A new way to enjoy brunch on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship might be coming soon that could be worth skipping the buffet for.
A cruiser recently spotted a Chops Grille Brunch offering listed on their upcoming sailing aboard Star of the Seas, and it’s not something we've seen widely offered across the fleet before.
As of now, it's only been spotted on the newest Royal Caribbean cruise ship, and it's one that could appeal to cruisers looking for something different on a sea day.
Specialty restaurants have offered lunch and dinner menus in the past, but this appears to be a more structured brunch experience inside one of its most popular specialty restaurants.
Brunch at Chops Grille
A reader posted in the Royal Caribbean Dining Facebook group screenshots and a menu of the new brunch offering at Chops Grille.
Based on the Cruise Planner listing and the menu shared by the reader, Chops Grille Brunch is currently priced at:
- $60 per adult
- $40 per child
- $30 surcharge for guests with a dining package or Star Class
This is a specialty dining option, which means you'll have to pay extra to experience it.
And importantly, it has only been spotted so far on Star of the Seas.
There’s no indication yet that this is fleetwide or even planned beyond Icon Class ships.
A closer look at the menu
The menu itself gives a better sense of what Royal Caribbean is trying to do here, going beyond just breakfast at the steakhouse.
Starters (served family style) include:
- Sliced fruit selection
- Cheese and charcuterie
- Bacon-wrapped scallops
From there, the menu splits into different directions.
Bakery items:
- Croissants
- Muffins
- Danishes
- Freshly baked loaves
Brunch sweets:
- Buttermilk pancakes
- A “Very Berry Waffle” with whipped cream, berries, and honey
There’s also a toast section, including avocado toast with feta, arugula, and cherry tomatoes. That's very much in line with what you’d expect from a modern brunch menu on land.
The biggest difference between this and a standard brunch is in the main dishes.
Instead of eggs Benedict variations and omelets dominating the menu, Royal Caribbean leans into Chops Grille's steakhouse roots.
- Steak & Eggs with filet mignon
- The Royal Crab Benedict with avocado, poached eggs, spinach, hollandaise, and English muffin
- Grilled Beef Short Ribs
- Shrimp Tortellini Alfredo
- Grilled Tofu with peppers and sweet chili
It's a wide range, and in some ways it feels closer to a lunch menu that includes brunch elements rather than a traditional brunch.
Dessert options are relatively straightforward:
- Floating Island
- Cherries Jubilee
- Chocolate Brownie
And sides (served family style) include:
- Mac & cheese
- Roasted baby vegetables
- Mashed potatoes
- Arugula and Parmigiano salad
Specialty brunch offers another choice
Royal Caribbean has never really had a strong brunch offering onboard its ships, so this is an intriguing option.
Over the years, I've seen the Main Dining Room occasionally offer brunch on select mornings. But it's been inconsistent and without question, the food quality at a specialty restaurant will always be higher.
It's worth noting this isn't the first time Royal Caribbean has offered a paid brunch, however.
Since the Mason Jar launched on Wonder of the Seas, it has served a brunch option on sea days only.
The Mason Jar is a specialty restaurant available on only a few ships, and it's a Southern American restaurant that highlights cuisine from the region.
Its menu includes Fried Chicken N’ Waffles, Salmon-Avocado Toast, Cinnamon Roll, a burger, and chicken sandwich.
In addition, there's been a "Sip. Tour. Brunch" offered that includes a galley tour along with a meal in the Main Dining Room with unlimited champagne.
One advantage of this Chops Brunch would be there is a Chops Grille on every single Royal Caribbean ship, which might make it significantly easier to enjoy brunch at sea.
A brunch at Chops Grille adds another revenue opportunity while giving guests more variety beyond the standard breakfast and lunch rotation.
For now, Chops Grille Brunch looks like an interesting new option.
It fills a gap in Royal Caribbean's dining lineup by offering a more upscale brunch-style meal, but it comes at a price.
Until more guests try it and share their experiences, we'll have to keep an eye on it to see if more ships offer it in the future.
Still, it's another sign that Royal Caribbean continues to experiment with its dining offerings.
