06/25/2026
🚢🍔 Just before Legend of the Seas sets sail: 10 Food & Beverage Tips You Must Know!
With Legend of the Seas finally getting ready for her grand debut next month, the excitement in our community is through the roof! 🤩
There’s absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t know these secrets and use them like a pro from day one! 😎
If you want to get the absolute most out of your culinary experience onboard, save money, and discover hidden perks - this guide is exactly for you. 🌊✨
1. The Culinary Manipulation: Buffet or Main Dining Room? You Don't Have to Choose! 🍽️
Passengers always ask me, "Where should I eat?". As you know, the two main complimentary options included in your cruise fare are the open buffet (Windjammer) and the Main Dining Room (MDR), which offers full table service.
• The trick not everyone knows: You absolutely do not have to pick a side! 🤩 You can take a stroll through the buffet, grab a small bite "to work up an appetite," and from there head straight to an elegant meal in the Main Dining Room. Feel like having another small bite or a dessert from the buffet later? Go right back there whenever it’s open. There are zero limitations!
• Bonus tip inside the dining room: Sitting in the MDR and want another dish? Or maybe you're torn between two main entrees? Don't be shy - order both! 🥩🐟 On Royal Caribbean, you can ask for double portions or as many appetizers as you'd like, and the crew will bring them to you with pleasure.
• How to plan ahead? The Main Dining Room menu changes every single day. It is posted on the entrance TV screens every morning and is available for full viewing inside the cruise app. 📱
2. Nothing Beats Pizza! – Custom Orders 🍕🦉
On most Royal Caribbean ships, you’ll find the highly popular pizzeria, Sorrento's Pizza. It is open from the early afternoon until the small hours of the night - a perfect solution to grab a quick bite at any time, especially after a late night out around the ship. 🎉
• My tip: Don't just settle for the slices sitting in the display case. You are completely allowed to approach the staff and ask for a special order! 👨🍳 They will happily make you a whole pie from scratch according to your exact preferences - whether you want specific toppings, extra sauce, or a longer bake so the pizza comes out extra crispy.
• Important info: If needed, they also have an excellent gluten-free pizza option (you just need to ask the staff). 🌾❌
3. Coca-Cola from Home? You Can Bring Soft Drinks Onboard! 🥤
Didn't purchase a beverage package? You should know that Royal Caribbean allows you to bring your own soft drinks with you on day one of the cruise. 🛍️
• The dry policy: You are allowed to bring up to 12 bottles or cans (up to 0.5 liters per bottle/can) of non-alcoholic beverages per stateroom. This includes cola, zero, juices, soda, or energy drinks. You must carry these drinks with you in your carry-on luggage when boarding the ship. 🎒
• My tip: Feel free to grab a bottle or a can from your room and walk right into the Main Dining Room or the buffet with it. It is completely allowed, legal, and standard practice, and it will save you money on sodas during meals. 💸
4. Upgrading Your Poolside Soft Serve (The Bartender Trick) 🍦🍹
There is nothing like cold soft-serve ice cream on a hot, sunny day on deck, and of course, it’s included in your fare with no limits. On most ships, you'll find the ice cream machines on the pool deck (usually offering chocolate, vanilla, or twist). ☀️
• My trick: Instead of just eating the ice cream in a standard cone, grab a cup, fill it up with soft serve, and head over to one of the nearby bars on deck. Ask the bartender to use your ice cream to craft a special drink - like an upgraded iced coffee or a creamy, mind-blowing alcoholic cocktail. 🍸 The bartenders know this trick well and will gladly hook you up!
5. Love Wine? Bring it With You and Save it in the Dining Room 🍷🍾
If you don't hold an unlimited alcohol package but still want to enjoy a good glass of wine at dinner, you have every right to do so.
• The rule: Each adult guest is allowed to bring one bottle of wine or champagne in their carry-on luggage on the first day of the cruise. 🥂
• My tip: Take that wine bottle with you to the Main Dining Room (MDR) for dinner. Royal Caribbean charges no corkage fees for bottles brought from home! The waiters will happily open the bottle for you, and if you don't finish it - no problem at all. The staff will cork it, store it in refrigeration under your room number, and you can ask to keep drinking it during your meals on the following nights. 🎩
6. Private Breakfast on the Balcony (And Yes, It's Free!) 🥞🛌
One of the best and most underutilized perks on a cruise is ordering breakfast directly to your room (Room Service) without even getting out of bed.
• How does it work? In every room, a printed order form awaits you. The night before, simply mark the dishes you want and your preferred morning time slot on the form, then hang it outside on your door handle before you go to sleep. 🚪 In the morning, you'll wake up to a knock on the door and a hot, delicious meal delivered right to you.
• The crucial part (how to keep it free): Pay close attention to the colors on the form. The white section is dedicated to the Continental Breakfast (pastries, croissants, fruits, cereals, coffee, tea, and juices)—and it is 100% free! 🥐☕ The blue section on the form ("American Breakfast", which includes eggs, hot pancakes, sausages, etc.) incurs a fixed convenience delivery fee.
• Note: You can also order via the stateroom phone on the morning of, but then you will have to wait 30–60 minutes. Planning ahead with the door form the night before saves you that wait. If you have a balcony room, starting your day peacefully looking out at the ocean is a must-do at least once during your cruise! 🌊🌊
7. The Oasis-Class Secret: Free Breakfast at the American Diner 🍳
(Note: Keep this in mind if you ever sail on Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class mega-ships like Oasis, Allure, Harmony, Symphony, Wonder, or Utopia of the Seas, as they feature the famous boardwalk layout!)
• The secret perk: The famous Johnny Rockets restaurant is styled as a nostalgic 1950s American diner. While lunch and dinner require an extra cover charge, on Oasis-class ships, Johnny Rockets is open in the mornings for a completely free breakfast! 🍔🆓
• What’s on the menu? Eggs cooked to order, pancakes, french toast, crispy bacon, coffee, and juices in an environment that is significantly calmer than the main buffet, complete with full table service. Hours are usually between 07:30 and 10:00 AM.
• An insane bonus tip for Johnny Rockets: If you purchased a Refreshment package or a Deluxe Beverage package, you are entitled to get their famous, rich milkshakes at this restaurant as part of your drink package, at no extra charge! 🥤🍦
8. Specialty Dining – When is it Worth It, and How Do You Save? 🥩🍣
In addition to the complimentary dining rooms, the ships offer specialty culinary venues (Italian, Asian, Steakhouses, etc.) for an extra fee. Can you manage without them? The answer is yes - the complimentary food on the ship is excellent. But if you want to celebrate an occasion or just enjoy a quiet, premium, high-quality dining experience - one or two specialty meals during the cruise are a fantastic upgrade. ✨
• My tips for saving money:
a. Book in advance: Don't wait until you're on the ship. Booking specialty restaurants through the company's website before your cruise will always be cheaper and often comes with discounts. 💻📉
b. Go for lunch: The lunch menu at these restaurants is almost identical to the high-end dinner menu, but the price for lunch is significantly cheaper! ☀️ This is the best way to enjoy a chef's restaurant at half the cost.
c. My recommendation: If you're debating which one to try, go for Giovanni's (Italian) or the superb steakhouse Chops Grille - both are available on most ships and are considered a guaranteed success. 🍝🥩
9. Hotel Rules Don't Apply Here: You Can Take Food to Your Room! 🏃♂️🍗
In most hotels around the world, there is a strict ban on taking food or plates out of the dining room area. On a Royal Caribbean cruise-forget about that rule!
• Absolute freedom: Spotted something delicious at the buffet? Craving some fruit, pastries, or a snack for later? You can load up a plate, walk right out of the buffet, and head straight to your stateroom. 😉 The crew is completely used to this, and there is nothing better than sitting in the privacy of your own space and eating while looking at the view from your balcony. 🌊🍉
10. Smoothies and Wellness at Vitality Cafe 🥦🍓
For lovers of natural juices, fruit smoothies, and post-workout protein shakes - this tip is specifically for you. You won't see these juices at the regular buffet, but they are almost always available on the ship! 🍏
• Where do you find them? On almost every ship, there is a dedicated bar called the Vitality Cafe, usually located inside the Spa and Fitness Center area. 🏋️♂️ The bar offers fresh juices squeezed right on the spot from fresh fruits and vegetables (oranges, carrots, beets, celery, strawberries, ginger) as well as shakes that include protein powders and wellness supplements. 🥕🍊
• The financial trick: These healthy juices and smoothies are completely included and free for anyone holding a Refreshment beverage package or a Deluxe alcohol package! Don't miss out on this. 💳🥤
Do you have your own tips and tricks that helped you navigate the food scene on your past cruises?
As always, want a quote, I’m here.
