Some of the links I share may be affiliate links or personal referral links. This means I may earn a small commission or points if you choose to use them — at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products, trips, and credit cards I personally use and love.If you’re sailing on Sun Princess or any Princess ship offering both Crown Grill and Butcher’s Block, you’re probably wondering which specialty restaurant is actually worth booking. They’re two completely different dining experiences — one is a classic steakhouse, the other is a family‑style, meat‑forward culinary event — and choosing the right one can make your onboard dining night feel extra special.
After trying both, and after hearing my husband’s very strong opinions, here’s my honest, cruise‑friendly breakdown.
Before we dive in, here’s my full Princess Dining Hub if you want menus, reviews, and all my specialty restaurant tips: 👉 Princess Dining Hub
If you’re planning a Princess cruise and want to check ships, dates, or deals, here’s the link I use: 👉 Book Your Princess Cruise
⭐ Quick Takeaway
Crown Grill is the better all‑around choice for most cruisers. Butcher’s Block is fun and worth trying if you have Premier, but I wouldn’t pay out of pocket for it.
⭐ Crown Grill: The Classic Princess Steakhouse That Always Delivers
Crown Grill is one of Princess Cruises’ most iconic specialty restaurants — and for good reason. It’s consistent, cozy, and feels like a traditional cruise steakhouse with a menu that appeals to almost everyone.
Why We Love Crown Grill
Reliable, high‑quality steaks
Seafood options (this is huge for me — I don’t always want an all‑beef meal)
Classic sides + sauces
Warm, upscale atmosphere
Great service every single time
My husband loves Crown Grill, and honestly, I do too. It’s the one specialty restaurant on Princess that we both agree on every single time. If I had to choose only one, I’d pick Crown Grill every single time.
👉 Read my full Crown Grill 2026 review — photos, menu breakdowns, and my honest “is it worth it?” take.
Who Crown Grill Is Perfect For
Steak lovers
Seafood lovers
Cruisers who want a traditional, cozy dining experience
Anyone celebrating a special night onboard
People who prefer familiar flavors over experimental dishes
👉 Explore more Princess dining in my Princess Cruise Guide
⭐ Butcher’s Block: Fun, Interactive, and Totally Different
Butcher’s Block is a family‑style, interactive, meat‑forward experience that feels more like a culinary event than a traditional dinner. It’s unique, lively, and definitely memorable — especially on Sun Princess.
What Makes Butcher’s Block Fun
Family‑style service (everyone gets the same dishes)
Interactive elements
Creative cuts + presentations
Less food waste (you loved this!)
A “foodie” experience
But — and this is important — the menu is very beef‑forward, and not everyone loves that.
Who Butcher’s Block Is Perfect For
Foodies
Adventurous eaters
Cruisers who want something different
Premier Package holders
⭐ The Honest Money Breakdown
Crown Grill
Worth paying out of pocket. It’s consistently excellent, and I happily book it multiple times (We have booked this 3x on our upcoming sailing of the Island Princess)
Butcher’s Block
Worth it only if you have the Premier Package. It’s fun, it’s unique, and it’s a great “try it once” experience — but I wouldn’t pay the full specialty dining price for it.
Princess Cruise Night Outfits ✨
If you're planning your specialty dining nights — Crown Grill, Butcher’s Block, or any of the
elevated evening experiences on Princess — here’s the exact collection of outfits I wear onboard.
Everything is lightweight, cruise‑friendly, and easy to pack in my carry‑on.
These are the pieces I reach for when my husband and I go out for dinner on Princess, whether
it’s a cozy steakhouse night or a fun, foodie‑forward experience.
⭐ Why Crown Grill Fits My Style Better
One thing I love about Crown Grill is that I can go seafood if I want. I don’t always want an all‑beef meal, and Crown Grill gives me options — lobster, shrimp, scallops, bisque, and lighter sides. It’s a classic steakhouse, but it’s flexible enough that I never feel boxed into a heavy dinner.
My husband loves Crown Grill, and honestly, I do too. It’s the one specialty restaurant on Princess that we both agree on every single time. If I had to choose only one, I’d pick Crown Grill over Butcher’s Block any day.
Butcher’s Block is fun — interactive, different, and a great Premier perk — but it doesn’t fit how we actually like to eat.
⭐ Why We Booked Crown Grill Three Times (And How Premier Makes It Affordable)
My husband loves Crown Grill so much that we’ve booked it three times on our upcoming sailing — yes, three. It’s his absolute favorite restaurant on Princess, and honestly, I get it. The steaks are fantastic, the seafood options mean I don’t have to commit to an all‑beef meal, and the whole experience just feels like a cozy, elevated night onboard.
And here’s the thing that makes this way more affordable:
We booked the Premier Package.
If you’re someone who loves specialty dining — or you’re sailing with a partner who does — Premier can make multiple Crown Grill nights feel totally doable. Instead of paying out of pocket for every reservation, you get the flexibility to enjoy the restaurants you love without watching the bill add up.
That’s exactly why we added Premier to this sailing. It lets Brandon enjoy Crown Grill as much as he wants, and it lets me enjoy the seafood options without feeling like we’re overspending.
👉 Read my full Princess Premier Package Review to see how we maximize it.
⭐ Final Verdict
Choose Crown Grill if you want:
Seafood + steak flexibility
A classic, cozy, reliable specialty dinner
Something Brandon will love
A meal worth paying for out of pocket
A guaranteed great experience
Choose Butcher’s Block if you want:
A fun, interactive, foodie‑forward dinner
A unique experience you can’t get anywhere else
A great use of the Premier Package
A one‑time “try it for the adventure” meal
My pick?
Crown Grill — every time. Butcher’s Block is fun, but Crown Grill fits how we actually like to eat.
⭐ FAQ: Crown Grill vs Butcher’s Block
Is Crown Grill worth the money?
Yes — it’s one of Princess’s most consistent specialty restaurants.
Is Butcher’s Block worth the money?
Only if you have Premier. Otherwise, it’s a fun experience but not essential.
Which one is better for picky eaters?
Crown Grill.
Which one is better for adventurous eaters?
Butcher’s Block.
Which one is better for seafood lovers?
Crown Grill.
Which one is better for a special occasion?
Crown Grill — it feels more elevated.
About the Author
Hi, I’m Julie — travel agent, cruise‑obsessed mom, and the creator behind NoPointLeftBehind.net and the Travel Hacking Moms Group. I spent years as a “never cruiser,” but now that I’m older and fully embracing my “please take care of me” vacation era, cruising has become my favorite way to travel.
I sail 7–10 times a year with my husband, Brandon, and I share real‑world reviews based on our actual bookings, our actual meals, and our actual experiences onboard. No snob energy here — I’m not too good for anything, and I’ll cheer on whatever makes you happy. My whole goal is to help you find the trips and cruise lines that match your vibe, your season of life, and your travel style.
