Planning a cruise? Get The Ultimate Cruise Planner. It's a 47 page printable cruise travel planner with packing checklists, shore excursion planning forms and much more! ($10 off for a limited time). Here are the details: lifewellcruised.com/ultimate-cruise-planner
@@anntien1466 We just went on the Enchanted Princess last month, no they do not charge extra and don't forget to try the afternoon tea on port days if you don't have anything going on, it'll be on your planner!
We invented an order with our waiter. It was 4 shrimp cocktails on 1 plate. The first day He ordered 1, but then kept asking for more. My friend was 400 lbs and always finished it. His name was Darryl, so by the 3rd day, the waiter said “do you want the Darryl for an appetizer” 😂 That waiter got a very sizable tip to match my very sizable friend.
You’ll surely love it. My parents took my sister & I on 5 cruises. I have my 6th cruise which will be my honeymoon in November. My mom always said half the fun of a cruise is planning. As this will be my first “solo” cruise I can tell you that she wasn’t wrong lol. My toiletries are coming in from Amazon this week & my new wardrobe came in yesterday & I’m so excited to pack this all up in my new suit cases & carry on’s😁
I've already previewed the first 8 nights of our October transatlantic on Royal in the app. It helped me decide which night to schedule the chef's table.
I would love a video on the different tiers of cruise lines - top tier luxury, mid-level, and economy. I am new to cruising and am open to trying different cruise lines and ships.
My wife has health issues and has a lot of dietary restrictions. When we get on a cruise ship we find out where we need to go to pre-order meals for the following night like in the MDR. It works out really well and the cruise ships have always been very accommodating. The buffet is very important for us because it gives my wife a lot of options as far as picking and choosing what she can eat. Having a good Buffet is a big plus for us.
On the cruise line website, look for the section devoted to accessibility, medical and special needs. You can list your particular needs. Then once on board, check with maitre d’ and let her/him know what your needs are. Then also ask for same server and let that person know your needs and what you MUST avoid.
I appreciate your understanding, I’m not trashing NCl just asking for a more accommodating cruise line. Apparently that has been misunderstood by some, I can only speak to my experiences.
I am from Long Island, so I am very particular about my pizza. I had heard Princess has been voted best pizza at sea. I was skeptical, but I have to say I really loved their pizza.
I’m glad you mentioned bringing snack foods on board. While I won’t need them while on the ship, I would like to bring some prepackaged snacks on excursions. I’m sensitive to gluten and you never know what will be available off the ship. No one wants to see me hangry!
We love Celebrity’s Edge class ships. For dinner there are 4 included dining rooms: French, Greek, Italian and Continental. They each include the same menu, but with additional items that are either French, Greek, Italian or Continental. The restaurants are also smaller than the typical main dining rooms on other ships and the feeling is more intimate. The only restaurant that we felt needed an updated menu was the Italian restaurant; their offerings didn’t seem like Italian food to me (we live in New Jersey where there is excellent Italian food). Celebrity’s Edge class ships also have the best buffet because it is set up on stations instead of a long line. The food is fresh, tasty and beautifully presented. We also enjoy the included spa cafe next to the indoor pool. Breakfast and lunch is served and there are healthy offerings. Eden also has included lunch offerings in a different setting.
On one particular cruise, we requested the same waiter every night. He was amazing!! He and my husband got to talking about different "ethnic" foods one night. My husband and I are HUGE foodies and he is an awesome home chef who can cook just about everything. Our waiter actually cooked us a meal native to his home country that he himself eats regularly (not on ANY menu) and surprised us with it one evening. We were absolutely amazed! He was thoughtful, kind and very attentive, And yes, for those that are thinking of mentioning it Lol, he was compensated handsomely on our last night on the ship.
On the main menu on the cruises I been on with my parents, a cheese plate is available each night also to stop food waste I notice the main meals portion sizes have got smaller which is better
I have been bingeing so many videos on your channel in preparation for my first ever cruise and making lists of things to buy and do etc. I am so happy to have discovered your channel. ❤
I love the breakfast on the ships, however, my husband feels like it takes too long so we don’t go that often. We’ve cruised quite a lot but did not know about the “fast and slow” paced service. Great information!!! We always do the “your time” dining. We also love the fact that on some of Carnival ships (not sure if they all have this service) you can have food delivered to you throughout the ship. Great service. All of this information is great especially for first time cruisers!!! Thank you for all of the wonderful information you provided on a regular basis!!!! Have a great rest of your day!!!
After 45 cruises I don’t even own a tie anymore. Nice Polo shirt and long pants for me, we still prefer main dining over buffet in the evening. We ask for a cheese plate for the beginning of the meal, no problem. Very good tips for first time cruisers on your show, plus if others didn’t realize the dining options.
I am a vegatarian and my experience with the waiters has been amazing! (Just let your waiter know and ask for your food to be prepared seperately+ ask for a vegetarien menu)
You have to be careful when you talk about casual dining. On Princess there is a $15.00 charge for what they call casual dining venues like Planks BBQ, Crab shack, and perhaps one or two others. If you want to avoid paying any extra for food, stick with the venues which are termed complimentary or included.
I get the cheese plate for my dessert . I am a diabetic and am allergic to Gluten so I always contact the head waiter the first night. We usually cruise Princess.
🚨🚨🚨MAJOR TIP🚨🚨🚨 IF you prepay your gratuities for dining or the bar, DO NOT feel obligated to tip! That's called double dipping!!! You've already paid your tips!!!
On our first cruise we had 4 specialty dinings. It was too much for a 7 day cruise. By the 4th one we were so stuffed with all the decadent foods and large course meals we didn't fully enjoy the 4th meal as much as we should have. 2 on a 7 day cruise is what we stick to anymore and have some of the smaller casual dinings and main dining room. Room service lunch on a port day when we get back from a half day out exploring or just an empty ship day when we stay on board is perfect when you need a snack.
Holland America also offers "high tea" in the main dining room, usually a couple of times during a 7 day cruise. It is nice. They offer a variety of finger sandwiches, small desserts and of course, tea. No additional charge.
That was a great summary of what is available on most cruise ships. Personally, my wife and I like to sit at the same table with the same people for the entire cruise. More often than not, we have met people that we have kept in contact with for years. I will not cruise on lines like NCL that will not seat you with other people. We always eat in the MDR on HAL and Carnival, and the buffet on other lines. We generally eat in the buffet and casual locations for lunch, rarely the MDR. Always the MDR for dinner and a quick walk through the buffet due to FOMO.
One thing I really enjoyed was going to the Lido buffet for a late night snack. Usually, very few guests are there and the staff was really glad to serve me.
Just finished a Virgin Voyages cruise 1 week ago. Their concept of dining is totally different. There is NO main dining room (MDR). Just a whole set of restaurants all themed differently. All included in the cruise price. Some do offer menus that are not free, but not really needed. All restaurants need to be booked in advance and that can already be done 4 weeks ahead. However they also make space available on the day. Also Virgin has no formal night, just a Scarlet night where they advise you to wear red.
Carnival also has tea time from 3-4pm on sea days. It always seems like only a small portion of the passengers even know about it. My wife really enjoys it though. (I do too, actually)
Up to a point your choice of restaurant may be governed by circumstances. On our recent cruise, the MDR didn’t open for breakfast until 8am but the buffet opened an hour earlier. When we were going on an excursion they often left before 9am so the MDR, with its more personal and slower service, wasn’t an option. Likewise in the evenings. We’re larks, not owls, so we liked to go to the first performance of a show. Most nights they began at 8.30 but when they started at 8.00 the MDR became trickier. Unless we were seated soon after it opened we might not finish in time so the buffet was our choice on those nights as it was always faster, even when crowded.
We love getting coffee delivered so we can enjoy a cup before breakfast.... also food in the buffet at dinner is sometimes the same as the main dining room.
I binged watched your videos about 2 years for my first cruise, I data dumped most stuff, but I remember your videos being the most helpful! (I have memory loss) I’m going on another cruise in a few months and I’m back to rewatch old videos and new ones. Thank you for your work !!
Great info! It’s been a long time since my last cruise. 27 days to Grandeur of the Seas sailing out of Tampa, FL. 6 day western Caribbean cruise with stops at George Town, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, Mexico.
Have a great cruise. Enjoy those beautiful sunsets. The sunrise is also great but not every day. From a 45 cruise veteran, it’s what you make of it. And don’t bump your head when going under the Skyway Bridge.
Thanks! I prefer Caribbean all-inclusives; plop myself down for the week…but the kids wanted to try something different, so here we are. I am really looking forward to it.
Good stuff Ilana! On Carnival they emplimented a late night complimentary snack buffet goes from like 11pm-2am? Where you can get like finger foods for those late night munchie. It's pretty good but gets hit hard fast and there is a bit of a wait for refresh when that happens.
We were invited to join The Chef’s Table to celebrate our 45th anniversary on Regal Princess last year. It did have a cost but it was the most amazing and special meal we have ever had. We would definitely do it again.
It is also important to know that you can not bring home made food onboard. Especially items like brownies. Snack items must be in the package from the store.
I have been going on Carnival cruises for nearly 10 years. I had no idea you could order more than 1 entree in the MDR for dinner. Now I’m REALLY looking forward to my next cruise! 🚢 😋
Carnival also has tea time - I was just on a seven day cruise on the Pride. There was tea on at least two of the sea days. Another passenger had even brought her own tea!
i eat WHOLE FOOD PLANT BASED, and find the buffet is best for me for breakfast and lunch……i like the ethnic choices for both those meals. Dinner in the MDR using the vegetarian menu…..sometimes adding a sweet potato for satiety.
I went on a Carnival cruise many years ago. But now in my 60's my husband and I are going on an Alaskan cruise on the Celebrity Edge Labor Day weekend. Your videos have been a great help in planning. Thank you for all your hard work.
I find embarkation day, lunch and dinner always a bit hectic, I try to find an alternative venue for lunch, i.e. sushi, pizza, or specialty restaurant to avoid the buffet. Dinner on embarkation day can also be difficult. It’s always worth looking into dining at a specialty restaurant that first evening, and many times there is either a reduced price or a perk like a free bottle of wine. IMO, You should try a specialty restaurant. You would be surprised at the elevation of the food and for the most part it is worth the xtra $.
You can certainly put on pounds on a cruise, but I find that the serving sizes in the MDR and most specialty restaurants can allow you to be pretty decadent and still fairly under control. The buffet can do you in! One of my favorite surprises on Holland America is lunch in Pinnacle Grill. A meal that’s not far off dinner for a lot less! My wife and I have almost totally stopped the buffet, the older we get, the less we enjoy the chaos and noise!
While we aren't overly impressed with the taste and quality of most of the buffet food on Carnival, I did find it was a really great place to get a healthy lunch by visiting the salad bar.
Hi Ilana, I’ll soon be going on a European back-to-back on Crystal, for a whole month! I’m so excited! Thank you for ALL of your fabulous videos, as well as your great Planning Guide!❤
11 days till our first ocean-going cruise. I've been binging on your channel since November, as well as a few others. Cruising Canucks found the cruise they went on in May, the one in reverse hubby and I will be on in less than 2 weeks, is their favorite out of the 45 they've been on. It makes me feel good about our first ocean-going cruise, Boston to Montreal on board the MS Volendam. I've got gadgets and things you've mentioned that make life easier in one shoe packing cube. Sorry, no room for ducks. I'm almost packed, hubby is waiting till next week. Exciting times.
Hi Llana, I love your videos and they are so well done, but your CONSTANT hand-movements drive me NUTZ! Am I the only one here? LOL Cheers from Bermuda!
We recently were on the Majestic Princess in Alaska and wanted to go to Crown Grille. We didn't have a reservation, but we went there when they just opened and asked if we could eat. We had no problem getting a table! One night, it was a formal night in the MDR and we didn't know. We showed up in shorts and Crocs, and we're STILL treated like royalty! I just booked another cruise on Princess for next March. Loved it!
We loved having breakfast at The Local O’Sheahans on NCL. We also liked Taste and Manhattan on NCL. Also they always ask if there are any allergies at our table while eating on NCL at any of the restaurants.
We had an experience in a European cruise, my wife was born in Guatemala and we found out that the chef was from there too. He introduced to us and told us to come for breakfast and ask for him. The next day we did that and he be made us a Guatemala breakfast for us. The guess they were just staring at us because that was not on the menu
I’m not a morning person at the best of times, let alone on a sea day while on holidays. The MDR breakfasts do close a little earlier than I’d like. I find Princess tends to be 9:30… going through to 10am or even better 10:30 or 11am would be great
My sister is not only lactose intolerant but has several sensitivities and dietary issues- she has made some business cards on the computer which she customizes to each cruise and gives to the waiter on the first night- also, adds them into the special request section prior to boarding- it has worked well on RCCL,Celebrity, MSC and The staff appreciate the information. They put it all in the computer so no matter where we dine, the staff is aware. Usually she has the opportunity to order her meals the day before and the kitchen is prepared
Went on my first cruise beginning of June. I liked going to the dining room the food was very good. The only downside was wait time and dining service took a long time.
Dining on a cruise is a good time to venture beyond your comfort zone when it comes to food. On my cruise last year on British cruise line Saga, I tried skate for my lunch main dish. One evening I tried haggis as a starter. Surprisingly tasty. I was the only non-Brit at the table and the only one to order the haggis.
Thank you so much! You convinced me to plan my first cruise in December to the Caribbean. I had always assumed since I started to use a walker. But thank you again have a great weekend .
If you choose anytime dining, and miss first seating in the MDR by choice or accident, you can usually get seated with minimal delay by showing up about 2:00 or 2:15 after the dining room opens. Lots of spaces opening up about that time.
I always ensure we get a private table. I. Addition, I get the same table every time where the waiters & assitsnt get to know me & it results in an outstanding experience. The problem with a shared table is that you’re waiting for everyone at the table to show up & order. If someone’s poky then You’re stuck.
Carnival’s menus for the whole trip are in your HUB app so you can see it for your whole trip in advance. They also have GF menus and Vegan menus for each evening posted - same with the Sea Day Brunches.
We did the Queen Mary 2 transatlantic last summer. Their DAILY tea at 3pm was incredible. It was served in the beautiful Queens ballroom, or it could be delivered via room service. It was absolutely delicious.
There was a BIG gap between our 5th cruise (2009) and our 6th (2022 Carnival)/7th (2023 NCL). Things had REALLY changed. We REALLY enjoyed the Freestyle dining the latter 2 offered. For Carnival, you could use the app to get placed on the waiting list and it would tell you what time to show up - usually 20mins or less. On NCL, we NEVER had to wait. On Carnival, the scramble and eggs Benedict were made ahead of time in both the buffet and MDR. If you want eggs to order go with fried or an omelet in either the MDR or at the omelet bar in the buffet. We're about to go on HAL and from what I can figure out from their badly designed web page is that room service is included. On Carinval there wasn't ANY problem taking food away. FiL's health was failing and we had to bring him breakfast and lunch to his cabin. He mustered (pun intended) ALL his strength to go to the MDR for dinner. O'Shehans advertises 24/7 BUT the menu is very limited in the wee hours - perhaps midnight - 6a?
We booked our first cruise over the weekend and this series has already been so helpful on what to expect. While we're super excited, the anxiety of not knowing what to expect is REAL. I'm loving the format and detail that these videos have and look forward to more information to come!
I always order 2 appetizers 1 main course, and 2 desserts. If my husband and I want any thing extra as a main course we get one to share. We usually want the same foods.
I have food allergies. I make a list of them with my name & cabin # to give to the MDR staff the day i embark. I've never had an allergic reaction but I'm also cautious. If I'm in doubt i have my husband taste test or i just avoid it. I've never gone hungry or felt like I was missing out
We love to order a basket of sweet rolls and coffee to our room. Then we can take our time getting ready for breakfast. We are not starving and can have a nice leisurely breakfast on deck or next to a window and enjoy the view.
Any food problems? Remember it never hurts to ask. Many cruises are very accomodating. And you not only can ask for multiples, but you can get Half Portions of anything from main courses to desserts!
Be aware that on NCL a corkage fee of $15 is charged if you don't have a drink package even if you are going to drink your wine in your cabin and not in the MDR. The best sea day brunch I've ever had was on Virgin Voyages. It's wonderful in both the The Wake, which is their steak house and Razzle Dazzle which is the vegetarian restaurant. Don't let the vegetarianism scare you if you don't lean that way. They have the best sweet/spicy bacon! VV is not my favorite cruise line but they do have some of the best food at sea. I always eat at the buffet one or two nights and definitely on embarkation day. Even if it's crowded, if you get on the ship early, it's not that bad and you can take your lunch to the Lido deck and enjoy some great people watching.
My experience with notifying the cruise line regarding special dietary requirements for my wife has not gone well. Both my ta and myself have sent in requests precruise only to find that the staff never received it and customer service said they did not have a record of the request. Always send to special needs department or equivalent. This has been the case on 3 different lines. What I do now is print out her restrictions and hand them to the mdr maitre'd on the afternoon of embarkation. We are then assigned an asst maitre'd to coordinate menus each night. At the end of each dining the asst comes by the table and establishes the menu for the following night. Works well
I'm relatively new to crusing since my next is my 11th. I always eat in the buffet or other options for one reason. I'm on vacation and do not want to dress up (newly retired). Always got good food in the main dining room alternatives.
We stopped going to breakfast we usually get to the pool about 9am then have lunch about 2pm this way we have dinner around 830. First thing in the morning we’ll grab a yogurt piece of fruit maybe. It’s vacation time to party !!!!
If you have to be Gluten Free on Carnival at Guy's Burger Joint not order a GF bun but instead order it with out a bun then go to the fix-in bar get a few whole leaf
There have been times that I could not find an appetizer that I liked and there are two main dishes that I wanted to try so I asked for one of them as a smaller dish as an appetizer. The waiters always said it was that I could do. Another thing I love is on many of the ships we have traveled on the salad station in the buffet. I can put in what I like and there any really good dressings to choose from.
Going on a cruise next week! Mine and my kids first time! My husband cruised once before bit a long time ago. Im binge watching your videos and reading all the tips from readers! 🙏🏻🙏🏻
![40 Cruise Food [& Drink] HACKS That Will Blow Your Mind!](/img/n.gif)
Planning a cruise? Get The Ultimate Cruise Planner. It's a 47 page printable cruise travel planner with packing checklists, shore excursion planning forms and much more! ($10 off for a limited time). Here are the details: lifewellcruised.com/ultimate-cruise-planner
You're going to love it!!
Going to the main dining room for breakfast and lunch is my Pro tip for avoiding the chaos of the buffet.
We think the same 😂👏
First time cruiser here on Crown Princess . Does Main Dining room charge extra for breakfast and lunch ?
@anntien1466 it would surprise me if they do. Other crusielines don't.
@@anntien1466 We just went on the Enchanted Princess last month, no they do not charge extra and don't forget to try the afternoon tea on port days if you don't have anything going on, it'll be on your planner!
@@anntien1466No, except for beverages unless you have a package.
We invented an order with our waiter. It was 4 shrimp cocktails on 1 plate. The first day He ordered 1, but then kept asking for more. My friend was 400 lbs and always finished it. His name was Darryl, so by the 3rd day, the waiter said “do you want the Darryl for an appetizer” 😂
That waiter got a very sizable tip to match my very sizable friend.
Haha
Going on my first cruise on Saturday. Leaving on Friday.
Excited.
So exciting!! Have an amazing cruise! 🚢
Enjoy
5 more days until my first cruise
So exciting!! Have an amazing cruise!!
Enjoy!!! Hope you have a wonderful time. I went on my first cruise last year. We are planning our 2nd Mediterranean cruise for next year.
It’s the best vacation! Have a great time!
You’ll surely love it. My parents took my sister & I on 5 cruises. I have my 6th cruise which will be my honeymoon in November. My mom always said half the fun of a cruise is planning. As this will be my first “solo” cruise I can tell you that she wasn’t wrong lol. My toiletries are coming in from Amazon this week & my new wardrobe came in yesterday & I’m so excited to pack this all up in my new suit cases & carry on’s😁
Enjoy!!
Princess lists the dinner menu on the TV each night. This gives you a nice preview.
Carnival includes the menus on the Carnival Hub app.
I've already previewed the first 8 nights of our October transatlantic on Royal in the app. It helped me decide which night to schedule the chef's table.
My husband has been ordering the cheese plate for years. He loves it.
I would love a video on the different tiers of cruise lines - top tier luxury, mid-level, and economy. I am new to cruising and am open to trying different cruise lines and ships.
That’s a great idea. I’ll have a cruise line video coming soon
2 more days until my first cruise! Thank you for all your videos!
Today is the day! Very jealous and enjoy
@@TheKDH Thanks!
Have an amazing cruise!!
Main dining is the best. We prefer set time, so dining staff knows your preferences.
👏👏
Carnival has a very nice afternoon tea on sea days!
Wonderful! Thanks for sharing
Thanks for sharing did not know!
Yea but last time I went they actually charged for the tea!
@@daltman23 only the specialty teas. You can get black or green tea for free.
AHHH… thanks. I was not happy with carnival about that. I love their tea room… but getting charged for tea was crazy to me.
My wife has health issues and has a lot of dietary restrictions. When we get on a cruise ship we find out where we need to go to pre-order meals for the following night like in the MDR. It works out really well and the cruise ships have always been very accommodating. The buffet is very important for us because it gives my wife a lot of options as far as picking and choosing what she can eat. Having a good Buffet is a big plus for us.
On the cruise line website, look for the section devoted to accessibility, medical and special needs. You can list your particular needs. Then once on board, check with maitre d’ and let her/him know what your needs are. Then also ask for same server and let that person know your needs and what you MUST avoid.
I appreciate your understanding, I’m not trashing NCl just asking for a more accommodating cruise line. Apparently that has been misunderstood by some, I can only speak to my experiences.
Great to hear
I am from Long Island, so I am very particular about my pizza. I had heard Princess has been voted best pizza at sea. I was skeptical, but I have to say I really loved their pizza.
Isn't it great?! We're from Chicago and love the pizza on Princess!
I love it too
I’m glad you mentioned bringing snack foods on board. While I won’t need them while on the ship, I would like to bring some prepackaged snacks on excursions. I’m sensitive to gluten and you never know what will be available off the ship. No one wants to see me hangry!
We love Celebrity’s Edge class ships. For dinner there are 4 included dining rooms: French, Greek, Italian and Continental. They each include the same menu, but with additional items that are either French, Greek, Italian or Continental. The restaurants are also smaller than the typical main dining rooms on other ships and the feeling is more intimate. The only restaurant that we felt needed an updated menu was the Italian restaurant; their offerings didn’t seem like Italian food to me (we live in New Jersey where there is excellent Italian food). Celebrity’s Edge class ships also have the best buffet because it is set up on stations instead of a long line. The food is fresh, tasty and beautifully presented. We also enjoy the included spa cafe next to the indoor pool. Breakfast and lunch is served and there are healthy offerings. Eden also has included lunch offerings in a different setting.
On one particular cruise, we requested the same waiter every night. He was amazing!! He and my husband got to talking about different "ethnic" foods one night. My husband and I are HUGE foodies and he is an awesome home chef who can cook just about everything. Our waiter actually cooked us a meal native to his home country that he himself eats regularly (not on ANY menu) and surprised us with it one evening. We were absolutely amazed! He was thoughtful, kind and very attentive, And yes, for those that are thinking of mentioning it Lol, he was compensated handsomely on our last night on the ship.
I would like to see more diabetic options on the menus. More no sugar dessert options and drinks.
I am type 2 diabetic. I skip carb laden desserts and get a shrimp cocktail or other small protein appetizer for dessert. Yummy.
On the main menu on the cruises I been on with my parents, a cheese plate is available each night also to stop food waste I notice the main meals portion sizes have got smaller which is better
I have been bingeing so many videos on your channel in preparation for my first ever cruise and making lists of things to buy and do etc. I am so happy to have discovered your channel. ❤
I love the breakfast on the ships, however, my husband feels like it takes too long so we don’t go that often. We’ve cruised quite a lot but did not know about the “fast and slow” paced service. Great information!!! We always do the “your time” dining. We also love the fact that on some of Carnival ships (not sure if they all have this service) you can have food delivered to you throughout the ship. Great service. All of this information is great especially for first time cruisers!!! Thank you for all of the wonderful information you provided on a regular basis!!!! Have a great rest of your day!!!
After 45 cruises I don’t even own a tie anymore. Nice Polo shirt and long pants for me, we still prefer main dining over buffet in the evening. We ask for a cheese plate for the beginning of the meal, no problem. Very good tips for first time cruisers on your show, plus if others didn’t realize the dining options.
I am a vegatarian and my experience with the waiters has been amazing! (Just let your waiter know and ask for your food to be prepared seperately+ ask for a vegetarien menu)
You have to be careful when you talk about casual dining. On Princess there is a $15.00 charge for what they call casual dining venues like Planks BBQ, Crab shack, and perhaps one or two others. If you want to avoid paying any extra for food, stick with the venues which are termed complimentary or included.
Just a head's up. Crab Shack us a popup with a Specialty dining price! You might be thinking about steamers 😊
I get the cheese plate for my dessert . I am a diabetic and am allergic to Gluten so I always contact the head waiter the first night. We usually cruise Princess.
🚨🚨🚨MAJOR TIP🚨🚨🚨 IF you prepay your gratuities for dining or the bar, DO NOT feel obligated to tip! That's called double dipping!!! You've already paid your tips!!!
First cruiser here. Is this separate from the gratuities given when buying your cruise? TIA
On our first cruise we had 4 specialty dinings. It was too much for a 7 day cruise. By the 4th one we were so stuffed with all the decadent foods and large course meals we didn't fully enjoy the 4th meal as much as we should have. 2 on a 7 day cruise is what we stick to anymore and have some of the smaller casual dinings and main dining room. Room service lunch on a port day when we get back from a half day out exploring or just an empty ship day when we stay on board is perfect when you need a snack.
You can ask Maitre d for a window table! We had a lovely view!
When do you ask the Maitre about your preferences?
Holland America also offers "high tea" in the main dining room, usually a couple of times during a 7 day cruise. It is nice. They offer a variety of finger sandwiches, small desserts and of course, tea. No additional charge.
They also offer it all the time in the Neptune Lounge.
That was a great summary of what is available on most cruise ships. Personally, my wife and I like to sit at the same table with the same people for the entire cruise. More often than not, we have met people that we have kept in contact with for years. I will not cruise on lines like NCL that will not seat you with other people.
We always eat in the MDR on HAL and Carnival, and the buffet on other lines. We generally eat in the buffet and casual locations for lunch, rarely the MDR. Always the MDR for dinner and a quick walk through the buffet due to FOMO.
One thing I really enjoyed was going to the Lido buffet for a late night snack. Usually, very few guests are there and the staff was really glad to serve me.
Thank you for being so thorough. All first timers should watch this.
Glad you think so ☺️
Just finished a Virgin Voyages cruise 1 week ago. Their concept of dining is totally different. There is NO main dining room (MDR). Just a whole set of restaurants all themed differently. All included in the cruise price. Some do offer menus that are not free, but not really needed. All restaurants need to be booked in advance and that can already be done 4 weeks ahead. However they also make space available on the day. Also Virgin has no formal night, just a Scarlet night where they advise you to wear red.
Carnival also has tea time from 3-4pm on sea days. It always seems like only a small portion of the passengers even know about it. My wife really enjoys it though. (I do too, actually)
Up to a point your choice of restaurant may be governed by circumstances. On our recent cruise, the MDR didn’t open for breakfast until 8am but the buffet opened an hour earlier. When we were going on an excursion they often left before 9am so the MDR, with its more personal and slower service, wasn’t an option. Likewise in the evenings. We’re larks, not owls, so we liked to go to the first performance of a show. Most nights they began at 8.30 but when they started at 8.00 the MDR became trickier. Unless we were seated soon after it opened we might not finish in time so the buffet was our choice on those nights as it was always faster, even when crowded.
I love your cruise planner. But I have awful handwriting. You should have a pdf fillable version - I’d pay extra for it! :)
Carnival was amazing for taking care of me with great food despite having Celiac. So many gluten-free options and the staff was extremely careful
We love getting coffee delivered so we can enjoy a cup before breakfast.... also food in the buffet at dinner is sometimes the same as the main dining room.
On the cruise ships the main restaurant is close at lunch time on change over day
I binged watched your videos about 2 years for my first cruise, I data dumped most stuff, but I remember your videos being the most helpful! (I have memory loss) I’m going on another cruise in a few months and I’m back to rewatch old videos and new ones. Thank you for your work !!
Great info! It’s been a long time since my last cruise. 27 days to Grandeur of the Seas sailing out of Tampa, FL. 6 day western Caribbean cruise with stops at George Town, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, Mexico.
Have a great cruise. Enjoy those beautiful sunsets. The sunrise is also great but not every day. From a 45 cruise veteran, it’s what you make of it. And don’t bump your head when going under the Skyway Bridge.
Thanks! I prefer Caribbean all-inclusives; plop myself down for the week…but the kids wanted to try something different, so here we are. I am really looking forward to it.
Good stuff Ilana! On Carnival they emplimented a late night complimentary snack buffet goes from like 11pm-2am? Where you can get like finger foods for those late night munchie. It's pretty good but gets hit hard fast and there is a bit of a wait for refresh when that happens.
Definitely a good casual option for late nights 👏
The bread pudding on Holland America can’t be beat, especially with vanilla ice cream.
My husband ate so many times at the international cafe on Regal Princess that he was on a first name basis with two workers by the second day
I like to mix it up and try several different food venues with one or two specialty restaurants on the calendar
We were invited to join The Chef’s Table to celebrate our 45th anniversary on Regal Princess last year. It did have a cost but it was the most amazing and special meal we have ever had. We would definitely do it again.
It is also important to know that you can not bring home made food onboard. Especially items like brownies. Snack items must be in the package from the store.
I have been going on Carnival cruises for nearly 10 years. I had no idea you could order more than 1 entree in the MDR for dinner. Now I’m REALLY looking forward to my next cruise! 🚢 😋
Carnival also has tea time - I was just on a seven day cruise on the Pride. There was tea on at least two of the sea days. Another passenger had even brought her own tea!
First cruise in 2 weeks, thank you for all your help. Binged you, La lido loca and Jay 🌻🍃🌻
That’s awesome! Have an amazing cruise!!
i eat WHOLE FOOD PLANT BASED, and find the buffet is best for me for breakfast and lunch……i like the ethnic choices for both those meals. Dinner in the MDR using the vegetarian menu…..sometimes adding a sweet potato for satiety.
We LOVE doing breakfast on our balcony!
First cruise....42 days Nov/Dec on HAL Volendam. Love your videos. Learning a lot. Thanks.
Sounds like Heaven, I love Hollanh America.
I went on a Carnival cruise many years ago. But now in my 60's my husband and I are going on an Alaskan cruise on the Celebrity Edge Labor Day weekend. Your videos have been a great help in planning. Thank you for all your hard work.
Very exciting! Have an amazing cruise!
I find embarkation day, lunch and dinner always a bit hectic, I try to find an alternative venue for lunch, i.e. sushi, pizza, or specialty restaurant to avoid the buffet. Dinner on embarkation day can also be difficult. It’s always worth looking into dining at a specialty restaurant that first evening, and many times there is either a reduced price or a perk like a free bottle of wine. IMO, You should try a specialty restaurant. You would be surprised at the elevation of the food and for the most part it is worth the xtra $.
You can certainly put on pounds on a cruise, but I find that the serving sizes in the MDR and most specialty restaurants can allow you to be pretty decadent and still fairly under control. The buffet can do you in!
One of my favorite surprises on Holland America is lunch in Pinnacle Grill. A meal that’s not far off dinner for a lot less!
My wife and I have almost totally stopped the buffet, the older we get, the less we enjoy the chaos and noise!
While we aren't overly impressed with the taste and quality of most of the buffet food on Carnival, I did find it was a really great place to get a healthy lunch by visiting the salad bar.
Hi Ilana, I’ll soon be going on a European back-to-back on Crystal, for a whole month! I’m so excited! Thank you for ALL of your fabulous videos, as well as your great Planning Guide!❤
Have an amazing cruise! I’m sure it’s going to be fabulous 👏👏🛳️ Thanks for your purchase 😊
I like to try the specialty dinners if they offer free dining at lunch, usually sea days! Thanks for sharing 🛳️🛳️
11 days till our first ocean-going cruise. I've been binging on your channel since November, as well as a few others. Cruising Canucks found the cruise they went on in May, the one in reverse hubby and I will be on in less than 2 weeks, is their favorite out of the 45 they've been on. It makes me feel good about our first ocean-going cruise, Boston to Montreal on board the MS Volendam. I've got gadgets and things you've mentioned that make life easier in one shoe packing cube. Sorry, no room for ducks. I'm almost packed, hubby is waiting till next week. Exciting times.
Take your tray of food to your cabin. buffet, burgers , especially on nice days if you have a balcony, or not feeling so great.
I'm finally on my first cruise. Thanks for all of your tips. I feel so prepared.
So glad they help!
Hi Llana, I love your videos and they are so well done, but your CONSTANT hand-movements drive me NUTZ! Am I the only one here? LOL Cheers from Bermuda!
We recently were on the Majestic Princess in Alaska and wanted to go to Crown Grille. We didn't have a reservation, but we went there when they just opened and asked if we could eat. We had no problem getting a table! One night, it was a formal night in the MDR and we didn't know. We showed up in shorts and Crocs, and we're STILL treated like royalty! I just booked another cruise on Princess for next March. Loved it!
We loved having breakfast at The Local O’Sheahans on NCL. We also liked Taste and Manhattan on NCL. Also they always ask if there are any allergies at our table while eating on NCL at any of the restaurants.
We had an experience in a European cruise, my wife was born in Guatemala and we found out that the chef was from there too. He introduced to us and told us to come for breakfast and ask for him. The next day we did that and he be made us a Guatemala breakfast for us. The guess they were just staring at us because that was not on the menu
Wow, very cool
I’m not a morning person at the best of times, let alone on a sea day while on holidays.
The MDR breakfasts do close a little earlier than I’d like. I find Princess tends to be 9:30… going through to 10am or even better 10:30 or 11am would be great
My sister is not only lactose intolerant but has several sensitivities and dietary issues- she has made some business cards on the computer which she customizes to each cruise and gives to the waiter on the first night- also, adds them into the special request section prior to boarding- it has worked well on RCCL,Celebrity, MSC and The staff appreciate the information. They put it all in the computer so no matter where we dine, the staff is aware. Usually she has the opportunity to order her meals the day before and the kitchen is prepared
Went on my first cruise beginning of June. I liked going to the dining room the food was very good. The only downside was wait time and dining service took a long time.
Dining on a cruise is a good time to venture beyond your comfort zone when it comes to food. On my cruise last year on British cruise line Saga, I tried skate for my lunch main dish. One evening I tried haggis as a starter. Surprisingly tasty. I was the only non-Brit at the table and the only one to order the haggis.
Thank you so much! You convinced me to plan my first cruise in December to the Caribbean. I had always assumed since I started to use a walker. But thank you again have a great weekend .
If you choose anytime dining, and miss first seating in the MDR by choice or accident, you can usually get seated with minimal delay by showing up about 2:00 or 2:15 after the dining room opens. Lots of spaces opening up about that time.
I love the ultimate cruise planner. Worked great helping me plan.
I always ensure we get a private table. I. Addition, I get the same table every time where the waiters & assitsnt get to know me & it results in an outstanding experience. The problem with a shared table is that you’re waiting for everyone at the table to show up & order. If someone’s poky then You’re stuck.
Carnival’s menus for the whole trip are in your HUB app so you can see it for your whole trip in advance. They also have GF menus and Vegan menus for each evening posted - same with the Sea Day Brunches.
We did the Queen Mary 2 transatlantic last summer. Their DAILY tea at 3pm was incredible. It was served in the beautiful Queens ballroom, or it could be delivered via room service. It was absolutely delicious.
There was a BIG gap between our 5th cruise (2009) and our 6th (2022 Carnival)/7th (2023 NCL). Things had REALLY changed. We REALLY enjoyed the Freestyle dining the latter 2 offered. For Carnival, you could use the app to get placed on the waiting list and it would tell you what time to show up - usually 20mins or less. On NCL, we NEVER had to wait.
On Carnival, the scramble and eggs Benedict were made ahead of time in both the buffet and MDR. If you want eggs to order go with fried or an omelet in either the MDR or at the omelet bar in the buffet. We're about to go on HAL and from what I can figure out from their badly designed web page is that room service is included.
On Carinval there wasn't ANY problem taking food away. FiL's health was failing and we had to bring him breakfast and lunch to his cabin. He mustered (pun intended) ALL his strength to go to the MDR for dinner.
O'Shehans advertises 24/7 BUT the menu is very limited in the wee hours - perhaps midnight - 6a?
I always ordered breakfast from room service the night before. It was wonderful to enjoy breakfast on the veranda.
I’m two weeks away from my first cruise and this is an invaluable video! Thank you for sharing!
Enjoy
We booked our first cruise over the weekend and this series has already been so helpful on what to expect. While we're super excited, the anxiety of not knowing what to expect is REAL. I'm loving the format and detail that these videos have and look forward to more information to come!
I always order 2 appetizers 1 main course, and 2 desserts. If my husband and I want any thing extra as a main course we get one to share. We usually want the same foods.
I ate breakfast almost every morning at the MDR. I really enjoyed it. I only did dinner there twice because Mardi Gras has so much food options
I have food allergies. I make a list of them with my name & cabin # to give to the MDR staff the day i embark. I've never had an allergic reaction but I'm also cautious. If I'm in doubt i have my husband taste test or i just avoid it. I've never gone hungry or felt like I was missing out
We love to order a basket of sweet rolls and coffee to our room. Then we can take our time getting ready for breakfast. We are not starving and can have a nice leisurely breakfast on deck or next to a window and enjoy the view.
Any food problems? Remember it never hurts to ask. Many cruises are very accomodating. And you not only can ask for multiples, but you can get Half Portions of anything from main courses to desserts!
Are there table options for solo cruisers? Could you do a vlog for solo’s?
I like early dining in the mdr so I can hit the buffet later before they close and get snacks to take back to my cabin for later.
this isnt my first cruise, its my 5th but im so excited so im just watching all your videos 😂
Be aware that on NCL a corkage fee of $15 is charged if you don't have a drink package even if you are going to drink your wine in your cabin and not in the MDR. The best sea day brunch I've ever had was on Virgin Voyages. It's wonderful in both the The Wake, which is their steak house and Razzle Dazzle which is the vegetarian restaurant. Don't let the vegetarianism scare you if you don't lean that way. They have the best sweet/spicy bacon! VV is not my favorite cruise line but they do have some of the best food at sea. I always eat at the buffet one or two nights and definitely on embarkation day. Even if it's crowded, if you get on the ship early, it's not that bad and you can take your lunch to the Lido deck and enjoy some great people watching.
My experience with notifying the cruise line regarding special dietary requirements for my wife has not gone well. Both my ta and myself have sent in requests precruise only to find that the staff never received it and customer service said they did not have a record of the request. Always send to special needs department or equivalent. This has been the case on 3 different lines. What I do now is print out her restrictions and hand them to the mdr maitre'd on the afternoon of embarkation. We are then assigned an asst maitre'd to coordinate menus each night. At the end of each dining the asst comes by the table and establishes the menu for the following night. Works well
I feel you!! I’ve had a lot of those problems and trouble getting my special diet addressed. Even with the special dining staff person…
I'm relatively new to crusing since my next is my 11th. I always eat in the buffet or other options for one reason. I'm on vacation and do not want to dress up (newly retired). Always got good food in the main dining room alternatives.
Love this channel
14:41 I just took a plate with me from the buffet back to my stateroom. It was great.
Just got off the Icon for our first cruise ever. It was awesome. Your videos helped us bunch. Ty. Already looking to the next one.
We stopped going to breakfast we usually get to the pool about 9am then have lunch about 2pm this way we have dinner around 830. First thing in the morning we’ll grab a yogurt piece of fruit maybe. It’s vacation time to party !!!!
Great tips for getting the most out of the main dining experience. Many thanks 🌹
If you have to be Gluten Free on Carnival at Guy's Burger Joint not order a GF bun but instead order it with out a bun then go to the fix-in bar get a few whole leaf
There have been times that I could not find an appetizer that I liked and there are two main dishes that I wanted to try so I asked for one of them as a smaller dish as an appetizer. The waiters always said it was that I could do. Another thing I love is on many of the ships we have traveled on the salad station in the buffet. I can put in what I like and there any really good dressings to choose from.
Going on a cruise next week! Mine and my kids first time! My husband cruised once before bit a long time ago. Im binge watching your videos and reading all the tips from readers! 🙏🏻🙏🏻
We enjoy early dining and sitting with "strangers".We find it interesting getting to know people and at dinner finding out how they spent their days.
My husband and I hate sitting with strangers so we ask for a table for two.
On Princess you can order a main as a side or appetizer if you want to try it, or can't make up your mind. I'm not sure about other ships.