princess cruises baby food

Princess cruise food: The ultimate guide to restaurants and dining on board

Booked on a Princess cruise ? Then it's time to start figuring out your dining strategy. With everything from casual seafood shacks and barbecue joints to refined steakhouses, sushi bars and even experiential, sensory dining, the food on Princess Cruises has something to pique everyone's palate, from those looking to indulge to guests who want to stick to a healthy diet at sea .

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Alfredo's/Gigi's Pizzeria by Alfredo/Alfredo's Pizzeria

Fixed price or a la carte

If one pizzeria isn't enough, Princess has another option. Alfredo's and Gigi's are sit-down pizzerias with decor inspired by the colors and vibe of Amalfi Coast. The venues serve authentic Neapolitan pizza made from scratch.

Available on: Coral, Diamond, Discovery, Enchanted, Grand, Island, Majestic, Regal, Royal, Sapphire, Sky, Sun Princess

Related: Which line has the best cruise pizza? I tasted slices from 7 brands

Burger & Hot Dog Grill

Included, but a la carte pricing applies for a few menu items on select ships

This poolside American grill serves up hamburgers, hot dogs and french fries.

Available on: Coral, Diamond, Island, Majestic, Regal, Royal, Sapphire

Chopsticks Noodle Bar

Chopsticks is a casual spot with a rotating menu of cooked-to-order Asian fare. Options include wonton noodle soup and wok-fried dishes like Sichuan dan-dan noodles.

Available on: Majestic Princess

Horizon Court/World Fresh Marketplace

All Princess cruise ships feature a buffet restaurant, called World Fresh Marketplace on some ships and Horizon Court on others. Either way, the buffet is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The ever-changing options include regional specialties, comfort food, fresh fruit, salads, vegetables and desserts.

Available on: All ships

Related: Cruise ship buffet taboos: 10 things you should never do at mealtime

Sushi and sashimi specialties, appetizers, nigiri and maki rolls including tempura shrimp, spicy tuna and hamachi scallion are available separately or in a set menu or combination at Kai Sushi.

Available on: Diamond Princess, Sun Princess

Main dining room

Princess Cruises' main dining rooms offer a waiter-served, sit-down dining experience. Multicourse menus of global cuisine are offered for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Some options change daily, but a selection of "Princess Favorites" signature dishes is always available.

Ocean Terrace Sushi/Seafood Bar

Overlooking the Piazza, this sushi and sashimi bar was inspired by the view of the ocean. Starters, sushi, sashimi, raw, cooked and torched rolls are available a la carte.

Available on: Discovery, Enchanted, Regal, Royal, Sky Princess

O'Malley's Irish Pub

A contemporary Irish pub with traditional tunes and interactive entertainment, O'Malley's serves pub fare like pan-fried Guinness chicken, ribeye burgers, Scotch eggs and fried pickles.

Available on: Enchanted Princess, Sun Princess

This casual, rustic eatery serves ample portions of barbecued meats, including pulled pork, tri-top, smoked sausage, smoked chicken and pork ribs, along with sides, sauces, salads and more.

Available on: Caribbean Princess, Emerald Princess

Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining

Reserve Collection dining

Included for guests in Reserve Collection cabins

Passengers booked in Reserve Collection cabins can access an exclusive area of the main dining room with a private entrance, expedited seating, no reservations required and a dedicated waitstaff. On Star Princess and Sun Princess, Reserve Collection Dining also includes access to a private restaurant.

Salty Dog Gastropub

The Salty Dog Gastropub features handhelds like burgers, chicken sandwiches and grilled cheese, as well as elevated takes on comfort food including lobster mac and cheese and stout-braised short ribs. It's located inside the Wheelhouse Bar on certain days.

Available on: Crown, Discovery, Emerald, Ruby Princess, Sapphire, Grand, Coral, Island Princess

Salty Dog Grille/Cafe

The famous Hilton Head, South Carolina eatery takes to the seas on Princess Cruises. This casual poolside restaurant is a great pitstop between dips. Order from their menu of craft burgers (including a veggie burger), sandwiches, chicken strips, street tacos, loaded fries and hot dogs.

Available on: Caribbean, Crown, Discovery, Emerald, Enchanted, Grand, Ruby, Sky Princess

Related: Which line has the best cruise burger? Here are TPG's top picks

This poolside pizzeria has plenty of pie options, including thin crust and deep dish, as well as stromboli and avocado and caprese toasts.

Steamers Seafood

At this casual eatery, you can satisfy your seafood craving with steamed shellfish pots with mussels, scallops, kielbasa and corn on the cob. The most popular pot arrives with broiled scallops, shrimp and crab-stuffed flounder; lobster and crab can be added to any dish.

Vines Wine Bar

Located in the Atrium, with an extensive list of wines and Champagnes, Vines Wine Bar serves light bites, including antipasti and tapas.

Available on: Caribbean, Crown, Emerald, Grand, Majestic, Regal, Royal, Ruby, Sapphire, Sky Princess

Bayou Cafe & Steakhouse

Fixed price

Prime steaks and seafood are served in a laid-back, New Orleans-inspired setting, with live music on select nights. Highlights include Chilean sea bass with king prawns, New York strip and New Zealand rosemary double lamb chops.

Available on: Coral Princess, Island Princess

Related: The best cruise ship steakhouses and steak-serving restaurants

The Catch by Rudi

Seafood-focused collaboration with renowned Austrian chef Rudi Sodamin featuring playful takes on sustainable seafood like Asian-fried calamari, lobster with garlic butter crust and tiered shellfish towers. Order the Salzburger Nockerl for dessert; it's a can't-miss Austrian souffle baked over tangy fruit jam.

Available on: Discovery, Enchanted, Majestic, Sky, Sun Princess

Churrascaria Brazilian Grill

Servers carve grilled meats including picanha, sirloin, lamb, linguica and sausage tableside at this South American-inspired steakhouse. Round out your meal with options from the teeming salad bar.

Available on: Diamond Princess

A rustic seafood pop-up, Crab Shack will serve casual starters including popcorn shrimp and Manhattan clam chowder, as well as steamed and boiled pots of shellfish, potatoes, corn and herbs.

Available on: Forthcoming, ships to be announced

Crown Grill

Princess' signature steak and seafood house with a theater-style open kitchen is a perennial favorite with guests. On the menu are aged and hand-cut steaks and chops, seafood and a selection of salts curated from around the world to sprinkle on dishes.

Available on: Caribbean, Crown, Discovery, Emerald, Enchanted, Grand, Majestic, Regal, Royal, Ruby, Sky, Sun Princess

Related: 7 reasons you should treat yourself to a cruise ship specialty restaurant

Harmony is a contemporary Chinese restaurant with a five-course menu of dishes. Highlights include Peking duck salad, braised pork belly ribs with star anise and fried rice with scallops.

Sabatini's Italian Trattoria

At the cruise line's signature Italian restaurant, traditional flavors meld with regional influences. Handmade pastas like pappardelle alla Bolognese are joined by ossobuco Milanese, heirloom cheeses and air-cured salume.

Available on: Caribbean, Coral, Crown, Diamond, Discovery, Emerald, Enchanted, Grand, Island, Regal, Royal, Ruby, Sapphire, Sky, Sun Princess

Sterling Steakhouse

This premium chophouse features high-quality cuts of meat from corn-fed beef, including Kansas City strip, filet mignon, Madeira-glazed veal and surf and turf, served with shareable sides like loaded baked potatoes and sauteed wild mushrooms. (Sterling Steakhouse is similar to the Crown Grill, but the two steakhouses have different menus.)

Available on: Sapphire Princess

Love by Britto

Princess Cruises has collaborated with Romero Britto, the Brazilian artist known for his bold and joyful style, to create a seven-course, prix fixe artistic-inspired dining experience on its newest ship. Standout dishes include oysters with Champagne pearls, Wagyu Chateaubriand Rossini and hot chocolate souffle with hot Bing cherries.

Available on: Sun Princess

Umai Teppanyaki

Your meal at Umai Teppanyaki is a three-act show of Japanese cuisine prepared on an iron teppan grill. Starters include pork belly yakitori and spicy tuna on the rocks, followed by dishes like black cod in soy reduction and filet mignon with Champagne Cognac flambe and a chocolate bento box.

Related: 12 dining mistakes you must fix on your next cruise

The Butcher's Block by Dario

The Butcher's Block is another collaboration, this time a partnership with renowned eighth-generation butcher Dario Cecchini, who owns a butcher shop and restaurants in the Tuscan village of Panzano, Italy. Enjoy a meal of his signature cuts of meat at one large shared table with friends old and new.

360: An Extraordinary Experience

This seven-course, wine-paired dinner is enhanced by immersive technology, including a 360-degree projection screen displaying scenes of the Mediterranean and additional images projected onto the tabletop. You'll find yourself as captivated by the food as the music and storytelling that will virtually transport you to Santorini, the Amalfi Coast, Barcelona and Provence. The dining experience is invite-only, so if you're not some kind of VIP (suite guest, top-tier loyalty program member, casino high roller and the like), don't expect you will be able to dine here.

Available on: Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess

Chef's Table/Chef's Table Lumiere

Fixed price (with or without wine)

The Chef's Table is a unique culinary experience that kicks off with Champagne and hors d'oeuvres and a stroll through the kitchen to meet the executive chef, followed by a multicourse dinner paired with wines. For Chef's Table Lumiere, the table is surrounded by a curtain of lights after guests are seated.

Available on: Caribbean, Coral, Crown, Diamond, Emerald, Grand, Island, Ruby, Sapphire Princess (Chef's Table); Discovery, Enchanted, Majestic, Regal, Royal, Sky Princess (Chef's Table Lumiere)

Balcony Breakfast/Dinner

Start or end the day with an intimate, romantic meal for two served on your cabin balcony. Dinner is a four-course affair including hors d'oeuvres, lobster and steak and your choice of beverages.

Caymus Winemaker's Dinner

During this intimate dining event, a five-course dinner is paired with wines from Chuck Wagner's Napa Valley winery, Caymus Vineyards. This recently launched experience for just 12 guests is offered two to three times per sailing.

Silverado Winemaker's Dinner

A collaboration with winemaker Jon Emmerich of Silverado Vineyards, this dinner pairs five courses (not including a palate cleanser) with the Napa Valley winery's sauvignon blanc and cabernet sauvignon.

Available on: Discovery, Enchanted, Majestic, Regal, Royal, Sky Princess

Princess cruise dining FAQ

Is food on Princess Cruises included?

Sit-down meals in the main dining room, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, are always included on a Princess cruise, and the menu varies somewhat daily. Also included is a buffet, either called World Fresh Marketplace or Horizon Court, depending on the ship, as well as fast casual and grab-and-go spots on board that serve pizza, tacos, burgers, pastries and ice cream.

Specialty restaurants including Crown Grill, Princess's steak and seafood house, and Sabatini's, the signature Italian restaurant, require a surcharge that's priced at a flat rate per adult or child; some menu items also require an additional surcharge no matter the age of the guest.

Related: The ultimate guide to Princess Cruises ships and itineraries

Are drinks included on Princess cruise ships?

Select beverages are always included: iced tea, hot tea, brewed coffee, hot chocolate, milk, fruit juice, lemonade and tap water. Everything else, including soft drinks, wine, beer, cocktails, spirits and specialty coffees, must either be purchased a la carte or through one of the cruise line's beverage packages .

Do I need reservations?

Reservations are encouraged for the main dining room and the specialty restaurants, and it's best to make them as early as possible ; walk-in parties will be accommodated on a space-available basis. Guests can make reservations via the Princess MedallionClass app or at guest services once you're on board. If you wish to eat at the same time every night, you can do so by reserving your tables in advance.

Platinum and Elite Captain's Circle members have early access to reservations. Passengers booked in a Full Suite or Reserve Collection Mini-Suite don't need to make dining reservations as they will always be accommodated; they also have access to a dedicated space in the main dining room with expedited seating and an expanded menu.

Does Princess Cruises have an evening dress code?

"Smart casual" attire will be appropriate for the main dining room, buffet and fast-casual restaurants. You might want to pack something dressier for the specialty restaurants or one of the more upscale dining experiences like Chef's Table, 360 or a winemaker dinner.

On sailings that are five nights or longer, there will be one or more formal nights, which do require adhering to a dress code in the dining venues . Cocktail dresses, evening gowns or dressy pantsuits are appropriate for women, while dark suits, tuxedos or dinner jackets and slacks are required for men , along with dressy footwear. If you don't want to dress up or forgot appropriate attire, you're welcome to dine at the buffet or any of the other casual dining options on board during formal night.

Is there assigned seating in the main dining room?

There is currently no assigned seating at any dining venues on board Princess ships; however, that is changing for cruises departing on or after September 14. For those sailings, guests can choose between traditional seating (with assigned dining times, tables, tablemates and waiters in the main dining room) or flexible seating. Within flexible seating, passengers can either make reservations to dine at a specific time on any given night or walk in when they're hungry to access the first available table.

Until September, Princess will not offer assigned seating, and guests can choose to make reservations or not for the main dining room. If you are a solo diner or part of a couple or small group, your host might ask if you would like to sit with another party of a similar size in the main dining room; the choice is up to you.

What if I have dietary restrictions?

You can use the Cruise Personalizer to indicate your dietary preferences, including requests for low-sodium, low-fat, low-sugar and vegetarian diets. Kosher meals and baby food are available with advanced written requests. If you have allergies or medical needs related to food, you must inform Princess in writing — check the line's website for more details. Princess Cruises also recently introduced a series of vegan menus for dinner in the main dining room, including starters, soups, salads, pastas and main dishes.

Where can I get snacks on board?

You'll find lots of spots to grab a quick bite, dessert or coffee, including Coffee & Cones, Patisserie, Swirls Ice Cream Bar, The Pastry Shop, International Cafe and Gelateria — options vary depending on the ship. Food at these venues is included, but there is a charge for specialty coffees and teas unless you have a beverage package.

Is room service included on Princess Cruises?

Guests can use the designated button on their cabin's phone to order room service 24 hours a day; each order incurs a $5 delivery fee, which is waived for those with Princess Plus or Princess Premier status.

You can also use the OceanNow feature in the Princess Medallion Class app to order food to be delivered to your cabin or anywhere else on the ship, like the pool deck. This feature is included with Princess Plus and Princess Premium; otherwise, there is a one-time access fee of $14.99 per person per voyage and a $5 delivery fee per order. Food and beverage surcharges may apply for some items ordered via room service.

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What to Expect When You Take a Baby on a Cruise

Some helpful advice for parents considering whether to take an infant on the high seas

By Tiffany Leigh

March 8, 2023

When my husband and I took our 16-month-old baby on a cruise for the first time with Disney Cruise Line in December, we thought we had everything figured out by the end of that trip. We were wrong. When we took a second voyage with baby on board—this time with Princess Cruises in February—we discovered we still had a boatload (pun very much intended) to learn. 

Until that second cruise, for instance, it didn’t occur to us that from a baby’s perspective the onboard casino would look like a thrilling carnival and we would have to chase her down when she waltzed right into that adults-only, smoking-very-much-allowed area. 

Much of the time, it’s fun watching a tiny tot toddling all over a vast ship and taking her to exciting ports of call. At other times, we felt like sleep-deprived bouncers trying to outwit a wily underage fun-seeker. 

Overall, though, having our little one with us on the cruises was (mostly) worth it, and we’d do it again. For other parents considering taking a baby on a cruise, here’s some helpful advice to ensure (relatively) smooth sailing.  

First and foremost, consider your little one’s health. 

How young is too young to cruise? Many major cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean , Celebrity Cruises , Holland America Line , Disney , and Princess , stipulate that children need to be at least 6 months old in order to go on most local sailings—which for U.S. travelers means cruises in North America and the Caribbean. 

For cruise lines and itineraries in more far-flung destinations, such as South America, Hawaii, and Europe, kids often need to be at least 12 months.

Remember that a newborn's immune system needs time to develop, and travel provides many chances to come into contact with harmful viruses and bacteria. 

That's why parents of babies who were born prematurely or have compromised immune systems may want to wait even longer before taking their kiddos on a cruise—perhaps after they've received all the necessary vaccines.

“This should definitely be kept in mind when considering a cruise for anyone at higher risk for severe illness or hospitalization from infection, and very small infants should probably be considered to fall within that category,” according to our family physician, Dr. David M. Silver of Generations Family Health Centre in Toronto. 

It might be a good idea to take your child to get a checkup with your pediatrician prior to booking a cruise. In my family’s wanderlusting haste, we didn’t schedule a checkup for our baby before the Disney cruise—and as karma would have it, we all ended up with colds and runny noses. 

We did make sure to see our physician prior to going on the Princess trip. Dr. Silver reminded us to be careful of being in close quarters and shared spaces on any ship. “The main thing to be conscious of with regard to cruises is that infectious diseases—i.e., respiratory viruses, influenza, gastroenteritis, etc.—are more common and spread quicker than in comparison to other vacation options.” 

Keep in mind that although you and your family may be germ-conscious, your fellow passengers on the ship may not exercise the same level of caution. As a matter of fact, we observed numerous people ignoring the hand-washing stations and hand sanitizers located near ships’ high-traffic eateries (read: buffets). 

To help battle germs, I recommend parents tote around a kit of essentials that includes antibacterial hand wipes ( the ones made by Boogie Hands are designed to be gentle on young skin) and hand sanitizer (such as this spray from Baby Bum ). 

With some extra discipline and care, we managed to have a snuffles-free voyage the second time around.

One last thing to keep in mind on the health front: Don’t expect there to be extensive medical services on the ship. There is always an onboard infirmary, but it can be rudimentary. 

As Dr. Silver explained, “Access to medical care might be somewhat more delayed on a cruise ship, particularly if more specialized pediatric care is needed at any point.”

As always, it helps to be prepared. On our first cruise with Disney, we ended up paying an arm and a leg for Infants’ Tylenol in the gift shop. For our second cruise, we did not make the same mistake. We not only brought along any essential   medicines but also our baby’s Munchkin nasal aspirator just in case. 

[ Related: How Soon Can You Fly with a Baby on an Airplane? ]

“Kid-friendly” doesn’t necessarily mean baby-friendly. 

Unless they’re explicitly for adults only, most mainstream cruise lines promote themselves as family-friendly. But ships’ offerings for kids sometimes stop short of including infants.

Disney, for instance, is famously family-oriented, but we found Disney Cruise Line lacking in baby-specific activities. By and large, our tot was simply too young to enjoy most amenities and activities available both on and off the ship. She couldn’t participate in shore excursions like a dolphin encounter, and day camps like the Oceaneer Club are for ages 3 through 12.

Granted, there’s the It’s A Small World Nursery for pint-size cruisers ages 6 months to 3 years, and there’s also a babysitting service—but on our cruise, it was one of the rare services not included in the cost of the cruise. We only relied on the babysitting service for one adults-only shore excursion. Other families opted for the service to have a much-needed date night. 

Somewhat surprisingly given Disney’s reputation, we found that the crew on our Princess cruise were far more thoughtful and attentive. Though the ship’s Camp Discovery program was too old for our baby, the staff allowed us access to Camp Discovery spaces when they weren’t busy (and as long as my husband or I was present). And at one point staffers even let us participate in baby-friendly structured programming such as singing songs, doing arts and crafts, and sitting in on storytime with Stanley, the cruise line’s bear mascot. 

In fairness to Disney, it’s possible that staff members weren’t as available because they had way more kids to deal with—anywhere from 20 to 30 at all times, compared to the 10 or so youngsters aboard the Princess cruise.

So while the self-described family-friendly brands might be a strong choice for kids past the infant stage, don’t assume there will be tons of options for babies. 

To avoid overpacking, reach out to the cruise line ahead of time to find out what free resources are available.

I used to think you can never overpack with a baby, but trust me: You can, especially if you want to live comfortably in a standard-sized cabin that can be as small as 120 square feet. 

In fact, I wish I had taken the advice of fellow mother and travel journalist Natalie Preddie, who advises parents to call or email the cruise line in advance to learn about all the free items available for your little one’s use. 

For instance, we found out (too late) that Princess had complimentary changing facilities at the Camp Discovery center stockpiled with diapers and wipes . Knowing this beforehand would have saved precious luggage space. 

Additionally, you probably don’t need to lug around a heavy mobile crib or pack-and-play . You can reserve one of those in advance for free with many cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Princess, Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney, and Carnival.

It was also unnecessary for us to haul all our baby food onto the ship. A quick perusal of the cruise line’s FAQ page or a chat with customer service would have revealed the ship’s preset kiddie menu. If your baby doesn’t have teeth yet, you can even check with the line to see if jarred Stage 1 and 2 baby foods are available or if the ship can make you some fresh purees. In my experience, lines have always been happy to accommodate these requests.

Relying on the free resources available on the ship saves room for other essentials in your luggage. Among the gear I’m grateful for bringing on board: our Nanit travel baby monitor with built-in noise machine and breathing sensor, Bombi’s handy lightweight foldable stroller (though you can check in advance to see if the ship has loaner strollers), and Colugo’s ingeniously designed three-way baby carrier .

Get ready to bring new meaning to the term “poop deck.”

Okay, let’s talk bathrooms. 

First, keep in mind that the bathroom in your stateroom is likely to have a phone booth–sized shower with standing room only. Obviously, it’s tricky to bathe a baby in those circumstances.

While we were lucky that Disney had built-in tubs as a standard shower feature, on the Princess trip we had to transform the bathroom sink into a makeshift tub for our daughter. While that solution worked in a pinch, it would have been better if we had brought along a collapsible tub ( like this inflatable option ). 

To be extra prepared, consider doing an internet image search and looking up YouTube videos of the stateroom you’ve been assigned so you can see what you’re working with. 

And speaking of the challenges of staying in small quarters with an infant, smelly diapers can become a big problem when you’re in a tiny cabin with no odor-absorbing diaper pail. Add that to your list of things to ask the cruise line about when you book.

Disney supplied us with a Diaper Genie as a matter of course, but my research suggests that in-room disposal units are not the norm; Princess, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian are among the lines that don’t offer Diaper Genies in staterooms.

Ultimately, your best bet here is to bring a stash of disposable diaper bags (similar to the bags used to deal with dog poo) and become BFFs with your stateroom attendant so that you’ll have some help disposing of said noxious bum-bombs on a daily basis. Don’t forget to tip the attendant generously at the end of your cruise.

Know your limits for shore excursions.

All of us want to make the most of a cruise, and shore excursions are a key part of that. However, your tiny human can only do so much. 

Before our baby turned 1, we took for granted being able to take her everywhere for long stretches of time because she could easily nap on the go. But now she’s an almost-toddler and we’re contending with a little person who can be charming in one moment and have a meltdown the next. 

Considering her nap schedule, finite amount of patience, and varying energy levels, we learned it was important not to overdo. We discovered that our sweet spot for shore excursions was about 3 hours for tours. We’d always book excursions that started right after breakfast (8am–9am) and ended right around noon (naptime). 

If we timed it well, the moment she hit the crib she’d be out for a solid 3 hours. Any excursions lasting longer would be tempting fate and risking the wrath of our overextended tyke. 

You don’t have to be loyal to save money. 

Cruise lines will try to get you to avoid the competition by letting you build up loyalty status. But if your schedule is flexible and you like to shop around, you can save money without having to cruise with the same company every time. 

Looking for kids-sail-free promos, booking discounted cruises during the slow season, and sometimes even just signing up for the cruise line’s newsletter will go a long way toward improving the bottom line for you. 

As every new parent quickly discovers, babies are expensive. You can use all the help you can get. 

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Babies On Cruises Need Food Too!

Think that cruise lines supply baby food to babies on cruises? Not necessarily. Get the info on different cruise line policies.

Most cruise lines charge for babies. But, even though families may pay full fare to take their babies on cruises, that fare does not necessarily guarantee that appropriate baby food will be made available. When you cruise with a baby, you need to make sure that you nail down a plan for feeding your child.

Although every cruise ship will have an abundance of food choices for solid food eaters, the same is not true for baby food.  

When it comes to feeding babies, the cruise lines take many different approaches. Some cruise lines do not carry any baby food at all.  Other cruise lines will not provide you with it but will provide you the opportunity to purchase baby food — either in the on-board shops or through an advance order system.

Food For Babies On Cruises: Policies Vary

A few cruise lines will provide age-appropriate food at no additional charge for babies on cruises.   Many of the lines that do provide baby food when you cruise with a baby (whether complimentary or for a fee) require some type of advance notice — sometimes as much as 60-90 days advance notice.  

This quick cheat sheet on which cruise lines offer special food options when you cruise with a baby will help you with your research and planning.  ( When you make your reservations, you should specifically confirm what options will be available on your sailing, if you cruise with a baby. )  For more tips on packing for a cruise with a baby, visit this blog post on essential items to pack . 

Carnival does not carry any baby food, formula, diapers or other baby supplies onboard its ships.

Celebrity will provide baby food at no additional charge, but you must place an advanced order. You should allow at least 40 days for Caribbean and Alaska itineraries and at least 80 days for other itineraries.

Disney provides guests with multiple options for feeding babies on cruises.  Guests may order and purchase certain baby items in advance of their sailing and have them delivered directly to their stateroom. These include items such as diapers, wipes, formula, bottles, food, and bathing supplies.  

Alternatively, guests can also find and purchase key items once they board their ship.  The shops on board offer a wide range of baby supplies, including infant formula (ready to feed) and baby food.

Holland America

Holland America offers formula and baby food for advanced purchase. Orders should be placed at least 90 days prior to sailing.

NCL does not provide baby food or offer food for purchase.

Princess will provide baby food at no additional charge.  Guests should request baby food at least 35 days prior to sailing. You can also arrange for freshly pureed foods in the main dining room.

Royal Caribbean

Through Babies 2 Go , Royal Caribbean offers a pre-order service for diapers, wipes, and baby food. You will find your pre-purchased items delivered to your stateroom at the beginning of the cruise.

International Cruise Lines & Food For Babies On Cruises

Costa cruises.

Costa does not provide access to baby food.

Cunard will provide baby food at no additional charge.  It offers Hipp & Hipp Organic baby food.  Requests should be made at time of booking.  Alternatively, kitchen staff can puree/mash adult food from the main restaurant menu. 

MSC Cruises

MSC does not provide baby food or sell it onboard.

P&O Cruises

Upon request, P&O will provide SMA powdered milk and Hipp & Hipp Organic baby food at no additional charge. Alternatively, you can request pureed/mashed adult food from the main restaurant menu.

So What’s The Bottom Line On Food For Babies On Cruises?

• If you are cruising on Carnival, Norwegian, MSC Cruises, or Costa Cruises, you will need to bring your own baby formula and baby food on board.
• If you are cruising on Princess, Celebrity, Cunard, or P&O Cruises, you can request baby food at no additional charge (but requests should be made prior to boarding). And, you can also request freshly pureed foods on board (Princess, Cunard, P&O).
• If you are cruising on Disney, Holland America or Royal Caribbean, you can purchase baby food. You can purchase through advance reservation.  Disney also has baby food available for purchase on board.

Options For Bringing Your Own Baby Food or Formula

If you are cruising on a line that does not offer baby food of any kind, you’re going to have to carry it on yourself. You might also want to carry it on yourself if you don’t like the prices or variety of food being offered. So, the most obvious way to bring it on board is to pack it in a suitcase. But this could be heavy and/or lead to excess baggage charges.

One alternative is to arrange to arrive in your embarkation city with sufficient time to make a trip to the store to buy what you need. Thus, cutting out any airline issues entirely.

If you are planning to arrive a day or two in advance of your cruise, it’s also possible that you could order what you need online and have it delivered to your hotel. Apparently, according to Lifehacker some folks have had success with this route by ordering their baby supplies from Amazon and having it shipped to a hotel or Amazon Locker.

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Family Friendly Cruises for Kids

Voyages of discovery and reconnection that everyone from grandkids to grandparents can share., best family cruise destinations.

Alaska Cruise Destinations and Cruisetours

See the Great Land’s glaciers, wildlife, and national parks.

Caribbean Cruise Destinations

Walk along sun-kissed beaches in laid-back style.

European Cruise Destinations

Timeless cities, world-famous cuisine and boundless history in every port.

Australia & New Zealand Cruise Destinations

The Great Barrier Reef, stunning coastlines and relaxed charm are calling.

Cruise Activities for the Whole Family

Adventures Every Member of the Family will Enjoy

Unique and immersive travel experiences, including more time in more ports, Discovery™ and Animal Planet™ shore excursions, and award-winning onboard programs, have earned Princess the distinction of "Best Cruise Line for Multi-Generational Family Travel" in the Porthole Cruise Magazine 2018 Readers' Choice Awards.

Watch the Family Cruising video

Visit the Traveling with Family FAQ

Princess MedallionClass®

Get more from family time with the MedallionClass experience on all ships. Easy embarkation and customizing dining preferences, including pace, means fewer meltdowns. Interactive games and the fast, reliable MedallionNet® Wi-Fi keep the gang entertained. And you’ll always be able to find the kids (or the adults!) anywhere on board. Connect with what matters most – each other – on your Princess MedallionClass cruise.

Learn more about Princess MedallionClass

Get in the Family Zone

New on the Caribbean Princess®, the Reef Family Splash Zone is the perfect place to relax, have fun and enjoy the water. An interactive splash pad with giant whale feature will entertain kids of all ages with showers, sprays and a water jet from the whale's spout! Oversized backyard games in the all-ages game zone set the stage for some good natured family competition. Celebrate after with playful mocktails for the kids and refreshing cocktails for the parents at our kid-friendly bar area. When you need a break from the sun, head to the comfy loungers and sheltered shade canopies.

Learn more about the Reef Splash Zone

Discovery™, Discovery Family™ & Animal Planet™ Shore Excursions

Welcome to enriching, immersive, once-in-a-lifetime experiences your whole family will never forget — especially on unique Discovery™ and Animal Planet™ Exclusive Tours that can't be booked independently, and are available only through Princess Cruises.

Browse Shore Excursions

Voyage to the Stars

Princess enables everyone in the family to find their place among the stars. With top-deck stargazing, an indoor planetarium with real-time views of planets, stars and galaxies, Camp Discovery activities, expert insights through Encounters with Discovery at SEA, engaging stateroom content and more, there are many unique experiences for every family to enjoy.

Animal Planet™ Invites Local Animals Onboard

Many of the most fascinating inhabitants of the ports you'll visit aren't human at all. Introduce them to your family, as Animal Planet™ presents some of the wildest meet-and-greet gatherings at sea — including Puppies in the Piazza on Alaska cruises, and Parrots in the Piazza in the Caribbean.

Meet Stanley

Make friends with the cuddliest bear at sea. Interact with Stanley throughout the voyage — at photo ops, story time, bear games, and crafts! You can even get your own Stanley exclusively on board and bring him home as a reminder of your special journey. And don’t forget to share your adventures on social media with #StanleyAtSea.

Learn more about Stanley's Story

Immersive Princess Entertainment

The thrill of being part of a live-theater audience is something family members will relive for years. And Princess-exclusive, Broadway-caliber stage shows from award-winning composer Steven Schwartz are a dazzling way to bring everyone together. You'll also find plenty of opportunities for audience participation with The Voice of the Ocean musical competition, the High Seas Heist mystery challenge and Can You Survive? game show.

So Many Fresh Ways to Dine Together

Eat dinner every night as a family and try new regional foods together. Satisfy everyone's personal tastes with a delicious variety of casual dining options, special kids' menus in the Main Dining Room, and the ability to cater to individual dietary preferences upon request. Princess does the cooking and cleaning so you can spend more time focusing on what matters most.

Learn more about Princess Dining

Family Cruise Celebration Vacations

The heart of a celebration is spending time with those you love. But what if one person you love is 17, and the other is 71? It’s hard to pick an activity that appeals to everyone. A Princess family cruise is a perfect chance to celebrate together while enjoying the hundreds of amazing activities taking place on Princess ships from morning to night.

Celebrate together with Princess

Family-friendly Cruise Lodging

Princess makes it easy to sail together in comfort. ‭In addition to comfortable Mini-Suites and spacious Suites, ‭larger groups can ‭opt for a Family ‭Suite which includes ‭two interconnecting ‭staterooms and ‭sleeps up to eight on select ships.

Explorers Come in All Ages. And Princess Inspires Their Imaginations

Exciting Youth & Teen Clubs

In partnership with Discovery™, Princess has developed engaging new youth programming and wonder-filled centers designed for our youngest guests.

• Places for young explorers to learn about the world and discover new interests.
• Invitations to meet new friends and enjoy memorable experiences while sailing.

Safety & Registration

Kids Cruise Activities — Ages 6 Months - 2 Years

Making Our Youngest Voyagers Feel Right at Home

Princess welcomes babies, toddlers and preschoolers to the world of cruising with services and amenities that make life easier for their families as well. These young guests are welcome in Camp Discovery when accompanied by a parent. Mini-Suites and Full Suites offer full-sized bath tubs, and wash bins for showers are available. Staterooms with balconies are perfect for naptime. You can request high chairs, booster seats and cribs. We also provide complimentary jarred baby food. And fresh, pureed foods (fruits, veggies and rice) are available in the main dining room, specialty restaurants, and Horizon Court or World Fresh Marketplace.

Kids Cruise Activities — Ages 3-12

The Treehouse — Ages 3-7

This bright, whimsical, forest-themed center for children features hands-on activities and programs surrounded by captivating creatures.

The Lodge — Ages 8-12

Inspired by the great outdoors, this cozy center is filled with sports activities and comfortable places for kids to explore, hang out and lounge.

Our diverse kids cruise activities and programs offer every child what they need to spark curiosity, fuel creativity and inspire an active life. Here are just some of the highlights.

Sports, Games, Physical Activities

• Scavenger hunts, group games, basketball tournaments, ping pong competitions, dodgeball, skeeball, dance parties and more!
• Try your skills on PlayStation®, Nintendo Wii ™ , and XBOX Kinect consoles, board games, air hockey and ping-pong.
• Join dance classes and engage in friendly competitions.
• Enjoy sports including basketball, mini golf, yoga and miniature Olympics.

Places, Animals, Science

• Mythbusters Jawsome Sharks program: Try hands-on challenges, featuring Tori Belleci from the show.
• Animal Planet ™ uncovers ferocious secrets in Shark Attack , and learn squid anatomy in Just Squiddin’ Around .
• Learn the science of magic or become an engineer for a day with programs from the California Science Center , home of the Endeavour space shuttle.
• Inspire a love of nature from the regions we sail with Animal Planet Endangered Species and Glacier Bay Jr. Ranger programs.

Fun Interactions with Peers

• NEW! Rhythm of the Caribbean : Caribbean music, dance, trivia and crafts light up the night for the whole family.
• Wild Alaska Festival : Celebrate Alaskan nature at this family theme night.
• Discovery at Sea™ theme days with activities inspired by Shark Week and Animal Planet.
• Talent Shows showcase singing, dancing, musical skill, and jokes.
• Theme Nights include Pirate, Mexican Fiesta and competitive Challenge themes.

Arts, Crafts, Inventions

• Compete: Join the Klutz® paper airplane challenge or Lego boat-building contest.
• JrCHEF@Sea: Learn cake decorating and enjoy the results with your family.
• Make Animal Planet puppets, masks and paintings inspired by regional wildlife.
• Klutz® Art Projects: Craft bracelets, velvet art, jewelry and more.

Teens Cruise Activities — Ages 13-17

The Beach House — Ages 13-17

This contemporary beach-themed lounge is "the" place for teens to hang out, socialize and connect.

You won't want to miss our Rock the Boat Party . It’s the occasion to dress up, stroll down the red carpet and flash your VIP badge, then enjoy an evening of mocktails, awards and celebrating with your friends.

Competitions

Give your skills a workout in our video game tournaments. Play to win in air hockey, foosball and ping-pong. Or compete in outdoor sporting activities like dodgeball and basketball tournaments.

Dance Classes

Perfect your moves with guidance from one of our crew dancers, then show what you’ve got at dance competitions and parties.

Movies & More

Get your scream on at Scary Movie Night , or catch some recent hits at Late Night Movies . Or cast yourself in a whole new light with teen makeovers and glitter tattoos.

Watch the Movies Under the Stars® video

Youth & Teen Program Registration

Registration Form with Teen Guidelines & Safety Measures (PDF) or Register Online

Please note: Please note: During voyages with a high number of families onboard, we will make all efforts to accommodate interested parties. However, participation in our program cannot be guaranteed. Hours of operation may change to better serve our guests.

Hours of Operation: Sea days 9:00am to 12:00 pm | 1:00pm - 5:00pm | 6:00pm - 10:00pm. Port Days 8:00am - 5:00pm | 6:00pm - 10:00pm. Depending on the itinerary, port hours may be expanded. Check the schedule once onboard. The Program is complimentary during port days and advanced bookings are not required.

Kids and Youth center facilities vary across Princess cruise ships.

Parents Night Out

Where Kids Can Play While You're Away

Rest assured, whether you've planned a day of exploring or a romantic night out, the group kidsitting at our Youth Centers offers your children between the ages of 3 and 12 plenty to look forward to. It's the perfect place for them to relax or play games with their friends. And the charge is just $5.00 USD per hour per child.

Dinner Events Exclusively for Kids

Children and adults alike get the chance to enjoy dinner on their own with a variety of opportunities for kids to eat with their friends and Princess Youth Staff. They'll find kids-only dinners on select evenings, a teens-only dinner on a formal night in an exclusively reserved section of the dining room, as well as ice cream and pizza parties held throughout the voyage. Please be sure the Youth Staff members know about any food allergies your child may have.

Cruise Activities for Young Adults — Ages 18-20

Imagine a secret society. Only those invited can join. Guests ages 18-20 will learn the secret handshake and be granted a special code word to unlock an exclusive list of Club1820 events made just for them. No parents, no little siblings, no official hosts.

More Onboard

What's New On Board

Take a peek at our latest offerings

Food & Dining

Award-winning and made from scratch.

Enriching Activities

Relaxing days & enriching experiences

Cruising with a Baby or Toddler, What You Need To Know

Cruising with a baby or toddler for the first time can be daunting. You need to think of so much when travelling with a baby or toddler; packing is a massive task with much to consider. However, it is manageable.

A cruise vacation with a baby is a wonderful experience with some preparation. We have grouped our top tips and advice for family cruising, including the best cruise lines for babies and tots and what to pack. Let us know if we need to include anything, and we will find out.

Cruising with a Baby or Toddler – Important Things To Know Before You Cruise.

There is a lot of negativity about family cruising and taking babies on a cruise. It is hardly surprising that some people and put off by this. We have read some of those awful threads. Join a family-friendly Facebook group somewhere you feel safe and comfortable asking all the questions.

The key is avoiding the cruise lines that don’t cater for babies. Start by finding a cruise with a splash pool that babies can go in. Some cruise lines don’t allow babies in nappies or swim diapers to use the pool so do your research. Of course, this only relates to hot weather cruises; who wants to go into a pool in Alaska? But doing your research will help you make the best decision. Also, you should consider a cruise line with onboard nurseries for a little chill time.

Can I Cruise Whilst I’m Pregnant?

Most ocean cruise lines will not accept passengers who have entered their 24th week of pregnancy at any point during the sailing. This has been implemented to protect the safety of travelling mums and babies. So do check before you book.

Can I Take a Baby on a Cruise?

Family-friendly cruise lines like  Royal Caribbean , Princess, P&O Cruises, MSC Cruises and Disney do not allow infants under six months of age to cruise. If you are going transatlantic, or have more than three days at sea, your toddler must be 12 months old on the first day of your cruise.

Is it Safe to Take a Baby on a Cruise?

Cruising is completely safe for babies; if you check the cruise line restrictions and your baby is the correct age for cruising, then cruising is as safe for families with babies as any other type of travel.

However, please keep in mind the vaccination requirements of any ports you travel to. Also, ensure you take sterilisation tablets with you, as with any other type of family trip. It’s also a great idea to take an umbrella stroller, potable fan and a parasol so baby can nap in the shade on deck or port days.

Can you get Nappies, Wet Wipes and Calpol on a Cruise Ship

Cruise ship shops focus more on souvenirs and gifts than baby essentials. You will find many don’t stock diapers or wet wipes. You can either bring them with you or buy them in port. 

Most ports do have chemists nearby the port. However, some cruise lines go above and beyond to provide all you need for little guests.

Royal Caribbean Babies 2 Go Order Service

Royal Caribbean Offer A Fantastic Service where you can pre-order Huggies nappies, wipes, cream, and organic baby food to be delivered to your stateroom when you arrive and throughout your cruise.

Disney Cruise Sell Essentials In The Store

Essential baby supplies are available for purchase onboard, such as diapers, training pants, rash cream, infant formula (ready to feed), bottles, pacifiers, baby food, baby shampoo, baby lotion and baby powder. Also, check out our top Disney Tips from seasoned  Disney Cruise Fans.  Also, find out  What Disney Cruise Offer For Babies.

AD We have been or could be if you click on a link in this post compensated via a cash payment, gift or something else of value for writing this post. See our full disclosure policy and privacy policy for more details.

Baby food on a cruise, buffet food for babies on a cruise.

Buffets are great for weaning babies, with plenty of pasta, vegetables, cooked meat cuts and cheese for mini-munchers to test their tastebuds. If you prefer to serve your weaning baby pureed food, bring your mini masher and Tupperware or pre-prepared food pouches and jars. However, some cruise lines do provide this service.

There are always plenty of high chairs available. Generally, when a staff member sees you, they prepare a high chair at your table. But if they don’t, do not hesitate to ask for one.

Dining in the Main Restaurant with a Baby

Don’t be put off the primary and speciality restaurants. The waiting staff are very attentive; a high chair will be ready if you have a regular table. Alternatively, should you choose anytime dining, getting a high chair is never an issue.

Servers will help to serve your baby food they can eat. Often tailoring meals such as rice, pasta and vegetables.

Cruise Lines that Provide Baby Food and/or Formula

Freshly pureed vegetables can be prepared at the main dining rooms and room service upon request on Disney Cruise Line. Disney Cruise Line sells formula (ready-to-feed) and baby food in the ship store.

Princess Cruises provide complimentary jars of stage 1 & 2 baby food; however, please ask for it through the Cruise Personaliser in advance. Additionally, pureed fruits, veggies, or rice can be prepared in the main dining room, speciality restaurants, and Horizon Court or World Fresh Marketplace.

Organic baby food can be pre-ordered for your baby on Royal Caribbean .

P&O Cruises provides Hipp Organic baby food jars [Stage 1 (4 months +) and Stage 2 (7 months +)] in an assortment of savoury and dessert flavours. Click here for more info.

Can you get Cows Milk on a Cruise Ship?

There are also often milk cartons at breakfast, so you can top up your cabin fridge with these for bedtime. Cows milk is only recommended for children over 12 months old.

Take a Snack Box to Fill with Snacks for Throughout the day

You are never far from fantastic food on a cruise. However, if your little one has favourites from the buffet, fill a snack box with their favourite treats to keep with you thought-out the day. So that you know, you may not be able to take food off at some ports; this is always on the cruise newsletter if it is the case.

Shore Excursions When Cruising with Babies and Toddlers.

When cruising with a baby and young children, you might not need to pay for their place on  excursions.  There usually are several options where under-fives could join in for free.

However, be warned if you’re not charged for your baby or toddler; it’s unlikely to be a family-friendly day. Speak to the shore excursions team to find the best day trips for you and your baby.

Also, if a coach is involved, the kids will have to sit on your laps if you haven’t paid for their place – it’s important to know when you are on a six-hour excursion from Livorno to Florence!

This is an excellent opportunity to self-explore. Long days on trips are often a little too long with children. It’s a great idea to research activities close to the port and create your child-friendly adventures. If you plan to get Taxis, find and pre-book a taxi offering car seats or a toddler booster.

Can Babies go in the Swimming Pools on Cruise Ships?

Some cruise ships do not allow babies and toddlers not potty trained to enter the pool; this also stands for some splash parks. This is due to international laws to limit the spread of infectious bugs onboard. However, many newer ships have splash pools for babies wearing swim nappies. It’s important to know that splash pools are areas toddlers and babies can cool of and play. But not swim.

Babies can go in splash zones on some cruise ships.

There are cruise lines with ships with dedicated splash zones where babies and tots can wear a swimming nappies. This is a welcome change to cruising families, making choosing the best cruise lines for babies and tots a much easier decision.

Which cruise lines have splash zones that are baby and toddler friendly?

Royal caribbean ships with baby and toddler-friendly splash zones.

• Allure of the Seas.
• Anthem of the Seas.
• Freedom of the Seas.
• Independence of the Seas.
• Liberty of the Seas
• Oasis of the Seas.
• Harmony of the Seas
• Symphony of the Seas
• Wonder of the Seas

Disney Cruise Line ships with Baby and Toddler-Friendly Splash Zones?

• The Disney Dream: Nemo’s Reef.
• Disney Fantasy: Nemo’s Reef and AquaLab
• On the Disney Magic: Nephews’ Splash Zone
• Disney Wonder: Dory’s Reef

MSC Ships with Baby and Toddler-Friendly Splash Zones?

• The MSC Meraviglia
• MSC Bellissima
• MSC Preziosa
• And MSC Seaside

Princess Cruises  with Baby and Toddler-Friendly Splash Zones?

• Caribbean Princess

P&O Cruise Ships with Baby Splash Areas

• Azura – Children’s pools ( Aft ) and the Coral Pool
• Britannia -The Reef Adventure Zone and the Lido Pool
• Oceana -Children’s Pirate paddling pool
• Ventura -Children’s pool (Aft) and the Beach comber Pool

MSC Ships That Offer Baby and Toddler-Friendly Splash Zones?

• MSC  Bellissima
• The MSC Preziosa
• MSC Meraviglia

FURTHER READING, Keeping Your Child Safe In The Pool On A Cruise

Cabin Practicalities When Cruising with a Baby or Toddler.

Dirty washing.

Whilst laundry is not something you’ll be hoping to do lots on holiday, it’s inevitable with a baby or toddler in tow.

You may have a few options: bring your detergent and wash items in your  cabin  sink; make arrangements with your steward for your washing; or, if available, use the passenger laundry room.

These are small, so avoid them on a sea day as you could get caught in a queue. MSC have a special baby laundry service onboard, which uses a different machine and gentle detergents – ideal for sensitive baby skin!

Cots on Cruise Ships

When booking, you can request cribs for your cabin, and linen will be provided. Alternatively, take a pack-n-play if you are cruising from a home port .

Baths and Showers on Cruises

Not all staterooms will have a bath, so consider lining a suitcase with a baby bath if your little one doesn’t get on with showers. Plan ahead and take an  inflatable bathtub  that fits in the bottom of your shower; having an inflatable tub makes bath time so much easier.

The best Cruise Ship Cabin When Cruising with a Baby

While cabins with balconies might concern parents of active toddlers, there’s no way your baby can open the patio door by themselves. They have secure safety locks, so indulge in your desire for an outside cabin if your budget allows.

Remember that kids pay the same passenger rate as their parents unless your cruise line has special cruise fares for kiddies; these offers come up at intervals throughout the year.

Check out our comprehensive  CABIN GUIDE HERE to learn more about family cabins.

Kids and Baby Clubs on Cruises

Many cruise lines offer amazing kids’ clubs, but you may find that not all activities, amenities or sessions are open to babies. However, many offer sessions where parents can take babies or toddlers and play with toys.

See our comprehensive guide on the  best cruise ships for babies.  Who offers the best baby clubs, and which cruise lines offer free cruises for babies? The Royal Babies & Tots on Royal Caribbean and It’s a Small World Nursery on Disney Cruise Line are notable clubs.

Getting Around the Ship When Cruising with a Baby

The most family-orientated cruise ships tend to be of a reasonable size . Bring a compact stroller and a baby carrier to help you get around by day and night. Click on the link above to see our cabin door width guide.

You’ll cover some miles visiting all the decks and wandering the promenade! On busy port days put your baby carrier to good use by going up and down stairs to avoid waiting for lifts

Reserve your stroller for evenings when your baby will nap while you enjoy a cocktail.

Being Prepared for Cold and Wet Weather

Not all cruises are hot weather cruises, but even if they are, we have all experienced those cold days. Be prepared for cold and rainy days. Take a rain cover, blanket, or foot muff for a buggy or stroller.

Look for something that is waterproof and easy to fold. We love the Bundle Bean Go that can be used as a blanket, cosy toes and can cover slings and car seats. It comes in a variety of colours has a fleecy lining and waterproof shell back. And comes in a handy travel bag perfect for airplanes, trains, car journeys and cruising.

You can read all about our first cruise with a baby or why not take a look at our cruise tips video below. Please note that all cruise ships are different and cruise lines are updating their offer for families all the time.

Are you planning a cruise with a baby? Do you have any questions or concerns? Pop them in the comments below. We’re always happy to share our experiences.

Sarah also writes for Mini Travellers Family Travel Blog and Extraordinary Chaos Craft and Lifestyle Blog. Both are award-winning blogs with a travel and family focus. She is married and has two boys, aged 18 and 22, who all love cruising as a family. Nothing is better than waking up every day in a new port with new and exciting things to explore. She aims to share how cruising as a family with young adults is the perfect choice for family travel. Her boys are sporty and love the activities, sports and dining options cruising offers. Sarah has worked with brands such as Walt Disney World, Mark Warner, Ikos Resort, Center Parcs, Laura Ashley, Belling and Next.

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3 thoughts on “Cruising with a Baby or Toddler, What You Need To Know”

How interesting! Loved this article will bookmark it. #MondayEscapes

We have cruised since Joe was 2 and have had the best experiences I think with a bit of planning cruising with babies is a fab way to travel x

We too think cruising is a great holiday with a bby

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• Princess Cruises

Baby food on board

By sbmizzou , February 20, 2007 in Princess Cruises

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We are scheduled to go on the Grand Princess on March 31st. We will have two infants. I called Princess and requested baby food for the infants. He stated that this was confirmed and that nothing else was required.

I was under the impression that they fax you something and you pick the type of food that you want for the kid. Is that correct or do you select the food once you get on board?

Anyone who has done this with any thoughts or input would be appreciated.

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Share on other sites.

I would bring your own jars of baby food, just so there are no suprises.

Do you know whether Princess provides baby formula and bottled water on request? Who would I contact to make arrangements? Thanks.

We are sailing this Saturday with our 6 month old DD on the Grand. I requested baby food for her via the cruise personalizer on line. It stated that a fax was required pertaining to what baby food and how much we needed. I aimed high, and sent the fax in last week with our requests. I received an email a few days ago outlining what they ordered for us.

I requested 30 jars of Stage 1 food--20 Veges and 10 fruits. I figured what we didn't use, we could just take it home with us. To my surprise, the Onboard Services Rep ordered us 50 jars (2.5 oz each), 10 dinners (not exactly sure what a dinner is for Stage 1 foods), 30 veges, and 10 fruits. I thought this was all that they provided. Not so. She went on to order 10 bottles of juice and 1 box of cereal (8 oz). I was very surprised at that. I was advised they carry Gerber, which is what DD eats. You can request either Stage 1 or Stage 2 foods.

In the letter, they stated they do not supply baby formula, wipes, specialty bottled water, or specialty foods (like Stage 3 meals, organic, toddler foods.) Make sure if you need these items, you bring them with you.

They sell diapers for 16.95 for 12 based on availabilty and no guarantee of brand names--very expensive so bring 10-15% more than you think you might need.....you never know.....

Once onboard, we are to contact the Matire d'Hotel to obtain the baby food and to advise him of the varieites and amounts of each we would like--although they can't guarantee the variety of certain items--and if what you preorder is not enough, you can coordinate with the M d'H for extra supplies should you run out.

Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised. I would definately send in the fax to them. Sounds imperative to get the correct foods and to ensure they have it on board for you.

this is really impressive to me. I would never have thought they would provide anything like that.

Thanks for the information. I will fax to Princess a request. I just have to check with my wife to figure out if the kid is on Stage 1 or State 2 food. Also have to check with the friends that are going with to see what their daughter is eating.

senatorgirth

I concur. My wife and I traveled with our infant sun last year on the Grand Princess. We completed the pre-cruise paperwork for baby food and it was provided for us on board. However, neither the brand (Gerbers, as I recall) nor the flavors/varieties were what our child was used to; consequently, he did not eat most of the baby food they provided. Fortunately, we had packed some of his usual food just in case we encountered any troubles. Between the few flavors Princess provided that junior ate, and the jars we brought aboard ourselves, we got by. But if we hadn't packed some baby food as a backup, it would have been a challenge.

You can purchase bottled water, but Princess does not supply bottled water or formula. Our DD's Pediatrician suggested that we do not use the ship water to mix her formula. We are planning on taking a case of water on board.

JillinCalgary

Wish I had known!!! I've travelled with babies and I swear I could have done with one less suitcase had I known they'd supply food. WOW - I'm seriously in shock here!

Our room stewards were great though. Our fridge was always stocked with milk (for the toddler) and bottled water (to mix with the formula). I never had to pay for the water or milk. Also, they'd take the bottles whenever I left them out and ran them through their dishwasher. Honestly, they were horrified when they saw my set-up in the bathroom (dish soap, a bottle brush, tea towel, lol). Great service!

Baby food... who'd have guessed!

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Princess Cruises Menu and Food: Day 1 of 7

We went on a 7-day Cruise with Crown Princess. Here’s our dinner in the main dining room including pictures of the food and the menu. I think I gained a lot of pounds, haha. We also have Carnival Cruise Menu and Food , make sure to visit that if you’re cruising with Carnival but for now, here’s Princess Cruises Menu for you to peruse through.

BESIDES PRINCESS CRUISES MENU AND FOOD, WE ALSO HAVE OTHER CRUISE FOOD ARTICLES WE RECOMMEND YOU READ ABOUT:

• You can order Freshly Made Tacos & Burritos on Carnival Cruise
• Chef Guy Fieri’s Burger Joint on board Carnival Cruise is a Must Try
• Do not leave Carnival Cruise without trying their Sea Day Brunch
• Carnival Cruise Menu & Food Pictures

An assortment of bread plus those really nice flower-shaped butter were served while we were figuring out what to order from the Princess Cruises Dinner Menu. Our eldest who does not eat butter ended up wanting to try it because of how good it looks.

PRINCESS CRUISES APPETIZER MENU

I don’t have a picture of the appetizer we ordered but the Princess Cruises appetizer menu can give you an idea of what to order, we must have eaten it too fast and I forgot to take a picture. But based on the menu, I probably ordered shrimp cocktail. Which one would you order?

PRINCESS CRUISES DINNER  MENU

Princess Cruises offers their classic menu or always available menu as well as entree choices that changes every night. The hubby ordered prime rib, I had their crawfish, the toddler had fettuccine in a cheese cup while our eldest ordered from the kids’ menu – chicken and fries and a side of rice. She’s a picky eater and wants rice always.

If you’ve never cruise before. Please note that food is included in the cruise fare you paid for except for specialty restaurants on board. Sit down dinner like this is always included and you have a choice of early dining, late dining and anytime dining. You also have the option to do buffet every night but most guests dine at the dining room since everyone always eats buffet during lunch time.

If you travel with babies, check our 101 Cruise Tips  where we answer your cruise questions like does cruises carry baby food or can I order as much food as I want during a sit down dinner.

PRINCESS CRUISES FOOD PICTURES

Princess cruises dessert menu, princess cruises coffee and dessert wine menu.

Besides dessert, you can order a cheese platter as well. We never get to do this as always end up being very full by the time dessert arrives. You can also order coffee but drinks like juice and soda and specialty coffee are for an additional fee. If you decide to eat at the buffet located at the pool deck, lemonade and ice tea are available all day without additional fee.

PRINCESS CRUISES DESSERTS

We did order almost everything from the dessert menu, my favorite is their creme brulee.

Do you know what to order now? If you’re undecided on which cruise line to book. Check our Princess VS. Carnival post where we detailed everything to help you decide on which cruise line to choose.

Check out the rest of the nights’ menu during our 7-Day Cruise with Carnival:

• Princess Cruises Food & Menu: Day 2 of 7 Sit Down Dinner
• Princess Cruises Food & Menu: Day 3 to 5 Sit Down Dinner
• Princess Cruises Food & Menu: Day 6 of 7 Sit Down Dinner
• Princess Cruises Food & Menu: Day 7 of 7 Sit Down Dinner

NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT CRUISING? CHECK OUR OTHER CRUISE POSTS FOR CRUISE TIPS & TRICKS:

• Why adults want to be at Princess Cruises Kids Daycare
• Have an Afternoon Tea in the Middle of the Sea
• The Better Cruise Breakfast Buffet is on board Princess Cruises
• Our 101 Cruise Tips & Tricks
• 10 Reasons to Cruise with the Kids on your next Family Vacation
• Princess VS Carnival: Which cruise line fits your Personality
• 20 Reasons Why we Keep Cruising
• Tips for Cruising with a Group
• Check What to Pack for a Cruise

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1 thought on “Princess Cruises Menu and Food: Day 1 of 7”

This looks amazing and so yummy! I wish I could go on a cruise!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR - KAT

For over a decade, Kathleen has been chronicling her family's travel adventures to assist travelers in planning their vacations while staying on budget through firsthand experience and insider tips. She also shares recipes and free printables. For inquiries, reach out to [email protected].

• Princess Cruises

Cruising with a baby

By Lauraa88 , March 17, 2021 in Princess Cruises

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We’re currently expecting and are considering booking a cruise with Princess for when our little one will be approx 1 year old.   

I was wondering if anyone can share any experiences of cruising with a baby?   

We’ve been on lots of cruises with Princess so aren’t new to cruising. I’m aware other cruise lines might be more ‘child friendly’. But like everyone we‘ve got a lot of cruise credit to use up 😂 . 

Thanks in advance!   

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While you are waiting for responses from Princess cruisers, check out the Family Cruises forum for discussions about cruising with kids:  https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/28-family-cruises/

My daughter found it very helpful when she cruised with a 1 year old and then when they cruised again 2 1/2 years later. 

fluffybunny22

We started cruising with our son when he was 5 months old. You need to pack double of everything you'll think you'll need. Double the diapers and wipes and baby food. We used to have a whole suitcase full of diapers. We did a family cruise when we were pregnant and my SIL didn't pack enough diapers for my nephew and we spent half the time in port trying to find diapers for him and they were super expensive. We had an awesome travel air bed from aerobed for a toddler that had a little lip on it to prevent them from rolling off of the mattress. We used it way past him being a toddler because it was pretty long but didn't take up too much room in luggage. It also doubled as a great slide if you flipped it up and leaned it against the bed in the cabin.

Based on posts I have read in the past, you will have a happier cruise if you can also have an additional family member with you who can watch your child some of the time.

For example, if you and your spouse want to see a show in the Princess theater, you would not want your child with you unless he/she can be quiet during the entire show.

38 minutes ago, caribill said: Based on posts I have read in the past, you will have a happier cruise if you can also have an additional family member with you who can watch your child some of the time.   For example, if you and your spouse want to see a show in the Princess theater, you would not want your child with you unless he/she can be quiet during the entire show.

People in the dining room are also likely to be annoyed if your child behaves like a normal child and decides to cry all through dinner.  I know that I would not enjoy my dinner if there was a loud crying baby at the table next to me.

Reina del Mar

5 hours ago, donaldsc said:   People in the dining room are also likely to be annoyed if your child behaves like a normal child and decides to cry all through dinner.  I know that I would not enjoy my dinner if there was a loud crying baby at the table next to me.   DON

I agree.. and deepening on how placid or otherwise the baby is, I would not want to be in a cabin next door to a baby that cried a lot.....I know that sounds awful but that would not be the relaxing cruise I would hope for. Sorry !!!

orlandobull

We took our oldest on her first cruise at 10 months, with grandparents. Definitely if you can get help, that would be great.

Pack formula/milk/whatever you need for your little one in a carry on. We made the mistake of packing in our luggage and something got delayed getting to our room, so our girl was miserable and the first day was very stressful.

Pick a ship you will want to be on, one of our biggest things with our girl was that we were not comfortable doing shore excursions where we had to take a vehicle anywhere. We would walk off the ship, but mostly stayed onboard.

Spring for the balcony if you can, you'll spend more time in your room than previous cruises probably and it's nice to sit out there while your baby is napping or at night after you put them down for the night.

Paula_MacFan

3 hours ago, Reina del Mar said: I agree.. and deepening on how placid or otherwise the baby is, I would not want to be in a cabin next door to a baby that cried a lot.....I know that sounds awful but that would not be the relaxing cruise I would hope for. Sorry !!!

I can attest to this.  The constant crying/screaming from the mini suite next door to us nearly ruined our Alaskan cruise.  We tried to tune it out but it definitely impacted our enjoyment of our balcony and negatively impacted our sleep.  I realize kids are kids....but when you've spent thousands of dollars on a special trip and spent years planning it.... it was a real bummer.  I also cannot imagine taking an infant into the MDR for a protracted dinner.  

It is for this reason we no longer seek mini suites (which have the larger capacity/higher prospect of families with small kids).  We spend the difference on a nice quiet deluxe aft balcony 🙂

And before you start flaming me, I'm a grandmother who doesn't hate kids.  Just want a nice peaceful vacation.

Do some trial overnighters.  With my nieces and nephews I have seen it go well and seen it go badly.  My one grandnephew would not tolerate being out of his own bed until he was 3.   She found out by taking some overnighters to relatives' houses.  I was one of those relatives.  There was no respite.  But the others grandnieces and nephews were never a problem and were a joy to cruise with

Try Disney for family cruise. My family loved it. Use FCC on Princess to upgrade to nice cabin for the two of you. Spoil yourselves. 

16 hours ago, donaldsc said:   People in the dining room are also likely to be annoyed if your child behaves like a normal child and decides to cry all through dinner.  I know that I would not enjoy my dinner if there was a loud crying baby at the table next to me.   DON

Love kids. Love my grandkids. Worked with kids - very young kids - for a number of years. My wife ran a home daycare for 20 years and I worked there full time for over 4 of those years. However, like you, I don't want my vacation dinner to be messed with by a crying infant. If that was the case, I would simply leave and eat in the buffet, IC, or on Lido deck. Not ideal but at least I could have a more peaceful dinner. (Of course, if we were the parents, we would just pack up the child and leave the dining room but I folks wouldn't do that.)

3 hours ago, Thrak said:   Love kids. Love my grandkids. Worked with kids - very young kids - for a number of years. My wife ran a home daycare for 20 years and I worked there full time for over 4 of those years. However, like you, I don't want my vacation dinner to be messed with by a crying infant. If that was the case, I would simply leave and eat in the buffet, IC, or on Lido deck. Not ideal but at least I could have a more peaceful dinner. (Of course, if we were the parents, we would just pack up the child and leave the dining room but I folks wouldn't do that .)

And therein lies the problem.  Although most parents would pick up the child and leave the dining room, you are being forced to leave the dining room and go to the buffet because of the few parents who don't care that their child who is misbehaving as some children do at times.  I am paying for a decent meal in a decent surrounding and not a meal in Denny's.  The matre'd should go up to the parents of a crying child and ask them to leave.  Of course we all know that they will not.

It is difficult to travel with babies. The recommendation of double everything is accurate. You never know when things will run out or faster than you expected. We never cruised with our infant littles, it was too stressful for me, but it’s doable and people do it. The issue with infants is there is a minimum age to use the child care facilities. So you won’t have a break if you go at 6 months. We waited to cruise with our child when we was 5, and we left his brother with grandparents until he turned 5, and joined us on our cruises, but not everyone has grandparents, family or friends available to help for a week or more.  We would share days on duty of  “if kid gets fussy two of us leave”-mom and kid or dad and kid, but almost never had to deal with leaving. It’s funny how quickly we forget that time, but it’s manageable.

Enjoy your cruise 

1 hour ago, donaldsc said:   And therein lies the problem.  Although most parents would pick up the child and leave the dining room, you are being forced to leave the dining room and go to the buffet because of the few parents who don't care that their child who is misbehaving as some children do at times.  I am paying for a decent meal in a decent surrounding and not a meal in Denny's.  The matre'd should go up to the parents of a crying child and ask them to leave.  Of course we all know that they will not.   DON

We’ve been lucky 

We have never seen screaming babies in the dining room in all of our cruises (maybe 50 ish on all lines at this point) and we only had to leave, maybe 3 times in our lives, 2 kids, from a restaurant on land, never a cruise,  when our kid got fussy. We were lucky. Our kids were fairly easy. 

Our granddaughter was 11 months on the first cruise we took her on, we are raising her, it was just hubby, the little one and me.  We had a blast. The crew went above and beyond to entertain her. She was wide eyed and so taken with everything. She behaved well at meals, never cried once, she slept through the night, and we never would think of staying in a venue if she was being disruptive.  Princess treats kids wonderfully, if the parents do their part other cruisers will also be polite and some even indulgent.  Just be mindful of the fact that others are on vacation and be polite and you will find it a pleasant experience. 

On 3/19/2021 at 12:28 AM, jennybenny said: We’ve been lucky  We have never seen screaming babies in the dining room in all of our cruises (maybe 50 ish on all lines at this point) and we only had to leave, maybe 3 times in our lives, 2 kids, from a restaurant on land, never a cruise,  when our kid got fussy. We were lucky. Our kids were fairly easy. 

We have heard crying babies is the Princess Theater more than in dining rooms.

Usually after a couple of minutes if the crying does not stop, a parent will take the child out of the theater.

As someone above mentioned, check out the family message board. There are helpful tips and tricks mentioned by other parents/grandparents. One thing that is mentioned frequently is car seats and how to bring those on a ship. If you visit ports, how to transport kids with or w/o the seats. It seems to be an ongoing discussion. 

The buffet will be a good option because they usually have some kid friendly foods available. All 3 of their cruises have been on Caribbean princess, which has world market place. On either side, they have a smaller cooler with milks and box cereal, which always was nice as a snack. This ship also has a new kids' area, which we haven't gotten to experience yet but it looks nice. We choose the ship over the ports because I found it nice to be familiar with the ship when traveling with kids.

The two main Princess pools are not suppose to be for kids using swim diapers. I've never used those pools with my kids but have seen others take their babies in them. From what I can tell, Princess staff doesn't say anything to the parents.  

Bring more diapers and wipes than you think you'll need, just in case. You don't mention where you're cruising but in my experience, pharmacies are hard to find in Caribbean ports. Diapers and wipes are not sold in the gift shop.

Beach toys and other entrainment activities will need to be packed. You can't leave your child alone in the kids club until they are 3/potty trained. You can take them in and stay with them to play but it may only be certain hours. 

Princess ships don't have changing tables in their public bathrooms so to change diapers, etc you'll need to take your child back up to your room. That can be difficult, considering where you are on the ship.

If possible, bring a grandparent or two to help you enjoy some time by yourself. It's not easy with kids and I wouldn't consider Princess the most kid friendly cruise line. My kids have cruised 3 times and twice I booked a suite to have more room for them to play/walk around in. 

When you have the drill on the first day, my husband discovered that if you miss the first one, they have a second drill with less people and that was easier to attend with my son. I think he was napping during the first drill so we missed it.

Enjoy your cruise!!

1 hour ago, akeasley said: When you have the drill on the first day, my husband discovered that if you miss the first one, they have a second drill with less people and that was easier to attend with my son. I think he was napping during the first drill so we missed it.

when cruising resumes ... looks like that will no longer be done the 'old' way, but you will just watch the video from your cabin - then report to your assigned station to 'check in' with your medallion

check out the muster thread ...

1 hour ago, akeasley said:     The two main Princess pools are not suppose to be for kids using swim diapers. I've never used those pools with my kids but have seen others take their babies in them. From what I can tell, Princess staff doesn't say anything to the parents.          

Since the pool people will have to drain the pool when the swim diapers leak, someone should have reported them to staff.  Why should you have to have your use of the pool diminished because some people don't give a d***.

On 3/18/2021 at 3:50 AM, donaldsc said:   People in the dining room are also likely to be annoyed if your child behaves like a normal child and decides to cry all through dinner.  I know that I would not enjoy my dinner if there was a loud crying baby at the table next to me.   DON

Agree. I don't wish to see my dinner ruined by those who don't care what their child does. We were on an Oceania trip where there was an infant. This was surprising, as they do not permit infants on board normally. When the child acted (as most do when cranky) the mother rushed her right out of the diningroom. I feel this is the proper way to handle things.

getting older slowly

It is a hard call... say one with no children..... but children are ok... have had some at a very high end place.. they were wonderful......    But a baby......could be an issue.....

You will get two groups...... the yes    and please no..... I can see both sides.... but as you a parents, don't you want a relaxing holiday ???      Maybe a different type of holiday would be better.....

Have seen parents taking turn sitting at their table in MDR   taking turns to settle a small child outside....shocking evening for them....  I don't get it...    They don't enjoy it and either do the surrounding people....

We have cruised with very young children several times.  To be blunt, it is harder than a land vacation with young kids.  Things to be mindful of:

1- Young kids need lots of naps.  This means someone needs to spend a portion of their cruise in the cabin with napping child, being perfectly quiet with the lights off.  Land trips are easier because you can often book multiple room hotel suites or AirBnBs, such that when the little one sleeps the adult can do things in the adjacent room.

2- The cabins are small, and there is limited places for kids to crawl or explore.  We occasionally would find an empty bar earlier in the day where they could explore, to let them crawl some, but it still is a challenge.  3+ year old kids there is plenty to do on board.  Less than two, and entertaining the child while onboard  is difficult. 

3-  You will encounter many other grandparents on the cruise who are a bit too overjoyed to see an adorable young child.  We couldn’t even go to the buffet without someone wanting to play peek-a-boo with the kid, grabbing their foot and saying how cute they were and that they have grandkids, etc.  You get lots of attention, and for us at least, it was fine at first but eventually it gets annoying.  It also may be more bothersome now, depending on how much personal space you want, in a post-Covid situation.

4- Kid cribs and other stuff takes up a lot of space, and cabins are small.  To say it was a tight fit to make the cabin work is an understatement.

On 3/20/2021 at 12:15 AM, caribill said:   We have heard crying babies is the Princess Theater more than in dining rooms.   Usually after a couple of minutes if the crying does not stop, a parent will take the child out of the theater.

I never let it last that long. One peep and we were out

will make this short

Not a cruise ship, but a really really nice restaurant  - my parent wanted to take us and our 1 year old son, my brother (RIP) and his wife out ... I was totally against it , but I got 'overruled' 

of course , after ordering, but before food brought , he started crying - "oh, he'll settle down"

uh no, I took him to the car and waited , waited - he did settle down, but I didn't want to go thru that again

Fast Forward 40 years or so to about a year ago - That son, had to take his son, out of a restaurant we were all eating at ... I felt really sorry for both, but, it was the right thing to do, of course

Not on a ship, but at a wedding- no kids invited- in a castle. Cousin brought infant, who cried through VOWS. Did not leave.  on ships I try to get table for 2 as it was very difficult when someone else’s toddler climbed on us under table.

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Princess Cruises Food Review – EVERYTHING I Ate During my Cruise: (Photos and Menus)

If you are taking a Princess cruise you might be wondering what the food will be like. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included at no extra cost on a Princess cruise.

I’ve just disembarked Emerald Princess and in this post we will look at everything I ate in the main dining room, buffet and poolside grill. Menus are also provided.

Buffet – Included

The buffet on the Emerald Princess was open from early in the morning until late at night. The buffet is split into two sides and is relatively small due to the small size of the ship.

Below are some examples of my buffet meals. All of the food in the buffet is free and unlimited.

The great thing was that during the changeover times, between breakfast and lunch, or lunch and dinner the buffet didn’t have to close completely because they would close one side and open another.

The buffet at dinner time consisted of:

• A Carvery Section (Roast Meat etc.)
• Indian, Chinese or Mexican Dishes

The sections would be different for breakfast and lunch.

Below is a photo of my breakfasts and one of my lunches.

I loved the number of things that were in small grab-and-go cups, this made it very easy to pick up a snack or to have a small portion of something.

We usually ate breakfast in the buffet and although I am not a big buffet fan, there was lots of choices. I mostly had bread and fruit as seen below.

There were lots of waiters around who would ask if we wanted a drink as soon as we sat down.

The buffet was always very clean and the tables were cleaned between each group of guests.

The below photos show my dad’s breakfast (he’s much more into breakfast than me) and my fajita and nacho lunches. These were very yummy!

Main Dining Room – Included

There are multiple main dining rooms onboard the Emerald Princess.

Guests can either choose fixed dining, where you have the same table at the same time each night or flexible dining. We opted for flexible dining and it worked well.

Flexible dining meant that we could book different restaurants and eat at different times.

We did also have the option to table share so if you were cruising solo, this would be a good way to meet other passengers.

It wasn’t uncommon to find that there were extras available not on the menu.

Most nights there would be at least two specials, and one of them was usually vegetarian. The majority of the time the specials would be pies or curries.

The below vegetable pie and chips were an off-menu special.

There was also an always-available section on the menu, these are called Princess’s favourites and they don’t change.

The dessert menu also has an always-available section. My favourite in this section is the Love Boat Dream, it’s a chocolate brownie/mousse and I had it multiple times during the cruise.

A plate of chips/fries wasn’t on the menu but when I ordered the vegetable samosas, our waiter asked me if I could like some chips as the portion was small, I didn’t expect a whole bowl of chips!

If you’d ever like something extra, just ask.

Caesar salad was always available as a starter as you’ll find on most cruise lines.

It is possible to order a starter as a main or a main as a starter if you’d prefer.

There aren’t any limits on how many courses you can order, so if there are multiple things that take your fancy, order them all!

Many people order a couple of starters and a couple of mains. The waiters are very used to it.

The below menu was from Gala night, this is Princess’s formal night of sorts.

Many people do dress up for dinner and there is a dress code that’s in place.

It isn’t as strict as other cruise lines like Cunard, but compared to other American cruise lines like Carnival or Royal Caribbean, it is taken more seriously.

We always found that the food was well presented, the portion sizes were good and the food hot. The service was great too.

Other Included Food – Pool Side Grill

In addition to the food in the buffet and the main dining room, there was freshly made pizza, burgers and hot dogs served on the pool deck.

The pizza restaurant was called Slice and the poolside grill was called Salty Dog.

The above might not look like much, but they were very tasty!

My brother said that his poolside burger from salty dog was the best that he’s ever had on a cruise.

I understand how gross the loaded fries (right) look but they were amazing. There was one vegetarian and one meat option.

Sadly there were no meat-free hot dogs available but there was a veggie burger.

To find out more about what is included in a Princess cruise beyond the food, check out this post: Princess Cruises – What is Included? Food, Gratuities and More

Other Included Food – Room Service/Bar Service

Princess cruises have taken room service one step further by letting all guests order from the room service menu to their location, even if they aren’t in their room.

We were able to order sandwiches, desserts, and drinks to our location just using the app.

Realistically the app worked about 50% of the time, but when it did work, it was amazing.

I didn’t order room service on this cruise but have on Princess cruises in the past. Below are a couple of photos from my room service on Sky Princess.

Other Included Food – International Cafe (Cookies)

In the atrium of Princess cruise ships, there is a cafe called the international cafe. Here they have snacks that are available 24/7.

These are mostly small sandwiches and cakes but they do also have cookies here!

The cookies are usually behind the scenes so you have to ask for them, either when you order your drink or you can just walk up to the food area and ask.

We had three different types of cookies on this cruise and they were all fantastic.

Our waiter would often bring us plates of cookies so that we could keep them in our cabin for snacks, it was amazing!

Tea and Coffee are served here but these do cost extra.

Tea and Coffee are also available for free in some other places around the ship, to find out where and when, check out this post: Princess Cruises Tea and Coffee Guide – Free and Premium Options

Speciality Restaurants

I didn’t go to any speciality restaurants during this cruise (restaurants that cost extra) but in the past, I have tried almost all of Princess’s speciality restaurants.

To find out what those are like, check out this video:

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Princess cruise food: The ultimate guide to restaurants and dining on board

B ooked on a Princess cruise ? Then it's time to start figuring out your dining strategy. With everything from casual seafood shacks and barbecue joints to refined steakhouses, sushi bars and even experiential, sensory dining, the food on Princess Cruises has something to pique everyone's palate, from those looking to indulge to guests who want to stick to a healthy diet at sea .

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Alfredo's/Gigi's Pizzeria by Alfredo/Alfredo's Pizzeria

Fixed price or a la carte

If one pizzeria isn't enough, Princess has another option. Alfredo's and Gigi's are sit-down pizzerias with decor inspired by the colors and vibe of Amalfi Coast. The venues serve authentic Neapolitan pizza made from scratch.

Available on: Coral, Diamond, Discovery, Enchanted, Grand, Island, Majestic, Regal, Royal, Sapphire, Sky, Sun Princess

Related: Which line has the best cruise pizza? I tasted slices from 7 brands

Burger & Hot Dog Grill

Included, but a la carte pricing applies for a few menu items on select ships

This poolside American grill serves up hamburgers, hot dogs and french fries.

Available on: Coral, Diamond, Island, Majestic, Regal, Royal, Sapphire

Chopsticks Noodle Bar

Chopsticks is a casual spot with a rotating menu of cooked-to-order Asian fare. Options include wonton noodle soup and wok-fried dishes like Sichuan dan-dan noodles.

Available on: Majestic Princess

Horizon Court/World Fresh Marketplace

All Princess cruise ships feature a buffet restaurant, called World Fresh Marketplace on some ships and Horizon Court on others. Either way, the buffet is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The ever-changing options include regional specialties, comfort food, fresh fruit, salads, vegetables and desserts.

Available on: All ships

Related: Cruise ship buffet taboos: 10 things you should never do at mealtime

Sushi and sashimi specialties, appetizers, nigiri and maki rolls including tempura shrimp, spicy tuna and hamachi scallion are available separately or in a set menu or combination at Kai Sushi.

Available on: Diamond Princess, Sun Princess

Main dining room

Princess Cruises' main dining rooms offer a waiter-served, sit-down dining experience. Multicourse menus of global cuisine are offered for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Some options change daily, but a selection of "Princess Favorites" signature dishes is always available.

Ocean Terrace Sushi/Seafood Bar

Overlooking the Piazza, this sushi and sashimi bar was inspired by the view of the ocean. Starters, sushi, sashimi, raw, cooked and torched rolls are available a la carte.

Available on: Discovery, Enchanted, Regal, Royal, Sky Princess

O'Malley's Irish Pub

A contemporary Irish pub with traditional tunes and interactive entertainment, O'Malley's serves pub fare like pan-fried Guinness chicken, ribeye burgers, Scotch eggs and fried pickles.

Available on: Enchanted Princess, Sun Princess

This casual, rustic eatery serves ample portions of barbecued meats, including pulled pork, tri-top, smoked sausage, smoked chicken and pork ribs, along with sides, sauces, salads and more.

Available on: Caribbean Princess, Emerald Princess

Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining

Reserve Collection dining

Included for guests in Reserve Collection cabins

Passengers booked in Reserve Collection cabins can access an exclusive area of the main dining room with a private entrance, expedited seating, no reservations required and a dedicated waitstaff. On Star Princess and Sun Princess, Reserve Collection Dining also includes access to a private restaurant.

Salty Dog Gastropub

The Salty Dog Gastropub features handhelds like burgers, chicken sandwiches and grilled cheese, as well as elevated takes on comfort food including lobster mac and cheese and stout-braised short ribs. It's located inside the Wheelhouse Bar on certain days.

Available on: Crown, Discovery, Emerald, Ruby Princess, Sapphire, Grand, Coral, Island Princess

Salty Dog Grille/Cafe

The famous Hilton Head, South Carolina eatery takes to the seas on Princess Cruises. This casual poolside restaurant is a great pitstop between dips. Order from their menu of craft burgers (including a veggie burger), sandwiches, chicken strips, street tacos, loaded fries and hot dogs.

Available on: Caribbean, Crown, Discovery, Emerald, Enchanted, Grand, Ruby, Sky Princess

Related: Which line has the best cruise burger? Here are TPG's top picks

This poolside pizzeria has plenty of pie options, including thin crust and deep dish, as well as stromboli and avocado and caprese toasts.

Steamers Seafood

At this casual eatery, you can satisfy your seafood craving with steamed shellfish pots with mussels, scallops, kielbasa and corn on the cob. The most popular pot arrives with broiled scallops, shrimp and crab-stuffed flounder; lobster and crab can be added to any dish.

Vines Wine Bar

Located in the Atrium, with an extensive list of wines and Champagnes, Vines Wine Bar serves light bites, including antipasti and tapas.

Available on: Caribbean, Crown, Emerald, Grand, Majestic, Regal, Royal, Ruby, Sapphire, Sky Princess

Bayou Cafe & Steakhouse

Fixed price

Prime steaks and seafood are served in a laid-back, New Orleans-inspired setting, with live music on select nights. Highlights include Chilean sea bass with king prawns, New York strip and New Zealand rosemary double lamb chops.

Available on: Coral Princess, Island Princess

Related: The best cruise ship steakhouses and steak-serving restaurants

The Catch by Rudi

Seafood-focused collaboration with renowned Austrian chef Rudi Sodamin featuring playful takes on sustainable seafood like Asian-fried calamari, lobster with garlic butter crust and tiered shellfish towers. Order the Salzburger Nockerl for dessert; it's a can't-miss Austrian souffle baked over tangy fruit jam.

Available on: Discovery, Enchanted, Majestic, Sky, Sun Princess

Churrascaria Brazilian Grill

Servers carve grilled meats including picanha, sirloin, lamb, linguica and sausage tableside at this South American-inspired steakhouse. Round out your meal with options from the teeming salad bar.

Available on: Diamond Princess

A rustic seafood pop-up, Crab Shack will serve casual starters including popcorn shrimp and Manhattan clam chowder, as well as steamed and boiled pots of shellfish, potatoes, corn and herbs.

Available on: Forthcoming, ships to be announced

Crown Grill

Princess' signature steak and seafood house with a theater-style open kitchen is a perennial favorite with guests. On the menu are aged and hand-cut steaks and chops, seafood and a selection of salts curated from around the world to sprinkle on dishes.

Available on: Caribbean, Crown, Discovery, Emerald, Enchanted, Grand, Majestic, Regal, Royal, Ruby, Sky, Sun Princess

Related: 7 reasons you should treat yourself to a cruise ship specialty restaurant

Harmony is a contemporary Chinese restaurant with a five-course menu of dishes. Highlights include Peking duck salad, braised pork belly ribs with star anise and fried rice with scallops.

Sabatini's Italian Trattoria

At the cruise line's signature Italian restaurant, traditional flavors meld with regional influences. Handmade pastas like pappardelle alla Bolognese are joined by ossobuco Milanese, heirloom cheeses and air-cured salume.

Available on: Caribbean, Coral, Crown, Diamond, Discovery, Emerald, Enchanted, Grand, Island, Regal, Royal, Ruby, Sapphire, Sky, Sun Princess

Sterling Steakhouse

This premium chophouse features high-quality cuts of meat from corn-fed beef, including Kansas City strip, filet mignon, Madeira-glazed veal and surf and turf, served with shareable sides like loaded baked potatoes and sauteed wild mushrooms. (Sterling Steakhouse is similar to the Crown Grill, but the two steakhouses have different menus.)

Available on: Sapphire Princess

Love by Britto

Princess Cruises has collaborated with Romero Britto, the Brazilian artist known for his bold and joyful style, to create a seven-course, prix fixe artistic-inspired dining experience on its newest ship. Standout dishes include oysters with Champagne pearls, Wagyu Chateaubriand Rossini and hot chocolate souffle with hot Bing cherries.

Available on: Sun Princess

Umai Teppanyaki

Your meal at Umai Teppanyaki is a three-act show of Japanese cuisine prepared on an iron teppan grill. Starters include pork belly yakitori and spicy tuna on the rocks, followed by dishes like black cod in soy reduction and filet mignon with Champagne Cognac flambe and a chocolate bento box.

Related: 12 dining mistakes you must fix on your next cruise

The Butcher's Block by Dario

The Butcher's Block is another collaboration, this time a partnership with renowned eighth-generation butcher Dario Cecchini, who owns a butcher shop and restaurants in the Tuscan village of Panzano, Italy. Enjoy a meal of his signature cuts of meat at one large shared table with friends old and new.

360: An Extraordinary Experience

This seven-course, wine-paired dinner is enhanced by immersive technology, including a 360-degree projection screen displaying scenes of the Mediterranean and additional images projected onto the tabletop. You'll find yourself as captivated by the food as the music and storytelling that will virtually transport you to Santorini, the Amalfi Coast, Barcelona and Provence. The dining experience is invite-only, so if you're not some kind of VIP (suite guest, top-tier loyalty program member, casino high roller and the like), don't expect you will be able to dine here.

Available on: Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess

Chef's Table/Chef's Table Lumiere

Fixed price (with or without wine)

The Chef's Table is a unique culinary experience that kicks off with Champagne and hors d'oeuvres and a stroll through the kitchen to meet the executive chef, followed by a multicourse dinner paired with wines. For Chef's Table Lumiere, the table is surrounded by a curtain of lights after guests are seated.

Available on: Caribbean, Coral, Crown, Diamond, Emerald, Grand, Island, Ruby, Sapphire Princess (Chef's Table); Discovery, Enchanted, Majestic, Regal, Royal, Sky Princess (Chef's Table Lumiere)

Balcony Breakfast/Dinner

Start or end the day with an intimate, romantic meal for two served on your cabin balcony. Dinner is a four-course affair including hors d'oeuvres, lobster and steak and your choice of beverages.

Caymus Winemaker's Dinner

During this intimate dining event, a five-course dinner is paired with wines from Chuck Wagner's Napa Valley winery, Caymus Vineyards. This recently launched experience for just 12 guests is offered two to three times per sailing.

Silverado Winemaker's Dinner

A collaboration with winemaker Jon Emmerich of Silverado Vineyards, this dinner pairs five courses (not including a palate cleanser) with the Napa Valley winery's sauvignon blanc and cabernet sauvignon.

Available on: Discovery, Enchanted, Majestic, Regal, Royal, Sky Princess

Princess cruise dining FAQ

Is food on princess cruises included.

Sit-down meals in the main dining room, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, are always included on a Princess cruise, and the menu varies somewhat daily. Also included is a buffet, either called World Fresh Marketplace or Horizon Court, depending on the ship, as well as fast casual and grab-and-go spots on board that serve pizza, tacos, burgers, pastries and ice cream.

Specialty restaurants including Crown Grill, Princess's steak and seafood house, and Sabatini's, the signature Italian restaurant, require a surcharge that's priced at a flat rate per adult or child; some menu items also require an additional surcharge no matter the age of the guest.

Related: The ultimate guide to Princess Cruises ships and itineraries

Are drinks included on Princess cruise ships?

Select beverages are always included: iced tea, hot tea, brewed coffee, hot chocolate, milk, fruit juice, lemonade and tap water. Everything else, including soft drinks, wine, beer, cocktails, spirits and specialty coffees, must either be purchased a la carte or through one of the cruise line's beverage packages .

Do I need reservations?

Reservations are encouraged for the main dining room and the specialty restaurants, and it's best to make them as early as possible ; walk-in parties will be accommodated on a space-available basis. Guests can make reservations via the Princess MedallionClass app or at guest services once you're on board. If you wish to eat at the same time every night, you can do so by reserving your tables in advance.

Platinum and Elite Captain's Circle members have early access to reservations. Passengers booked in a Full Suite or Reserve Collection Mini-Suite don't need to make dining reservations as they will always be accommodated; they also have access to a dedicated space in the main dining room with expedited seating and an expanded menu.

Does Princess Cruises have an evening dress code?

"Smart casual" attire will be appropriate for the main dining room, buffet and fast-casual restaurants. You might want to pack something dressier for the specialty restaurants or one of the more upscale dining experiences like Chef's Table, 360 or a winemaker dinner.

On sailings that are five nights or longer, there will be one or more formal nights, which do require adhering to a dress code in the dining venues . Cocktail dresses, evening gowns or dressy pantsuits are appropriate for women, while dark suits, tuxedos or dinner jackets and slacks are required for men , along with dressy footwear. If you don't want to dress up or forgot appropriate attire, you're welcome to dine at the buffet or any of the other casual dining options on board during formal night.

Is there assigned seating in the main dining room?

There is no assigned seating at any dining venues on board Princess ships. However, if you are a solo diner or part of a couple or small group, your host might ask if you would like to sit with another party of a similar size in the main dining room; the choice is up to you.

What if I have dietary restrictions?

You can use the Cruise Personalizer to indicate your dietary preferences, including requests for low-sodium, low-fat, low-sugar and vegetarian diets. Kosher meals and baby food are available with advanced written requests. If you have allergies or medical needs related to food, you must inform Princess in writing — check the line's website for more details. Princess Cruises also recently introduced a series of vegan menus for dinner in the main dining room, including starters, soups, salads, pastas and main dishes.

Where can I get snacks on board?

You'll find lots of spots to grab a quick bite, dessert or coffee, including Coffee & Cones, Patisserie, Swirls Ice Cream Bar, The Pastry Shop, International Cafe and Gelateria — options vary depending on the ship. Food at these venues is included, but there is a charge for specialty coffees and teas unless you have a beverage package.

Is room service included on Princess Cruises?

Guests can use the designated button on their cabin's phone to order room service 24 hours a day; each order incurs a $5 delivery fee, which is waived for those with Princess Plus or Princess Premier status.

You can also use the OceanNow feature in the Princess Medallion Class app to order food to be delivered to your cabin or anywhere else on the ship, like the pool deck. This feature is included with Princess Plus and Princess Premium; otherwise, there is a one-time access fee of $14.99 per person per voyage and a $5 delivery fee per order. Food and beverage surcharges may apply for some items ordered via room service.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Princess Cruises is taking a page out of the ultra-luxury cruise industry with new all-inclusive, $3,000 cabins

• Princess Cruises says its new Sun Princess and upcoming Star Princess will have all-inclusive cabins.
• Guests who've booked the new Sanctuary Collection category would get an inclusive package and private lounge.
• It's a move that could appeal to ultra-luxury cruisers .

If you want to go on an all-inclusive vacation at sea, you no longer need to book an ultra-luxury, ultra-expensive cruise line .

Just sail on Princess Cruises' new ship instead.

In October, Princess says its two-month-old Sun Princess will debut in the US with the company's first-ever Sanctuary Collection, an adult-only lounge exclusive to guests who've booked one of the collection's high-end cabins. These luxurious accommodations comprise 10% of the ship's 2,157 staterooms, including all its suites.

But the Sanctuary's biggest perk arguably isn't the lounge's private pool and restaurant — it's the all-inclusiveness , a rarity among mass-market cruise lines.

It's the Carnival Corp. brand's latest appeal to ultra-luxury cruisers

Mass-market cruise lines like Princess, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian typically follow the " budget airline " strategy: charge a cheap base fare and offer plenty of irresistible up-charged amenities (like specialty restaurants, as is the case of Sun Princess).

It's a stark contrast to the high-end cruise industry, where all-inclusivity is often considered the standard.

For example, luxury cruise line Explora Journey's fare includes alcoholic beverages, WiFi, and access to the spa — amenities that would typically cost extra on ships like Sun Princess. On Regent Seven Seas , all this, plus excursions, pre-cruise hotels, and roundtrip flights are also included in the cost to sail.

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Over the last few years, Princess has begun following in these high-end cruise lines' foosteps.

In 2022, it launched Princess Premier, an optional inclusive package covering amenities like WiFi, drinks, some upcharged restaurants, and workout classes. It's the same package Sanctuary Collection guests would get, along with the private restaurant and adult-only lounge with cabanas, a pool, and private events.

The exclusive lounge concept is nothing new. Royal Caribbean's two largest cruise liners have a "neighborhood" exclusive to suite guests. The same applies to Norwegian, Celebrity, and MSC Cruises' vessels.

However, while these competing retreats offer perks like drink packages, WiFi, or private restaurants, none are as "inclusive" as Princess'.

In 2024, Sun Princess' Sanctuary cabins start at more than $3,000 per person for a weeklong Caribbean cruise in mid-December. To compare, the cheapest interior cabin for the same itinerary starts shy of $700 per person.

The cruise line says its next ship, Star Princess, which will debut in late September 2025, will also carry the Sanctuary Collection.

Following in the footsteps of high-end, all-inclusive cruise lines could be a wise decision for Princess. These luxury vacations at sea have become increasingly popular as travelers continue to spend big on their trips.

Like Princess, expedition cruise company HX recently shifted to an all-inclusive model as well.

Back on dry land, hotel giants like Hyatt and Marriott have also seen a boom in these "everything free" resorts .

Apparently, every vacationer — whether on water or solid ground — just wants one thing: stress-free poolside lounging with bottomless drinks.

Watch: Inside the world's biggest cruise ship that just set sail

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