Cuisine and dining on Royal Caribbean
Most ships have large dining halls that are two or three decks high, giving a sense of space and grandeur. Few tables for two are available, most being for four, six, or eight persons. All dining rooms and eateries are non-smoking. The efficient dining operation emphasizes highly programmed (insensitive), extremely hurried service that many find intrusive.
The cuisine in the main dining rooms is typical of mass banquet catering with standard fare comparable to that found in American family-style restaurants ashore – mostly mediocre and lacking in variety and taste (the food costs per passenger are well below those for sister company Celebrity Cruises, so you should not expect the same food quality). Dinner menus typically include a Welcome-Aboard Dinner, French Dinner, Italian Dinner, International Dinner, and Captain’s Gala Dinner, and all offer plenty of choice.
Each cruise, a ‘Galley Buffet’ allows passengers to go through a section of the galley collecting food while noting its spotless, stainless steel backdrop (cleaner than almost any land-based dining facility).
Although prices are moderate, the wine list is not extensive, and almost all wines are extremely young (only small glasses are provided). The waiters tend to be overly friendly for some tastes – particularly on the last night of the cruise, when tips are expected.
Alternative dining on RCI ships
Venues: All Freedom, Radiance and Voyager-class ships have two additional dining venues: Chops Grill Steakhouse (for premium veal chops and steaks), and Portofino (for Italian-American cuisine).
Both venues feature food that is of a much higher quality than in the main dining room. An additional charge of $20 per person (including gratuities) applies, and reservations are required.
You should be prepared to eat a lot of food (perhaps this justifies the cover charge), from Texas-sized portions presented on large plates. Note that menus do not change throughout the cruise. The dress code is smart casual.
Casual Eateries: All RCI ships have casual eateries called Windjammer Café for fast-food items, salads, and other casual meals. Most are of the single line (move along with your tray) type, although the newest ships have more active stations and individual islands for more variety and fewer lines.
The beverage stations have only the most basic items. Hamburgers and hot dogs in self-serve buffet locations are generally left in bain-maries (steam tables), and are steamed rather than grilled, although you can ask for one to be grilled in front of you.
Freedom and Voyager-class ships also have Johnny Rockets diners (US$3.95 extra charge per person, whether you eat in or take out). These feature hamburgers, hot dogs, sodas, and fun staff, although the typical waiting time is about 30 minutes (pagers are provided, in case you want to wander off while waiting for a table).
Entertainment on
Royal Caribbean cruises
All showlounges are non-smoking venues. The entertainment throughout is upbeat (in fact, it is difficult to get away from music and noise), but is typical of the kind of resort hotel found in Las Vegas.
Royal Caribbean’s production shows are colourful, fast-paced, high volume razzle-dazzle spectaculars, but with little or no storyline, poor linkage between themes and scenes, and choreography that is more stepping in place than dancing.
However, they do entertain and provide a change to the world outside the showlounge. The shows are accompanied by a live band and ‘click’ tracks to make it all sound like a big, professional orchestra. Each ship has its resident troupe of singers and dancers.
Then there are silly audience participation (summer camp-style, but often funny) events and activities – something that RCI has always done well.
Royal Caribbean
for Families
Junior passengers are divided into four age groups:
Aquanaut Centre (ages 3–5);
Explorer Centre (ages 6–8);
Voyager Centre (ages 9–12);
Optix Teen Centre (ages 13–17).
Best RCI ships for children:
Adventure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas
Ships that are acceptable, but with fewer facilities:
Brilliance of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Legend of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, Splendour of the Seas, Vision of the Seas
Ships with few facilities for children:
Empress of the Seas, Majesty of the Seas, Monarch of the Seas, Sovereign of the Seas.
Spa and fitness facilities
The Spa facilities are operated by Steiner Leisure, a specialist concession, whose young, hungry (for revenue) staff tries to sell you Steiner’s own-brand Elemis beauty products.
Some fitness classes are free, while some, such as yoga and kick-boxing, cost US$10 per class. For the more sporting, all RCI ships now have a rock-climbing wall, with several separate climbing tracks. There is a 30-minute instruction period before anyone is allowed to climb, and this is done in pairs. It’s free, and all safety gear is included, but you’ll need to sign up.
Massage, facials, pedicures, and beauty salon treatments cost extra. Make appointments early – aboard large ships treatment time slots go quickly.
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