Embarking on a Royal Caribbean cruise is more than just a vacation; it’s a culinary adventure. One of the most frequently asked questions by prospective cruisers is: “Is Food Included On Royal Caribbean Cruise?” The answer is a resounding yes! From breakfast to dinner and late-night snacks, a plethora of dining options are included in your cruise fare. Let’s delve into the delicious details based on a recent sailing on Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas.
Aboard Anthem of the Seas: Included Dining Options
The Buffet: A Cornucopia of Choices
The buffet on Anthem of the Seas is a highlight, offering an extensive range of cuisines from early morning until late evening. The sheer variety can be overwhelming, but in a good way!
Variety and Quality: The food quality is consistently good, with hot dishes and a vast array of choices.
Self-Service with Hygiene: While self-service, strict hand-washing protocols are in place, ensuring a clean and safe dining experience.
Themed Nights and Grill Section: Dinner features themed sections like British, American, and Italian, alongside a grill section offering burgers, hot dogs, and steaks. You’ll also find salads, breads, tacos, nachos, pasta, soups, and decadent desserts. Breakfast and lunch boast their own unique selections.
Unlimited Combinations: The buffet encourages culinary creativity. Want cookies with vegetables? Go for it! It’s all about exploring new tastes.
Drinks Service: Waiters efficiently provide drinks, including refills for soda cups.
Dessert Heaven: Royal Caribbean excels at desserts. Expect a tempting array of cakes and cookies throughout the cruise.
Cookie Consistency: The cookies are a staple, consistently sized and flavored, also available at Cafe Promenade and Two70 cafe.
DIY Doughnuts: Get creative with freshly made doughnuts, topping them with sprinkles and chocolate.
Free Drinks Machines: Conveniently located around the buffet, these machines offer water, coffee, and various teas.
Main Dining Room: A Formal Affair (Silk Restaurant)
Anthem of the Seas features multiple main dining rooms. This experience focuses on Silk restaurant, chosen for flexible dining.
Flexible Dining Challenges: Booking times before 8:30 p.m. proved difficult.
Ambiance Concerns: The restaurant felt dark and cramped compared to other cruise ship dining rooms.
Menu Accessibility: Menus can be viewed in advance on the Royal Caribbean app.
Dinner Experiences:
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Dinner #1:
- Starter: Corn Fritters (vegan option)
- Main: Steak and Baked Potato / Pesto Pasta (vegan)
The pasta was plain, and the steak was reported as fatty and chewy.
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Dinner #2:
- Starters: Korean Pork Steamed Buns / Caesar Salad
- Main: Vegetable Noodles
- Dessert: Royal Cheesecake
The food was hot and portions were ample, but overall, other venues were preferred.
Friendly Staff: The service was consistently friendly and helpful.
Dessert Success: Desserts remained a highlight.
Room Service Continental Breakfast: A Balcony Treat
Continental breakfast via room service is included, a fantastic perk for enjoying a leisurely morning.
Norwegian Fjords View: Having breakfast while sailing into a fjord is an unforgettable experience, especially with a balcony.
Ordering Process: Room service is ordered via the cabin TV, with a scheduled delivery time. A courtesy call precedes the delivery.
Breakfast Favorites: The breakfast doughnuts were a particular highlight.
Two70 Cafe: Fresh and Convenient
Located by the Two70 lounge, this cafe offers freshly prepared sandwiches, wraps, and salads.
Favorite Items: The cheese pitta was a standout.
Drinks Included: Water, juice, and iced tea are available.
Dessert Options: A small dessert section features cakes and cookies.
Sorrento’s Pizza: Late-Night Cravings
Sorrento’s Pizza serves up American-style pizza until 3 am, a perfect spot for late-night cravings.
Pizza Varieties: Pizzas are freshly cooked and available by the slice or as a whole pizza.
Vegetarian Options: A vegetarian option is usually available.
Convenience: Grabbing a slice or two is incredibly easy.
Soda Refills: Soda refill machines are available for those with a soda package.
Hot Dog Stand: A Quick Bite
Located by the sports court at Seaplex, this stand offers tasty hot dogs. Sadly, vegetarian options are not available.
Cafe Promenade: 24/7 Convenience
This cafe is open 24 hours a day and serves sandwiches and small snacks.
Go-To Spot: It’s a great spot for a quick sandwich and a cookie.
Drink Availability: Water and iced tea are readily available.
Final Verdict: Did We Enjoy The Food?
The variety of included food venues is a major plus. While the main dining room experience was underwhelming, the buffet and other locations provided great meals. The free room service breakfast and 24/7 access to cookies were definite highlights. Royal Caribbean’s desserts are particularly noteworthy.
Areas for Improvement: Expanding vegetarian options is recommended.
Overall Satisfaction: Despite minor disappointments, the food on the cruise was generally enjoyable.
Ready to Cruise?
With so many included dining options, a Royal Caribbean cruise promises a delightful culinary experience. So, pack your bags and prepare your taste buds for a journey you won’t forget!
