There's a chance you would have to sit with other passengers for a meal during your Royal Caribbean cruise.

Sharing a table with other guests is a cruising tradition going back decades, and it's still in use in a few situations.

Some people like the idea of being seated with others because it adds a social aspect to the meal, and it's a way to connect with others.  You rarely encounter such opportunities in today's society outside of cruising.

However, some people would greatly prefer not to deal with making conversation and other pleasantries during their meals.  Or they simply prefer to enjoy time with their own family.

Here's what you should know about being seated with strangers on a cruise ship, and when you can avoid it.

The best chance to sit with other passengers is in the Main Dining Room

The Main Dining Room is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the highest chance you'll be seated with someone outside your party is at dinner.

With Traditional Dinner, Royal Caribbean comes up with a seating arrangement to accommodate as many people as possible. There are small and large tables, and it's not uncommon to see a few couples seated together at the same table.

There's no way to know in advance what your table assignment will be, so you'll have to wait until you board the ship to see.  

Dining room table assignments are indicated at the bottom right corner of your SeaPass card, but you can also go to the Main Dining Room on embarkation and ask the staff there to verify for you.

If you have selected My Time Dining for dinner, the choice to be seated at a larger table or wait for a private table will be handled as you check-in.

Breakfast and lunch don't have pre-assigned tables, so you'll be seated on a first-come basis. 

Generally, you don't get asked to sit with other passengers, but if the dining room is busy, they sometimes will. Especially with small groups.

You could ask for a private table, but you may have to wait longer.

How to request a table alone

You can make a request pre-cruise to for a private table at dinner. 

A few weeks before your cruise, send an email to [email protected] asking for a table without anyone else. Provide them with your name, ship name, sail date, and cabin number.

You can also change your table assignment on embarkation day by speaking to the Head Waiter.

As you walk into the Main Dining Room, there's usually a crew member at a kiosk who can assist. It's not a guarantee that they can change it for you, but in my experience they almost always can offer you some kind of an alternative.

If you want to change tables later, that's an option too

If the idea of meeting new people and enjoying a lively dinner conversation sounds great, but the people you're seated with end up being dull or frustrating, you can always change to a different table later.

Ask the Head Waiter or Maître d for a new assignment, and they can usually work with you.  Their goal is for everyone to be happy and enjoy their meals.

You can't avoid sitting with strangers at two restaurants

Nearly every other restaurant doesn't require being seated with strangers, but there are two specialty restaurants where you don't have a choice.

Chef's Table is an intricate multi-course meal, paired with glasses of wine, and it's a special occasion where everyone is seated around the same table.

Because this is an intimate meal, there's just one table and it's limited to just a dozen or so passengers.  Therefore, you'll be seated with others.

The other restaurant with mandatory communal seating is Izumi Hibachi and Izumi Omakase.

Each hibachi table can accommodate around 10-12 guests.  This is very unlike Chef's Table, but because there's such high demand and limited times, you'll be seated with other passengers.

Of course, you could avoid being seated with someone you don't know by buying out the table.  Bring a large group with you and make reservations and you'll circumvent the issue because you're bringing the party!

I've been seated with other passengers for meals during shore excursions

The other situation where you could be seated with other passengers is on a shore excursion where a meal is included.

Tours that take you to a restaurant or home for a meal often have limited seating, so it's not uncommon to have to share a table.

Sitting with people you don't know could be a great social opportunity

Some people that cruise a lot swear by how much fun it is to sit with strangers for a meal.

In every situation where I've had to share a table with others, it's never been an awful experience. At worst, they're quiet and don't talk so I'll talk with just my family.

Plus, sitting with others could be a great idea for solo cruisers who wouldn't mind an opportunity to chat.

If you do share a table, be sure to arrive on time and avoid any controversial topics.  I recommend talking about your cruise and experiences onboard to keep it light.

Before specialty restaurants and late-night pizza became the norm, cruise ships had a different after-hours tradition: the legendary midnight buffet.

(Credit: @Dtj780/Reddit)

Today, nearly every Royal Caribbean cruiser is familiar with the Windjammer Marketplace, El Loco Fresh, and Sorrento's. However, these dining options weren't always around. In fact, there's one that, if given the option, many cruisers would gladly bring back — even if it meant replacing greasy late-night pizza.

The cruise ship midnight buffet was once a beloved tradition at sea. Even today, with ships larger and more technically advanced than ever before, nothing quite captures the mystique of the midnight buffet's gorging and excitement in the same way. 

The midnight buffet was more than a grand feast (though without fast-casual options like Sorrento's, it was needed to satisfy late-night cravings). At its core, the midnight buffet was a spectacle and a form of entertainment during a time when AquaTheaters, high-quality musicals, and more did not exist. 

(Credit: @Dtj780/Reddit)

The Main Dining Room was transformed into a dazzling display of culinary artistry — think the Seafood Extravaganza at the Oceanview Café on Celebrity Cruises, but on an even grander scale — and before cruisers could dig in, they were allowed to walk through and admire the carefully arranged tables. 

Unfortunately, Royal Caribbean began phasing out the elegant ice carvings, fruit sculptures, and chocolate fountains in the 1990s and early 2000s. Now, the once-popular midnight buffet, also known as the "Gala Buffet," exists only in memories, photographs, and home movies. 

Read more: What it was like to go on a Royal Caribbean cruise in the 1970s

The Royal Caribbean midnight buffet was replaced with other dining options

(Credit: @Dtj780/Reddit)

Over the years, late-night venues like Sorrento's and Café Promenade rose in popularity, reflecting a bigger shift in the cruising industry. While these included spots offer around-the-clock snacks, from simple sandwiches to cookies, fruit, and hot slices of pizza, they also highlight that today’s ships cater to a more casual, flexible crowd. 

Unlike the midnight buffet, towering displays of food aren't set out for one hour and then discarded. Instead, fast-casual food options are prepared and replenished as needed throughout the day, ensuring that less goes to waste. 

(Credit: @Dtj780/Reddit)

Plus, these spots just easily adjust production as needed, rather than pumping out massive quantities of food when many passengers are already asleep. 

That said, although mega-ships place a greater emphasis on the economy of scale (meaning that the costs of successfully executing a midnight buffet don't make a lot of business sense), many cruisers fondly remember the specialty and would be happy to see it return to Royal Caribbean's fleet. 

(Credit: @Dtj780/Reddit)

"Went on my first cruise in 2005 (18 years old) and all i talked about was the food. 14 years later and my wife books an alaskan cruise for our honeymoon and in some weird twist of fate it was the same exact boat...," explained Worldly_Project_6173 on the r/royalcaribbean Reddit thread. 

"She had heard all our stories, saw the pictures, and was disappointed when we got there and all the food options were so generic and there was no midnight buffet. Feels like they switched from chefs to food warmer uppers."

(Credit: @Dtj780/Reddit)

Burnt_Crust_00 added, "Loved them! Ice carvings, bread sculptures, fruit carvings, etc. One of the highlights of the cruise!!!"

 "My first cruise was [on] Majesty in 1994 and they had afternoon tea and a midnight buffet every night!! You walked through the dining room to admire all the fruit and ice sculptures then a second walk through to serve yourself," said AutumnOpal717. 

"I was lucky enough to be alive at a time when this was still a thing. It was the best part of the cruise," reminisced another cruiser.

The Royal Caribbean food options past 10:00 p.m. are limited

(Credit: @Dtj780/Reddit)

Compared with the elaborate midnight buffets of decades past, the late-night options on Royal Caribbean's ships are disappointing, especially if you're on an older ship. Generally speaking, you are limited to pizza and whatever pre-made options are available at the coffee bar. 

Comparatively, Carnival Cruise Line reintroduced a late-night buffet a few years ago. Although it is not as extravagant as its predecessor, with impressive dessert displays and fruit carvings, the options are plentiful — ranging from chips and salsa to hot dogs, chicken tenders, French fries, potato salad, and more. 

(Credit: @Dtj780/Reddit)

Even Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean's premium sister brand, has a section of its buffet open at night, allowing guests to choose from salads, meats and cheeses, pizza, and more. On some ships, you can request made-to-order pasta, too. 

Will Royal Caribbean ever bring back its midnight buffet? Only time will tell. However, if they decide to appease nostalgic cruisers, the buffet would likely be more about efficiency than boasting elaborate displays to brag about on social media. 

Read more: 4 things that are different about dinner on a cruise ship in the 80s vs today

Within the past two years, Royal Caribbean has made multiple dining changes that are helping to reshape and simplify the line's food experience. 

Dining is a central part of any cruise vacation. Whether you enjoy the vast options of the buffet, indulgent three-course meals in the Main Dining Room, or intimate specialty restaurants, a lot of your decisions revolve around when and where you're going to eat. 

Not only that, but mealtime serves as a built-in social time, where you gather with friends and family to reconnect, talk about the day's activities, and plan the rest of your time on board. 

As such, small tweaks to menus, seating times, or better reservation systems can feel significant when planning a cruise. Cruises are all about convenience, so any well-thought-out update isn't just about the food itself — it's about making your vacation flow as smoothly as possible. 

Introduced a third seating time in the dining room

Historically, Royal Caribbean offered two traditional dinner times on its ships, seating guests around 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Although the traditional seating worked for many, others thought the times were either too early or too late. 

Consequently, in 2024, the cruise line added a third dining time to fit other passengers' schedules, ensuring that dinner remained a convenient and enjoyable part of the daily cruise experience. The exact time of the extra seating depends on the ship and itinerary, but it typically starts between 6:45 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. 

While My Time Dining lets guests choose when they want to eat each night, the third traditional seating offers a middle ground for those who still enjoy having the same wait staff but want something more flexible.

According to Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President of Food & Beverage, Linken D'Souza, the change was made to give cruisers "more choice and variety and flexibility for their vacation."

"We're just trying to create more convenience, variety, and options for our guests," he said during an exclusive interview with Royal Caribbean Blog. 

He added that early tests of the new third set dining time were overwhelmingly positive, with cruisers giving the seating higher ratings than the early, late, and My Time Dining options. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean introduces third dining time

Added a feature to pre-book specialty restaurants with dining packages

Specialty restaurants are popular add-ons on Royal Caribbean cruises — from the classic Chops Grille to interactive hibachi experiences, indulgent Italian feasts, and more. 

Many cruisers prefer the specialty experience over the Main Dining Room, citing the intimate vibe, higher-quality food, and personalized service as making the meals more memorable. 

With the cruise line's dining packages, guests can now enjoy specialty meals without the hassle of paying for each experience separately. 

In the past, one of the major caveats with the packages was that you had to wait until you were on the ship to confirm your reservations. 

Now, however, you can pre-book specialty restaurants for the Unlimited Dining Package, along with the 3-Night Dining Package, on the Cruise Planner. This means you do not have to scramble to the reservations desk on embarkation day! 

You can make reservations for dinner or lunch (when available). Plus, the online portal indicates all available dining times, blocking out those that are fully booked.

Read more: Royal Caribbean extends a fix to a huge dining package problem

Began charging no-shows at restaurants

On a similar note, with specialty restaurants being in such high demand, the cruise line implemented a policy to cut down on last-minute cancellations caused by no-shows. 

In Sept. 2024, Royal Caribbean sent an email to travel agents informing them that it had plans to begin charging for no-shows at its specialty dining restaurants. 

"We will be implementing charges for no-shows at specialty dining reservations across the fleet. Our goal is to preserve these limited seats for clients eager to experience our exclusive, limited-capacity dining options. By encouraging guests to honor their reservations, we aim to enhance the overall experience," the notice read. 

Modifications to the reservation are not allowed within 24 hours of the scheduled dining time. According to the cruise line's website, cancellation fees start at $25 per person and increase to $50 for restaurants like the Empire Supper Club, Lincoln Park Supper Club, Chef's Table, Royal Railway, and Izumi Hibachi, where seating is more limited. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean will now charge for no-shows at specialty restaurants

Simplified how cruisers can request a dining change

Most recently, Royal Caribbean made it easier for guests to change their preferred dining time through its website. 

Previously, you had to either call the cruise line or your travel agent, which could be time-consuming. Now, with just a few clicks online, it's easier than ever to move from the early seating to the late seating. 

You can also request to change from one of the traditional seatings to My Time Dining, giving you the option to choose when you'd like to eat each night (and vice versa). 

If an option is full, such as the early seating, you can select the box to be put on the waitlist. Should a spot open up, the system will update to reflect the change. 

To access the new dining change feature, you must first log in to your Royal Caribbean account on the website. From there, navigate to your upcoming cruise and click "Manage Reservation," followed by "Room and Guests."

Your current dining selection will appear under "Preferred Dining Time." However, you can easily click “Edit” to choose a new time or put yourself on the waitlist for your preferred option. Note that if you booked through a travel agent, you may still have to contact them to change the dining time on your cruise. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean simplifies dinner planning with website update

There's no denying that cruising today is vastly different than in the 1980s. Back then, cruises were more formal affairs, with strict dress codes, lengthy meals, and fewer onboard thrills.

Cruise ships were significantly smaller than the mega-ships that Royal Caribbean builds today. With fewer guests, it was easier for the cruise line to maintain consistency and closely oversee quality control. 

As ships have grown larger, the focus has shifted from luxury to prioritizing attractions, higher passenger capacities, and mass-market appeal. 

One of the biggest differences is the main dining experience. In the past, the dinner service was a cornerstone of the entire cruise. 

While many guests still enjoy eating in the dining room, it no longer carries the same importance it once did. Flexible dining times, specialty restaurants, and a solid lineup of casual venues have changed how passengers dine. 

Here's a look at how cruise ship dining was different in the 1980s — and why so many guests miss the tradition and formality of the dinner service. 

More traditional menus

(Credit: Adams Nicholas/Facebook)

In the 1980s, the menus lacked modern variety. 

Today, you'll find classic favorites like French onion soup and Caesar salads, alongside plant-based dishes and a wide variety of other options designed to cater to dietary restrictions. Back then, however, menus were smaller, and the choices were limited. 

Adams Nicholas shared images of old Royal Caribbean menus from the Song of America ship on Facebook. "The new themed menus sure don’t measure up to the old ones!" he wrote. 

(Credit: Adams Nicholas/Facebook)

Song of America entered service for Royal Caribbean in 1982 as the third-largest passenger vessel at sea. She operated for the cruise line for over 15 years until she was sold to Sun Cruises in 1998. 

Similar to Royal Caribbean's current menus, the nightly menus aboard Song of America had different themes, including French, Spanish, Italian, Caribbean, and the famous Captain's Gala. 

However, the dishes were far more refined than what's available today. For example, on French night, the entrées included saumon a l'oseille, coquille St. Jacques, baron d'agneau roti, coq au vin, and contrefilet de boeuf roti preigueux.

(Credit: Adams Nicholas/Facebook)

Similarly, appetizers on Captain's Gala night ranged from pear nectar to Baltic caviar, melon with prosciutto, pineapple juice, quiche florentine, and egg skobeloff with smoked salmon. 

Even the desserts were thoughtfully curated to reflect a higher level of sophistication, with options ranging from cherries jubilee to rum raisin ice cream, swan chantilly, and pear conde. 

Dinner was a much more formal affair

(Credit: Adams Nicholas/Facebook)

Back then, dinners in the Main Dining Room were more formal than today. As such, guests abided by strict dress codes, whereas today, it's common to find passengers dressed in casual t-shirts, shorts, and sandals. 

Additionally, dinners were elaborate seven-course affairs that began with appetizers and soups. This created a leisurely dining experience unlike today, where many guests prefer to rush through dinner to enjoy the evening's entertainment lineup. 

In fact, part of the reason that Royal Caribbean launched its new menus in 2023 was to expedite the service. Before the change, guests typically spent anywhere from 90 to 120 minutes in the dining room. The standard with the new menus is serving passengers a 3-course meal in around 75 minutes or less. 

Read more: Photos show what it was like to cruise on Royal Caribbean in the 1980s

No specialty restaurants

Older, smaller ships had fewer amenities. There weren't any water slides, rock climbing walls, ice skating rinks, or mini-golf courses on board. Additionally, older Royal Caribbean ships lacked specialty restaurants.

While the specialty dining experience has become a major selling point on modern cruise ships, with options ranging from sushi to premium cuts of beef and freshly-made pasta, it did not exist in the 1980s. 

As such, expectations for the Main Dining Room were higher since it was the primary restaurant on the ships. It was common for all guests to look forward to the elegantly plated meals, highly attentive service, and world-class cuisine. 

Read more: What to expect in Royal Caribbean's Main Dining Room

Flexible dining wasn't an option

Finally, My Time Dining wasn't an option in the 1980s. All passengers had an assigned dining time — guests did not have the option to enjoy the dining room on their own time. 

Like today's traditional dining, passengers were expected to dine at the same time each evening. They were also seated at the same table with the same travelers and waitstaff. 

As such, dinners in the Main Dining Room were more formal and structured. Throughout the sailing, waiters learned everyone's preferences, which added a personalized touch to the mealtime experience. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean My Time Dining versus Traditional Dining

What time should you pick to eat dinner on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship so you don't miss out on the best things to do onboard?

One of the first decisions you'll need to make when you book a cruise is what time you want to have dinner.

If you opt for Traditional Dinner (instead of My Time Dining), there are three seating times and each has its advantages and disadvantages.

I've found there isn't a single dinner time that is universally best, as it really depends on what your priorities are during the sailing.

Here are the recommendations for which dining time to pick, depending on what you prioritize the most.

Pick early dinner if you have kids or want to eat before everything happens

From the early days of cruising, early dinner has always been popular among families with younger children.

When my kids were younger, it was always advantageous to go to early dinner so you they could eat and then be dropped off at Adventure Ocean. Kids club opens at 7pm, so having dinner before heading there was the perfect timing.

Another advantageous of early dinner is you'll finish right in time for just about everything happening later that evening. 

If my dinner is at 5 or 5:30, I'm probably out of the Main Dining Room by 6:30pm or so, meaning I can see shows, bar performances, or any of the late night stuff.

The problem with early dinner is it eats into your afternoon.  

If you're the type of person that wants to shower and change before dinner, this means you'll likely need to be back in your stateroom to prepare by mid afternoon or so.  I found it cuts into the pool deck time or even some shore excursion plans.

Some people also complain early dinner is, well, too early.

Pick middle dinner if you want your late afternoons back

Royal Caribbean added the "goldilocks dinner" option last year as a way to give passengers more choice in when they eat.

For anyone that thought early dinner was too early and late dinner was too late, middle dinner is right inbetween. 

There are two advantages to middle dinner that I can see.

First, you can enjoy more of your afternoon plans compared to early dinner, especially when you have a full day of touring in port.

When I'm on an Alaska cruise or European cruise, many days we'd get back to the ship and not have enough time to get ready for an early dinner. And of course, we'd feel famished if we waited for late dinner.

Second, middle dinner means you get the benefits of Traditional Dinner without having to go to My Time Dining.  

Many cruisers would pick MTD because they wanted a middle ground of dining times. But there are some inherent benefits to Traditional Dinner.  Now there's no compromise.

The problem with middle dinner is the evening shows don't usually line up for middle dinner and cause a conflict.

Royal Caribbean traditionally has scheduled its evening shows around early and late dinner times, so middle dinner means you're going to have to get creative on seeing the featured shows onboard.

It doesn't mean you can't see shows, but it might be more difficult to plan around dinner and entertainment.

Pick late dinner if you'd rather see shows and then eat

When I first started cruising, I'd always pick late dinner for two reasons: early dinner was too early and it meant we could enjoy entertainment before dinner.

Typically the evening show schedules are arranged such that there are two show times per night, with an early and late show that compliment the early and late dinner.

With late dinner, we could enjoy our afternoon and then transition into evening fun before heading to dinner. That would mean a show, dinner, and then late night fun afterwards.

There's no question late dinner is better for not compromising on your afternoon, and it works well for getting to start your night with fun things.

As I got older, I started to dislike coming out of dinner at around 10pm and feeling like all that was left was late night activities. I preferred having more of the evening in front of me to look forward to after dinner.

I always pick early dinner because it opens up my evening

From a simplicity standpoint, I pick early dinner for my cruises.

Yes, eating at 5pm isn't my personal favorite time to eat dinner, but I think the advantage of having shows fit into my schedule is worth it.  

Plus, I like getting out of dinner and feeling like I have a lot of time still to enjoy what's happening around the ship.

As I mentioned, I started off doing late dinner when I was younger to avoid eating too early and getting more time in port or at the pool.  But I've shied away from it because I didn't want to get out of dinner at 10pm and feel like my night was over.

I'm no stranger to cruising alone, but eating by myself always feels a little strange.

I booked a 5-night cruise on Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas without my family because I wanted to review the ship again and see some of the changes that have been made, like a new casino offering.

If you ask my wife, I never shy away from booking a cruise alone.  It's not ideal, but I've cruised solo enough times that I immerse myself in my work to keep me busy. Plus, the ship always has a lot of activities I can indulge in as well.

But the only time I truly ever feel alone is at dinner because I enjoy a nice sit down meal to round out my day, and sitting alone at a table makes me feel sort of left out. 

I decided to embrace the solo cruise experience and go to dinner the way I prefer.

I would have chickened out if I didn't have a table alone

I'll admit that my entire decision was pinned on having a table with no one else at it in the Main Dining Room.

Royal Caribbean may assign you a table for dinner with strangers or just for your party. It's kind of a crapshoot as to what you'll end up getting.

Your table assignment is written on the bottom of your SeaPass card.  It has a deck number and dining time.  Your dining time is something you select when you book the cruise, and you have the choice of My Time Dining or Traditional.

On embarkation day I walked into the Main Dining Room, and found my table. Sure enough, it was a table for two and that meant I'd certainly be seated alone.

As an added bonus, my table was right by the window.  Unfortunately due to daylight savings time, it was too dark to see anything out of the window.

No one really cares if I'm eating alone

The singular truth about eating alone is that no one else cares what you're doing, and few barely even probably notice.

My concern with eating alone stemmed from the notion I'd feel out of place, in the way someone might feel if they showed up to a black tie party in shorts and a t-shirt.

The truth is it never felt anything like that. 

Any time I scanned the area around me, everyone was immersed in their own conversations and meals.  Plus, I was either enjoying my food.

When I didn't have something to eat, I had my phone to keep me occupied.  Fear not, I wasn't "one of those people" that had music or audio playing.  I used my phone to text friends and family, check social media, and otherwise keep me quietly occupied.

The downtime between servings is probably when eating alone would feel awkward, but the phone helped bridge that gap.  I suppose reading a book would be another option too.

The speed of service helped tremendously

One of the top reasons I came back for dinner in the Main Dining Room on night two was how quick the meal was.

When I first started cruising, dinner could take two hours or more. While I enjoy a relaxed meal, I think that's just too long.

One of the initiatives Royal Caribbean undertook as part of its Main Dining Room overhaul in 2023 was to address speed of service.

The cruise line saw this as an opportunity to serve hotter and fresher food while also addressing consistency. 

All of my dinners took between 45-60 minutes from start to finish. Full disclosure, I skipped dessert every night, so that saved some time too.

Because I knew I could enjoy a plated meal without fear of feeling "stuck" there, I enjoyed the experience even more. To be clear, the servers never made me feel rushed. They just served my food at the pace I was consuming it.

Why didn't I just go to the buffet?

If you are wondering why I didn't just opt for the Windjammer buffet instead, it's because I was eating other meals there and I wanted something different.

I love the cruise buffet, but the quality of the food in the Main Dining Room is always going to be a little bit better. As an example, the French Onion Soup served in the Dining Room is always going to be presented better than the DIY version at the buffet.

Part of the appeal of cruising is the level of service it comes with, and I enjoy what the Main Dining Room represents in that regard.

I'll gladly eat alone in the Main Dining Room again

I think this was the solo dining experience that solidified I could do it again without any trepidation.

I had a great team of waiters (shoutout to Renz and Jonathan) who made it all flow so easily.  One night I asked Renz to have a bowl of French Onion Soup waiting for me before they close for the evening, and he was happy to oblige.

The truth is few other passengers notice you're alone, and fewer care.

Some might have read this article and wondered why I didn't ask to sit at a larger table with strangers so I wouldn't feel alone.

My issue with sitting at a table with others and being alone is inevitably there are down times in the conversation and I'd feel rude being on my phone or reading a book. If I'm cruising with my wife and we are seated with others, then I have her to fall back on for a quiet conversation.

Anyone who's concerned about eating alone in the Main Dining Room should remember it's not as big a deal as you probably think it is. Bring something to keep you occupied between servings, and enjoy the added service.

If you’ve sailed with Carnival Cruise Line, chances are you’ve indulged in a burger from the beloved and iconic Guy’s Burger Joint. While Royal Caribbean doesn’t offer a comparable venue, there is one surprising place onboard where you can find a burger that holds its own - the main dining room.

One of the most popular dining venues on Carnival Cruise Line is Guy’s Burger Joint, and it’s become a staple for many loyal Carnival cruisers. You can find this burger joint across Carnival's fleet, even on their older vessels. The venue quickly became a fan favorite after launching in 2011 through a partnership with celebrity chef Guy Fieri.

Most cruisers would argue this poolside eatery serves up some of the best burgers at sea. As a burger lover myself, I’d have to agree! After sailing with Carnival Cruise Line multiple times, I’d consider myself a bit of a Guy’s Burger Joint aficionado. 

The crafted burgers at Guy's Burger Joint are far from basic. They're served with bold flavor and indulgent toppings, such as bacon patties, onion rings, melty cheese and more. Even better, it’s fully included in your cruise fare, so you can enjoy as many juicy, freshly made burgers as you want throughout your sailing. All burgers are served with well-seasoned and hand-cut, crispy French fries.

Although Royal Caribbean serves basic build-your-own burgers daily in the Windjammer buffet, the cruise line lacks a dedicated burger stand like Carnival. 

If your ship has a Johnny Rockets or Playmaker’s Sports Bar, you could pay extra to have a top-notch burger during your cruise. In addition, you could treat yourself to lunch at Chops Grille, one of Royal Caribbean’s specialty restaurants, where they serve an elevated and higher quality burger for an extra charge.

However, there is one underrated venue that serves one of the best burgers for free on Royal Caribbean. During lunch or brunch in the main dining room, keep an eye out for a hidden gem on the menu: the Royal Burger.

Even though I’ve cruised with Royal Caribbean more than 30 times, I’ve rarely visited the main dining room for lunch. However, while cruising on Anthem of the Seas earlier this spring, I decided to have lunch in the main dining room before our afternoon arrival in Tokyo, Japan.

One of the entrees caught my attention immediately, the Royal Burger. While I’d seen other Royal Caribbean cruisers praise the Royal Burger, I had yet to actually try it myself. My mom and I decided to order this crowd favorite for our lunch, and we were honestly blown away!

On the menu, Royal Caribbean describes the Royal Burger as, “A 1/4-pound patty served on a brioche bun with lettuce, tomato, pickles, fried onions, cheddar cheese, special sauce and a side of fries.”

To start, the Royal Burger features an impressively large 1/4-pound beef patty, and it’s cooked to your preference. I prefer ordering mine medium well, with just a little bit of pink in the middle. The toppings are stacked high with flavorful fried onions and sharp cheddar cheese, along with fresh lettuce, tomato, and pickles. There’s even a special burger sauce drizzled on top!

I ordered my Royal Burger with a side of ranch for both the burger and the crispy fries. In addition, I skipped the lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles, instead opting for a side of bacon. My mom ordered her Royal Burger as advertised. After taking one bite, we both said, “Wow! This is wonderful!”

The Royal Burger was super flavorful and juicy, and the special sauce gave it a small kick that pulled everything together. The fries were served hot and crispy, just as I would have hoped! I also added a little ranch to my burger, and it was a delicious touch that paired perfectly with the other flavors. 

My mom and I absolutely loved the Royal Burger, and couldn’t stop raving about it throughout the day. Sadly, this was our final day onboard so we couldn’t return for another Royal Burger on this cruise. Because of this, we couldn't wait to try the Royal Burger during our recent cruise on Ovation of the Seas. 

Overall, the Royal Burger was everything you could want in a good burger during a cruise. The patty was well-seasoned and cooked perfectly, with a nice sear on the outside that added great flavor and texture. I loved how the bun was lightly toasted, and I prefer the hint of sweetness with brioche buns. 

The Royal Burger is definitely a step up from the build-your-own burgers in the Windjammer. The patty feels much heartier, and I’d guess it’s about twice the size of the burgers served at the buffet.  The overall quality is also noticeably better in the main dining room. 

In my opinion, the Royal Burger easily rivals the burgers served at Guy’s Burger Joint on Carnival Cruise Line. In fact, I actually prefer this more elevated option compared to Carnival's burgers. While this certainly comes down to personal preference, I appreciated how the Royal Burger wasn’t quite as greasy as the burgers served at Guy’s Burger Joint.

With the Royal Burger, I was able to enjoy the rest of my day without any gastrointestinal repercussions. I enjoyed my afternoon exploring Tokyo on foot without feeling weighed down from a greasy lunch. Now that I’ve experienced the hyped Royal Burger myself, I will definitely look for this crowd favorite on every future Royal Caribbean cruise. After all, one of the biggest highlights of cruising is indulging in all of the delicious cuisine onboard.

You can easily avoid a dining mistake on your cruise that could otherwise leave you disappointed in your choices.

Royal Caribbean offers so much food to enjoy onboard, and it's a mix of included and extra cost options. The dining mistakes I'm talking about are things result in cruisers coming home and complaining they didn't like certain foods or lamented not knowing about others.

Ultimately, I'm a proponent of maximizing my choices and getting the most out of your cruise vacation, including what, where, and when you eat.

I came up with these 13 Royal Caribbean cruise dining mistakes and how to avoid each of them.

Not pre-booking specialty restaurants

On any ship you sail, there's going to be a few different specialty restaurants you could dine at, but don't wait to book any of them.

Royal Caribbean opens up reservations for them months before your cruise begins and lots of people start booking them up. By the time your cruise sets sail, there are not going to be many slots left.

Waiting to book a reservation on the ship means the restaurant could be sold out or just very late time slots left.

Plus, booking a reservation before the cruise will save you money.

Royal Caribbean regularly discounts specialty restaurants before the cruise in order to spur sales. You could save up to 30% off with a well-timed sale.

Making a specialty restaurant reservation pre-cruise could be the perfect use of onboard credit you have.

Ordering the same way you do at home

You can, and should, order more food at Royal Caribbean restaurants than you would at a land restaurant.

This tip always surprises new cruisers because it sounds so gluttonous, but the truth is portion sizes are smaller on a cruise. 

Most people are conditioned to order just one entrée, and perhaps an appetizer or dessert. However, on a cruise you can order all of them (and more) because it's included.

When you are at the Main Dining Room or any restaurant, you're able to order multiple appetizers, entrées, or desserts.

In addition, ordering more dishes gives you the chance to try new foods.  Your waiter will encourage it, so don't be shy.

Not taking advantage of the wine you can bring

Did you know you can bring wine on your cruise?

Royal Caribbean allows each adult to bring a bottle of wine on embarkation day to drink onboard the ship. It's the only alcohol you're allowed to bring.

There's no fee for doing so if you open the wine in your cabin, but there is a corkage fee if you bring the bottle to a restaurant or bar to be opened.

Not knowing about the free room service option

Room service usually has a $7.95 cost, but there's one exception.

There's a subset on the menu for the continental breakfast that has no delivery charge.

You can choose from bagels, coffee, pastries, and more.

Not only is this free, but it saves you a trip to the buffet or dining room to grab food in the morning.  It's a great option for starting your day and getting everyone moving.

Skipping making My Time Dining reservations

If you chose My Time Dining for your dinner selection, you really should make reservations instead of showing up for a table.

Royal Caribbean gives you the choice of making a reservation pre-cruise or onboard. People with a reservation get seated before people that don't have a reservation.

In my experience, this is the difference maker in not becoming frustrated with the experience.  There can be long lines for My Time Dining, especially in the early hours.

No one likes to wait, but waiting is even worse when you're hungry.

Skipping the extra-fee restaurants

While everyone is on a budget, I think it's a mistake to write off every extra cost venue simply because they cost extra.

That isn't to say you should only eat at specialty restaurants.  Rather, I think you ought to include a visit to at least one or two during your cruise because it will add to your overall experience.

Specialty restaurants offer cuisines and cooking styles you won't find elsewhere on the ship, plus the ambience is more relaxed. It feels like a step up, and I think it's a nice way to enhance your vacation.

I love the teppanyaki dinners at Izumi, Italian food at Giovanni's Italian Kitchen, or bar food while watching your favorite team play at Playmakers.

You don't have to spend a lot to enjoy them, especially if you take advantage of the first tip in this article.

Not checking for theme nights

Did you know there will be themes for certain nights of your cruise?

Royal Caribbean likes to make their evenings fun with different themes, such as white night, Caribbean/tropical night, formal night, and more.

You won't be turned away from the Main Dining Room (or any restaurant) for not adhering to the theme, but a lot of new cruisers wish they knew about it advance so they could have joined in.

You can find out about theme nights before your cruise begins so there's no excuse for not knowing about them.

Getting your food before finding a seat at the buffet

No matter which buffet or casual grab-and-go restaurant you go to on Royal Caribbean, I'd recommend finding a table first and then getting your food.

This tip is especially important for breakfast in the Windjammer or embarkation day lunch, because these are the busiest times at the ship's buffet.

It can be challenging at times to find a table, but it's easier (and less frustrating) to find a table without a plate full of food in your hand.

Try to look for tables towards the back, or even ask a crew member for assistance in clearing a dirty table or finding an open one.

Not trying new foods

One of the best things about a cruise ship vacation is all the food choices, and it's the perfect opportunity to try something outside of your comfort zone.

You don't have to go crazy, but since food is included and there's no charge for uneaten food, this might be the time to sample foods you might otherwise never order because you didn't want to pay for it.

While you shouldn't be wasteful, Royal Caribbean's waiters encourage cruisers to order something they might like and give it a try.

Trying escargot (baked snails) or an Indian curry might end up being a favorite dish. And if you don't love them, it could just be a good story to tell friends later.

Not checking the menu before dinner

Royal Caribbean has a different menu each night in the Main Dining Room, but there might be one or two that you don't love.

Let's piggyback on the tip earlier about not skipping specialty restaurants. 

You can check the menu in advance on the Royal Caribbean app, or look at the menu that's posted outside the Main Dining Room that evening.

If the menu doesn't look that great, that's the night to book a specialty restaurant and go elsewhere.  Or you might go to the Windjammer for dinner instead.

Buffet etiquette mistakes

There are a few mistakes not to make in the buffet to avoid coming off as rude or putting your health at risk.

• Not washing your hands before entering
• Reusing the same plate
• Grabbing food with your bare hands
• Cutting in line

The top two mistakes you really, really want to avoid are reusing the same plate or cutting in line.

I know you think you're doing the staff a solid by not taking another plate, but the risk of cross-contamination is too high.  Not only does the crew want you to come up and get a new plate each time, they have an industrial dish washer.

And of course, don't cut in line. Keep in mind some buffet stations are repeated on the other side of the Windjammer, so you might find less of a line there.

Not speaking up if the food isn't what you expected

I've run into this mistake with friends and family during a cruise who complain there's something wrong with their food to me, but don't say anything to the waiter.

When I sailed on Enchantment of the Seas, my tablemates quietly lamented the slow service and lack of drink refills. So when the head waiter came around, I spoke up and alerted her to the issue at hand.

The dining room staff want you to have an amazing dining experience, but mistakes happen. Or if the food isn't cooked well or to your liking, you should tell them.

No one wants to be a bother, but let your waiter and head waiter know when there's an issue that can be resolved.  Don't just chalk it up to the way it is and "suffer".

Not walking around the buffet first

From my own personal experience, I'd recommend taking a quick glance over what's available at each of the buffet stations before getting in line.

Many times I've started loading up my plate, only to realize there's something I want even more.

No one will yell at you for wasting food, but it's also not something you should intentionally do.

You booked your cruise and chose a dining option for dinner, but now you want to change it. That sounds like an easy change to request, but what if it's not available anymore?

Royal Caribbean offers two types of dinner choices when you book a cruise as it relates to the Main Dining Room: Traditional and My Time Dining.

The closer you get to your cruise, you might find limited options left for switching from one to other. Perhaps a particular traditional dinner seating is not available.  Or My Time Dining might be sold out.  Is there any chance to change it?

There are a few options you could try, including one that new cruisers are completely unaware of exists.

First, try to get on a waitlist

If there's a few months left before your cruise departs, I'd start off by getting on the waitlist for the dining time or option you prefer.

Royal Caribbean has a wait list of a specific dining option, so if you're told it's sold out, ask to be on that waitlist.

You can ask your travel agent to be put on the waitlist. If you booked directly with Royal Caribbean, call in and ask for it.

Sometimes even the waitlist is temporarily filled. Don't worry though! If the waitlist time you want is unavailable and the cruise is more than a few weeks out call back in a week or two and try again.

These waitlists work exactly as you might imagine: someone cancels their cruise or changes to a different dining option, and the next person on the waitlist gets moved to the open slot.

In my experience, the waitlist comes through in most cases, but it helps the earlier you get put on it.

Be aware if the waitlist comes through, there's not really a notification of any kind that I'm aware of. Instead, it just changes and it's up to you to check periodically to see if the change has been made.

If that fails, try this trick on the ship

If the waitlist doesn't work, don't fret, because there's a fallback that always seems to work.

Once you board your ship on the first day, head to the Main Dining Room after lunch.  Anytime after 1pm should suffice.

Ask to speak to the Head Waiter that is on duty.  Alternatively, there is sometimes a desk set up that says "Dining Changes" or something to that effect. Either option will work.

At this point, politely explain the situation and ask if you can have your dining option changed.

In my experience, this usually works. Either someone else has done the same thing and opened up a spot, or the ship simply has more capacity than the shoreside system allows to book.

In any case, I'd be pretty surprised to hear if this fallback didn't work.

Which is better: My Time Dining or Traditional?

Royal Caribbean offers the choice of My Time Dining and Traditional dinner so passengers can find the best choice for them.

Each has its advantages, so it's a matter of what your own style is for how and when you'd like to eat.

Traditional dinner means you have a set time, table, waiter, and table mates. It has less flexibility since your schedule is set, but it's also simpler and there's no waiting for a table.

My Time Dining is flexible, and allows you to eat early or late depending on your plans.

The issue with My Time Dining is you may have to wait for a table, and you should make reservations in advance to reduce a wait.  Making reservations seems to take away from the notion of being flexible, to some degree.

I always pick Traditional

If you're looking for an opinion on what to choose, I usually go with Traditional.

Since my first Royal Caribbean cruise more than a decade ago, I've chosen Traditional dinner times because of how straight forward it is.

The reason I don't love My Time Dining is that there's a wait for a table, or at least a short line. I really like the convenience of not having to make reservations or wait in line, even if it means a rigid dining schedule.

Plus, I really like having the same waiters each night. I think creating a rapport with them adds to the experience because it makes it's friendly and fun, especially when you have waiters with a good personality.

Of all the restaurants on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, the buffet is still one of my favorite places to eat.

I love the mix of food variety, how easy it is to get in and out, and the fact there's something for everyone.  I love that I can enjoy Indian curry, customized salads, or an overloaded burger while my kids can get chicken fingers or pizza. It's win-win for everyone.

While I'll primarily eat at the Main Dining Room or specialty restaurants, I like going to the Windjammer on embarkation day for welcome aboard lunch or hit it up for dinner after a long day in port.

When I pick the Windjammer to go eat, I always do four important things at every meal. I think these really make the meal more enjoyable from start to finish.

Wash my hands, even if i just did

It may sound clichéd to talk about how important it is wash your hands, but I'll do it every single time I walk in or out of the restaurant.

Quite frankly, I'm astounded how many people don't do this.  Stand near the Windjammer entrance for 30 seconds and you'll witness it yourself.

Cruise ship or not, washing your hands before you eat is a smart idea to mitigate the chances of getting sick while eating. It's not foolproof, but I'll do whatever I can to stay healthy on a cruise.

Most ships have handwashing stations at the entrance now, but on older ships there is a crew member that offers hand sanitizer.

Anytime I walk in, I'll take the time to wash my hands because it's too easy to become complacent.

Get a seat first, then go to the buffet

It's so tempting to grab a plate and hit the first buffet station you see, but that's a mistake.

It's usually very busy at the Windjammer, especially for breakfast.  You really ought to find a seat and then get food.

Early on when I cruised, I'd get my food and then do the awkward walk trying to find a table with two hands full of food.  Not only is it cumbersome, but the chances of accidentally spilling the food while looking for a table is quite high.

This strategy is not only a good idea to ensure you have somewhere to sit, but works well with families too.  Kids needs to know where you're going to be, and if they're young, you probably need to take shifts going up with the kids and then go back for yourself.

Usually the further you're willing to sit from the actual buffet stations, the higher the likelihood of finding an open table.

Be sure to prioritize outdoor seating if your ship has an outdoor area of the Windjammer. It's so nice to dine al fresco when possible on a cruise!

Check out all the stations before taking any food

The next thing I'll do is survey the food options because this is a lesson I learned the hard way.

It's so tempting to grab a plate and fill it up with the first options you see, but inevitably I see there's something else I would have rather have gotten.

Of course I can discord my plate of food and get a new plate with what I wanted instead, but I feel bad being quite that wasteful. There's no penalty or anything like that, but I try not to waste food when possible.

Instead, I'll do a quick walk around the buffet stations to quickly see what's around. 

Keep in mind in most Windjammers, one side is usually a mirror of the other, so you don't have to necessarily check out both sides of the buffet.

This strategy is especially helpful with the next thing I always do in the Windjammer.

Prioritize the cooking stations

My favorite thing about the Windjammer are the cooking stations, and I'll look to these first.

These cooking stations custom cook a specific type of cuisine the way you want it, and it really hits the spot for me every time.

The Asian stir fry is my absolute favorite, followed by the pasta station.  I think we all prefer our food prepared with one ingredient over another, and there might be something we'd rather have left out of it.

Plus, because it's cooked on the spot, it just tastes better.

There's no cost to the cooking stations, so take advantage of them whenever you can.