Royal Caribbean's Main Dining Room has a traditional approach to offering meals, especially dinner, every day of the cruise.
What I love about eating there is having the same wait staff that get to know me and what I like. That level of service and friendliness brings me back because I enjoy the pomp and circumstance at dinner.
And I'm not alone in my love for what the Main Dining Room is today. Remember when the cruise line tried to remodel and redo how dinner worked on its ships but had to backtrack fast due to outcry from loyal customers? People still adore what the Main Dining Room has been for so long, and they cherish the experience.
The Main Dining Room food is comforting, the aesthetics lavish, and cruisers have an understanding of some unwritten rules.
This means that if you're new and haven't eaten in the MDR before, you might not realize there are things you can do to make your meals better, as well as things you might do that could create strife. These unwritten rules are simple, though, so putting them into action doesn't take much effort.
If you've got dinner in the Main Dining Room planned ,here are six unwritten rules to know before you eat there.
Don't be late to dinner
If you're booked in Traditional Dinner, you really should be arriving at your scheduled time.
While being a few minutes late happens, being significantly or habitually late causes undo delays for your tablemates and waitstaff.
There are three seating's per evening, and meals are timed in order to get everyone in and out on time.
Not only does being late mean everyone else at your table has to wait longer to order their food, but it means your waiters have to rush to get your meal back on schedule so they can get you out the door within the expected timeline.
This isn't an issue with My Time Dining since you'll just inconvenience yourself and have to wait for the next available table.
In my opinion, if I was more than 15-20 minutes late, I'd seek dinner elsewhere on the ship.
Respect the dress codes, even if they're just suggestions
Royal Caribbean vaguely lists a dress code that is rarely enforced, but I still think you should stick to the spirit of them.
Each night of your cruise has a theme and a dress code for the Main Dining Room. It's listed in the Royal Caribbean app, as well as posted in the Cruise Compass.
These dress codes are more suggestions than requirements. Even formal night or "Dress your best night" isn't nearly as fancy as you might think. No need to pack a tuxedo or ball gown, unless you really want to.
The bare minimum is to wear something to dinner that is nicer than you'd wear to the pool deck. A collared shirt and slacks/jeans for men will suffice. Ladies can wear jeans and a blouse, dress, or a skirt.
And yes, you can probably wear shorts because the dress code isn't enforced and Royal Caribbean's own verbiage says its dress codes are "suggested attire". Personally, I wouldn't wear shorts to dinner unless my luggage was lost or packed away for the final evening. Even then, I'd probably eat at the buffet, but that's just me.
Basically, make an effort. You don't have to dress like it's prom night, but you should try sprucing things up (even if you're on vacation).
The absolute no-no's that are actually enforced is no bare feet and no tank tops.
Tell your waiter if you need a faster meal
Royal Caribbean has gotten a lot better at speeding up its dinners, but if you need to be out by a certain time, I'd convey that up front.
If you have a show, appointment, or just somewhere you need to be by a certain time, I would recommend telling them when you sit down so they can expedite your meal.
Waiters are happy to speed up your meal to get you out on time, but they're not mind readers. They want you to be happy and enjoy a meal at the same time.
In my experience, you can have a meal in as little as 45 minutes if they know you need to go. It could be less if you're willing to forgo dessert.
Don't waste food, but it's okay to try something
Most of the Main Dining Room menu is included at no additional cost, but it's expected you'll try your best to eat what you order.
Not only is the cruise line trying to cut down on food waste, I think it's your responsibility to not be wasteful.
However, don't let this stop you from trying new food. There is a wide selection of food each night, and a few items are true hidden gems. The waiters will be the first to tell you they're happy to bring something out for you to try, and if you don't like it, they can get you something else.
That's different from flagrantly over ordering food you know ahead of time you probably won't eat.
I've found cruises to be the perfect opportunity to try new foods because there's little risk. I won't go to a land restaurant and pay for food I've never had and am worried I won't like. But since there's no additional cost for most of what's on the Main Dining Room menu, it's fun to try something new.
You can order food to go
A lot of new cruisers are surprised you can take food out of a restaurant and bring it back to your room (or anywhere else onboard).
Let's say you're full, but want to enjoy dessert later. You can ask to take it with you back to your room.
Likewise, you can take seconds or any food and the crew can put it in a bowl and to-go container cover so you can more easily transport it back.
This means you could have dessert on your balcony, or wake up to leftovers in your cabin.
This strategy also works for someone you're cruising with who isn't feeling well. Perhaps they're nursing a hangover, are too tired to go to dinner, or just not feeling great. You can ask to bring food back to them in the room.
Don't bring up controversial topics
Dinner conversation is fun, but stick to topics that won't get anyone angry.
Specifically, I'd avoid bringing up politics and religion. Current events tend to skew into politics before you know it.
I want to enjoy my meal without offending someone else or having a debate. It's just not worth the effort, and it ruins the vibe.
Things you should talk about can be much more fun:
- Your cruising experience
- What you did earlier that day
- Plans for tomorrow
- Weather
- Sports teams
- Movies and entertainment
You're not going to convince anyone of your viewpoint, and leaving anger and awkward silences later isn't enjoyable for anyone.
