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!

Food is a big deal on a Royal Caribbean cruise, and there are a few dishes I think you ought to try at least once.

Dishes from sushi and fried rice to milkshakes and hot dogs are available on a Royal Caribbean cruise. 

With the limitless opportunities for both free and extra-cost dining, choosing the best dishes onboard is a hard decision.

Even on a 7-day cruise, you might struggle to taste all the food onboard.

Read more: I spent a week eating on Icon of the Seas. These are the 11 best dishes I ate

What are the best foods and desserts across the fleet? Here are the top 8 dishes you must try.

Black Pepper Bacon Strip

Chops Grille, a quality, high-class specialty steakhouse, is featured on every ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet.

It is known as one of the most popular and consistent specialty venues on Royal Caribbean's ships.

The strip of bacon is an appetizer at Chops Grille, and it's so much more than your typical piece of cured pork.

The thick strip comes in a sizable portion, a fatty strip of meat covered with black pepper, and a sweet and spicy glaze.

This bacon strip is a tasty, tender dish that you have to try as your appetizer.

You can find it at Chops Grille, on every Royal Caribbean ship.

Read more: Royal Caribbean menus from every restaurant

Kummelweck Sandwich 

Many of our Royal Caribbean readers seek out the kummelweck sandwich as soon as they board their cruise.

The kummelweck, a Western New York tradition, is a warm sandwich with sliced roast beef on a kummelweck roll.

A kummelweck roll has a hard, circular shape and is sprinkled with caraway seeds. Toppings include au jus, horseradish, and mustard.

You can find the kummelweck at the complimentary cafes onboard—Park Café, Café Promenade, or Café Two70.

These cafes are found on Allure of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, Star of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas.

Rib "I" short rib

The Wonderland specialty restaurant is worth trying for its unique, Alice-in-Wonderland-inspired experience.

Guests will be greeted by the Mad Hatter and guided through a culinary experience unlike any other you've seen before.

Each dish is divided into natural elements: sun, fire, ice, earth, and sea.

One of the entrees, within the earth element, is a delicious, luscious Rib "I" short rib.

The short rib is slow-cooked for five hours and served with red and yellow relish, pumpkin sauce, and a beet puree. The generous portion is topped with a Bordelaise sauce made from white wine, onions, beef broth, and butter.

The Wonderland venue is located on Anthem of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas.

Escargot

Have you ever tried cooked snails?

Royal Caribbean's Main Dining Room provides the opportunity for guests to try escargot as part of their complimentary meal.

The baked snails are soaked in garlic and butter and served with a bread roll for dipping.

This salty, savory dish may have the chewy texture of a snail and isn't for everyone. But if you're brave enough to try something new, this is a must-eat dish!

Escargot is served in the Main Dining Room on Welcome Aboard, French Night, The Royal Night, Mexican Night, and British Night. You can check your Cruise Compass or Royal Caribbean to find the days of these themed nights. 

Funnel cake

If your Royal Caribbean cruise stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay, you'll have the chance to try free snacks and finger food, including some delicious funnel cake.

The funnel cake can be found at any of the three different Snack Shack locations on the island: near Thrill Waterpark, Oasis Lagoon, or South Beach.

Deep-fried spirals of dough are topped with light powdered sugar, making for a sweet, warm, and greasy treat.

It's the perfect snack or dessert to enjoy by the beach, the pool, or before hopping on an exciting water slide.

Crispy Goat Cheese Salad

Another favorite at Chops Grille is the crispy goat cheese salad. 

The crispy goat cheese is served on top of the salad in a warm, fried ball. 

Topped with cranberries, green apples, candied walnuts, and balsamic dressing, this is an equally delicious and healthy dish.

Chops Grille is located on all Royal Caribbean ships and can be purchased separately or as part of a dining package.

Read more: Chops Grille is the best Royal Caribbean extra-cost restaurant, according to a passenger survey

Campfire Cookie 

Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade is a specialty, sports bar venue that also serves some classic eats, a la carte.

The campfire cookie is the venue's most popular dessert, a chocolate chip cookie topped with marshmallows.

The first layer is a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie that's been baked in a skillet. It is topped with a generous layer of toasted marshmallows and served with Nutella and caramel sauce.

The dessert also comes with a side of vanilla ice cream and milk shooters.

Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade is located on Freedom of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Star of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas.

Lobster Tail

Lobster night is one of the most popular nights to dine in the Main Dining Room for dinner.

The Maine lobster has become so popular with cruisers that Royal Caribbean started charging for extra servings.

It is a delicious broiled lobster tail served with melted butter—the waiter will crack and extricate the lobster from its shell for you. 

The lobster served in the Main Dining Room on Royal Night is complimentary (one per person), but you can optionally order an extra cost lobster tail any night from the Main Dining Room.  That lobster tail comes from the Chops menu.

Read more: 7 reasons to eat at specialty restaurants instead of the Main Dining Room on your cruise 

You can also find lobster served at Hooked specialty restaurant and the Coco Beach Club restaurant at Royal Caribbean's private island.

Cruise ships are nearly synonymous with food, but that doesn't mean you have to overeat.

Vacation represents an opportunity to indulge, and even if you aren't gluttonous, there are so many opportunities presented throughout the course of your cruise to eat. Some of this is a matter of convenience, while other food choices are certainly meant to appeal to your sweet tooth.

As an example, Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas has 27 different dining venues to choose from. That's a lot of food to consider.

While you certainly could eat everything you see onboard, you probably aren't looking to eat quite that much. 

If gaining weight on your cruise is not what you'd like to remember from your vacation, here are some easy ways to not overeat on a cruise.

Focus on unique dishes

When presented with food choices, start by eliminating familiar foods and focus on what you might not get at home.

Every calorie counts, so why not look for something different than what you usually have, rather than ordering a familiar dish you've had a number of times.

This is especially true at the buffet, where you could choose between burgers, hot dogs, or a variety of other food.

When browsing the buffet ask yourself, “Is this potato salad going to be better than what I can get at home?” 

Look for small plates at the buffet

There's an entire psychology to overeating, and one good tip is starting with a smaller plate.

Instead of grabbing one of the large buffet plates, go to the salad section and pick up one of the smaller plates.

Use the small plate and fill that up and start there.

That isn't to say you can only have one plate, but you might have some luck tricking your brain into eating less by still filling your plate.

Exercise to work off the excess food

If you see overeating as an inevitability, exercise is a good counterbalance.

Royal Caribbean cruise ships have terrific fitness centers that are included with your cruise fare. Treadmills, free weights, and exercise machines are available to use. In addition, there are exercise classes that have an extra cost.

Avoid the buffet

If you see the buffet as the largest draw to overeating, don't go there in the first place.

There are plenty of other places to eat on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship other than the buffet.

The Main Dining Room is open for breakfast every day, and is also open for lunch on sea days.

You could order room service and enjoy a meal on your balcony. Room service has an extra cost to it, but it's a fixed cost and doesn't matter how much food you order.

Some ships have great alternative options to the Windjammer, like the Aquadome Marketplace on Icon of the Seas.

Eat high protein food first

In general, it's a good idea to stay well-hydrated before you eat a morsel of food, and then when you do eat, prioritize your foods:

1. Eat all of the high protein foods first
2. Then eat fibrous vegetables and fruits
3. Save the carb heavy foods and desserts for last

Eat slowly, and drink water before and after a plate of food.

The idea is you'll feel full before you over do it.

Avoid the sugary tropical drinks

Besides food, the drinks on a cruise can add to overeating.

There are many cocktail choices on a cruise, so if you can avoid the sugary tropical drinks in lieu of wine, or liquor and mixers, that might help too.

Ask Main Dining Room waiters not to bring the bread basket

When you sit down for a meal in the Main Dining Room, there will be a bread basket waiting for you and this is a giant vat of carbs.

Temptation is tough to resist, so remove the temptation by asking your waiters to not bring you bread in the first place.

Eat like you normally do at home

Remember, you don’t have to "get your moneys worth" at the buffet. You don’t have to have two entrees just because you can. It’s not required that you clean your plate.

Try to stick to your normal eating routine at home, in terms of times and frequency you would eat.

Try new things, order your favorites, but don't order two entrees every night simply because you can.

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Eating on a cruise ship is one of the major draws of this type of vacation, and there are plenty of great snacks to enjoy along the way!

From fancy specialty restaurants to complimentary snack stops, there's a cuisine for everyone to try.

But over the limited length of your cruise, you won't get the chance to try everything. Many ships have 8-10 dining venues onboard, so you'll never be able to try every dish at each one.

To maximize your time, you'll need to know the essentials that keep cruisers coming back for more.

We took to Facebook to poll our readers on their thoughts.

Through a post on the Royal Caribbean Dining Facebook Group, we asked users about their favorite snack on any Royal Caribbean ship.

We received hundreds of comments, with readers sharing dishes that they grab the first thing when they get onboard and meals that have them Googling the recipe when they get home.

Here are the top snacks in the whole Royal Caribbean fleet.

Coconut Ranger cookies

Kathleen Smith (and many other readers) shared that her favorite snack is the coconut ranger cookie.

Peggy Czerkies added that she brings Ziplock bags on her cruise just to tuck those cookies away and bring them back to the cabin.

The Coconut Ranger cookies are a fan favorite, a must-try snack that's offered at complimentary venues like the Park Cafe and Promenade Cafe.

Read more: Top 5 signature Royal Caribbean foods

The Ranger cookies are essentially chewy coconutty praline cookies. They can be made with whatever you have lying around, like oatmeal, or chocolate chips.

Royal Caribbean's version adds shredded coconut chips and coconut milk for the extra texture and flavor.

Cruisers love these cookies for their sweet, nutty flavor and chewy texture. Some commenters shared that they like to sandwich the cookies around a scoop of soft-serve ice cream for an extra kick of sweetness.

Sorrento's Pizza

Steve Cohen goes straight for Sorrento's Pizza when he needs a midnight snack.

Sorrento's Pizza is a Royal Caribbean staple, a complimentary pizza place open most of the day serving up New York-style pizza.

Specific times vary depending on the sailing and day, but Sorrento's is often open from 11:00 A.M. up until 2:00 A.M.

The venue is a casual, open-air space that is usually located somewhere central in the ship, like on the Royal Promenade.

Hot, gooey slices of pizza come in several flavors: cheese, pepperoni, Margherita, and Carnivore.

You can choose as many pieces and flavors as your heart desires.

Tuna sandwiches

The Park Cafe or Cafe Promenade is a small, complimentary venue often open in the afternoon, perfect for a late lunch or afternoon snack.

These areas serve up a variety of salads, fruits, and small sandwiches.

Nicole Decker likes the tuna sandwiches, calling them, "amazing for when we wanted something savory."

The sandwich selections change daily, so you can always keep coming back to find new favorites.

There are even gluten-free and other options for those who have dietary restrictions.

Read more: 10 unique foods you will find on Royal Caribbean

Kummelweck

The kummelweck is another favorite sandwich offered at the Park Cafe, Cafe Two70, and Cafe Promenade.

It's a Western New York tradition, a warm, sliced roast beef sandwich on a kummelweck roll.

The kummelweck is a cruiser staple, something that fans come back for over and over.

Ann-Marie Skiffington Butler called the sandwich "to die for," and many users echoed her sentiment.

Joe Bellardini wrote that he loves these sandwiches, and the Park Cafe is the "first place place I hit after boarding."

We lost count of all the comments praising this sandwich!

Roasted tomatoes

Debbie Brommeland Riefner shared a more unusual favorite snack: roasted tomatoes in the Windjammer.

The complimentary buffet on all Royal Caribbean ships serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the roasted tomatoes can usually be found at breakfast.

Debbie commented: "I could eat my weight in them for breakfast... weird because I don't eat tomatoes for breakfast at home."

These roasted tomatoes are a warm, savory favorite, perfect with bacon, eggs, or alone with a sprinkle of salt.

Feta-stuffed sweet peppers

Greg Burdine commented that his favorite snack is the feta-stuffed pimentos served at Vintages bar.

Vintages is a popular nighttime bar venue, decorated in dark and heavy woods, with a quiet elegant atmosphere.

The bar is known for its alcoholic drinks, particularly a selection of fine wines.

However, snacks are also served here at an extra cost.

The feta-stuff sweet peppers cost $2.50 and are made by stuffing pimentos (aka sweet cherry chili peppers) with feta cheese.

They're a small, savory snack—the perfect pairing for a red wine, such as merlot.

Chocolate croissant

Royal Caribbean's chocolate croissants can be found around breakfast time, usually at the Windjammer or the Main Dining Room.

Read more: How Royal Caribbean's Main Dining Room works and what to expect

Rochelle Root Bushey loves the chocolate croissants, "so much that I pick up an extra at breakfast and save it for later."

Saving items for later is always a bonus of being on a cruise ship.

You can tuck your food into a Ziploc bag, or a napkin, or even just bring the plate back to your stateroom.

The food will be there when you're ready to enjoy it again.

Oatmeal raisin cookies

Melanie Lorino commented that she likes Royal Caribbean's oatmeal raisin cookies located at the Windjammer and cafes.

"[They're] never my go-to cookie but Royal nails it," she wrote.

Royal Caribbean's oatmeal raisin cookies are an extra-warm, extra-soft version of the familiar snack.

You'll be able to find them at almost any complimentary dining venue, such as the Windjammer, Park Cafe, or Cafe Promenade.

Read more: 11 things you should never do at a cruise ship buffet

Funnel cake

Another set of favorite Royal Caribbean snacks can be found off the ships and on Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The cruise line's private island has beaches, pools, chairs, and—more importantly—a variety of popular, complimentary snacks and meals.

Beth Ballard Bean commented that the funnel cake on CocoCay is her favorite.

It's a hot, deep-fried scramble of batter, topped with powdered sugar and served on a small plate.

You'll see lots of guests—from old to young—enjoying this free snack on Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Read more: What to do at CocoCay? 18 things to try on your visit

Buffalo chicken crunch roll

Katina Bradley commented that her favorite savory snack is the Buffalo chicken crunch roll.

Playmakers is the Royal Caribbean arcade and sports bar.

This venue is located on Freedom of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Star of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas.

In addition to showing sports games and offering arcade machines, Playmakers serves casual finger food and beers at an extra cost.

The Buffalo chicken crunch roll is a crunchy wrap of chicken and melted cheese. It comes with buffalo and blue cheese sauce and is sold for $5.

Just like how food at a baseball game is more than hot dogs or cracker jack, the food choices on a Royal Caribbean cruise go beyond eating at the buffet.

According to an internal Royal Caribbean study, the top two reasons people choose to go on a cruise are for the destinations and food. With that in mind, a cruise ship has to offer more than just a salad bar.

AAA conducted a survey that showed 52% of U.S. adults are likely to consider a cruise vacation in 2023, and that number is likely to grow.

In fact, you might be surprised at the variety of dining choices found on cruise ships today. On the brand new Icon of the Seas, you'll find more than 40 ways to eat and drink, with 20 new and signature ways to eat onboard the ship.

All of those choices are meant to cater to every taste palate, while ensuring adventurous eaters have something to satisfy their needs as well.

If you're new to cruising, here's why the food on Royal Caribbean may very well impress you.

Culinary Delights

Depending on which ship you choose, there could be a great variety of restaurants to choose from, some that are included and others that cost extra.

The complimentary dining usually caters to the widest possible audience, with dishes of varying cuisines. You'll find Italian, French, American, Indian and more in the ship's Main Dining Room.

The Main Dining Room has a themed menu each evening, which was revamped in January 2023.

Specialty restaurant overview

When you think of gourmet dining on Royal Caribbean, inevitably your focus will shift to the specialty restaurants onboard. This is where the line puts its greatest effort in delivering a culinary experience.

Royal Caribbean’s specialty restaurants offer a wide range of cuisines, from Italian to Japanese and barbecue.

Each cruise ship has its own set of restaurants. The list of specialty dining venues includes:

• Chef's Table
• Cafe Latte-tudes
• Samba Grill
• Izumi
• Giovanni's Italian Kitchen
• Portside BBQ
• Johnny Rockets
• Wonderland
• Fish & Ships
• Sabor
• Chops Grille
• Teppanyaki
• Jamie's Italian
• Room Service
• Cupcake Cupboard
• Hooked Seafood
• Sugar Beach
• Sabor
• Starbucks
• Sichuan Red
• Giovanni's Table
• 150 Central Park
• The Mason Jar
• Desserted
• Pier 7
• Empire Supper Club
• Celebration Table
• Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade

Each restaurant has its own cuisine and style to it, which gives guests the choice to dine there.  There's plenty of food included in the cruise fare, but the idea is to give passengers the option of enhancing their cruise with additional variety.

Signature Dishes

At each specialty restaurant, you'll find tantalizing choices, but which meals truly stand out as a must-try?

I hand picked a few notable dishes that stand out as the best choice at the top restaurants.

Giovanni's Italian Kitchen

Seven cheese pizza does indeed have seven kinds of cheeses, and the blend is impressive.

Hooked Seafood

The Messy Fish Sandwich is a fried five-ounce piece of cod on a brioche bun, dressed with lots of tasty coleslaw and pickles. Ask for extra napkins.

Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade

Campfire cookie is a freshly baked cookie and covered with roasted marshmallows served piping hot, with a side of ice cream.

150 Central Park

Beef tenderloin for two is sliced tableside with a duo of sauces to try.

Chops Grille

Crispy Goat Cheese Salad might not be one of the steaks on the menu, but it might be the perfect salad combination.

International flavors at sea

Royal Caribbean prides itself by offering global cuisine on its cruise ships, and it's apparent in the menu choices.

The Main Dining Room alone will have food on each night that is inspired by India, Italy, France, and Southeast Asia. With a different theme every night in the Main Dining Room and Windjammer buffet, you'll find a great deal of food from around the world.

If you want to go beyond those choices, the specialty restaurants cater to specific global cuisines. There are two different Italian restaurants on Royal Caribbean ships, with Giovanni's focusing on traditional Italian food and Jamie's Italian leveraging celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's modern view of the food.

Izumi sushi is the creation of Master Chef Travis Kamiyama, whose 30 years of experience brings both traditional and signature sushi that caters to the international market.

The Mason Jar has comfort foods that include buttermilk biscuits and jalapeno cornbread served with Cajun and whipped honey butter, lobster n’ crawfish gumbo, crab beignets, fried green tomatoes, charred watermelon salad, shrimp n’ grits, blacked Cajun catfish and beef brisket.

Unique dining experiences

Individual dishes are great, but what about meals that stand out as an event on its own.

Royal Caribbean has offered for years the Chef's Table on all of its ships. It's a limited capacity meal led by the ship's Chef de Cuisine.

You'll sit at a white tablecloth dinner with five exquisite courses, and each is paired with the perfect wine to bring out the flavor on the menu.

Coming to Icon of the Seas is an even more elevated experience, with the Empire Supper Club.

This is where you'll go for an eight-course menu of premium American cuisine, accompanied by live music played during your meal. Each musical number and every cocktail is carefully curated and perfectly paired to complement each course.

Tony Abou-Ganim has worked with James Beard Award-winning chefs, Bellagio and more to come up with the meals and cocktails.

Wonderland is another original Royal Caribbean creation that is loosely based on the magical world of Alice and Wonderland.

The menu is broken down into and inspired by five different natural elements: sun, ice, fire, earth, and sea. Nothing is what it seems, but the result is an array of dishes that might surprise you with how it tastes versus how it looks.

Culinary classes

In addition to sit down meals, there's an opportunity to learn how to make these foods at home.

Some ships offer cooking classes, where you get a hands-on tutorial on how the chef's on a ship make the food you eat in a restaurant.

This includes:

• Sushi making class
• Guacamole making class
• Cupcake decorating class

Behind-the-scenes kitchen tours

It's difficult to explain how much work goes into preparing meals for the thousands of guests and crew members every day on a cruise ship.

The ship's kitchens are a 24/7 operation, and you can get a peek at how it works with an all access tour.

Royal Caribbean offers two types of tours that will take you to the ship's galley, which is where the food is prepared and served.

The "Sip. Tour. Brunch." event is an extra cost experience where guests are taken backstage to the ship's galley, followed by enjoying brunch in the Main Dining Room.

If you want to see more, go for the "All Access Ship Tour" that includes not only a visit to the galley, but also the ship's bridge, engine control room, laundry facilities, and waste management area. It's a tour hour look at how cruise ships work.

Catering to dietary preferences

Whether you prefer to eat a certain way or have special needs, Royal Caribbean offers many choices.

Vegetarian and vegan options

You'll find many dining choices for vegetarian and vegan guests.

The Windjammer buffet has plenty of vegetarian and vegan option for each of its meals. Whether pasta with marinara, a salad, fresh fruit, oatmeal, soup, or avocado toast, you’ll certainly be able to find something to eat.

Indian food is a popular vegetarian alternative, and there is a vegetarian option served at each meal. Plant-based milks are also available on request for cereal and coffee.

In the Main Dining Room, there's even more options there. Each day will have a vegan choice listed.

Read more: Vegetarian and Vegan Guide to Royal Caribbean

Allergies and special requests

Royal Caribbean can cater to dietary needs, such as food allergies, gluten-free, kosher, low-fat, and low-sodium.

Lactose-free/soy milk, ensure, and kosher meals are available at no extra charge. Just notify Royal Caribbean at least 45 days prior to sailing (90 days for European/South American Itineraries).

You may also send an e-mail request to [email protected]; please include in the e-mail the guests' names, booking number, ship name and sail date. E-mails will receive an automated response. We kindly ask that guests do not call Royal Caribbean International suppliers with specific questions.

Beverage experiences

The variety of choices on Royal Caribbean is not limited to food, as there's lots of cocktails, beers, and wines to enjoy.

Certainly the stereotypical "I'm on a vacation" drinks are available, but the cruise line aims to go well beyond those beverages.

Signature cruise ship cocktails

Royal Caribbean's drink menu has come a long way from pina coladas, daiquiris, and mimosas. While you can certainly order those drinks, they've greatly expanded their offerings too.

Here's a few of the top choices you can order to wet your whistle on a cruise.

Mason Jar

PB&J Old Fashioned is made with Skrewball peanut butter whiskey, Kentucky bourbon, strawberry jelly and walnut bitters and served with a mini crustless PB&J as a garnish.

150 Central Park

The Cucumber Martini is made tableside and is a mix of cucumber, basil,Monin lemon grass syrup, sweet and sour mix and Grey Goose Vodka.

Sabor

Grand Sabor Margarita is a real crowd pleaser because it's big on flavor and delivers the exact Mexican cocktail you envision when you order it.

Bamboo Room

The Royal Zombie matches up with the Polynesian-themed bar quite well. It's served in a tall tiki glass, topped with crushed ice, fresh mint and a cherry.

Pool bar

Goombay Smash is inspired by the islands Royal Caribbean's ships have visited for decades as a way of honoring The Bahamas.

Read more: Top 10 cocktails to try on your next Royal Caribbean cruise

Bars and lounges with unique drink menus

Royal Caribbean has stepped up their beverage game over the last few years, with certain bars having different drink menus.

There's a common menu used across the fleet, but select bars and lounges have a special menu to order from.

Wonderland

On Oasis Class ships, Wonderland spans two decks, with its own bar and drinks you can only order at this restaurant. Bartenders use innovative flavors and artisanal ingredients to create whimsical cocktails that are as pretty as they are tasty.

Mason Jar

The bar side of The Mason Jar is designed like a sprawling southern porch, and the drink menu has a focus on bourbon and fresh flavors. 

Schooner Bar

Royal Caribbean updated the Schooner Bar menu in 2023 with new options. The featured drinks have all been updated with suggestions for fun drinks to try.

Planning tips for food enthusiasts

If you're ready to tackle Royal Caribbean's dining scene, you'll want to arm yourself with a few important tips.

Make reservations in advance at specialty restaurants

You're not alone in wanting to get a seat at the hibachi table or Empire Supper Club, so advanced reservations are not just a suggestion, they're a necessity.

Book reservations before your cruise via Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site.  Don't wait until you get onboard because it's quite common for restaurants to sell out in the months leading up to the cruise.

You can always cancel with no penalty a dining reservation if you change your mind before the cruise, so there's little risk. 

Take advantage of a dining package

If you think you'll eat at more than two meals at a specialty restaurant, you should buy a specialty dining package.

Royal Caribbean offers a few types, including an unlimited option.  No matter which you choose, you'll need to purchase it before the cruise.

With a dining package, you'll need to wait to make reservations until you get on the ship.  As long as your dining times are flexible, the dining package should work out well.

Keep in mind some restaurants are not included with the dining packages, such as Chef's Table or Empire Supper Club. You can still get a discount with a package, but it's not covered in its entirety by the package purchase.

Read more: Ultimate Guide to Royal Caribbean's Unlimited Dining Package

You can order more than one appetizer or entree

Whether you are dining in the Main Dining Room, Giovanni's, Mason Jar, don't settle for just one entree or one appetizer.  

Royal Caribbean allows passengers to order as much as you want in most cases, which means you are free to try dishes and sample what you want.  Most often passengers act like they do in a land restaurant and only order what they wish to pay for but on a cruise, order as much as you want!

Royal Caribbean's partnership with Ben & Jerry's ice cream is coming to an end.

The cruise line informed travel agents that the line will remove Ben & Jerry's from its cruise ships before the end of the year.

Royal Caribbean has ice cream shops that stocked the Vermont brand ice cream on 13 of its cruise ships.

In an announcement to travel agents, the line said the final date will be December 15, 2023, "Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Shop onboard 13 of our ships will be moo-ving out and making way for something sweeter!"

Replacing Ben & Jerry's will be an in-house brand of ice cream.

"We're excited to announce that our own Ice Cream Parlor will be replacing Ben & Jerry's. We hope your clients saved room for dessert!"

The partnership brings to an end a multi-year deal that has had the ice cream on many of its ships for a long time. Ben & Jerry's cost extra, and was not included in the cruise fare.

Depending on the ship class, you could find Ben & Jerry ice cream as a stand-alone location on the Royal Promenade, or as a section of another venue.

The standalone locations had Ben & Jerry decor, seating, and of course the signature cows nearby.

A change to the sweet cabins

Did you know on Royal Caribbean's Freedom Class cruise ships there was one cabin that was themed to Ben & Jerry's signature cow mascot?

These special cabins had extra perks that came with the room, but they too are already on their way out.

These rooms (cabin 6305) included Suite Lounge access, as well as free ice cream every day.

The cow decor was dropped in 2022, but the benefits remained.  Then in 2023, we received reports that the benefits were also being removed.

What will replace it?

Royal Caribbean has not announced what ice cream will replace it exactly, but it's likely going to be the same sort of ice cream the line has planned for Icon of the Seas.

Sprinkles is the name of the complimentary soft serve ice cream available on the new cruise ship.  

It's not clear what the new venue name will be. Cups & Scoops was one brand available on the original Oasis Class ships, but Sugar Beach has been the name of the dessert shop

On a Royal Caribbean cruise, the excitement doesn't only unfold in the vast ocean views or the thrilling onboard activities—it's also found in the delicious and convenient dining options. One such gem is Sorrento's Pizza, a grab-and-go style restaurant perfect for pizza lovers seeking a quick and satisfying bite.

Who doesn’t love a free slice of pizza?! You will find this great pizza at Sorrento’s Pizza on Royal Caribbean cruise ships. 

Location and atmosphere

Depending on which cruise ship you're sailing on, the location (and even name) of Sorrento's may vary.

Sorrento's restaurant is strategically placed in a central and easily accessible location on Royal Caribbean ships.

On many ships, it's nestled on the Royal Promenade, and it serves as a pitstop for cruisers on the move. On Voyager Class ships, Sorrento's pizza is part of Cafe Promenade.

On some older ships like Radiance and Vision class ships, you'll find it located in Park Cafe.

Whether you're in the mood for a speedy lunch between activities or a late-night snack after a show, Sorrento's is there to cater to your cravings, the casual atmosphere sets the stage for a laid-back dining experience.

You simply need to find the Sorrento's, get in line, order at the counter, and then you will be handed your pizza on a plate!

You have the option to dine in and grab a table after using the walk-up counter to order your pizza or you can take the food to go and enjoy your pizza elsewhere on the ship. 

At the end of the counter, they will have condiments like ketchup, ranch, red pepper flakes, and parmesan.

Beverages, including sodas and alcoholic drinks, are available for purchase.

Additionally, within the restaurant, a complimentary water station is conveniently provided.

Hours

Sorrento's expansive operating hours are an enticing feature for many guests. Sorrento’s is open almost all day with a constant but quick line that ensures you are getting fresh pizza all day long.

While encountering no line at Sorrento's is a rarity, fear not – their efficient system ensures a quicker experience than it might initially appear. Sorrento's operates from 11:00 am to 3:00 am on average, though specific times may vary, so be sure to check your cruise app for the exact hours during your voyage.

Menu

Sorrento’s Pizza does not have a set everyday menu, so you can expect some level of variety

While the classic cheese and pepperoni pizzas remain constants offered everyday, the offerings vary daily. Indulge in a rotation of options, from the carnivore pizza loaded with meat, to the refreshing veggie, smoky BBQ, exotic Caribbean Dream, classic Margarita, and more. Each day brings a delightful surprise for pizza lovers.

Sorrento's also offers some antipasti options, you will see complimentary options like seasoned cheese, salami, olives, artichokes, grilled vegetables, and mussels (excluding oasis and allure for the antipasti options).

You can also find the Coca-Cola Freestyle machine at Sorrento's, which you will need to purchase a soda cup to use. You do receive a soda cup with a drinking package so be sure to grab one.

Tip: Customize your experience by ordering a whole pizza tailored to your personal preferences for yourself or your family, complete with the toppings of your choice. They can cater to gluten-free, or vegan options.

If you want a gluten-free pizza, you just need to ask. There's no charge for it.

Cost

Every food item at Sorrento’s is included in your cruise fare.

You do not need to use your SeaPass card unless you order a soda or alcoholic beverage. 

Royal Caribbean ships with a Sorrento's location

You'll find pizza available on every Royal Caribbean ship, but only some cruise ships have a dedicated Sorrento's location.

• Allure of the Seas
• Oasis of the Seas
• Harmony of the Seas
• Symphony of the Seas
• Wonder of the Seas
• Freedom of the Seas
• Liberty of the Seas
• Independence of the Seas
• Quantum of the Seas
• Anthem of the Seas
• Ovation of the Seas
• Odyssey of the Seas
• Spectrum of the Seas

Sorrento's will also be on new ships Icon, Star, and Utopia of the Seas.

Sorrento’s is one of Royal Caribbean's most popular restaurants. With its central location and delicious pizza, Sorrento's quick service pizza is a convenient and delightful choice for cruisers.

So, the next time hunger strikes, make a beeline for Sorrento's Pizza and savor the convenience and deliciousness that comes with every slice.