Royal Caribbean Dining Package, Menus & Cost Comparison

One major benefit of cruising with Royal Caribbean is to savor great foods from its culinary range of dining options. The Royal Caribbean dining package refers to the Specialty Dining Packages that allow guests to dine at multiple special restaurants at a discounted, bundled price instead of paying per meal every single time.

The packages are devised to allow you to indulge in more than one specialty restaurant without having to agonize over sheets of individual prices. Choose not on the spur of the moment each night, pay full price or purchase a dining package or unlimited dining package Royal Caribbean has to offer instead and use it throughout the duration of your cruise.

What is Included in Dining on Royal Caribbean & Specialty Dining Menus?

Photo Courtesy: Royal Caribbean

Standard fares on Royal Caribbean cruises include the main dining rooms, the Windjammer buffet, casual venues, and other complimentary restaurants. Specialty dining is where you pay nice bucks for the extra value of upscale or thematically styled menus: steakhouses, Italian fine dining, sushi bars, and so forth.

The special dining menus vary depending on the restaurant, but together with a Royal Caribbean food package (specialty dining package) you will be able to choose from several restaurants, each with its own selection menus. Children between 6 and 12 can go to the specialty restaurants for only US$14.99; kids under 5 eat for free.

Royal Caribbean Types of Specialty Dining Packages & Unlimited Dining Package

Royal Caribbean has at least two common specialty dining package formats:

• 3 Restaurant Package: Select three different specialty restaurants on your cruise.
• Unlimited Dining Package: This variation lets you dine in many specialty restaurants all throughout the sailing, including lunch at specialty restaurants on sea days. Then there's the bottle of wine discount (40% off bottles under $100, 20% off bottles above $100) when dining in specialty restaurants.

Royal Caribbean Dining Package Cost & Prices

The Royal Caribbean dining package cost and Royal Caribbean dining package prices for every sailing are being set via the MyCruise portal, depending upon the ship, itinerary, and number of nights. The site notes that by purchasing one of these specialty dining packages, guests can save up to 40%.

These packages offer a huge advantage for families as children are offered significant discounts on specialty dining prices- children aged 6-12 pay US$14.99 and those 5 and under eat free.

With the Royal Caribbean 3-night dining package, the cost would be that of the 3-Restaurant Package (as you are choosing three specialty venues) the actual amount varies by cruise. In the event of a three-night cruise, it may even be possible to consume all three specialty dinners; the cost will be the set package price. However, be aware that the term "3 night" actually does not always coincide with a three-night cruise; it simply means "choose 3 restaurants".

Reservations & How It Works

Royal Caribbean dining packages reservations must be done through your MyCruise portal before actual sailing so it can be used. Given the limited capacity and high demand at specialty restaurants, reserving ahead ensures you get the time and venue you want.

When onboard, you dine at that specialty restaurant according to your package entitlement (number of meals, or unlimited) and never pay an extra dime at that restaurant (except for any wine that is beyond your discount). Extra options go along with the unlimited option, such as lunch offered on sea days, which a regular 3 restaurant package may not provide.

Is Royal Caribbean Dining Package Worth?

Whether the royal caribbean dining package worth it depends on how much you plan on specialty dining. It will often pay off if you like to experience different cuisines, go for fine dining every night, or just fancy the ambiance of specialty venues. With savings up to 40%, the Royal Caribbean ultimate dining package (meaning unlimited access to specialty restaurants) is truly a bargain for someone who eats specialty dinners often.

If, on the other hand, you are easy going, favor the included dining rooms and buffets, or will not be using the specialty restaurants much at all, then à la carte dining may most likely be just enough-and cheaper. So you will want to compare how many specialty meals you think you'll have multiplied by their regular prices versus the price of the package itself. Through reservations and looking at Royal Caribbean's specialty dining menus in advance helps you assess this.

Conclusion

• Free/Standard Dining: The Main Dining Room, buffets, and casual eateries with no extra pricing.Reserved for free.
• Specialty Dining: Extra charge; upscale or theme-based eateries.
• Specialty Dining Packages: A package of multiple special meals (3-Restaurant Package) or an unlimited one.
• Unlimited Dining Package Royal Caribbean-The package grants specialty dinners every night, lunch on sea days, and discounted wines.
• Price and Cost: Goes by its sailing. Kids pay discounted rates. Up to about 40% discount.
• Reservation: Must be made ahead (before sailing) via MyCruise as far as best availability is concerned.