What's Included (and What Isn't)
Most cruise fares cover more food than you might expect. The main dining room, the buffet, and many casual venues are included in the base price — meaning you can eat three full meals daily without spending an extra dollar if you choose. Coffee, juice, water, and basic beverages at meals are generally included too, though specialty coffees, sodas, and alcohol typically are not.
What adds up quickly is anything beyond that baseline. Specialty restaurants, premium dessert bars, cooking classes with tastings, and upgraded room service menus all carry extra charges. The same applies to most beverages — a glass of wine, a cocktail, or even a smoothie from the pool bar will land on your onboard account unless you have a drink package. Understanding this distinction before you board prevents sticker shock at checkout.
| What's included in base fare | Main dining room, buffet, most cafés and room service (varies by line) |
| Specialty restaurant typical cost | $20–$60+ per person cover charge, depending on venue and line |
| Drink packages | Optional add-on; must often be purchased for all adults in a cabin |
| Dining schedule options | Fixed early/late seating OR flexible open seating — varies by ship |
| Room service availability | Often included; late-night or expanded menus may carry a fee |
| Special dietary needs | Most lines accommodate requests made at booking — confirm in advance |
For a broader look at how onboard costs fit into the overall picture, see our full cruise planning guide.
The Main Dining Room, Buffets, and Specialty Venues
The main dining room (MDR) is the heart of cruise dining. Evenings there tend to be the most formal experience onboard — multi-course menus, attentive table service, and the kind of setting that feels genuinely occasion-worthy. Depending on the ship, you'll either be assigned a fixed seating time (early or late) or enjoy open seating, which lets you arrive whenever the dining room is open. If you're cruising with a group or prefer consistency, fixed seating allows you to build a rapport with the same waitstaff each night — a small touch that many repeat cruisers genuinely value.
Buffets, typically on the Lido deck near the pool, run almost constantly and suit passengers who want flexibility, speed, or a more casual atmosphere. They're particularly useful on port days when timing is unpredictable.
Specialty restaurants — steakhouses, sushi bars, farm-to-table concepts — are where cruise lines compete to impress food-focused travelers. They cost extra, but they also deliver a meaningfully different experience. Booking them in advance (often possible before you sail) is wise on popular sailings. See our examination of cruise myths for how dining quality compares to common assumptions.
Main Dining Room (MDR)
The traditional, included sit-down restaurant found on virtually every cruise ship. Meals here are typically served in multiple courses and are covered in the base fare.
Specialty Restaurant
A themed or upscale dining venue onboard that charges an extra fee — either a flat cover charge or à la carte pricing — beyond the standard cruise fare.
Drink Package
A prepurchased bundle that allows passengers to order beverages — alcoholic, non-alcoholic, or both — up to a daily limit without paying per drink. Terms vary widely by cruise line.
Lido Deck Buffet
A casual, self-serve dining area typically located near the pool deck, available for most meals and offering a wide rotating variety of foods at no extra charge.
Gratuity / Service Charge
An automatic daily fee added to a passenger's onboard account, partially distributed to dining and service staff. Some lines include this in the fare; others add it separately.
Open Seating
A dining arrangement where passengers can eat in the main dining room any time during service hours, rather than being assigned a fixed time and table.
Navigating Drink Packages and Gratuities
Drink packages are one of the most discussed — and debated — cruise purchases. They're sold as a daily rate added to your fare before sailing, and they typically cover alcoholic beverages up to a certain price per drink, plus non-alcoholic options depending on the tier you choose. The convenience factor is real: no signing slips, no itemized bill surprises. Whether the math works out depends entirely on what and how much you drink.
Drink Package Math Varies by Traveler
A drink package can represent good value for passengers who drink frequently, but it isn't universally cost-effective. Most packages require all adults in the same cabin to purchase it, so the math depends on your party's habits. Review the daily rate, what's included, and any per-drink cap before committing — some packages exclude premium brands or specialty coffees.
Gratuities are a separate layer. Most lines add an automatic daily service charge per person to your onboard account — a portion of which goes to dining room and buffet staff. Some fares include gratuities upfront; others don't. It's worth checking before you sail so you're not caught off guard. Our guide to cruise gratuities walks through exactly how these charges work and what's customary beyond them.
If you have dietary restrictions — allergies, religious requirements, vegetarian or vegan preferences — notify the cruise line at booking rather than waiting until you board. Most lines can accommodate a wide range of needs, but the kitchen needs advance notice to do it well. And if you're planning a river cruise rather than an ocean sailing, note that dining formats differ considerably; river cruise vs. ocean cruise covers those distinctions in detail.
The content on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.