What time does the dining room open on a cruise?
On select cruise lines, often luxury lines, the main dining room will be open at specified hours for dinner, and you can arrive at any time. You can request to be seated with just your party, or you will be seated at a large table with other cruisers.
Which Cruise Lines offer open seating in the main dining room?
Cruise lines that offer open seating in the main dining room include Azamara, Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, Hurtigruten, Norwegian, Oceania, Paul Gauguin, Princess, Regent, Royal Caribbean, SeaDream, Star Clippers, Uniworld, Viking, Windstar and the luxury lines.
Do all meals come in one room on a cruise ship?
River ships generally serve all three meals in one main dining room, with perhaps a bar and grill or even a verandah where lighter fare is served at breakfast and lunch, possibly converting to a specialty dining area in the evening. What is on a cruise ship main dining room menu?
How does cruise ship dining work?
In the old days, cruise ship dining was an elegant affair taking place three meals a day plus an option for an afternoon snack served during tea time. No more. Today, modern ships offer a wide array of dining options, from basic meal service all the way up to luxury specialty dining experiences.
How many dining rooms are there on a cruise ship?
What time do you dine on a cruise?
What does it mean when you have open seating on a cruise ship?
What does open seating mean on a cruise?
What is Norwegian freestyle dining?
How many people are at a cruise table?
Where is icruise located?
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Can you eat anytime on a cruise?
Is There Somewhere Open 24 Hours to Eat? Yes. Every major ship will have at least one place where you can get something to eat around the clock. For some it is a sit-down restaurant, such as The Local on Norwegian Cruise Lines.
Do you have to eat in the dining room on a cruise?
Your cruise fare always includes food for breakfast, lunch and dinner on a cruise ship. However, not all venues that offer food will be free. The main dining room and cruise ship buffet will always be included in your cruise fare, though a few specialty items might cost extra.
Can I wear jeans to dinner on a cruise?
On formal nights, proper attire includes tuxedos, suits or slacks (jackets required) for men and evening gowns, cocktail dresses or dressy pantsuits for women. Jeans are welcome in all dining venues during the day, but they're not appropriate in any public venues for dinner or cocktail hour.
How many times a day can you eat on a cruise?
There are usually two dinner times for each cruise ship. One is around 5:30 pm and the other is around 8:30 pm or even 9:00 pm on some ships. If you choose the 2nd seating dinner but then realize that you would prefer the first one, you can usually switch without too much complication.
Can you take food back to your room on a cruise?
The buffet and main dining rooms are free of charge Your daily planner that arrives in your stateroom each evening will show the hours that each restaurant will be open for the next day. If you prefer to eat your meal away from the crowds, you can bring food from the buffet back to your room.
What can you not eat on a cruise?
8 things to avoid at the cruise-ship buffet if you want to keep your stomach ship-shapeMore Than One Plate at a Time. ... Cross-contaminated food and utensils. ... Communal condiments. ... Stale pizza. ... Scrambled eggs. ... Soft-serve ice cream cones. ... Sushi.
Do you have to wear shoes on a cruise ship?
Comfortable walking shoes are a must to bring on your cruise. Running shoes or sneakers could work equally well, especially for active shore excursions. Even if you're walking around on the cruise ship, since you could easily walk miles, you'll want shoes that are comfortable and easy to wear.
Do you have to dress up every night on a cruise?
You do not have to participate in formal night on a cruise, but your dining options in the evening will be more limited. Since formal night is so flexible, though, it's easy to participate even by wearing an outfit as casual as khakis and a polo shirt. Most specialty restaurants also require a semi-formal dress code.
Can you wear flip flops on a cruise ship?
Shoes or sandals for dinner Since flip flops are not allowed in the evening, make sure to bring comfortable shoes or sandals to wear during dinner in the main room.
What is the best time to eat on a cruise ship?
To ensure quick seating, make a reservation for each evening prior to the start of your vacation, particularly if you're planning to dine during the most popular window, which is from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
How much is a Coke on Carnival cruise?
Note: All prices are not inclusive of the 18% gratuity....Stateroom Mini-Bar drinks prices of liquor, beer, soft drinks.BeveragesPrices (USD)Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite, Orange Juice, Tonic Water$1,958 more rows•Nov 25, 2015
What time is dinner on a cruise?
Typically an early dinner begins anywhere between 5:45 and 6:30 p.m. (depending on cruise line and itinerary) and lasts for about two hours. Late seating usually begins around 7:45 to 8:30 p.m. In both cases, cruisers are assigned a table and table mates and have the same waiters every evening.
Can you eat anytime on Royal Caribbean?
You can choose to dine in our main dining room anytime between 6:00 and 9:30 pm (times vary by ship) each evening. You can decide on a daily basis what works for you. For your convenience, we will accept reservations once onboard the ship.
Can you drink in your room on a cruise?
Where can I buy drinks onboard? You can purchase alcohol -- wine, beer, cocktails and liquor -- in cruise ship restaurants (including the buffet), at bars, from roving waiters on the pool deck and in the theater before onboard shows, via room service and from in-cabin mini-bars.
Can you bring a case of water on a cruise?
Non-alcoholic beverages may not exceed 12 standard (17 oz.) cans, bottles or cartons per stateroom. Milk and distilled water brought on for infant, medical, or dietary use are permitted.
Can you bring snacks on Carnival cruise?
Can I bring my own food on a Carnival cruise ship? Carnival's cruise fare includes plentiful snacks and food, available nearly 24/7. However, for passengers who just have to have their favorite pretzels or chips for a midafternoon snack, Carnival permits cruisers to bring onboard prepackaged, ready-to-eat snacks.
Dining. First seating or Second? Why? - Cruise Critic Community
I'm really debating. At home we have dinner around 7pm. 6 seems too early, 8 too late. I don't like "Anytime Dining", because you don't develop a relationship with anyone on the ship. We are sailing in the Eastern Mediterranean, most of the port calls end between 5-7pm. I'm currently signed up fo...
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Celebrity specialty dining package? - Cruise Critic Community
New to Celebrity and in doing my research I notice there seems to be a specialty dining package, but I can't seem to get any exact information on what is included, what the cost is and how to purchase it (planning to cruise on the Reflection if that helps). Anyone able to provide details and/or d...
What is cruise ship dining?
In the old days, cruise ship dining was an elegant affair taking place three meals a day plus an option for an afternoon snack served during tea time. No more. Today, modern ships offer a wide array of dining options, from basic meal service all the way up to luxury specialty dining experiences.
What are the restaurants on a cruise ship?
Satellite restaurants: Many ships offer less formal dining venues that serve casual fare. On board you might find a self- service buffet, pizzeria, poolside grill or even a New York style hot dog cart.
What cruise lines include restaurants?
For the vast majority of luxury and premium cruise lines — Crystal Cruises, Oceania, Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas, Windstar — the cost of the main restaurant and specialty restaurants is included in your fare. (See All about specialty restaurants and our roundup of the best cruise ship restaurants .)
What are some examples of specialty restaurants?
Examples include Carnival's steakhouses, Holland America's Pinnacle Grill, Princess' Share, Crown Grill and Sabatini's, and Disney's Remy and Palo. Tip: Dine at a specialty restaurant on the first night, when it tends to be less crowded.
How much does Royal Caribbean charge for room service?
In your room: Most cruise lines offer complimentary room service (although this is not an option on some river cruise ships), though Norwegian and Royal Caribbean charge $3.95 per room service order delivered between midnight and 5 am. In our experience, the menu is often limited and the food often so-so.
How much does it cost to eat at 150 Central Park?
Katherine Wessel / Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International The specialty restaurant 150 Central Park on Royal Caribbean's Oasis and Allure of the Seas costs $40 per person (including gratuities).
Does Royal Caribbean include dining on board?
For mainstream (mass market) cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Holland America, dining in the main restaurants on board is included in your fare, while it costs extra to dine in a specialty restaurant (although Royal in particular sometimes adds surcharges to certain items on the menu in the main dining room).
What time does the dining room on a cruise ship open?
Breakfast is served roughly between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., and lunch between noon and 2 p.m.; you can arrive anytime within that window.
What is on a cruise ship main dining room menu?
Main dining rooms on large ships will serve breakfast, lunch (possibly only on sea days) and dinner. Occasionally, a buffet might be set up within the restaurant to complement the menu choices, which is common on river cruise ships.
How do I have to dress for dinner?
If your cruise line has a dress code, it will be enforced in the MDR. Typically, swimwear (even with coverups) and bare feet are banned at all times. During breakfast and lunch hours, casual clothing suitable for the destination (including shorts for both men and women) are acceptable.
What is the atmosphere like in a cruise ship dining room?
Eating in the main dining room is a cross between dining at a nice restaurant and eating in a banquet hall at a wedding or conference. Depending on the room and where you're sitting, it can be quite loud at dinner.
How can I learn more about the main dining room?
The What to Expect on a Cruise series, written by Cruise Critic's editorial staff, is a resource guide, where we answer the most common questions about cruise ship life -- including cruise food, cabins, drinks and onboard fun -- as well as money matters before and during your cruise and visiting ports of call on your cruise.
What cruise lines have song and dance numbers?
Some cruise lines -- Carnival, for one -- like to up the entertainment factor at main dining room meals with restaurant staff parades and song-and-dance numbers. Don't be surprised if your waiter jumps on a counter and starts gyrating or if passengers start waving their napkins as Baked Alaskas get carried through the room.
How long does a cruise dinner last?
Dinners are often leisurely affairs, lasting a couple of hours. Your order will generally be taken by a waiter, while an assistant fills water glasses, serves bread, and brings coffee or tea with dessert. You can usually expect at least one visit during the cruise by the head waiter of the dining room.
What time is the main dining on a cruise?
Main / Traditional Dining: Most of the Premium Cruise Lines have open seating for breakfast and lunch, but offer two separate seatings for dinner: Early / Main dining – The main dining is generally between 6 pm and 6:30 pm.
Why is it important to have more dining options on a cruise ship?
It is important for the cruise ships to have more dining options as they are floating resorts carrying many guests. While every dining program is a little different, most cruise lines stick to certain similar traditions, with a few distinct differences.
What is flexible dining?
The flexible dining option allows guests to choose when they dine in the main dining room onboard, on a day-by-day basis which gives more flexibility for the guests to spend their day as they wish to enjoy more time in a specific port of call one day and dine later that evening than another.
How many people can sit at a small table on a cruise?
Table Size: When you book a cruise for your guest, you will be given a choice between a small, medium or large table at dinner. A small table seats 2 – 4 guests; a medium, 6 – 8 guests; and a large table seats 8 – 10 guests. The cruise line will then do their best to seat your guests with passengers in a similar age group; families with other families; singles with singles and honeymooners with other honeymooners.
Do cruise ships have alternative dining?
Alternate Dining: Most cruise ships feature a number of alternative restaurants in addition to their no-charge dining rooms and buffets. These specialty restaurants offer guests more personal experience along with menu items not found elsewhere on the ship, but most of these venues come with a cover charge.
Do cruise ships have healthy options?
Healthy Options: For those concerned about their diets, more and more cruise ships offer light meals with low fat and low calories. All of the cruise lines offer healthy alternative menus or spa menus. So if your guest want low-fat, low-salt, low cholesterol, vegetarian or any other type of diet, they are available.
Do Middle Eastern cruises have late dining?
Most of the Middle Eastern guests prefer the late dining as they don’t want to feel rushed for dinner after a day in port. All dinner seatings are on a request basis and are assigned on a first come first serve basis by the cruise line.
What time does Family Time Dining open?
To ensure quick seating, make your reservations before you start your vacation, particularly if you’re planning to eat during the most popular window, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. For those traveling with smaller kids, My Family Time Dining allows parents to get into the dining room right away and serves your kids first.
Why do specialty dining restaurants change their menus?
At our specialty dining restaurants, menus also may change, because they operate in similar ways that restaurants on land do: they take into account what’s available locally and in season, and like the menus at all dining venues, are always being tested by the team for tweaks or enhancements.
Do you need reservations for my time dining?
Reservations aren’t required for complimentary dining venues , but our My Time Dining and My Family Time Dining programs give you flexibility when you eat, while reserving you a table. With My Time Dining, reservations are encouraged for each evening, but you’ll be able to choose a different time each day—so you can seamlessly schedule dinner around the rest of your plans. To ensure quick seating, make your reservations before you start your vacation, particularly if you’re planning to eat during the most popular window, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Do cruises have prepaid gratuities?
Prepaid gratuities are automatically added to your reservations. Some guests choose to recognize particularly exceptional service with an added cash gratuity throughout their cruise.
Can you bring wine on a cruise ship?
For the most part, no: guests cannot bring liquor, fortified wines or non-alcoholic beverages on board . They can, however, bring personal wine or champagne on the day they first board their ship—two 750 ml bottles per stateroom, to be exact.
Does Royal Caribbean have Wi-Fi?
In addition, there’s an option that combines the “Deluxe Beverage Package” with Wi-Fi for one device .
Is dining included in cruise cost?
Dining at our complimentary venues is included in the cost of your cruise.
What is specialty dining on a cruise?
Several cruise lines offer specialty dining packages, which allow you to pay a reduced rate for multiple restaurant reservations on a cruise. Choices typically range from three-restaurant packages up to unlimited specialty dining.
What restaurants serve breakfast on Royal Caribbean cruises?
Casual venues might serve food around the clock, like Sorrento's Pizza on Royal Caribbean, while some will offer breakfast and lunch like Celebrity's AquaSpa Cafe. Check your daily cruise bulletin for hours of operation.
How much do these restaurants cost?
Like hours of operation, dining surcharges are all over the map. Food in specialty restaurants is sometimes included in your cruise fare; examples include Carnival's BlueIguana Cantina and Guy's Burger Joint, as well as Princess' Alfredo's Pizzeria. Some cruise ship restaurants price items a la carte, such as Celebrity's Sushi on Five or Norwegian's Cagney's Steakhouse.
Is there any way to save money on restaurant surcharges?
Yes! Several cruise lines offer specialty dining packages, which allow you to pay a reduced rate for multiple restaurant reservations on a cruise. Choices typically range from three-restaurant packages up to unlimited specialty dining.
How do I find out which restaurants are on my ship?
Cruise Critic's cruise ship reviews list all onboard restaurants in the Dining section. You can also find lists of restaurants on your cruise line's website. Alternately, you can look at a deck plan (on Cruise Critic, on a cruise line website or onboard).
What is the dress code for cruises?
At dinner, most cruise ship specialty restaurants tend to be "smart casual" -- casual dresses, skirts or nice pants outfits for women and khakis, button-downs or collared shirts and shoes (not sneakers) for men. On some lines, the general ship dress code carries over into the specialty restaurants, so if it's formal night in the main dining room, it's formal in the other restaurants, as well.
How to make reservations on a cruise?
Once onboard, you can call the restaurant from your in-cabin phone, drop by the venue to make a reservation in person or go down to the reception desk, where someone can usually help you. Some lines with multiple dining venues will set up a reservations area by the front desk.
What are the three dining options on a cruise?
Most cruise lines offer three options for dinner in the main dining room: early, late, and anytime. We’ve gathered the pros and cons of each dining option.
Why is early dining important?
Pros. Early dining frees up your entire evening for shows, live music, deck parties, and other activities around the ship. It’s also great for families with children, because kids are often used to eating a bit earlier.
Why do people choose anytime dining?
You gain the ultimate flexibility with your dinner schedule, because you can eat whenever you want within the allotted hours. Many families choose this because sometimes it’s hard to predict when the kids will be hungry, especially on vacation, and this allows them to head to the dining room whenever the mood strikes .
What does it mean to wait until 8 pm for dinner?
Waiting until 8 pm for dinner can be too long for many kids, which means you will either be grazing at the buffet until then, or seeing if you can switch to early or anytime dining. Some people don’t give this a second thought, but late dining means you’ll probably be going to bed somewhat soon after eating.
How long does a cruise ship stay in port?
If you want the first seating, be sure to make your selection as soon as you book the cruise. Sometimes a ship will stay in port until 5 or 6 pm, which can be difficult for early diners that also want to maximize their time on land. You may be in a time crunch to get back to the ship, change, and get ready for dinner.
Do you have to rush back to dinner when dining late?
Guests who are dining late don’t have to rush back and get ready for dinner right away. Families with children often prefer early dining, which means the late seating won’t have as many little ones around.
Do adults like late dining?
Adults might prefer late dining, where the dining room will be quieter and more laid-back. - Photo by Celebrity Cruises
How many dining rooms are there on a cruise ship?
Depending on your cruise ship, along with your choices in the Main Dining Room you can have upwards of 10-15 alternative dining venues including options that are included in the cruise fare and those that are an additional fee. And don’t forget about the 24 hour room service!
What time do you dine on a cruise?
Typically, when you confirm your cruise reservation you select the traditional early (6pm) or late (8-8:30pm) dining time based upon personal preference. You dine in the main dining room at the same time each evening, at the same assigned table, with the same table mates and server.
What does it mean when you have open seating on a cruise ship?
If you choose open seating for your cruise ship dining, this simply means you have an open dining time.
What does open seating mean on a cruise?
Open Seating is coined differently depending on which you select such as Norwegian Cruise Line’s Freestyle Dining, Royal Caribbean’s My Time Dining, and Carnival’s Anytime Dining. If you choose open seating for your cruise ship dining, this simply means you have an open dining time.
What is Norwegian freestyle dining?
While the traditional seating options are popular with many, one of the biggest revolutions to cruise ship dining was Norwegian Cruise Line’s Freestyle Dining, or open seating. This concept was initially scoffed by other lines in the industry but became so well received by guests that they later adopted the idea.
How many people are at a cruise table?
You are assigned to a particular table with other passengers, with table sizes ranging from 4-10 guests. This, also, is a classic piece of cruise history. Cruising is a very social vacation; it allows you the opportunity to meet life-long friends. Many of those friendships made at sea have started at the dinner table.
Where is icruise located?
iCruise is located in Delray Beach, Florida. You may book online or contact us directly. Our business hours and toll-free phone numbers from the following countries are listed below:
