These aren’t your run of the mill cruise hacks! If you love cruise food and drinks, these genius cruise hacks will be worth saving! From cruise tips that will save you money, to the cruise dining secrets only pro cruisers know, these food and dining hacks will enhance your cruise vacation.
To gather this list, I’ve compiled cruise food and drink tips from the cruise community. You’ll find smart cruise hacks, like bringing a tray from the dollar store to use in the buffet (and then bring back to your cabin). You’ll also find cruise drink hacks to make the best combinations, like DIY sangrias & make your own milkshakes, for free!
You’ll also learn when cruise dining is cheapest & promotions that are amazing. First time cruisers & veteran cruisers will love these practical tips and tricks that you can use on your favorite cruise line.
Specialty Dining Hacks
1. First Night Steakhouse Perk (Carnival)
Book the steakhouse or other specialty restaurants on your first night to receive a free bottle of wine. This is an easy way to start your cruise with a special touch, and it’s included on Carnival sailings.
If you’re trying to save money on your cruise, but don’t want to miss out on specialty dining, this is a great way to do it!
2. Share Specialty Meals (NCL)
Many Norwegian Cruise Line fans shared this clever dining tip. At venues like Food Republic or Q Texas Smokehouse, you can often share one meal between two people, maximizing your More at Sea dining package. The portions are generous at these venues. Just check with your server beforehand to make sure this is still possible.
Related: NCL’s NEW More at Sea Package: Everything You Need to Know
3. Take Leftovers to Go
Can’t finish dessert or your meal? Ask your waiter to wrap it up so you can enjoy it as a late-night snack in your cabin. Specialty restaurants often have no problem accommodating this request. Remember that you have a mini-fridge in your cabin, but won’t have a microwave, so don’t bring anything that needs heating up.
4. Ask to Share a Plate
If you want to try something new without committing to a full portion, request to share a plate with someone else. This is a great way to explore multiple dishes.
5. Combine Steak and Lobster
On some cruise lines, you can ask for both steak and lobster to create your own surf-and-turf meal. Note that lobster may have restrictions or additional charges.
6. Order Two Entrees or Appetizers
If you’re torn between dishes, don’t hesitate to order both. Some cruise lines allow this for free, but others may charge for additional entrees after a certain limit. However, ordering a few appetizers is usually allowed.
DIY Drink Hacks
7. DIY Milkshake or Root Beer Float
Combine soft ice cream with soda from the bar for a personalized treat that’s both simple and fun. This is included on most cruise lines with self-serve ice cream machines. Cruisers share that this is a favorite drink and dessert hack!
8. Create an Adult Dreamsicle
Looking for an adult version of a DIY drink? Blend soft ice cream with orange soda and add a shot of rum or vodka for a grown-up dessert drink that’s been nicknamed “The Dreansicle”.
9. Pack Electrolyte Mixes
Bring flavored water packets or electrolyte powders to stay hydrated after indulging in cocktails or other drinks. These are especially useful on warm-weather cruises.
10. Request a Double Pour
Maximize your cruise beverage package by asking for a double pour of wine or spirits to save time and avoid standing in line again. This is perfect for busy bars.
11. Add a Shot to Frozen Cocktails
Enhance your piña colada or daiquiri with an extra shot served on the side for a stronger kick. This counts as 2 drinks drink on most beverage packages. However, you won’t have the extra calories and sugar of a second drink.
12. Bring a Refillable Water Bottle
Save money by refilling your bottle at the buffet or beverage stations instead of buying bottled water. This is especially helpful if water bottles aren’t included in your drink package.
Related: 11 Reasons Not to Buy the Drink Package on a Cruise
13. Make an Arnold Palmer
Mix iced tea and lemonade to create a refreshing and easy drink, perfect for lounging by the pool. Both drinks are typically included on most ships.
14. DIY Mimosa
Bring sparkling wine onboard (where allowed) and combine with orange juice from breakfast to make your own mimosa in your own cabin. We’ll usually pick up a couple of wine glasses or champagne flutes from a bar and bring them to our cabin.
15. Create Your Own Sangria
If you’ve brought your own bottle of wine, and don’t have the cruise drink package, you can make your own in cabin sangria.
Grab some fruit and juice from the morning buffet to mix with your wine for a DIY sangria. Let it sit your cabin mini fridge for a few hours to marinate the flavors. Don’t forget to bring tall thermal cups or tall glasses back to your cabin.
Room Service and Cabin Hacks
16. Bring a Tray from Home
A tray from the dollar store or Amazon makes it easier to carry food, drinks, and utensils back to your cabin in one trip. Some ships may not provide trays in the buffet.
Related: 40+ Must-Have Dollar Store Cruise Items & Hacks
17. Shower Cap Plate Covers
Use shower caps to cover plates for cleanliness when carrying food back to your cabin through public areas like elevators. This hack is especially helpful during peak buffet hours.
18. Bring Ziploc Bags
Store snacks like cookies, cheese, and fruit from the buffet for later. These are perfect for quick bites or late-night cravings, especially if room service isn’t free.
19. Reusable Containers for Cake
Use a small container to safely transport desserts like cake back to your cabin without squishing them. This works well for leftover pastries too.
20. DIY Snack Boxes
Use a divided container to pack fruit, crackers, and cheese for a ready-made snack to enjoy on your balcony. You can find these containers at the dollar store.
21. Ask for Food to Go
If you’re not feeling well, ask your waiter to package some soup or a light meal to go. Many cruise lines will accommodate.
Main Dining Room Tips
22. Order Multiple Appetizers
Try different dishes by ordering more than one appetizer in the main dining room. Many cruise lines allow you to sample as much as you’d like without extra charges.
23. Share Main Courses
Request an extra entrée for the table to share. This is a great way to try different dishes without committing to a full portion.
24. Double Down on Lobster Night
Check your cruise’s policy—some allow unlimited lobster while others charge for extras. Carnival and Royal Caribbean may limit lobster portions.
25. Cheese Plate as an Appetizer
Request the dessert cheese plate at the beginning of your meal to pair with wine for a sophisticated starter. This isn’t always listed, so ask your server.
26. Request Off-Menu Items
Shrimp cocktail, chicken noodle soup, or a fruit plate might be available even if not listed – just ask your waiter. Some cruise passengers share that they can get delicious Indian food if they ask.
27. Enhance Chocolate Lava Cake (Carnival)
Add vanilla ice cream and peanut butter to Carnival’s famous chocolate lava cake for a Reese’s-inspired dessert. This is a guest favorite.
28. Explore the Kids’ Menu
Great for picky eaters, kids’ menus often feature simple favorites like chicken tenders, pasta, or banana splits. Adults can order these too!
Related: What to Pack for Kids on a Cruise (Cruise Packing List)
Breakfast Hacks
29. Explore Breakfast Venues
Look for hidden gems like Johnny Rockets (Royal Caribbean) or Sea Day Brunch (Carnival) for a special breakfast experience. These are often included in your cruise fare.
Related: Carnival vs Royal Caribbean – Differences & Everything You Need to Know
30. Order Free Room Service Continental Breakfast
Use the door-hanger card to schedule coffee and pastries delivered to your room for a convenient and relaxed start to your day. Many lines offer this included in the fare.
As a bonus, check for included room service options. Some cruise lines, including Princess, Disney and Holland America continue to offer complimentary options throughout the day.
31. Bring Back Breakfast Milk
Grab cartons of milk or chocolate milk to store in your cabin fridge for snacks or drinks later in the day. This is great for families with kids.
32. Sweeten Iced Tea
Bring simple syrup or use Splenda to create sweet iced tea onboard, as most cruise ships only serve unsweetened versions. Some cruisers pack a small bottle for convenience.
Snack and Treat Hacks
33. French Fries and Ice Cream Combo
Dip fries in soft ice cream for a salty-sweet treat. It’s an unconventional but fun dessert that many cruisers love! This works well with fries from Guy’s Burgers on Carnival, but you can do this on any cruise.
34. Make Your Own Charcuterie Plate
Gather deli meats, cheeses, and bread from the buffet for a pre-dinner snack to enjoy with wine in your cabin. Add fruits like grapes for a complete platter.
35. Stock Your Cabin
Use your beverage package to collect water bottles and soda cans for your fridge, ensuring you have drinks on hand anytime. Stock up when bars are less busy.
36. Bring a Koozie
Keep your soda cans or water bottles cool with an insulated sleeve, especially in warm climates. It’s a small item that makes a big difference.
37. Thermal Mugs for Coffee
Use a large thermal mug for your morning coffee to keep it hot longer and to avoid multiple trips to the coffee station. Some ships have large self-serve coffee dispensers.
Timing and Planning Hacks
38. Plan Meals Around Menus
Check dining room menus in advance to decide whether to eat there, visit a specialty restaurant, or try the buffet. Many ships post menus on their cruise line app, as well as on a wall outside the dining room.
39. Skip the Dining Room on Formal Night
While I love the main dining room, some cruisers share a secret. Opt for the buffet to enjoy similar dishes in a more relaxed setting with unlimited portions. This way you can eat more quickly and get to any shows or to the casino.
40. Dine Later in the Evening
Eat dinner later to maximize daytime dining options and avoid the limited late-night food choices onboard. Late dining is also less rushed.
Money-Saving Hacks
41. Bring Snacks from Home
Pack sealed snacks like chips or candy to avoid pricey onboard purchases and satisfy cravings. These are great for port days too.
42. Bring Allowed Alcohol and Other Drinks
Most lines let you bring a bottle of wine per person on embarkation day. Enjoy it in your cabin or take it to dinner (corkage fees may apply).
Some cruise lines, like Royal Caribbean and Carnival allow guest to bring a personal quantity of pop (or soda) on embarkation day. This must be carried on.
43. Avoid Corkage Fees
Pour your wine in the cabin to enjoy it elsewhere without incurring additional charges from the restaurant.
44. Bring Your Own Junk Food
Pack chips, candy, and chocolate from home for an inexpensive treat with an in-cabin movie night. These items are expensive in onboard shops.
Extra Tips
45. Ask Your Waiter for Recommendations
Rely on waiters’ expertis. The servers usually know which dishes are popular and which to skip, ensuring you make the best dining choices.
46. Use Your Beverage Package Wisely
Ask for double pours of wine or an extra shot to avoid waiting in line again for another drink. This maximizes your package benefits.
47. Bring Your Own Seasonings
Pack items like everything bagel seasoning or flavored creamers to personalize your meals and drinks. These small additions can make a big difference.
48. Explore Buffet Alternatives
On formal nights, check the buffet for similar dishes without the limits of the main dining room. Buffets often offer quicker service too.
49. Try Something New
Use your cruise as an opportunity to explore unfamiliar dishes and cuisines. Cruise dining offers a low-risk way to try new flavors.
50. Mickey Bars on Disney Cruises
Mickey Bars may not be on the menu, but you can ask for them and enjoy a classic Disney treat. They’re a favorite among Disney cruisers.
With these 50 hacks, your cruise dining and drinking experience will be more enjoyable, cost-effective, and personalized.
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Do you have a favorite cruise drink or food hack? Please let me know in the comments below.
Happy Cruising!
Ilana
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