10 Big Dining Mistakes NOT to Make on a Cruise

Cruises are different that other types of vacations, & this includes food & dining. These are the dining mistakes that cruise passengers are making, that you want to avoid!

Whether you're going on a cruise for the first time or you're a frequent cruiser, these cruise tips will help you have the best cruise main dining room experience. Good tips and cruise information for Carnival cruises, Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, Celebrity cruises & more. If you're cruising with food allergies & restrictions, this video is full of helpful cruise advice & cruise mistakes to avoid.

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ABOUT ME
Hi! I'm Ilana! I live in Montreal, Canada with my husband Frank. We can often be found dreaming about and planning future cruises, ideally to hot and sunny destinations! I believe in having fun, being kind and that you are never too old, or too young, to live the life of your dreams!

Please note that I do not sell cruises on Life Well Cruised. This and all other videos are for entertainment purposes only. I share my own opinions, personal experiences and information with other cruise travelers, which I hope can be helpful. Please contact your travel agent or the cruise line directly for advice and any information specific to your booking.
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Video/ Photo Credits:
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Princess Cruises
Celebrity Cruise Line

Music Credit: Surf Time by Lux-InspiraMusic

[kimloose]

My son is a foodie, and at 6 years old was sick of the kids menu on night two in the main dining room. Our server asked if he wanted an adult menu and the boy was in heaven. Escargot, calimari and a cheese plate for dessert. I’m so grateful to that server because we were first time cruisers and didn’t even think to offer my son that. Meanwhile, my 8 year old ordered the same thing every night with perfect happiness.

[druegillis]

In our 70’s and usually cruise just the 2 of us. After many cruises, we have developed a dining system. We book in advance so we get Early Dining and a table for 2. This way, we know where our table is and have the same waiters. Usually take in the show after, so I can ask for expedited dining and the wait staff will really help. Take a book and get to the theater early to have a good seat. Have cruised with a group and have found that the larger the group, the longer the time in the MDR. Then you are late for the show. We tip our waiter on the 2nd night for taking care of us during the cruise. Also address them by name. Goes a long way. Same with cabin stewards. This may seem anti-social, yet we really enjoy the intimate dining experience, with just the 2 of us. Your suggestion of asking the waiter to honestly suggest a menu item is spot on. They know what is good and what’s not. Especially soups. Fruit plates are great if you are starting to gain weight! After the show, I escort my wife to the cabin where she picks a movie and I hit the casino. Works for us! Keep up the enjoyable videos, Ilana!

[richardhuard]

My wife and I cruise Royal Caribbean. They use to have shrimp cocktails on the menu, then we noticed they were no longer on the menu. So we asked the waiter if they had them any more, and he said sure if you want them they would make them up for us. Some of the other guests asked us how we got them and we told them all they had to do was ask. After that night they were always at our table when we arrived. To me that was extra tip worthy. Many of the other guests were ordering them as well.

[marlawade]

We always choose early dining. This allows us to enjoy all of evening activities and to walk off dinner long before bedtime.

[haroldhburris]

We Were eating in the main DR on Royal Caribbean. I wanted the Surf & Turf but it cost extra. Our waiter suggested ordering either the steak or lobster tail and getting the other as a side dish. No extra charge. It was great and he got a little extra at the end of the cruise. So if you want two main meals you can order one as a side dish.

[druegillis]

I was turned away on a HAL cruise at the MDR because I had on shorts. This was my fault, totally. I had worn shorts to dinner on embarkation day and there was no problem because our suitcases had not arrived at our cabin. This turn away happened the next day. I was not mad and didn’t complain. Just went back to our cabin and changed. Problem solved. Rules have reasons.

[jonathanleslie]

I think cruise ships are missing a great opportunity to reach out to single people by not have a "singles meet and greet" table that is always set where singles can meet and at least have a meal with some conversation. Just keep the place setting ready and people can just sit down, maybe do something like that green/red coaster thing to alert the server you are ready or need attention.

[KyleGray-nxbg]

My sister, niece, and I sailed on the Navigator of the Seas on November 11 and had a wonderful experience in the dining room on Deck 3. When the Head Waiter stopped at the table I asked about the cold soups they used to offer as appetizers - strawberry, peach, watermelon, etc. I would always order if they were available. He did remember them and noted that the menu had changed. The next night, and every dinner after that, our waiter brought me a different cold soup. I was very surprised and thankful. I also received Grand Marnier Soufflé on nights when it wasn't on the menu as I had told our waiter that it was one of the favorite things I love about RCCL. The collaboration between the HW and waiter was obvious; I made sure to thank them for their extraordinary effort. Many smiles all around this cruise!

[zakkaryzoah]

We went on a family Thanksgiving cruise. Our niece has Crohn’s and we made sure they knew about it in advance. The maître d' and our waiter really outdid themselves trying to find yummy things she could eat. They definitely earned our loyalty (and extra tips!)

[doodiehutchison]

In 40+ cruises, one of the waiters has always guided us to our table for the first time. No need to look for it ahead of time. I have even had waiters offer an arm when walking me to my seat!

[stephaniehargrove]

I think a dress code video would be excellent

[FraserAtSea]

I totally agree that cruising is a great time to eat what you usually wouldn't eat. As a solo traveller who lives alone, there's some dishes I just wouldn't cook at home due to waste, so it's amazing to get some of these meals on the ships!

[AshlynnS]

Love Carnival because they have your time dining where you can check in and they send you a message when your table is ready

[dorothywillis]

Good advice! We enjoy eating in the main dining room for any meal, and taking our time. You are definitely right about asking your waiter for something you want. One night on Princess there was onion soup and my husband liked it so much he told our waiter he wished he could have it ever night. Our waiter said, "I'll see what I can do!" So every night afterwards my husband had his onion soup! I once asked our waiter on HAL, "This is a Dutch ship. Do you have any Edam cheese? I really like it." He brought me a plate of cheese and crackers that night and every night afterwards he had a little package of crackers and Edam cheese to take with me for a midnight snack!

[tarkheenameyer]

We did the Chef Table on the Carnival Valor and our son was Vegtarian. They did a complete Vegetarian menu just for him making a separate item for every course. It was Such an amazing experience.

[ilenehorowitz]

Often for desert my husband will say "what kind of ice cream do you have?" They name 3 and he says, "Yes". They happily bring him a scoop of each.

[mdduet]

A flexible dining tip. If you find that you enjoyed your table wait staff don't hesitate to ask the host to seat you at that wait staff station on the next night. I always ask for a name card from a wait staff that I like. This might involve a slight wait but we have never experienced anything longer that a couple of minutes to be seated. I have found that the wait staff feel good that requested them again.

[whodaman]

A new video on dress codes, particularly with Carnival would be great.

[kathryncashner]

So many things vary with different cruise lines. One hint--find out in advance what the policy is about changing reservations, as well as whether those reservations need to be made in advance or after you board. We were encouraged to make dining reservations in advance of embarkation for our recent cruise, but the show schedule wasn't available till after boarding. However, there was no problem with altering our dining reservations and the app let us see what was available as well as times. We couldn't always get the "perfect" restaurant and time, but could move things around across a couple days to make it all work out. In addition to dietary issues, DO make the Maitre'd aware of any physical needs you might have. These may include a chair without arms so facilitate transferring from a wheelchair or a chair with arms to help an older person get out of the chair...or, in one case, "not one of those bar stools without a back." No matter what the "standard" chair in that dining room, there are a few "other" chairs that can be brought for people who need them. If you do traditional dining, you should only have to make them aware on embarkation day. But don't limit yourself to traditional; this is a simple request that should be met at any restaurant whether thru choice of table or them bringing a chair that will work. Sorry--I've cruised with 2 people with physical limitations.

Yes, I have seen 2 cruise line menus--one was a special vegan menu, the other was a primarily vegan/vegetarian menu with a few meat dished listed separately. Every menu on that ship noted items that were "gf" for gluten free, "v" for vegetarian, and something else for vegan.

And yes, DEFINITELY try breakfast and lunch in the regular dining rooms, MDRs, or whatever your line calls them. Again, depending on the line, we've found little things that make a difference. For instance, the MDRs served real brewed iced tea while the buffet area only had the stuff made from syrup. And the food in the MDRs is typically wonderful! Also, tell your server if there is something you or your child really likes. For instance, my daughter had something that came with broccoli one night and mentioned to the server that it was her favorite vege. EVERY night, there was a bowl of steamed broccoli for her, even when it wasn't on the menu.

[betsybrady]

I try to come back home after a cruise around the same weight that I arrived at. Working out at the ship gym, walking a lot, ordering all sauces and butter on the side and eating fruit 90% of the time for dessert has helped a lot!