As someone who travels almost every month on Royal Caribbean ships, I get to try a lot of cruise ship food.

Royal Caribbean executives have said that food is one of the top two reasons people book a cruise, and I've found a list of my favorites that I'll order every time I visit.

While I'm no food critic, I think these are dishes that truly stand out as being really darn satisfying.  

Based on my dining experiences and personal tastes, these are the top 15 best Royal Caribbean food if you love to eat.

Tomahawk steak from Chops

If you're a steak lover, you probably should try the Tomahawk steak option.

It's available as one of the premium cuts at the Chops Grille specialty restaurant. That means there's an additional cost on top of the restaurant's cover charge. 

My readers raved about this steak and implored me to try it when I sailed on Icon of the Seas recently. It's a giant piece of high quality steak.

I don't consider myself a steak expert, but I think this is the ultimate steak for anyone that considers themselves one.

World from Wonderland

One of the most different specialty restaurants you'll find is Wonderland, which is loosely based on the Alice in Wonderland tales.

Their dessert is so darn good. It not only tastes good, but looks so cool.

You are served a chocolate globe and then warm chocolate is poured on top of it to melt it all into a gooey and rich dish.

French Onion Soup from Main Dining Room

You don't have to pay extra for all of the best food, because an all-time favorite Royal Caribbean food is the French Onion Soup.

I've had French Onion Soup at a lot of restaurants, but Royal Caribbean's version is verifiably better. I'm not sure exactly why, but they do it right.

It's served piping hot with a fresh layer of melted cheese and just the right mix of onions, broth and bread.  Plus, the soup broth flavor is top notch.

It's also available every night at Coastal Kitchen on the dinner menu there.

There's a DIY version of this soup on some nights in the Windjammer, but it never hits the same way.

Crepes from Aquadome Marketplace

I probably could call out each of the food halls at Aquadome Market as worthy of being on this list, but the Crepes station deserves top honors.

The proof is in the consistently long lines for people waiting to get one.

It's freshly made just the way you want, and the perfect snack or meal.

Brisket from Portside BBQ

One of the most underrated restaurants across Royal Caribbean is Portside BBQ.  I don't know why it isn't on more ships, but it's really good.

Among the choices on the menu, I don't think you can go wrong with the beef brisket.  It's tender, smoked, and almost melts as you eat it.

Ranger Cookie from Cafe Promenade

Whenever I poll cruise fans for their favorite snack on Royal Caribbean, the Ranger Cookie comes up as a winner.

First and foremost, it's chewy and not brittle.  That's a win.  Plus it has a really good sweet flavor to it.

I'm not a huge coconut fan, but these cookies are probably the best quick snack around.

Kummelwick Sandwich from Park Cafe

Ever since I tried my first Kummelwick sandwich on Oasis of the Seas back in 2010, I've been hooked on this snack.

It's a roast beef sandwich served on a Kummelwick roll, and you can choose to have mustard, au jus, and/or horseradish served on it.

I think they've tweaked the sandwich over the years, but it's still a solid "I wasn't hungry, but I want one" kind of snack.

Broiled cod from Izumi Omakase

When I tried the new chef-driven Japanese restaurant on Utopia of the Seas, I expected the sushi to be my favorite food. But I fell in love with the broiled black cod.

Among the courses, this was my favorite for the incredible flavor.

It's really tender and after I finished it I wanted two more (I didn't get them, but I need to get back and have it again).

"Deep dish pizza" bread from Lincoln Park Supper Club

I'm a sucker for a good starter, and Lincoln Park Supper Club was exactly the right choice.

The "Deep dish pizza" bread is essentially a deconstructed pizza.  You are served the bread, and then add the cheese and toppings.

Indian curry from Windjammer

Want to know the most underrated food Royal Caribbean has on all of its ships? Indian curry.

You can get it every day in the Windjammer buffet or at dinner at the Main Dining Room. Each day they offer different varieties. 

I've been eating Indian food on Royal Caribbean since my first cruise and it's consistently one of the most flavorful dishes you'll find and remarkably satisfying.

Spaghetti Bolognese from the Main Dining Room

I know spaghetti and meat sauce isn't an exotic dish or something new you've never tried, but it's still one of my go-to MDR dishes to order.

There's something about their sauce that stands out, but the Spaghetti Bolognese is likely my top comfort food on Royal Caribbean.

Asian stir fry station in the Windjammer

The variety of food served at the cruise ship buffet is amazing, but I'll overlook it all if there's Asian stir fry available.

At one of the cooking stations that are usually at the back of the Windjammer, there is a custom stir fry offered (it's sometimes called Mongolian Grill too). You tell the chef which ingredients to include, as well as the sauce.

It's combined with noodles and a protein and it's the kind of food you can eat over and over again.

Margherita pizza from Giovanni's Italian Kitchen

Ever since Royal Caribbean overhauled Giovanni's, I've found so many new favorites.  But I think the margherita pizza is their best option.

It's not that surprising considering the cruise line tapped a master pizza expert to help them craft their pizzas.

Trust me, it's so much better than what you'll get at Sorrento's.

Filet mignon from Coco Beach Club

There are many candidates for the best steak across Royal Caribbean, but I think the best filet mignon isn't even on a cruise ship.

Available at the Coco Beach Club, it's easily the best steak I'll reserve the beach club just to have it.

I'm not good at describing how steak tastes, but compared to the versions at Chops, 150 Central Park, or other restaurants, I'll always prefer the Coco Beach Club version.

Fried cheesecake at 150 Central Park

Fried food usually a solid win for taste, but the fried cheesecake at 150 Central Park is worth the cost of admission alone.

This dessert is so sweet, and they serve you two.  Every time I think "I'll only eat one" but of course, I cannot help but eat them both.

Buddha bowl at Pier 7

Easily overlooked, but Pier 7 on the Icon Class ships has some great food, including the Buddha bowl.

A mix of fresh vegetables, fruit, grains, and a protein, I think it has a great combination of satisfaction while feeling guilt-free.

Royal Caribbean ships have endless food options, from grab-and-go pizza to build-your-own tacos and Main Dining Room delicacies. However, it's impossible to try everything, even if you're sailing on older Vision or Radiance Class vessels.

In a recent Reddit thread on the r/royalcaribbean forum, fans weighed in on their must-haves, ranging from dinner appetizers to decadent desserts and late-night munchies. 

The post received over 70 comments in six days, revealing that long-time Royal Caribbean cruisers know what's worth the calories and what might be better left untouched. Common favorites include Sorrento's pizza, escargot, mozzarella sticks, and hash browns.

Here are the snacks you shouldn't miss on your next Royal Caribbean cruise.  

Sorrento's pizza

Sorrento's is a Royal Caribbean staple found on most ships in the fleet. Operating hours vary, but generally speaking, it's a popular late-night spot for gamblers and partiers alike. 

Families also love it for its quick, kid-friendly options, including classic pepperoni and cheese slices, making it an easy option for snacks between meal times and activities. 

The best part? You can have as much pizza as your heart desires. Unlimited Sorrento's is included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare. 

Playmakers' campfire cookie 

Playmakers is Royal Caribbean's sports bar and arcade. Although it isn't available fleetwide, it's become so popular that it is a common addition to older ships. 

The food isn't included in your cruise. However, everything is à la carte, meaning you only pay for what you order. Pricing tends to be reasonable, too. 

There's a lot to love about the menu, but Royal Caribbean Blog's head honcho, Matt Hochberg, can't get enough of the ooey, gooey campfire cookie. 

Another favorite from Playmakers is the jalapeño poppers. 

"I will not be disclosing how many [poppers] I consumed on our cruise.....they are soooo good!" Reddit user Wonderlust_816 commented.

Spare Tire's pizza tornadoes

Spare Tire is exclusive to Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's purpose-built weekend party ship. The food truck-style venue has a limited variety of grab-and-go items, including veggie wraps, chipotle chicken sandwiches, raspberry cheesecake chimis, and more. 

One Reddit user's favorite, however, is the pizza-flavored tornado. The crispy exterior and savory filling make it perfect for a heartier poolside snack. 

Like Sorrento's, everything at Spare Tire is included. 

CocoCay's famous mozzarella sticks

Perfect Day at CocoCay is Royal Caribbean's award-winning private island in The Bahamas, so it's only fitting that some of the destination's food options have garnered a cult-like following. 

The mozzarella sticks are easily the most famous. They are beloved for the crispy breaded exterior and Instagram-worthy cheese pulls. 

In fact, some cruisers love them so much that they only get off the ship at CocoCay to pick up an order from the Snack Shack! 

Crêpes from Crème de la Crêpe

Icon of the Seas was Royal Caribbean's first cruise ship to have a food hall — dubbed the "Aquadome Market" — with each stall dishing up different cuisines. 

The crêpe station quickly became a lot of cruisers' go-to spots for breakfast, lunch, an afternoon sweet treat, and more. 

The sweet and savory options are all made-to-order. Whether you are craving a classic Nutella crêpe with fresh strawberries and powdered sugar or a savory ham and cheese option, there's something for all preferences. 

Basecamp's Smashburger 

Basecamp is another Icon Class-exclusive. Located in the Thrill Island neighborhood, Base Camp is meant to be a quick spot to refuel between activities. 

Originally, the venue offered a mix of complimentary and for-charge items. However, the menu has since been updated so that everything is included in your cruise fare. 

Favorites range from the juicy smashburger to the tater tots and warm pretzels with gooey melted cheese. 

Pro tip: You can take an order of tater tots to El Loco Fresh and create your own DIY Mexican totchos. 

Nachos from El Loco Fresh

Speaking of El Loco Fresh, you don't need Basecamp's tater tots to enjoy poolside Mexican fare. 

Many cruisers love grabbing a bowl of tortilla chips and loading them up with chicken, nacho cheese sauce, guacamole, pico de gallo, and more. 

However, El Loco Fresh has plenty of other options, too — ranging from fresh quesadillas to burritos and tacos. 

One Reddit user even shared their favorite El Loco Fresh hack. Due_Warthog725 will take a burrito, open it up, and load it up with cheese and chips, calling it a "Taco Bell" equivalent at sea. 

Main Dining Room's escargot

The Main Dining Room (MDR) is Royal Caribbean's traditional sit-down restaurant. It's open for dinner every night of your cruise and features a rotating 3-course menu. 

In the past, there was a "Classics" section, where guests could choose from timeless favorites like French onion soup, shrimp cocktails, and more. However, this was removed in early 2023. Now, escargot is part of the appetizer rotation — much to the disappointment of frequent cruisers. 

"I'm... mad they took [escargot] off the every night menu a few years back!" Bbtrpt1 shared, "[On the] nights they do have it, I always get two orders." 

If you haven't had escargot before, it's worth giving it a try, especially if you're on a cruise and can order another appetizer. 

DJJbird09 added to the conversation, saying that escargot "...is like buttery garlic and [cheese-covered] mushrooms."

Another popular appetizer in the MDR is the Maryland-style crab cakes, which are only available on the first night's "Welcome Aboard"-themed menu. 

Royal Kummelweck roast beef sandwich

The Royal Kummelweck is a popular sandwich offered at the Park Cafe, The Café@Two70, and Cafe Promenade. 

Warm, freshly sliced roast beef is added to a kummelweck roll and topped with jus and your choice of horseradish sauce or spicy mustard (or both!). 

The sandwich is inspired by the "Beef on Weck" sandwich from the Buffalo, New York, area that's famous for its caraway seed and salt-crusted roll. 

Coconut Ranger Cookies 

There are a lot of different cookies available on Royal Caribbean cruise ships. However, the coconut ranger cookies, which are essentially chewy, coconutty praline cookies, consistently stand out among cruisers. 

Often available in the Windjammer buffet, Park Cafe, and Cafe Promenade, many cruisers even pack a few in Ziploc bags to enjoy later in their cabins.

"I just discovered [the coconut ranger cookies] this week! They are worth the trip!" One cruiser commented on Reddit. 

Soft-serve cone

Did you really go on a cruise if you didn't have at least one soft-serve cone? 

Years ago, when I was getting my hair styled, my then-hairdresser mentioned that she had a friend who would always try to eat one more soft-serve cone than their previous cruise. Although I don't remember what number they were at, it was easily in the double-digits. 

Every Royal Caribbean ship has a soft-serve station you can visit as often as you like, making it easy to satisfy any sweet tooth cravings. There are ways you can elevate your afternoon sweet treat experience, too. 

"Get a bowl of soft serve, then head over to the [Windjammer] dessert section for hot fudge or whatever special they have for the night. Blueberry cobbler sometimes," Lopsided-Fix2 shared. 

Tuna sandwiches

As popular as Sorrento's is, it's not uncommon to be greeted by long lines, especially late at night. Thankfully, most ships have another 24/7 spot. This turned out to be a lifesaver for Different-Cut-6992, who was tired of eating only pizza at night.

"I got tired of pizza for late night and tried the tuna sandwiches at the cafe, I never went back for pizza after that. SO GOOD!" they wrote. 

The tuna sandwiches could also make for a good savory afternoon snack after returning on board from a long morning ashore. 

DIY chili dog

Finally, if you don't want to pay for Johnny Rockets, one savvy cruiser shared their hack for making a DIY chili dog on a Royal Caribbean cruise. 

DCarp2005 said, "Get a hot dog from Dog House, take it to Loco Fresh, and put [on] chili and nacho cheese! Saves you from paying at Johnny Rockets for a chili dog."

If your ship doesn't have a Boardwalk Dog House and El Loco Fresh (like Radiance of the Seas), you can still enjoy a hot dog with the available toppings, including mustard, ketchup, relish, and sauerkraut. 

While sailing on the biggest cruise ship in the world, I tried out a food hack that really improved a favorite snack.

Star of the Seas has so many great restaurants that cost nothing extra, but adding flavor to enhance them is an idea I saw on Tiktok to try.

Two of the restaurants are great on their own: Surfside Bites and El Loco Fresh.  But what if you combined the two?

The idea is simple, but I was impressed how good the end result was after trying it.

Here's how it works and why you should give it a whirl.

Hot and spicy popcorn chicken

Surfside Bites is located within the family neighborhood of Star of the Seas. Frankly, too many people avoid Surfside because they don't have kids and they're missing out on some good eats.

The food hack is to take the basket of popcorn chicken and then top it off.

I went to Surfside, which is right in the middle of the neighborhood near the carousel. 

There are just a few items on the menu, but the idea is to quickly grab it and be on your way.

I ordered a basket of popcorn chicken as the start.  The popcorn chicken is pretty good on its own, but because it's aimed at kids, flavor is at a minimum.

What I mean is the food is good, but I like some kick to my popcorn chicken.  

I took the basket and headed up to deck 15 and stopped at El Loco Fresh. It's not a short distance, but because of how well the destination elevators work on Star of the Seas, it's probably only a few minutes to get there.

El Loco Fresh is another included restaurant that has Mexican food for a quick meal.

I walked past all the tacos, burritos, and quesadillas on the buffet and right to the salsa bar.

The food hack is to grab your favorite hot sauce.  Royal Caribbean provides a few different hot sauces of varying heat levels.

My favorite hot sauce is the Tabasco Chipotle Pepper Sauce, but you can certainly pick whichever you like best.

Pour the hot sauce on the chicken as liberally as you prefer. 

Then grab the ends of the paper the chicken comes in, close it up, and shake it up so the hot sauce gets applied evenly.

I was skeptical how much different the chicken would be just from the hot sauce.

The result is hot popcorn chicken and I was impressed how much better it tasted. Adding more flavor really kicked it up a notch.

I then added to the spice level by adding jalapeño peppers from the toppings bar and it was the best bar snack I've had in a while!

You could go crazy and add the various toppings to make it your own hack.

The only downside to this hack is the distance between Surfside and El Loco Fresh. The elevators make it easier, but it's not quite as close as I would have liked.

Almost as good as the first food hack I tried on this ship

I was inspired to find a new food hack after running across my first one earlier this year.

While on the first sailings of Star of the Seas, I heard about an idea to combine two foods that sounded too good to be true.

In this case, it was at Basecamp and to start with the tater tots. Just like the popcorn chicken, they're served in a basket and fine on their own.

Basecamp is even closer to El Loco Fresh than Surfside.  There's just a short walk down a nearby staircase, so it's quite convenient.

Once at El Loco Fresh, top the tater tots with hot sauce, salsa, or anything else you like.

I was worried it might make the tots too soggy, but since I was eating it almost immediately, it wasn't a problem.  Plus the toppings made it taste so much better.

The key is to try to eat it while the tater tots are still warm.  Once they cool down, I don't think the tots aren't nearly as good.

Cruise ship buffets dish up hundreds of pounds of food each day to cater to different taste preferences and dietary restrictions, but have you ever wondered what happens to the uneaten food? 

Bryan James, an entertainer for Royal Caribbean, revealed what happens to uneaten food once the passenger buffet closes for the night. 

James has worked on numerous ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet, including Odyssey of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, and, most recently, Allure of the Seas in Europe. 

He regularly shares vlogs and short videos across multiple social media platforms, showing what life is like as a crew member aboard a cruise ship. His content has attracted a large audience, with more than 835,000 followers on TikTok alone.

In one recent video, James explained that uneaten food doesn't necessarily get thrown away at the end of the night. 

"If there's something really good leftover, it winds up downstairs at something that we call 'midnight mess,'" he explains, "And the sooner you get there, the better the food is. I'd say after an hour, it ends up just being normal crew mess food." 

On this particular night, James shows a few special dishes available for crew members, including grilled pork chops, shrimp curry, and sautéed spinach. 

Part of a larger effort to reduce food waste onboard

There's no denying that food waste is a major problem on cruise ships. From multi-course meals in the Main Dining Room to massive all-you-can-eat buffets and quick-service options scattered throughout the ship, the volume of food prepared each day is staggering. 

That said, once food is served — whether in the dining room or placed in the buffet — it can't be returned to the ship's kitchen to be reused later. So, it's either eaten or thrown away. 

To help combat the issue, Royal Caribbean Group created a new initiative dubbed "Win on Waste." As of early 2024, Royal Caribbean Group reported a reduction in food waste of about 33%. 

This milestone marked significant progress toward their goal of reducing food waste across its fleet by 50% by 2025 — as well as saving tens of millions of dollars a year. 

To help reach its goal, the company has implemented programs to track food consumption, introduced food waste awareness campaigns, assigned new onboard roles, and begun tracking guest demand for specific menu items. 

Another major advancement is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to adjust food production in real time. For example, AI helps chefs estimate how much food should be ordered, prepped, thawed, and produced on a given day. 

It's been successful, too. When the world's largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, began sailing in January 2024, the AI system helped ensure the vessel was utilizing 86% of the onboard food supply.

In the same video, James reveals other facts about life onboard a cruise ship

Depending on the cruise ship, guests might be able to travel as low as Deck 3, 2, or 1. For example, Allure of the Seas' lowest passenger deck is 3, whereas Carnival Luminosa's is Deck 1. 

Regardless, there's a whole different world below the public decks. These lower levels are hidden from guests and are where many ship operations take place, as well as where most crew members live, eat, and relax. 

"Deck 1 is not the lowest deck on a cruise ship," James says, "Below that is Deck 0 [and] below that is Deck -1. We call it 'Tween Deck.'"

The lowest decks of a cruise ship don't look the same as the upper levels, with carpeted hallways and nicely decorated lounges. 

Instead, the industrial spaces, which are often below the waterline, are bare with non-slip tile and fluorescent lighting. James claims that they look more like "a submarine."

Below deck is also where a lot of crew members live. The compact cabins aren't as luxurious as standard staterooms. Plus, many crew members have to share rooms with other employees. 

"Did you know that pretty much everyone [who] works on a cruise ship has a roommate?" James asks in the video. 

"It's either going to look a little bit like this, where you've got bunk beds...or it'll look like this, where you have your own room but you share a bathroom with somebody."

He goes on to add that the shared walls are thin, meaning you can hear everything that your neighbor is doing. 

Read more: Dancer reveals her tiny crew-only cabin she lives in on a cruise ship

"If you wanna have your own room, you have to work your way up the pecking order, either being an engineer [or] running a department," says James. 

Two roles on a cruise ship that typically come with private cabins are the Captain and the Cruise Director.

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.

Indulging in delicious food is often one of the highlights of cruising. From homemade pastries to delectable three course meals each evening, it seems like there is never ending food on a cruise! 

Now, it looks like Royal Caribbean is serving a new breakfast food that is quickly becoming a favorite among cruisers. One cruiser posted on Reddit recently about the cruise line’s new homemade cinnamon rolls, stating the pastry has potential to become “a new cult favorite” on Royal Caribbean.

As a cinnamon roll connoisseur myself, I couldn’t wait to see if my cruise would be serving up the newest pastry. Our family can’t resist a good cinnamon roll, and, not to boast, but I make a pretty fantastic homemade cinnamon roll myself! 

I’m currently sailing on Anthem of the Seas on a repositioning cruise from Singapore to Tokyo, and I was thrilled to see the new cinnamon rolls being served our first morning onboard. My mom and I grabbed one of the cinnamon rolls to try with our morning coffee, as they looked promising and appeared similar to pictures circulating online. 

After one bite, we could tell these cinnamon rolls were unlike any pastry we had tried on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Someone needed to do the hard and important work of reviewing these new cinnamon rolls for the site, and I was happy to volunteer! As a lifelong cinnamon roll enthusiast and baker, I’m here to provide you with an in-depth review of Royal Caribbean’s newest pastry, and whether it's worth the hype. 

For starters, the cinnamon rolls seem to be available everywhere breakfast is served.

Because Anthem of the Seas is a Quantum class ship, there are multiple places to dine for breakfast. In addition to the Windjammer buffet, you can find other cafes and eateries serving breakfast onboard. During my first few days on the ship, I was thrilled to find the new cinnamon rolls being served throughout the ship. 

On our first morning, we found the cinnamon rolls being served in Cafe Promenade. The following morning, the rolls were also available in the Windjammer Cafe for breakfast, served alongside other pastries and muffins. The pastry attendant even offered to warm up the cinnamon roll for us, which was a nice touch! 

Today, we ordered a few of the rolls from Cafe 270 to have with breakfast, though these seemed smaller than the other ones we’ve had.

In addition, some Redditors report the cinnamon rolls are available through room service with continental breakfast. Continental breakfast is complimentary on Royal Caribbean cruises and includes an option to order pastries. I'll be testing this theory later in the cruise, as I love receiving breakfast to my cabin with room service!

In the Reddit thread, other cruisers have also shared the cinnamon rolls are available in Park Cafe and Solarium Bistro on Oasis class ships, along with the Pearl Cafe on Icon class ships. One responder shared they were able to get the cinnamon roll warmed up at Pearl Cafe.

The cinnamon rolls seem to be popular aboard our sailing. Every time I’ve waited in line to order one, there are a few others looking to do the same. But, I've never had an issue ordering one, so they seem to be stocked!

Royal Caribbean’s new cinnamon rolls are modestly sized and lightly frosted, but they’re not overly sweet.

I'll be honest, I was skeptical if the new cinnamon rolls would live up to the buzz they're receiving online. I love a big, gooey and sweet cinnamon roll - so the bar was high. But, after taking one bite, our family was genuinely impressed with the new recipe. The dough tastes homemade, and one crew member confirmed the rolls are baked fresh each morning onboard. 

In my amateur baking experience, homemade dough can be a little dense, and that holds true here. Royal Caribbean’s cinnamon rolls are more dense rather than light and fluffy. But, this isn’t a bad thing. We prefer the denser texture - and the bread still tastes soft and fresh.

In our opinion, the filling leans heavily into the cinnamon flavor. It tastes like the cinnamon is blended with sugar or brown sugar rather than butter, giving it a bold, sweet kick. Each roll is generously swirled, and after just one bite, you can see the rich, dark cinnamon ribbon running through the layers.

Now, the best part… the frosting! I prefer my cinnamon rolls to drown in overly-sweet, melty frosting. I typically make my cinnamon roll frosting with butter, vanilla, milk and powdered sugar for a sweet finish. 

However, Royal Caribbean’s new cinnamon rolls are finished with a light layer of cream cheese frosting. There might be a touch of lemon in the frosting too, making it a little tangy. Personally, I wouldn’t complain if there was more frosting; after all, I don’t think you can never have too much frosting on a cinnamon roll.

That said, Royal Caribbean’s new cinnamon rolls seem sufficiently frosted without being over-the-top. There is also a small dusting of powdered sugar to add a hint of sweetness. The sweet frosting perfectly complements the bold cinnamon filling and yeasty, homemade dough.

The hype is real — the cinnamon rolls are drool-worthy.

After sampling a few cinnamon rolls during the first few days of my cruise, I can confirm the newest pastry is worth the hype! Our entire family agreed the new cinnamon rolls are a huge upgrade from the cruise line’s earlier attempt at cinnamon rolls.

Prior to this new recipe, the cinnamon rolls left a lot to be desired — they were bland, dry and noticeably lacked in flavor. The pastry was lightly glazed at best and hardly resembled a real cinnamon roll. They didn’t taste freshly made, and in all honesty, I’ve yet to come across anyone who actually enjoyed them.

Now, it’s pretty apparent the cinnamon rolls are freshly made each day onboard. Many commenters on Reddit stated the rolls tasted like they were from a bakery, and I agree wholeheartedly!

One commenter shared, “[The cinnamon rolls] were in Windjammer and Pearl Cafe as well, when I was on Icon [of the Seas]. Pearl Cafe even heated them up for me when asked. Very good cinnamon roll!”

Another user shared, “I ordered the continental breakfast and checked (assorted pastry) and this arrived! I was pleasantly surprised. Icing isn’t too sweet, and good ratio of icing to roll. Thanks for the tip on where to find them!”

“Yeah I ordered a pastry plate for room service breakfast on the Wonder last week and confirm it was really good,” stated another cruiser.

One cruiser commented similarly, “I had one at the Windjammer on Odyssey [of the Seas] on Sunday just before departing the ship. It was very tasty!”

“Yeah, I was impressed too! The danishes were pretty good too. Everything else was basic but ok,” said another commenter.

I agree with the hype these cinnamon rolls are receiving - and I can see how they will become a favorite onboard. Honestly, they’re on par with what you’d expect from a local bakery or even homemade straight from the oven. If you’re cruising with Royal Caribbean soon, be sure to try one of these cinnamon rolls for yourself!

The top two reasons people book a Royal Caribbean cruise are the food and destinations, and I can see why the food is such a draw.

I've been cruising on Royal Caribbean for two decades and I've been on almost 100 sailings so far, which means I've sampled quite a lot of food along the way.

If you think cruise food is limited to buffet trays of mediocre food, you'd be so wrong. Royal Caribbean has been upping its food game for years, even focusing massive effort to upgrade its complimentary pizza.

I've always thought Royal Caribbean's food ranges between "good" and "very good", with a few dishes truly standing out as excellent. I wanted to highlight those terrific dishes so you don't miss out on them.

I came up with 7 foods I've eaten on Royal Caribbean I think everyone should order, including one from its private island in The Bahamas.

Gyros at AquaDome Market

I came up with this list as I cruised on Icon of the Seas and went back to the AquaDome for my upteenth Mediterranean sandwich.

The AquaDome Market is a new food hall concept, and it's been a home run since the new ship launched last year.

I bet a lot of people would point to the crepes as a must-order, but I love the falafel even more.

Available at the Feta stand, it's complimentary and you can customize it anyway you like it.

It's probably easier to eat as a bowl than a sandwich because Royal Caribbean's pita bread is more like a base than a pocket. But I still order the sandwich because I like the texture of the bread brings.

It's light, made fresh on the spot, and doesn't make me feel guilty about eating it.

Beef tenderloin at 150 Central Park

Ever since I tried 150 Central Park many years ago, I've been drawn to its beef tenderloin entree.

150 Central Park is a modern American restaurant that's available only on the Oasis Class ships in the fleet. You'll find a lobster dish, steak, chicken, fish, and more. It has a cover charge to dine here.

I think it's a very strong menu overall, but the must-try option here is the beef tenderloin for two people.

You can order it for yourself, or even cut down the portion for a single person. There's no judgement when you order it from the waiter.

I prefer the steak at 150 Central Park over other restaurants that have a filet mignon, such as Chops Grille or Giovanni's.  I think its flavor stands out just a bit more.

French onion soup from Main Dining Room

I'm going on a limb to say the French onion soup served multiple times a cruise in any Royal Caribbean Main Dining Room is the best version of the soup I've ever had.

There's something about Royal Caribbean's version and their ratio of bread, to cheese, to onions.  Plus, I think their broth is the right amount of salt and flavor to it.

You can also get the same soup at Coastal Kitchen, and I've been known to go up to Coastal Kitchen to get a to-go soup before they close up for the night.

It's the very definition of a comfort food and it always satisfies. I could eat just the broth everyday, it's that good.

Seven cheese pizza from Giovanni's

I can't name seven cheeses, but Royal Caribbean put them in its pizza at its signature Italian specialty restaurant and it's so good.

I shouldn't be surprised how good it is, given the pizza is the creation of the amazing pizza chef Renato Viola. I was hooked the first time I tried it on Odyssey of the Seas, and it's been a must-order ever since.

All Royal Caribbean ships have pizza at Sorrento's or Park Cafe, but the quality of the pizza at Giovanni's Italian Kitchen is about five levels ahead of that.

It has a thin crust, light sauce, and the perfect amount of cheese. The slices are so thin, it's easy to eat half the pizza by yourself.

When Royal Caribbean was working on crafting the menu for this restaurant, they spent weeks agonizing over the menu.  As an example, they tried to pick out the perfect San Marzano sauce.  The sauce has no added sugar, and relies on a simple recipe of San Marzano tomatoes, water and herbs.

There are a few other pizzas on the menu as well, and each has its place. I've tried almost all of them at this point, but the seven cheese pizza stands out as my favorite.

Miso broiled cod from Izumi Omakase

Available exclusively on Utopia of the Seas, there's a chef driven Japanese meal you can try and it goes well beyond sushi.

The miso broiled cod was my favorite of the eight courses we were served, and that surprised me given how much I love sushi.

In the roku course is when you get a petite serving of this fish, and it blew me away with how flavorful it was.

This was an extremely tender piece of fish that had a miso glaze on it, and it was my favorite flavor of the evening.

It was the kind of food that I wanted the recipe for so I could make it at home because I didn't want to go months before having it again.

While I also really liked the wagyu beef and the sakura carpaccio, none were as impressive as the cod.

Fried cheesecake from 150 Central Park

I'm going back to 150 Central Park for dessert, because they might have the best dessert on any Royal Caribbean restaurant.

The fried cheesecake is exactly what it sounds like, a piece of cheesecake fried and served to you. You'll get two of these fried balls served to you, but you won't want to share it.

Each one is a rich, creamy cheesecake covered with a crunchy, powdered sugar-coated shell and doused with fresh whipped cream and caramel sauce.

There's an argument that anything fried is going to taste pretty good, I think these are next level tasty.

Mozzarella sticks from the Snack Shack

If your ship makes a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay, you need to make a trip to the Snack Shack to try the mozzarella sticks.

Similar to other items on the list, the recipe for this specific version of the food truly stands out.  Royal Caribbean serves mozzarella sticks on its ships, but they don't compare to the CocoCay one at all.

I think it's the breading that makes them so very good. And then when you dip them in the marinara sauce, it always delivers on being the ultimate comfort food.

When it comes to a Royal Caribbean cruise, eating is one of the best things about this sort of vacation because of all the different option you have.

There are familiar dishes, crowd favorites, and a lot of international flare too to the food served around your ship. Out of the many options you can consider, there's one cuisine that I love and I'm not alone: Indian curries.

Whether in the Main Dining Room or at the Windjammer buffet, there's bound to be at least one Indian dish available, and many times there's more than one.

One select nights, the Windjammer buffet actually expands to offer an Indian themed night of choices.

These Indian curry dishes are all the rage on Reddit, with diehards littering the thread with compliments about how good it tastes and how it's been a favorite for many years among cruisers who recognized it as a lesser-known great choice. One comment even exclaims, "The Indian food on the ship was their best food they had!"

Personally, I've been ordering Indian dishes ever since my first Royal Caribbean cruise. Not only do I enjoy this cuisine, but I find it flavorful and a healthier option in some cases.

Why so many people order Indian food on their cruise

Royal Caribbean tries to offer a wide array of cuisines to satisfy the needs of their customers, and that includes dishes from all over the world.

For many years, Indian curry was useful not just because it was popular, but because it was a good vegetarian alternative option to offer.

But Indian food has become more popular over the years, and it's offered every day on the Main Dining Room menu.  There's an Indian dish, along with a vegetarian alternative listed on every day's dinner menu.

Examples include chicken curry, chicken korma, saag, butter chicken, and more.

Adding to the quality of the food is the undeniable fact there are many Indians that work on Royal Caribbean cruise ships. With such a large population onboard, the attention to detail of the food is important as many times foods served to guests are also offered to crew members.

Reddit user sastrid posted, "I used to work for Royal Caribbean, and the staff Indian food was amazing. Made for Indians, by Indians."

Royal Caribbean cruises that depart from Southampton, UK typically have even more Indian food offered because of how culturally interwoven food from from the Indian subcontinent is in the UK.

In a different Reddit thread, the question was posed what is the best complimentary food on Royal Caribbean not to miss, and the top upvoted result was Indian food.

"Indian night in the windjammer was incredible. Every dish was super delicious and flavorful," wrote avazah.

"All of the Indian food on board is phenomenal, but the vegetarian Indian entree is exceptional even by those standards," added crazypurple621.

What you should try

Assuming you've never had Indian food before, there's a few good starting points.

First and foremost, curry is not inherently spicy.  There's a common misconception that all Indian food is very spicy, but that's not the case. 

In my experience, the curry served on the menu is often mild in order to be palatable to a wider audience.  There are various garnishes you can add in to make it spicier, but the food is pretty tame in terms of heat.

If you've never had Indian food before, there are two dishes I would recommend trying first: Butter chicken or chicken curry.

These are two basic Indian curries that have a pleasant flavor, no vegetables, and lack any spice that might be too much for a newbie.

It's a very tasty choice that satisfies without venturing too far out of most people's comfort zone.  Both are essentially chicken in a sauce, and it pairs extremely well with the white rice that comes with it.

I like to eat the chicken first and then pour the rice into the remaining curry, but maybe that's just a me thing.

I also think the chicken korma is quite good, but it has a bolder flavor and more vegetables with it.

You'll find either of these curries served in the Main Dining Room or Windjammer.

Speaking of vegetables, the vegetarian curries are usually my favorite. I will absolutely have multiple servings of aloo gobi anytime they have it, which is a curry mixed with cauliflower and potatoes.

It's healthy and really tasty, with good textures.

The one curry I never, ever got a taste for was dal.  

Dal comes in a few forms, but it's a vegetarian side dish that's just something I never got the taste for because of its consistency, I think.

One great thing about a cruise is you can feel free to taste and try food without fear of wasting it. Royal Caribbean will encourage you to do this, and there's nothing wrong with ordering it and getting something else if it's not to your liking.

Skip the bread

I might get hate for this, but the one thing I never liked on Royal Caribbean was the naan or roti bread.

On land, I'd order that every time, but I've always found the Indian breads that accompany a curry tough and almost stale.

Reddit user Joatboy agrees with me, "I do find their naan to be the major weak point on those days. It's always like a pita."

You can try it yourself and see, but I usually leave it to the side.

Cruise ships go through a lot of food in order to feed a small city worth of people each week, and this leaves the potential for massive quantities of food waste. 

Every ship has multiple restaurants, from buffets to elegant sit down restaurants, and not all the food gets eaten. Once food is put out at a buffet or served, it can't go back into the kitchen, so it's either eaten or thrown away.

Food waste isn't just a cruise problem, it's something affecting every restaurant, bakery, supermarket, and theme park. 

Thankfully, Royal Caribbean's commitment to responsible management of the food it sources and uses onboard has a built-in plan for minimizing the waste of perishables.

Over the last couple of years, the cruise line has embarked on a new mission of minimizing how much food ends up in the trash.

Royal Caribbean's commitment goes beyond the buffet

In 2021, Royal Caribbean set out to truly reduce food waste across all of its ships with a new program that went beyond just one restaurant.

The parent company, Royal Caribbean Group, set a goal of reducing food waste across the fleet by 50% by 2025. As of early 2024, Royal Caribbean says it's already reduced food waste by about 33% across its fleet, saving tens of millions of dollars a year and literally tons of food.

"Reducing food waste is the single easiest and most impactful thing every one of us can do make a positive impact to the planet," is what Linken D'Souza, Royal Caribbean Senior Vice President, Global Food & Beverage, said of this program that he calls "Win on Waste".

There are five main focuses on how they plan to achieve that, and all of them are already in place as they work towards reaching their initial goal:

• Developing a proprietary platform to monitor food supply and accurately estimate how much food should be produced, prepped and ordered on a given day.
• Using artificial intelligence (AI) to adjust food production in real time.
• Introducing a dedicated onboard food waste role to monitor and train crew members.
• Tracking guest demand for specific menu items and adjusting menu preparation and ordering accordingly.
• Introducing a food waste awareness campaign in the crew dining areas fleet wide.

Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) allows chefs to better estimate how much food should be produced, prepped, thawed, and ordered, on a given day, at any given time.

They do this by entering the demographics of passengers onboard, where the ship is sailing, and even the weather to come up with the right amount of food and type of cuisine that will fit passengers on that sailing.

Data dashboards are reviewed by ship and corporate leaders to inform adjustments and track initiative progress. 

The purpose AI serves is to prevent generation of the food waste in the first place.

Some of the changes are less technical, but make logistical sense, such as food procurement.

A ship is supplied with all sorts of food, but it needs to be ready for every day of the sailing.  Royal Caribbean orders bananas at various stags of ripeness and held separately to ensure perfectly ripe bananas are available throughout each sailing.

At the buffet, there's been changes to how much food is prepared and how it's served to guests.

While there's still the traditional trays of food, many hot items are prepared using small batches and "À la Minute" cooking methods. Plus, cooking or carving stations ensure proper portion sizes and preserve quality, while engaging guests.

You'll also see less perishable food displays and decorations at buffets.

When there is food waste, frequently wasted items are noted to inform future adjustments. Waste datasets are reviewed daily by ship Food & Beverage leaders.

Reducing food waste with AI technology on the biggest cruise ship in the world

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas is the biggest cruise ship in the world, and can accommodate up to 10,000 people that all have to have thousands of meals prepared every day.

When Icon departs Miami, it has more than 130,000 pounds of food onboard so that all of the more than 40 restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues are fully stocked.

To not only ensure they have enough food but also make sure as little as possible is wasted, Royal Caribbean has equipped this ship with a new AI system.

The new AI system will be able to better predict exactly how much food, down to individual ingredients a vessel will need for a specific cruise.

By leveraging AI, Royal Caribbean can tell their chefs and crew onboard how much meat, vegetables, and other food they'll need to match the needs of passengers on that specific sailing.

When Icon of the Seas first started sailing, the AI system was able to ensure the ship was utilizing 86% of its food onboard.

A fun fact about the food waste on Icon of the Seas is that the ship's waterpark is actually partially powered by it.

The power for the water slides here is generated partly by food waste, trashed cardboard and bio waste. They get converted into pellets that, when heated, give off steam that generates power.

Certain foods on a Royal Caribbean ship are well-known favorites that cruisers come back to time and time again, but what about the unsung heroes?

Royal Caribbean cruisers that have been sailing with the line for a few years know there are certain foods that always hit the spot, but it's usually a surprise to new cruisers.

The Main Dining Room serves lobster on the second formal night, but nearly everyone looks for lobster on the menu.  Beyond the usual favorites, there are a handful of foods I think are fantastic choices most people are unaware of.

Maybe on your next cruise you can check out one of these underrated finds and add it to your list.

Toppings bar at El Loco Fresh

One of the best, yet largely unheralded, improvements Royal Caribbean has made to its pool deck was the addition of El Loco Fresh.

I don't think you'll confuse the tacos, burritos, and quesadillas served here, but the beauty of it is how you can customize your food.

After you get your food from the buffet line, there's a toppings bar where you can load it up exactly the way you want it.

There's pico de gallo, guacamole, jalapenos, and a pretty good variety of hot sauces.

I can't tell you how many times I've gone here for a quick bite, even when I've stayed in Star Class.

Filet and lobster at Coco Beach Club

In coming up with this list, there's a few foods at Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas, starting with the Coco Beach Club.

The Coco Beach Club is an extra cost area within Perfect Day at CocoCay that usually costs over $100 per person for a day pass.  That's a high price, but the food might make up for it.

Within the club's sit down restaurant is arguably the best steak and lobster you'll find.

You'll find very large portions that are exactly the kind of lobster or steak you'd imagine when thinking of a great dish.

It's essentially the best surf and turf you'll find across Royal Caribbean.

Secret sandwich

In keeping with our CocoCay faves, since Perfect Day opened, there's been a menu item you have to know to ask for in order to order.

At any of the Snack Shack locations, you can walk up and ask for "the secret sandwich". Given it's name, it has to make this list.

A lot of cruisers know about it now, but it's still something that will turn a few heads when you order it.

It's essentially an amalgamation of two regular menu items: the chicken sandwich and mozzarella sticks, with marinara sauce added on top.

The result is a chicken parmigiana sandwich, and it's really good.  Some people prefer no pickles (because the pickles come with the chicken sandwich), but I kind of like it for the twist on the flavor.

Campfire cookie

If you're looking for an indulgent food that you might overlook, it's by far the dessert at Playmakers Sports Bar.

Imagine a hot skillet that offers spoonful's of marshmallow, ice cream, and cookie together. It's a mess, but probably one of the best desserts Royal Caribbean has ever conjured up.

When you have a chocolate chip cookie with marshmallows on top, it's a great combination.

Because Playmakers is priced a la carte, you can drop in to order just the cookie and only spend $6.  

Mozzarella sticks

One more amazing food on CocoCay has to be the mozzarella sticks.

It's become a meme within our team when someone goes to Perfect Day at CocoCay, to brag about the mozzarella sticks.

While you can get mozzarella sticks on the ship, the ones served at the Snack Shack are a different recipe and they're so darn good.

I think it's the breading that makes it stand out, but we'll order mozzarella sticks with our secret sandwich, every time.

Asian stir fry cooking station

When I walk into the Windjammer, the first place I look are the cooking stations.

I think most cruisers overlook them because they're fixated on the traditional buffet areas. While the food around the buffet is indeed quite good, nothing compares to a freshly prepared dish.

There are a few varieties, but my favorite is the Asian stir fry option. I'll probably forgo food elsewhere in the Windjammer just for this when it's available.

You get to select the vegetables and meat of your choice to be stir fried together with noodles and soy sauce. 

Crepes at Aquadome Market

Royal Caribbean knew it had a hit on its hands when they created their first food hall concept on Icon of the Seas, and the crepe station is by far the runaway winner.

Aquadome Market offers a few types of cuisines to choose from, but the one with the longest line is always the crepe station.

You tell the crew member what you want in the crepe, and they make it on the spot for you.

The result is a delicate and delicious decadent dessert/breakfast/snack. 

Plus it's free!