The Ultimate Guide to Royal Caribbean's Unlimited Dining Package: Everything You Need to Know
If you're planning a cruise with Royal Caribbean, you may have heard about their Unlimited Dining Package. This comprehensive guide aims to provide you with all the essential information about this offering, without any sales pitches. We'll delve into the basics of the package, including its features, how to purchase it, the associated costs, available discounts, and any restrictions you should be aware of.
The Unlimited Dining Package is a fantastic option for food lovers who want to enjoy a variety of culinary experiences during their Royal Caribbean cruise. With this package, you have the freedom to dine at specialty restaurants as many times as you wish throughout your voyage, without worrying about additional costs per meal.
Watch our Ulitmate Guide to Food and Drink on Royal Caribbean:
Buying the Unlimited Dining Package
Purchasing the Unlimited Dining Package is easy. You have the option to conveniently buy it online through the Royal Caribbean “My Royal Cruise” portal. You can sometimes buy the package onboard your cruise. To avoid disappointment, it is recommended to book it online as they may sell out quickly.
How much does the Unlimited Dining Package cost?
The cost of the Unlimited Dining Package varies based on the duration of your cruise. For detailed pricing information, log into the Royal Caribbean “My Royal Cruise” portal and check for your cruise.
As an example, for our a 3 night cruise booked in March 2024 the package is advertised at $400 USD per adult and $90 USD per child.
Discounts
While discounts for the Unlimited Dining Package may not be common, it's a good idea to keep an eye out for special promotions or deals from Royal Caribbean. However, instead of waiting for a discount, it's best to book the package at a price you feel comfortable with. The great thing is that Royal Caribbean allows you to cancel and rebook your pre-cruise purchases on their website up to 48 hours before your cruise.
After you've made your booking, it's a good idea to check the price of the package from time to time. If you see that the price has dropped, you can cancel your original purchase and make a new one at the lower price. This way, you can make sure you're getting the best value for your Unlimited Dining Package.
Photo: Cruise with Ben and David.
What is included in the Unlimited Dining Package?
With the Unlimited Dining Package, you have the opportunity to enjoy unlimited visits to specialty restaurants every evening of your cruise. Additionally, on sea days, you can also indulge in lunch or brunch at these dining venues. This means you can savor a variety of meals without any extra charges during each visit.
The package is accepted at the following restaurants, where you can choose one Entrée (main course) and unlimited appetizers, sides and desserts as you like:
Chops Grille
Giovanni’s Table
Hooked Seafood
Izumi Sushi (choose the prix fixe menu or use a $39.99 food credit)
Johnny Rockets
Sabor
Samba Grill
Sichuan Red
The Mason Jar
Wonderland
Furthermore, the following locations also accept the package. However, at these venues, you will receive a $20 food credit, which can be used once per day - per venue. You can visit, for example, Playmakers for lunch and Fish and Ships for dinner and receive the credit at both venues:
Johnny Rockets Express
Portside BBQ
Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade
Fish & Ships
Additionally, please note that the Unlimited Dining Package covers the following locations, but they incur a surcharge once you are onboard:
Izumi Hibachi (with a $15 surcharge)
Chef's Table (with a $49.99 surcharge)
Lastly, Empire Supper Club is included in the package, but it is recommended to check onboard for any surcharge pricing associated with it.
Enjoying the Unlimited Dining Package on Anthem of the Seas in 2021
Restrictions
It's important to keep in mind a few helpful restrictions. The package does not cover certain special dining experiences like Wine Pairings Dinners, Taste of Royal, Mystery Dinner Theater, Culinary Activities, and Holiday Celebration Dinners. Izumi in the Park is not included in the package.
For a la carte venues the credit towards your meal can only be used once once per day, per restaurant.
For cover charge restaurants, you are limited to one entrée (main dish) per person. However, in our experience this seems to be at the discretion of the waitor.
While the Specialty Dining Package takes care of your meals, it's important to remember that beverages are not included. You'll need to pay for drinks separately. You can however use your Royal Caribbean Drinks Package at all Specialty Restaurants. Your package does entitle you to 40% discount on bottles of wine priced under $100 and a 20% discount on bottles priced above $100 while dining in specialty restaurants.
For families, there are specific considerations. Children between the ages of 6 and 12 will be charged at a child's price, while children aged 0 to 5 can dine for free, but they'll need to choose from the kids' menu.
Eating at Izumi Hibachi on Symphony of the Seas in 2023.
How to Use Royal Caribbean's Unlimited Dining Package
Using the Unlimited Dining Package is easy and straightforward. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you make the most of it:
Buy the package: Purchase the Unlimited Dining Package before your cruise through the Royal Caribbean "My Royal Cruise" platform. It's recommended to buy it in advance to secure your package.
Make Reservations: Once you board the ship, you can make your dining reservations. Unfortunately, you cannot make reservations before your cruise. Royal Caribbean will automatically make a reservation for you on either the first or second night of your sailing. You can find the details of this reservation on the Royal Caribbean app once you're onboard. If you wish, you can choose to keep this reservation or change it, subject to availability.
Checking in at the restaurant: When you arrive at the specialty restaurant, simply show your cruise card or key card to the hostess. They will scan your card to verify if you have the Unlimited Dining Package.
Enjoy Your Meal: Depending on the restaurant's policy, there may be specific guidelines for ordering. If the restaurant is a cover charge venue, you can choose as many starters, main dishes and desserts as you like. For venues where each item in indivudelly priced you will receive $20 credit towards your bill. If your waiter doesn't explain what's included in your Dining Package, don't hesitate to ask. Confirming what is included in your meal will ensure a delightful dining experience.
Settle the bill: After your meal, you'll receive a receipt to sign. The receipt will show the prices of the items ordered, but your balance should be zero. It's important to note that any additional charges may apply for premium experiences - such as Izumi Hibachi or extra drinks that are not covered by the package.
Photo: Cruise with Ben and David.
Is the Unlimited Dining Package a Good Value?
If you're someone who loves trying out different specialty restaurants during your Royal Caribbean cruise, then the Unlimited Dining Package is definitely worth considering. It offers fantastic value for money, especially if you plan to dine at multiple venues, particularly the pricier ones like 150 Central Park, Hooked, or Chops Grill. With the package, you can enjoy a wide range of delicious meals without worrying about individual costs adding up.
However, it's important to note that if you're only interested in dining at a la carte venues such as Playmakers or Izumi, where the menu items are relatively inexpensive, the Unlimited Dining Package may not provide as much value for you. In such cases, it might be worth considering whether the package aligns with your dining preferences and budget.
Ultimately, the Unlimited Dining Package is designed to enhance your dining experience and make it more convenient. It allows you to explore different specialty restaurants and indulge in a variety of flavors throughout your cruise. So, if you're an avid food lover or someone who wants to elevate their dining experience onboard, the Unlimited Dining Package can be a great choice for you.
To sum it up, the Unlimited Dining Package from Royal Caribbean is a fantastic way to enjoy a wide variety of specialty restaurants on your cruise. This independent guide has provided you with helpful information based on the reference provided, allowing you to make an informed choice. Whether you decide to go for the Unlimited Dining Package or explore other dining options, our aim is for you to have an amazing and satisfying culinary journey on your Royal Caribbean cruise. Bon appétit!
For additional planning tips and advice on your Royal Caribbean cruise, we highly recommend checking out our Ultimate Guide to Royal Caribbean. This comprehensive resource provides valuable information to help you make the most of your cruise experience. From dining options to onboard activities, shore excursions