Royal Caribbean is working on developing its next food hall, and it's asking cruisers for opinions.
A survey was sent to select cruisers to ask them which food type they'd be interested in seeing a "food hall style" venue.
Almost certainly that refers to the Aquadome Market restaurant, which is a complimentary food hall that is found on Icon Class ships. Since we already know the food hall lineup for Legend of the Seas, it's possible these questions are for Hero of the Seas.
The choices aren't exotic or over-the-top. Instead, they focus on familiar, quick bites like paninis, cheesesteaks, and classic deli sandwiches.
Here's what Royal Caribbean is considering for its next food hall.
Sandwiches and wraps
Thanks to Stelli from La Floating Adventures, we have an idea of potential additions to a future food hall menu.
Royal Caribbean loves to conduct a lot of guest surveys to better understand what its guests are looking for. They send out surveys regularly to many cruisers to get a sense of what their customer base is interested in (and not interested in).
It's important to note that a survey is not an announcement or confirmation, and merely the cruise line gauging interest.
Still, it offers a rare look at how Royal Caribbean tests ideas behind the scenes, and how much influence passengers might actually have on what gets added onboard.
The survey asks, "Please select the type of food that you would be MOST likely to eat and LEAST likely to eat at a food hall style venue on a cruise ship."
Here are the options listed on the survey:
- Pesto tomato panini
- Philly cheesesteak
- Grilled cheese
- Chicken salad wrap
- Rueben sandwich
- Bacon grilled cheese
- Pretzel bites
Based on these choices, it appears one food hall could be leaning in a wrap or sandwich direction.
The theme is simple and recognizable comfort food, not specialty or fancy dining.
Thus far, the Aquadome Market has featured a series of individual food stalls with a specific cuisine offered. This specific survey could refer to one idea Royal Caribbean is considering.
The first Aquadome Market debuted on Icon of the Seas, and it's since become a fan-favorite spot. The beauty of this restaurant is it's included in your cruise fare and stays open late.
When Legend of the Seas debuts this summer, it will have five new options:
- Seoulmate: Korean rice bowls
- La Espanola: Spanish-style bites
- Cajun kitchen: New Orleans gumbo
- Adobo: Mexican street tacos
- Simply Pressed: Fresh smoothies & juices
- Creme de la Crepe: Sweet French crepes (returning option)
Food halls have been successful because they solve crowding issues and alleviate demand on the Windjammer marketplace buffet or other more traditional quick service venues on Royal Caribbean ships.
It's also possible this survey is looking for food options to replace a food hall that's currently on an existing ship. Royal Caribbean is never one to shy away from trying to improve what it's already doing well and make it even better.
Rotating food hall options
If we're assuming this survey is for Hero of the Seas, which debuts in 2027, there's one big change to the food hall on this ship that's coming.
Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President of Food & Beverage, Linken D'Souza revealed that while the Aquadome Market will have new food cuisine choices on Hero, they'll periodically change.
"We will always debut with five really well- tested concepts, but we're also going to design the stalls to no longer be so specific to a cuisine so that we can start to bring in different ideas and test it with guests as time goes on," he said in a recorded interview.
Even if some of the options from this survey make it to a ship in the future, it's possible it might be a limited-time offering.
Would you actually want these on your cruise?
Since I didn't get this survey, I've got my own thoughts on which foods I would pick.
I love the idea of sandwiches being a food hall idea. I've always wanted a sub shop on a cruise, so this is in that general direction.
If I picked, I would choose the Reuben sandwich as my top pick and the grilled cheese as my least favorite.
I love Reuben sandwiches because they are a classic delicatessen option and one of my favorite indulgences.
The problem with grilled cheese is not only is it simple, but it's been done before on Royal Caribbean. You can get a grilled cheese at Johnny Rockets, Park Cafe, and possibly other venues already. I want any food hall option to go beyond what we currently have.
Let me know in the comments below which of these options you would select!
