⭐ Casual Dining vs. Specialty Dining on Princess Cruises
What’s the difference — and what’s actually included with your package?
Princess cruisers get confused about dining all the time, and honestly? I don’t blame them. The names sound similar, the menus overlap, and the packages don’t help because they use the same words in different ways.
After sailing Princess 4–5 times a year, here’s the Lazy Girl guide to understanding the difference — simple, clear, and based on real life. Check out my full Princess Cruises Guide to learn everything I have learned on all my sailings.
This post may contain affiliate links for products or services I personally use and love. If you choose to make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As always, I only recommend things that fit the Lazy Girl travel style — simple, helpful, and genuinely part of my real-life routines.
⭐ The Quick Answer (Lazy Girl Clarity)
Casual Dining = Included with Princess Plus & Premier
Specialty Dining = NOT included with Princess Plus
Specialty Dining = Included with Princess Premier
That’s the whole thing. But let’s break it down so you can actually plan your meals without surprises.
⭐ What Counts as Casual Dining on Princess?
Casual dining is the “elevated quick‑service” category. Think: sit‑down meals that feel nicer than the buffet, but not full restaurant experiences.
🍕 Casual Dining Includes:
Alfredo’s Pizzeria — full Alfredo’s review
O’Malley’s Irish Pub — I drink here often and will be trying the food in December
Ocean Terrace
Vines small plates
The Catch (casual version)
The Salty Dog (casual version)
Gelato (on some ships)
If you want a full breakdown of every dining option onboard, head to my Princess Dining Guide.
💵 What It Costs
Usually $14–$18 per meal if you pay à la carte.
🎉 What’s Included With Princess Plus
You get 4 casual dining meals included.
🌸 What It Feels Like
No reservations needed
Faster service
Comfort food
Great for sea days
Perfect for “I don’t want the buffet but I don’t want to dress up”
Lazy Girl Take
Casual dining is the best value inside Princess Plus. It’s cozy, easy, and perfect for days when you want something quick but still cute.
⭐ Lazy Girl Cruise Essentials
If you’re sailing Princess soon, here’s my curated Lazy Girl Cruise Essentials list — the exact things I bring on every sailing to make dining days, sea days, and cabin life easier.
I keep this list updated with my real-life favorites — comfy cruise shoes, sea-day outfits, motion sickness patches, cabin must-haves, and all the little things that make Princess cruises smoother.
Tap here to see the full Lazy Girl Cruise Essentials list.
⭐ What Counts as Specialty Dining on Princess?
Specialty dining is the “date‑night restaurant” category. Think: full service, elevated menus, nicer atmosphere, and a true restaurant experience.
🍽️ Specialty Dining Includes:
Crown Grill — full Crown Grill review
Sabatini’s — full Sabatini’s review
Makoto Ocean — full Makoto review
Umai Teppanyaki — full Umai review
Love by Britto — full Love by Britto review
Kai Sushi
The Catch by Rudi (specialty version) — full Catch by Rudi review
If you want ship‑specific menus, I keep them updated inside my Princess Cruises Hub.
💵 What It Costs
Usually $35–$60 per person depending on the venue.
🎉 What’s Included With Princess Premier
All specialty dining (one per day, depending on ship).
🚫 What’s NOT Included With Princess Plus
None of the specialty restaurants.
🌸 What It Feels Like
Reservations recommended
Slower, elevated service
Multi‑course meals
Perfect for celebrations, anniversaries, birthdays, or “we’re fancy tonight”
Lazy Girl Take
Specialty dining is where Princess shines — Crown Grill and Catch by Rudi are two of the best meals at sea. But they’re not part of Plus, and this is where cruisers get confused.
⭐ What Comes With Each Package?
Princess Plus
Drinks
Wi‑Fi
Crew appreciation
4 casual dining meals
NOT specialty dining
Princess Premier
Drinks
Wi‑Fi
Crew appreciation
Photo package
Specialty desserts
Specialty dining included
Casual dining included
Priority reservations
No Package
You pay for casual dining
You pay for specialty dining
You can still eat in the buffet + main dining room for free
⭐ Final Lazy Girl Verdict
Princess dining is amazing — but the categories are confusing. Once you understand the difference between casual and specialty, you can actually choose the right package and plan your meals without surprises.
Casual = quick, cozy, included with Plus Specialty = elevated, date‑night, included with Premier
Easy.
If you want even more dining help, check out my full Princess Dining Guide.
If you’re planning a Princess cruise, here’s the exact Lazy Girl Luggage System I use on every sailing — the real bags, organizers, and packing setup that keep me carry‑on only for 10–12 days at sea.
I keep this list updated with my current favorites, outfit staples, embarkation essentials, and all the little things that make cruise life easier.
⭐ About the Author
Julie is the creator of No Point Left Behind, a travel‑hacking and cruise‑obsessed blog built around simple systems, real‑life tips, and the Lazy Girl way of traveling smarter — not harder. She sails Princess 4–5 times a year, writes detailed dining reviews across the fleet, and loves helping cruisers feel confident, prepared, and excited for their next sailing. When she’s not writing guides, she’s probably planning her next cruise or testing a new stacking strategy.
