Cruise lines make specialty dining sound like an experience you simply can’t miss. But after more than 40 years of cruising, I’ve learned that paying extra for dinner doesn’t always mean getting a better meal.
I’ve been cruising for more than 40 years, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that cruise lines have become exceptionally good at convincing us that we need to spend more to make our vacations even better. A bigger cabin. Butler service. A beverage package. A spa treatment. An exclusive excursion. And, of course, a reservation at one of those beautiful specialty restaurants where the menus promise an extraordinary dining experience.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I love a fabulous meal (especially when cruising). I love the variety of foods offered on cruises, the opportunity to grab and go if I feel like it, and I love getting to know the restaurant staff, etc. My husband is a restaurateur, so food has always been a big part of our lives. So, it goes without saying that we both appreciate a perfectly prepared steak, an imaginative tasting menu, wonderful service, and a dining room where the atmosphere is as memorable as the meal itself.
And yes, I’ve enjoyed some spectacular specialty restaurants at sea. As a matter of fact, some of the best ANYWHERE.
But here’s something that might surprise you. After four decades of cruising, I no longer believe that specialty dining is automatically worth the extra money. In fact, there are plenty of times when I’d rather eat in the ship’s complimentary dining room than spend another $50, $75, or even more per person for a meal that might not be significantly better.
So, is specialty dining one of the best cruise perks, or is it one of the most overrated? The answer depends on what you’re really getting for your money.
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1. Let’s Talk About What You’re Already Paying For
One of the things that makes cruising such an appealing vacation is that so much is already included in the fare. Your cabin, the entertainment, transportation between destinations, and, most importantly for this discussion, your meals.
On almost all of the mainstream cruise ships, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks without spending an extra penny on food. There are main dining rooms with multicourse menus, casual buffets, cafés, and sometimes additional complimentary restaurants. And the food can be very good.
Over the years, I’ve enjoyed beautifully prepared seafood, wonderful pasta dishes, excellent desserts, and memorable dinners in the main dining rooms of almost all of the major cruise ship lines.
I’ve also had meals that were merely okay. But guess what? The same can be said for specialty restaurants.
The biggest difference is that when I’m eating in the main dining room, I’ve already paid for that experience as part of my cruise fare. When I reserve a specialty restaurant, I’m paying again. That’s an important distinction, especially when you’re trying to decide whether a dining package or restaurant reservation is worth the extra expense.
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2. The True Cost of Specialty Dining Can Be Surprising
Specialty restaurant pricing varies considerably depending on the cruise line, ship, restaurant, and whether you purchase a dining package. I’ve been to some where it’s only an additional $15 to dine in the steakhouse and others that can cost as much as dinner at a fancy restaurant in NY City.
When specialty dining first arrived on the cruise scene, you were generally charged a flat fee for the restaurants. That is still the case on some cruises. Some venues charge a flat cover fee, while others offer à la carte pricing. Certain premium restaurants and chef’s-table experiences can cost a whole lot more than a high-end restaurant (Celebrity Cruises charges $125 per person for Daniel Boulud’s Le Voyage).
Just for the heck of it, let’s say a couple books a specialty restaurant that costs $65 per person. That’s $130 for one dinner, before any additional gratuities, beverages, or premium menu items that aren’t included. Now imagine doing that three times during a seven-night cruise. You’re looking at $390 in additional dining expenses, potentially more. And remember, you’ve already paid for dinner in the main dining room.
For some travelers, that extra expense is well worth it. For others, it’s money that could be spent on an unforgettable shore excursion, a relaxing spa treatment, or even put toward the next cruise. I’m certainly not suggesting that you should never spend money on specialty dining. I’m just saying that you should really think about whether the experience is worth what you’re paying.
Because a higher price doesn’t automatically guarantee a better dinner.
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3. I’ve Had Wonderful Specialty Dining Experiences.
I’ve also had better meals in the main dining room.
One of the biggest misconceptions about specialty dining is that it’s always a step above the complimentary restaurants. Sometimes it is, and sometimes…it’s EXACTLY THE SAME food.
Specialty venues may offer more intimate surroundings, special attention from the waitstaff, maybe a better wine selection, or dishes that aren’t available elsewhere on the ship. Some of them are designed around a certain culinary concept, with menus created by well-known chefs or cooking techniques that make the experience feel special, and those can be wonderful evenings.
But I’ve also experienced specialty restaurants where the food was perfectly pleasant, the service was fine, and the atmosphere was lovely, yet nothing about the meal justified paying more for it. As a matter of fact, as I was eating my $59 steak, I realized that it tasted exactly like the steak I’d had two nights before in the main dining room. The only thing different was the atmosphere (and the main dining room’s atmosphere was quite nice).
After all these years, I’ve learned that a restaurant’s price tag doesn’t always reflect how memorable the meal will be. As a matter of fact, (at least for this cruiser), sometimes the complimentary option wins, and sometimes YES, even the BUFFET wins.
And you know what? That’s perfectly fine with me.
4. The One Thing Specialty Restaurants Often Do Better
If specialty dining has one area where it often wins, it’s the atmosphere. Main dining rooms on large cruise ships can be busy, sometimes seating hundreds or even thousands of guests over the course of an evening. That can mean busy service staff, closely spaced tables (that feel even closer when you need to excuse yourself and go through the maze to the restroom), and service that moves at a fairly steady pace.
Specialty restaurants are often smaller and more intimate. You usually get softer lighting, more upscale decor, personalized service, quieter surroundings, and the chance to linger over dinner longer than usual without feeling rushed.
For a romantic evening, anniversary celebration, or special occasion, that atmosphere can make a real difference. And sometimes, that’s what you’re paying for. Not necessarily better food, but a different dining experience. Personally, I think that’s the most important distinction.
If you’re celebrating a milestone or just want a beautiful evening with someone special, a specialty restaurant might be worth every penny. But if your plan is to simply to enjoy a delicious dinner, don’t assume you have to pay extra to get it.
5. Not All Cruise Lines Do Specialty Dining the Same Way
One of the reasons I hesitate to recommend specialty dining packages across the board is that the experience can vary a LOT from one cruise line to another.
For example, I travel on Celebrity a lot, and on their cruises guests can choose from a variety of specialty dining experiences depending on the ship. Some offer upscale steakhouses, Italian restaurants, or innovative culinary concepts, while others feature more intimate dining venues and even a celebrity chef tasting menu that you can’t get anywhere else.
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity also offers different complimentary dining arrangements depending on the ship and accommodation category. Guests staying in AquaClass, for example, generally have access to Blu (shown above—and one of my favorite restaurants at sea), while suite guests in The Retreat have access to Luminae. For me, that can change the specialty dining equation considerably. Especially because I happen to love the menu options at Blu (including the fresher, cleaner options).
If you’re already enjoying an elevated dining experience included with your stateroom, you might not want to reach into your wallet to pay for another restaurant.
On Norwegian Cruise Line, specialty dining has long been a significant part of the onboard experience, with restaurants featuring steak, seafood, French cuisine, Italian favorites, and other concepts. Depending on the fare or promotion you’ve booked, specialty dining meals could already be included. In a case like that, I’d certainly take advantage of them.
Royal Caribbean offers everything from steakhouses and Italian restaurants to more elaborate dining experiences, and even fast food options, with packages that can make multiple specialty dinners less expensive than booking each individually.
And on Virgin Voyages, the approach is quite different. Its signature restaurants are included in the fare, rather than charging extra. That means you can enjoy a variety of distinctive dining experiences without automatically adding another restaurant bill to your vacation.
The lesson?
Before you buy a specialty dining package, find out exactly what’s already included in your cruise fare. You might be surprised by how many excellent options you already have without shelling out any extra money.
Related: Is Cruise Line Loyalty Really Worth It? 5 Perks I Rely On After 30+ Sailings
6. When a Specialty Dining Package Makes Sense
I’m not opposed to specialty dining packages. In fact, given certain circumstances, they can be a terrific value.
If you’re sailing on a ship with several restaurants you genuinely want to experience, purchasing a package may cost less than making individual reservations. It can also make sense if you’re celebrating a special occasion, traveling with someone who loves culinary experiences, or sailing on a longer itinerary like a transatlantic cruise where you just want more variety.
And let’s face it, sometimes it’s fun to dress up, order something extraordinary, and enjoy an evening that feels a little different from the rest of the cruise.
I love those experiences, too. But I wouldn’t purchase a package just because it’s offered at a discount. A discounted package isn’t a bargain if you wouldn’t have purchased it in the first place.
I’ve also learned to look carefully at what’s included.
Some packages exclude certain restaurants or experiences. Others might limit the menu items available without an additional charge. You may also run into reservation restrictions, especially for popular dining times. And if you’re traveling on a port-intensive itinerary, think about how you’ll actually spend your evenings. After a full day exploring a destination, you may not feel like sitting through an elaborate multicourse dinner. Personally, I’d rather spend my money at an authentic restaurant on shore at one of the stops along the way for lunch.
And then sometimes, all I want is something simple, comfortable, and delicious.
7. Don’t Overlook the Perks You Have
Here’s something I wish more cruisers would check before paying for specialty dining. Your cruise fare, loyalty status, casino offers, or promotional booking benefits may already provide dining advantages. As someone who cruises frequently, I’ve learned to review every benefit that comes with my reservation before purchasing extras.
Some cruise promotions include specialty dining credits or complimentary meals. Certain suite accommodations offer access to exclusive restaurants, while casino offers may occasionally include dining benefits (it also doesn’t hurt to ask the host if they’ll comp you a dinner at one of the specialty restaurants if you’ve been gambling).
Loyalty programs can also provide dining discounts or special offers, depending on the cruise line and membership level. These benefits aren’t universal, and they can change, so make sure to go over the details of your specific sailing.
But the point is simple. Why pay full price for something you might already receive at a discount or as part of your booking? It’s one of the easiest ways to make your cruise dollars go further.
Related: I’m Over 60 and Rarely Get Surprised by Cruises—Then I Took a President’s Cruise
8. My Rule: Try the Restaurant Before Committing to the Package
After all these years, I’ve become much more selective about specialty dining. Rather than automatically purchasing a package, I look at the restaurants available on the ship and decide whether any genuinely interest me.
Is there a unique culinary experience I can’t find elsewhere? Is the restaurant known for something particularly special? Am I celebrating an occasion that deserves a memorable evening? Or am I simply being tempted by a fancy description and beautiful photographs?
If a restaurant catches my attention, I may book one dinner and see whether it lives up to my expectations. That doesn’t mean I can always add a package later at the same price, or that a popular restaurant will have availability once I’m onboard. But I would rather be intentional about my dining choices than spend money on a package simply because it sounds like something I should have.
And if I do purchase a package, I make sure the savings are real and that the restaurants and reservation times I want are available.
9. So, Is Specialty Dining Worth It?
After more than 40 years of cruising, my answer is both yes and no.
Yes, if you’re looking for a unique culinary experience, celebrating something special, or enjoying a restaurant that offers something genuinely different from the ship’s complimentary dining options.
Yes, if your package gives you great savings on restaurants you already planned to visit.
And absolutely yes, if dining is one of the most important parts of your vacation and you enjoy discovering new flavors and culinary experiences.
But no, if you’re purchasing specialty dining just because you assume the complimentary food won’t be good enough.
No, if you’re buying a package that includes more meals than you really want.
And definitely no, if you’re stretching your vacation budget to pay for something that doesn’t matter all that much to you.
My verdict? Specialty dining can be a wonderful splurge, but it’s not an essential cruise perk. For most cruisers, I’d recommend enjoying the complimentary dining options first, choosing one specialty restaurant that truly appeals to you, and deciding whether the experience is worth repeating. Of course, if you already know a particular restaurant is a must-do, booking ahead may be the smarter choice.
The important thing is making the decision based on your own preferences rather than assuming that paying more automatically means getting more.
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10. The Best Cruise Meal Isn’t Always the Most Expensive One
When I think back over four decades of cruising, some of my favorite meals have been simple dinners in the main dining room, where the food was delicious, the company was wonderful, and the conversation lasted long after dessert. But there were a few (like my son’s birthday celebration at an onboard Hibachi restaurant) that were a lot of fun and delicious as well.
I’ve also enjoyed my share of casual meals eaten outdoors with the ocean stretching endlessly toward the horizon. Those are the moments I remember. Not the cover charge. Not whether the restaurant was considered exclusive. And certainly not whether I managed to get my money’s worth from a dining package.
What I’ve learned after all these years is that the most memorable cruise experiences aren’t necessarily the ones that cost the most. They’re the ones that make you happy.
So the next time you’re booking a cruise and that tempting specialty dining package pops up on your screen, don’t feel pressured to add it to your reservation. Take a look at what’s included. Do a little math. Think about what you really enjoy. And remember that some of the best meals at sea may already be waiting for you, with no additional charge. After all, you’ve already paid for a wonderful vacation. You might as well enjoy it.
What about you? Do you love specialty restaurants on cruise ships, or do you prefer sticking with the complimentary dining options? Have you ever paid extra for a restaurant that didn’t live up to the hype? I’d love to hear about your experiences.
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