line still has formal nights, they tend to not be so formal anymore (i.e. no tuxedos or ball gowns).

Breakfast and lunches in the main dining room are a bit more casual, where you just show up between certain times and get seated, often at a table with other passengers, typically not the same people from dinner.

Buffet

If the dining experience in the MDR doesn’t sound like it’s a good fit for you, the buffet is another dining option. It’s a casual atmosphere with lots of different food options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Buffets are typically open for most of the day so it can be a great place if you want to pick up a snack mid-day. Tip: on some ships, there’s a complimentary soft-serve ice cream machine often located near the buffet.

What Costs Extra?

On most cruise lines there are other venues that offer complimentary food and these would vary by ship. Most ships have a coffee bar or cafe which would have complimentary cookies and other sweet items.

While plenty of food is included, there are several dining experiences that come with an additional charge:

Specialty Restaurants – Many cruise ships have high-end specialty dining options, such as steakhouses, sushi bars, or French bistros. These venues typically charge a cover fee or a la carte pricing.
Chef’s Table or Exclusive Dining Experiences – Some cruises offer intimate, multi-course dining experiences with wine pairings, often hosted by the ship’s executive chef. These meals are priced separately.
Room Service Fees – Some cruise lines charge for room service, especially during late-night hours or for premium menu items.
Beverage Packages – While basic drinks like water, coffee, and juice are usually free, sodas, alcohol, and specialty coffees often cost extra unless you purchase a beverage package.
Dessert and Coffee Shops – Some cruise ships have specialty dessert cafes or coffee shops that serve gourmet treats for an extra fee.

Beverages

Complimentary beverages include glasses of water, lemonade, iced tea, usually some fruity beverage sweetened with a sugar substitute, brewed coffee, tea and juice at breakfast (not fresh-squeezed).

If you want soda or alcohol but don’t think you’ll drink enough to warrant purchasing a beverage package, you can purchase these as you go, either at dinner or at one of the many onboard bars.

To figure out which dining venues are complimentary on your cruise, find your ship on the cruise line’s website and check out the dining options for full details.

Maximizing Your Food Experience on a Cruise

To get the most out of the food options available, it’s best to check the cruise line’s policy before sailing. If you want to indulge in specialty dining, consider booking a dining package to save money. Otherwise, the complimentary dining options are usually plentiful and satisfying.

In summary, while there’s plenty of free food on a cruise, certain dining experiences will cost extra. With smart planning, you can enjoy delicious meals without breaking your budget.

Change In Room Service Options

While some cruise lines are still offering 24-hour room service, there is a shift in the offering. Few items on the room service menu are free, and some lines may charge a per-order fee for late-night deliveries. This means the “completely free” 24-hour room service will be a thing of the past across the industry. Always check your specific cruise line’s policies before booking to see what their room service options are.

Key points to remember:

Limited free options:
Most cruise lines now offer a complimentary continental breakfast through room service, but other items on the menu may have additional charges.
Luxury lines may still offer full inclusion:
High-end cruise lines might still provide fully inclusive 24-hour room service as part of their package.

Check the fine print:
Always verify the details about room service fees and available options on your chosen cruise line’s website before booking.

Ordering During Peak Hours:

If you order during peak dining hours, you could wait up to an hour for your order to be delivered. If you are traveling with children, take that wait into consideration.