I love a good snack, especially some of the indulgent ones that Royal Caribbean offers for sale.
There's a good mix of included and extra cost food on any cruise ship, and I appreciate the variety offered. You never know what mood you might be in when it comes to snacking.
A lot of snacks are included in your cruise fare, such as cookies, pizza, or chips. But there's a subset of choices that have an extra cost.
Like many people, I scoffed at paying extra for a snack initially. I thought, "there are so many good snacks, why should I pay extra?".
And then I tried them.
Here's my list of four snacks I think are worth spending extra for, plus one that I really don't think is worth it at all.
Bubble cones at Izumi
When Royal Caribbean added its first Izumi in the Park location on Icon of the Seas, it came with a new menu that I wasn't expecting.
I assumed it would be just a la carte sushi, but included are bubble cones that are a Japanese take on a traditional waffle cone ice cream.
The bubble cones are sweet, eggy bubble waffles that are crisp on the outside and cakey on the inside.
I could easily just eat the bubble cone itself without ice cream because it's addictive how good they taste.
Of course, you get a mix of ice cream and toppings to go with it. There are five combinations to choose from, but my favorite is Chocolate Thrill.
The result is a really large serving of ice cream that is admittedly a big mess, but so worth it.
It's like a sundae you can walk with, and since you're in Central Park, it works well for eating as you enjoy the views around you in this neighborhood.
Ice cream is a well-established cruise snack given that there's a soft serve machine around the pool deck included in your cruise fare. However, the bubble cones are an over-the-top option that goes well beyond a regular cone.
Milkshakes
Speaking of ice cream, it's hard to say no to a good quality milkshake.
There are two places to get a milkshake on Royal Caribbean ships: Johnny Rockets and Desserted.
Johnny Rockets is available on a number of ships and it's your traditional milkshake that most people imagine.
There's usually a few flavors to choose from, and it's the kind of frosty snack that's perfect for a hot tropical day.
In some cases, the milkshakes at Johnny Rockets are included in a drink package. It seems to be a gray area that depends on the particular manager's interpretation of the rules, but I'd say more often than not it works.
If you're in the mood for a super duper milkshake, Royal Caribbean has you covered with Desserted.
Available on the Icon Class ships, Desserted has basic milkshakes, but they also have the kind that are almost too pretty to eat. Almost!
There are also milkshakes with alcohol, although I've never tried these.
Shaved ice
When I heard Royal Caribbean added a shaved ice station to Utopia of the Seas, I did that thing a lot of dads do where they say they're going to take the kids to do something that is very much self-serving.
You'll find the shaved ice at the Wipeout Bar on Utopia of the Seas, which is located near the Flowrider.
Starting at $6 for a small and $9 for a large, guests can choose up to three syrup flavors from a selection of seventeen. Toppings, including fruit and condensed milk, are priced at $0.50 each, and there are also boozy options sold for $14.
When I ordered one, I had to think how many years it's been since I had a shaved ice. It felt nostalgic having one, and given it was a hot afternoon with the sun shining, really hit the spot.
I think the best thing about them is how refreshing they are without being as heavy as ice cream.
Mason Jar late night eats
Did you know there's a sort-of-secret menu at the Mason Jar bar?
When the bar is hopping with good music and people dancing and singing, the bar has food service options.
There might be a menu floating around the bar, or you can ask the bartender for it. But the late night eats has a few things you can order in-between drinks.
Depending on your mood, you might go for a chicken sandwich or just some crackers and pimento cheese to snack on.
I wish more Royal Caribbean bars had food to nosh on as you enjoy the drinks or entertainment, but at least the Mason Jar one to order from.
One not worth it: Starbucks pastries
I was going over the various snacks available on a Royal Caribbean ship, and the only snack I truly don't think is worth paying for are the pastries at Starbucks.
Even on land, I think the pastries are just okay. But they cost extra on Royal Caribbean, even if you have a Royal Genie.
Besides the fact I don't think the Starbucks snacks are that impressive, you're also usually a few steps away from Cafe Promenade.
Most Starbucks kiosks are either on the Royal Promenade or one deck away. There, you'll find plenty of light bites to go with your coffee that are included with your cruise fare.
