If you’re going on a cruise, you might be wondering if specialty dining is worth it. You’ve come to the right place!
If you’re a foodie, celebrating a special occasion, or simply enjoy the experience of specialty restaurants on a cruise, these cruise tips will help.
Cruise ship specialty dining is pretty amazing, but the extra costs can add up!
In this post I share best cruise specialty dining cruise tips, tricks & hacks to save money & have a better cruise. I’ll also answer some common questions about specialty dining on a cruise.
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Why Go to a Specialty Restaurant on a Cruise?
If you’re going on a cruise for the first time, you might be wondering if specialty restaurants are worth it?
Specialty dining is an extra cost on a cruise. However, there are a lot of food and dining options that are included in the cost of a cruise vacation. These include the main dining room, lido buffet, pizza and burgers and more.
While its a personal decision, here are some reasons why many cruise passengers enjoy cruise ship specialty dining.
Smaller Venue = Less Passengers
The main dining room and cruise ship buffet cater to several hundred to thousands of passengers each meal. This doesn’t make it bad, but specialty restaurants offer a more intimate dining experience that often comes with better service.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere in the cruise ship specialty restaurant is special. From decor to tableware, specialty dining is an elevated experience over the included dining venues.
Food and Menu Quality
If you enjoy food and dining, you’ll appreciate the menu options, food quality and presentation that cruise specialty dining offers.
Cruise Specialty Dining Tips
These tips will help you to save money on cruise specialty dining and have a better experience.
1. Book a Specialty Restaurant for the First Night of a Cruise
Some cruise lines offer a discount or promotion to encourage cruiser passengers to book specialty dining for the first night of their cruise.
For example, Carnival offers a free bottle of wine to cruisers who dine at a specialty restaurant on embarkation day. Celebrity Cruises runs a promotion where guests can receive 30% off specialty dining for booking the first night of a cruise.
2. Avoid Main Dining Room First Night Chaos
Besides saving money by booking specialty dining the first night of a cruise, you’ll have a better and more relaxing start to your cruise.
We recently took the advice of avid cruisers shared this tip. Embarkation evening can be hectic, as passengers get orientated on the first day of the cruise. This is especially true if you have open dining.
In contrast, the specialty restaurants are usually less booked than later in the cruise, and the atmosphere is much quieter. You can choose a reservation at the time that works best for you, and enjoy a calm evening with delicious food and great service.
3. Book Lunch at a Specialty Restaurant on Embarkation Day
For a special embarkation day lunch, consider making a reservation at one of the special restaurants on your cruise. While this varies by cruise line and cruise ship, it’s worth checking out.
Lunch at a specialty restaurant can be about half the price of dinner! Royal Caribbean has several specialty restaurants open for lunch on embarkation day.
4. Have Lunch Instead of Dinner
If your cruise ship offers specialty restaurant lunches as well as dinner, consider making lunch your bigger meal. You can save as much as 50% off the price of dinner, and it’s a great way to spend time on a sea day.
5. Book Online Before Your Cruise
Make specialty dining reservations before your cruise. Booking your specialty restaurant online before your cruise will save you money and ensure that you get a reservation.
These days, cruise ship specialty restaurants are popular, with many guests opting for at least one night at an alternative restaurant. Many cruise lines encourage passengers to book in advance by offering incentives such as a 10-20% discount when purchased online.
6. Sign Up for Cruise Line Emails
Make sure that you’re signed up for emails from your cruise line, as they may run promotions and sales on items in the cruise planner. This includes everything from shore excursions, spa treatments to specialty dining.
Don’t forget to check your cruise planner or cruise personalizer often as well, for offers specific to your booking.
Tip: Look for cruise line promotions for Labor Day, Black Friday and President’s Day.
7. Purchase a Dining Package
Dining packages are the best deal if you think you’ll be eating at more than one specialty restaurant. The offers vary by cruise line. However, it’s not uncommon to have better pricing when you book 2 or more restaurants on a cruise.
Norwegian Cruise Line has popular dining packages ranging from 2-14 nights. Royal Caribbean has the Ultimate Dining Package, which offers cruisers a chance to try out many of the cruise ship’s best restaurants.
Purchase dining packages before the cruise for the best pricing.
8. All-Inclusive Perks Packages
These days, several cruise lines offer amazing all-inclusive or perks packages that include specialty dining. The value of these packages is much better than if you purchased each of the inclusions on their own.
3 popular cruise line perks packages are:
- Norwegian Free at Sea
- Princess Premier
- Holland America Have it All
9. Special Dining Venues for Suites & Specific Cabins
While not technically specialty dining, suites and other stateroom types may have their own dining rooms or restaurants.
For example, Celebrity Cruises Aqua Class cabins have access to Blu, which has it’s own special menu for guests. Holland America’s Club Orange also has its own menu and a separate restaurant on the Pinnacle Class ships.
10. Discounts for Children
If you’re going on a family cruise, you’ll be happy to know that kids are often able to dine at specialty restaurants for less.
Kids under 12 are often discounted and children under 5 may be free. Check with your cruise line when making reservations for details.
Tip: Parents who want an adult night out might consider bringing the children to eat at the buffet before bringing them to the kid’s club.
11. Making Specialty Dining Reservations
Unfortunately, not all cruise lines allow you to make dining reservations before your cruise. As an example, when purchasing Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate Dining package, you’ll need to wait until you board the cruise ship to make reservations.
The trick to getting the reservations you want is to get the earliest possible embarkation time. This way, you can book the restaurants you want as soon as you board.
12. Book “The Key”
Royal Caribbean cruisers may want to consider booking The Key, an early embarkation program with some perks. The Key definitely gets mixed reviews, as some people think its worth it, while others say its a waste of money.
You’ll have to decide for yourself. However, one of the benefits is a special boarding day lunch with selections from Chops Grille, including filet mignon and warm chocolate melting cake.
13. Changing Reservation Times
Since specialty restaurants are very popular and only seat a certain number of guests at a time, it’s possible to have limited reservation times available.
If you like to eat early or late, meaning before 5:30 pm or after 8:30 pm, you shouldn’t have an issue. However, if you prefer to eat at 6:00-7:30 pm, this can be more of a challenge.
If you can’t get your preferred time, wait until you’re onboard and speak to the restaurant’s maitre d to see if a change is possible. There may have been cancellations or there may be some flexibility.
14. A la Carte Restaurants
There are some great a la carte restaurants that are perfect for a light lunch, dinner or snack. Sushi restaurants can even be a great place to have appetizers before a meal in the main dining room.
15. Casual Dining
While we often think of specialty dining as a more upscale meal, there are some great casual dining options as well.
From Royal Caribbean’s Playmakers (a la carte) to Princess Cruises O’Malleys, Gigis or Alfredos (prix fixe 3 course meal), these sit down casual dining venues offer a change of food and atmosphere on a cruise.
16. Use On Board Credit
If you have on board credits, consider using all or a portion towards specialty dining experiences. While specialty restaurants have an extra charge, they may be worth it to you.
Onboard credits can be used for shore excursions and onboard purchases, so why not specialty dining?
17. The Dress Code in Specialty Restaurants
Many people wonder if there’s a strict or formal dress code in cruise ship specialty restaurants. These days, cruise ships are more relaxed vacations, and this includes how people dress in specialty restaurants.
The dress code in specialty restaurants on a cruise is usually casual or smart casual, although some people may dress up a bit more on formal nights. Pool wear is not permitted.
Some cruise ships have rules against wearing shorts and t-shirts. Its a good idea for men to bring at least one pair of pants or jeans and a polo style shirt.
18. Virgin Voyages
While Virgin Voyages doesn’t actually have specialty restaurants, they are worth mentioning. This is because all of Virgin’s onboard restaurants are included, and they’re very good.
The steakhouse, Italian restaurant, a Test Kitchen, and more, are all “specialty dining” like restaurants on Virgin Voyages ships. Please note that although there isn’t an additional charge, you do need to make reservations.
Are Specialty Restaurants Worth it?
Specialty restaurants are worth it if you want to have a special dining experience on a cruise. The cost of specialty restaurants can range from about $30 per person to over $100, depending on the restaurant and what’s included.
Generally, specialty restaurants are fine dining on a cruise, with elevated food, presentation, service and atmosphere.
Cruise ship specialty dining is worth it for foodies and people who enjoy taking time to savor a dining experience.
Specialty dining may not be worth it for people who prefer to eat in the buffet or eat more casual meals. If you’re in a rush, you may want to skip the specialty restaurant, where the meal may take longer to serve.
Video: Cruise Ship Specialty Dining Tips for Cruisers
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Final Thoughts on Specialty Dining Cruise Tips, Tricks and Secrets
If you enjoy food and dining, you’ll love the specialty dining options on cruises. While specialty restaurants aren’t included on a cruise, there are some ways to save money and have a better experience.
Do you enjoy specialty dining on a cruise? Please share your tips and favorite cruise ship restaurants in the comments below.
Happy Cruising!
Ilana
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