Your really dumb cruise ship dining questions

What food is included? Can you eat as much as you want? How many restaurants are on a cruise ship? We're here to answer all your really basic cruise questions!

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[andoru]

I spoke to a young couple on day 8 of a 10 day cruise, and they were saying they were sick of the buffet food for 3 meals a day but were putting up with it to save money. They were astonished to hear me tell them the MDR was included.

[RC-]

One question I had while on board was: "Where do I refill my water bottle?". There are signs near every water station saying "don't refill your bottle here" implying there is a place (there's not). What they actually mean is: "Use a cup to refill your bottle, rather than risking touching your bottle to the water dispenser.". You can also drink the tap water from the faucet in your stateroom, but that tends to be warm and taste like chlorine, whereas the water in the dispensers is cold and filtered (to avoid scale from chlorine on the equipment).

[ModernMyths]

One thing I would like to add. Wash your hands before you go anywhere to eat! If you wash them at home or not is none of our business. But on a cruise, it's such a must! Sadly there's been a few cruises recently where half the people are coming down with the Norovirus. 11 ships have been confirmed this year alone! It's easier to take a few seconds to wash your hands (which they have stations at the buffet) then to spend your entire cruise in the bathroom.

[TyreeTravels]

I recently stayed in a suite on the Serenade of the Seas and had a standing room service order delivered to me each night. It was nice to come back from the bar, casino, show, etc and have some food show up. Just a little tip that you can have your concierge set this up more than likely. My concierge Christian did a great job of this for me. When you pay the extra for a suite, you should take advantage of the perks. Happy cruising.

[SilverHonda]

Only 69 more days to go until our very first cruise 🚢 with Royal Caribbean going on Independence of the sea to Coco Cay.

[christinedelrossi]

This is awesome! I really wish all of these helpful videos were available when I started cruising.

[sharnicebolling]

Your videos are so informative! My husband and I will be on Independence in February!

[kyes]

My first cruise I used the Main Dining Room. The last 3 I’ve used the Windjammer. I prefer to go when I want and there are more choices. Even with my time dining there are long waiting times for seating. I’m glad there are so many options!

[shannondorrell]

Thank you so much! I have food allergies and have been trying to let RC know. This is a HUGE help!😊

[MichaelWest-bj]

Loving these videos on the dumb questions. Doing our first cruise out of Brisbane in December on Quantum of the Seas. Can you do a video on the shows/entertainment? What time do they start so you can plan dinner? Can you book? Etc, etc.

[RC-]

10:18 Vegan, and no-added sugar have icons on the menu in main dining (there's usually one of each), but other than that, they don't mark things like "is this vegetarian", so you may have to constantly ask staff -_-. It is also worth noting that they hardly serve nuts and other meat replacements with vitamins like B12.

[lisafieber]

Good info as always. In addition to the Cruise Compass found on your site, you can find menus, in the App. by changing the date? You also find the compass. You don't need to bee booked on the sailing to review the info.

[markschwartz]

In May Johnny Rockets was not free. dinner was $12.99 per person this was on the Harmony

[andrewjackson]

For food restrictions take some responsibility for yourself. Don't expect to tell the line before I can't eat this or I don't eat that and then expect them to take care of you.

[joeo]

Well done Matt. I shared this with my first time cruiser friend. 😎

[snufflesdawg]

Be sure to check the time of your dining. When I booked my Allure cruise, early dining was set at 5:30pm. When I checked in, the app said 5:15pm. When I got on the ship and got my table assignment, dining changed to 5pm. I like eating early, so this was fine with me, but I heard some grumbling. I also noticed that when fixed dining people around me did not show up (I assumed they went to specialty dining or WJ) they placed MTD people there. So we often had new people around us each night.

[jorgerine]

We enjoyed sharing a table most of the time. It can be a bit hit and miss, but we made friends with a couple last year, stay in touch, and are sailing with them again next year.

[texansfan]

I think you said Johnny Rockets is complimentary. It's $7.99 I think.

[RC-]

4:57 Worth noting: the official rules say a lot of things about not being allowed to bring food off the ship etc. I don't know if this is enforced elsewhere, but it definitely wasn't in Norway. Not when embarking nor when disembarking. We were quite stressed about how to deal with lunch on shore days, until we saw a bunch of people casually eating their windjammer muffin ashore.

[brianquebmankellerwilliams]

Can you book a specific time for the main dining room and choose not to go on a given night? Do you lose your future spots?