Free Dining on Princess Cruises: Food Guide
As a frequent cruiser, I see many people confused about dining on Princess Cruises. Here is a breakdown of what is included on Princess Cruises for free with your cruise fare. Did you know that more than the buffet is free? I only ate at the buffet one time on my last cruise.
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Free Dining on Princess Cruises
Sit-Down Breakfast in the Dining Room
I was recently on the Royal Princess. I was surprised how many people didn’t realize you could have a full sit-down breakfast each morning in the Allegro Dining Room. This is included with your cruise fare. No reservations needed or taken. You show up when you want to eat, and tables are first-come, first-served. On our Alaskan cruise, the first week of June, we never had to wait. We enjoyed crispy bacon, pancakes, French toast, and many other yummy items. Also included: Complimentary juice, milk, and coffee.
Breakfast in the dining room
Planning your next Princess cruise? Explore my full Princess Cruises 2026 Guide for ship reviews, dining tips, package breakdowns, and hacks to save money.
Buffet & International Café Options
If you aren’t feeling like a full sit-down breakfast, you can visit the buffet on the lido deck. Also, don’t forget to check out the international cafe. It has lighter breakfast options. I highly recommend the almond croissant. You can also purchase your specialty coffees there. I frequent this area of the ship anytime I sail a Royal Class ship.
Room Service & Ocean Now Delivery
You can also order room service with a card that is left in your room. This is complimentary and does not require Ocean Now delivery or a room service fee. You select what you want the night before and hang it on your door. My son loves a full sit-down breakfast, so I did not do this on my last cruise.
Tip from Julie
I have Elite Status with Princess Cruises. I get a free mini-bar in my room. I like to mix juice with the mini-bottles provided. At breakfast, I order a couple of juices to take back to my fridge to mix drinks with later in the day.
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Free Lunch Options on Board
Poolside Pizza, Burgers & Ice Cream
On Royal Princess, there are several free lunch options. Of course, you have the buffet, World Fresh Marketplace. There is an international cafe that has sandwiches, pot pies, and other light lunch fare. By the pool, there is pizza by the slice at Prego Pizzeria. I had pizza several times on my Royal Princess cruise, and it was pretty good.
You will also find Trident Grill by the pool area. Here you will find an assortment of burgers, chicken sandwiches, and tacos.
You can also get complimentary soft-serve ice cream by the pool at Swirls.
Dining Room Lunch & Embarkation Tips
Some days, the main dining room is open for lunch. On our cruise, this was served at Allegro. You can check the daily patter to see if it is open or not. It is usually open on Embarkation day. Instead of going to the crowded buffet, I try to dine in the main dining room for lunch. I like to start my cruise at a slower pace.
Of course, if none of these interest you, try Ocean Now Delivery. There are lots of complimentary items included. For our Glacier National Park day, we ordered burgers, chicken fingers, and salads to our room.
** I will add that Ocean Now delivery is free if you have the Plus or Premium package. If not, you will be charged $14.99 for the whole week (based on a 7-day cruise). I did not get the package, but I paid for it the first day, so I could maximize the money spent. I love having my specialty coffee delivered to my room each morning.
Chicken Fingers
Dinner Options & Dining Styles
Traditional, Flexible, and Walk-In Dining
Once your cruise is paid in full, you can book your dining reservations in the app - > Dining Reservations info. Princess has 3 types of dining on the Royal Princess in the Main Dining Room.
Traditional dining - this is where you sit at the same table each night with the same waitstaff.
2. Flexible dining - where you make reservations in the same dining room each night, but at different times, and you may or may not have the same table.
3. Walk-in dining - you show up and you take the next available table.
As a frequent cruiser, I have done all three options. I prefer traditional dining. I like having a dedicated waitstaff each night. They learn your name and my preferences. However, all three are great options. My friend Mary and I had flexible dining on the Sky Princess. We ended up sitting pretty close to the same table each night. We even made a new friend this way (Hey Lisa in California! If you are reading this).
Evening Casual Eats
Not up for sitting down for a long meal. All the lunch options are open at night. I promise you will not go hungry on a cruise!
Fish main dining room Royal Princess
Baked Alaska
How to Save Money on Drinks & Dining on Princess Cruises
Cruise dining can get expensive fast — especially once you add in specialty restaurants, cocktails, coffee runs, and those irresistible gelato stops. The good news? Princess makes it surprisingly easy to enjoy great food without overspending when you know how to stack the right deals.
1. Consider Princess Plus or Premier (When It Actually Makes Sense)
These packages can be a huge money‑saver if you enjoy:
Specialty coffees
Cocktails or wine
Casual dining upgrades
Wi‑Fi
Crew appreciation included
If you plan to order more than 2–3 drinks a day, the math usually works in your favor. I break down the value of each package in my Princess Plus guide — it’s worth checking before you sail. Check out my full review of the Princess Plus Package - Princess Plus Package 2026
Love speciality dining, check out my review of the Premier Package - Princess Cruises Premium Package / Premier Package
Not into the packages? Don’t worry, this is what is included in your Standard Fare: Princess Cruises Standard Fare (Fun fact: My parents never pay for a package and they still have an amazing time)
Final Thoughts: Dining Across Royal Class Ships
I have written this post for the Royal Princess. However, most of this information should be similar to the other ships. Especially the Royal Class Ships. I have been on Royal, Enchanted, and Sky, and they all have similar setups.
I am heading out on the Sun later this year. I am ready to see what she has to offer. It has several specialty restaurants, so I have splurged and purchased the Premium Package. I will be traveling with my husband, who isn’t the biggest fan of cruising. I am willing to pay extra to make sure he is happy!
Ready to cruise like a pro? Head to my full Princess Cruises guide for insider tips, dining breakdowns, and savvy travel strategies. -> My Guide to Princess Cruises
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