Drew_Callahan
Moderator
Princess Cruises Dining & Drinking Guide 2026: Every Restaurant, Bar, and Beverage Package by Ship Class
If you're planning a Princess cruise in 2026, you're in for a real treat—and I mean that literally. After 40+ cruises across multiple lines, I can tell you that Princess consistently delivers some of the best dining experiences at sea, especially compared to the mega-ship crowds at Royal Caribbean and Norwegian. The food quality is higher, the service is more personalized, and the beverage packages actually make financial sense. But with so many dining venues, specialty restaurants, and drink packages to choose from, it's easy to feel overwhelmed before you even step onboard.
Let me walk you through exactly what you're getting on every Princess ship class in 2026—the good, the honest critiques, and the insider tips that'll save you money and guarantee you eat better than 90% of cruisers.
Main Dining Room: Where Most of Your Meals Happen
The main dining room is included with your cruise fare, and this is where Princess really shines. Unlike some cruise lines that treat the main dining room like an afterthought, Princess treats it like the heart of the ship. You'll typically dine here 5-7 nights depending on your itinerary, and the experience matters.
What to expect:
You get assigned seating or flexible dining (your choice when you book). I've done both, and honestly? For a 7-day cruise, traditional assigned seating gives you better service consistency. Your server learns your preferences, and you build a connection. That matters at sea.
The menus rotate every night, and they're genuinely varied. I'm talking grilled salmon with asparagus, filet mignon with béarnaise, herb-roasted chicken, and always at least two vegetarian options that aren't just pasta. There's a nightly "always available" menu too—so if you hate the featured entrée, you can order from a list of standbys. The soup and appetizer options are where I really notice the quality gap between Princess and the mega-ships. These aren't skimp portions either.
Bread service happens every night (fresh rolls, not the pre-packaged stuff), and desserts range from decent to genuinely impressive—especially the captain's gala night, which usually features a themed dessert showcase.
The honest critiques:
Waiting staff can be slow during peak dinner hours if the dining room is full. I've waited 20 minutes for an appetizer at 7:15 PM on sea days. 6:15 PM or 8:30 PM seatings move faster. Also, the wine list leans heavily toward mid-range bottles at cruise-line markups (expect to pay $50-80 for a decent Pinot Grigio). The water service is excellent though, and included beverages (coffee, tea, juice, water) are unlimited.
On Grand-class ships (Grand Princess, Royal Princess, Sky Princess, Sun Princess), the main dining room spans two decks and seats about 1,500 people. The design is elegant, and you get better sightlines of the ocean. On Crown-class ships (Crown Princess, Emerald Princess), it's slightly smaller but equally well-designed. On Caribbean-class ships (Caribbean Princess, Coral Princess), the main dining room is more intimate—which I actually prefer.
Specialty Restaurants: Worth Every Penny (Sometimes)
Here's where things get interesting. Princess offers multiple specialty dining venues, and unlike Royal Caribbean, most of them actually deliver value. But you need to know which ones are worth booking.
Sabatini's Trattoria
This is Italian fine dining, and it's my go-to specialty restaurant on Princess ships. You're looking at $25-35 per person for dinner (if you add it to your package, see packages section below). The menu features handmade pasta, risotto, seafood, and Italian wines. I've had the lobster ravioli here multiple times, and it's consistently excellent—not the frozen stuff you'd get in the main dining room.
The atmosphere is classy but not stuffy. You get white tablecloths, professional service, and portions that are actually generous. One honest note: it can feel a bit quiet/formal if you're looking for a fun night out. Better for celebrating anniversaries than bachelor parties.
Available on: Grand-class, Crown-class, and most other Princess ships.
Crown Grill (Steakhouse)
If you're a meat person, this is where you go. $30-40 per person, and you're getting premium steaks (ribeye, filet mignon, New York strip), fresh seafood, and a wine list that actually focuses on bold reds. The sides are generous—truffle fries, creamed spinach, grilled asparagus—and they do tableside Caesar salad if you book in advance.
Honest take: it's excellent, but you're paying premium prices for premium beef. The quality is real though—these are quality cuts, not the mid-tier steaks you'd find at a casual chain. Service is polished, and the atmosphere has old-school steakhouse charm without being pretentious.
Available on: Grand-class and Crown-class ships primarily.
Anytime Casual Venues (Free)
Don't sleep on these. The buffet on Princess ships is genuinely solid—way better than Carnival's and comparable to Royal Caribbean's. You've got a carving station, pasta bar, hot entrées, salad bar, and desserts. The food rotates daily, and they actually replenish frequently (not just letting stuff sit under heat lamps).
The poolside grill offers burgers, hot dogs, and grilled chicken—typical cruise ship fare, but fresh and hot. The pizza bar (usually near the pool or in the buffet area) makes decent personal pizzas throughout the day.
For late-night cravings, 24-hour room service offers a limited menu: pizzas, sandwiches, fresh fruit, and salads. Room service is included, which is rare. Most lines charge $7-15 per order.
Bars, Lounges & Nightlife: Where to Drink (and What It Costs)
Now let's talk alcohol. Princess ships have excellent bar programs, and the venues are way more sophisticated than what you'd find on mass-market cruise lines.
The Bar Scene by Venue Type
Signature Bars: Every Princess ship has a main atrium bar, usually elegant with live music in the evenings. These serve craft cocktails (mojitos, cosmopolitans, old fashioneds) for $12-16 each (or included if you buy a beverage package). The bartenders are skilled, and the presentation actually matters. Not just "pour rum and coke in a cup."
Specialty Cocktail Bars: Ships like Royal Princess and Sky Princess have dedicated craft cocktail bars where mixologists create signature drinks. $14-18 per cocktail. I've had some genuinely impressive drinks here—better than many land-based bars, honestly. If you're a cocktail enthusiast, these venues are worth a visit even if it's not included in your package.
Sports Bar: Most Princess ships have a casual sports bar with multiple screens, serving beer and basic drinks. Atmosphere is fun and relaxed. Popular during games. $6-8 for beer, $5-7 for wine per glass if you're paying by the drink.
Piano Bar: Some ships (especially older Crown-class) have traditional piano bars—slightly classier than the sports bar, with sing-alongs in the evenings. Good if you want background ambiance and a casual cocktail. $12-15 per drink.
Pool Bar: Casual daytime bar with frozen drinks, beer, and spritzers. $8-12 per drink. Popular at sea days. The mojitos here are actually solid (better than most cruise lines, in my experience).
Wine Program & Wine Bars
Princess takes wine seriously. Most ships have a dedicated wine bar or wine shop where you can sample wines from around the world. Some nights, there are wine tastings (usually complimentary or a small fee like $15-20) hosted by onboard sommeliers. These are genuinely educational and fun—you'll learn something beyond what you'd get from a standard bar experience.
If you're not on a beverage package, wine by the glass runs $6-9 (standard) to $12-16 (premium). Bottles are marked up significantly (as they are on all cruise lines), ranging from $35 for an entry-level bottle to $100+ for reserves.
Beverage Packages: Do They Actually Save You Money? 2026 Pricing
This is the section that separates savvy cruisers from those who overpay. Let me break down Princess's beverage options in 2026 and when they actually make sense.
The Packages Available
Classic Beverage Package: ~$17-22 per day (prices vary by ship and season). Includes non-alcoholic drinks (coffee, juice, soda, tea), beer, standard wine by the glass, and well spirits. Does NOT include premium spirits, specialty cocktails, or premium wine. This is the most popular package, and for most cruisers, it's the sweet spot.
Premium Beverage Package: ~$25-32 per day. Includes everything in Classic PLUS premium spirits (top-shelf liquors), craft cocktails, premium wines by the glass, and specialty drinks. If you enjoy craft cocktails or premium wines, this one saves money fast. One premium cocktail ($16) + one premium wine ($14) = $30, so you'd break even in a day.
Non-Alcoholic Beverage Package: ~$8-12 per day. Includes premium coffee, fresh juices, smoothies, soft drinks, and bottled water. This makes sense if you don't drink alcohol or if you're paying for multiple family members and want to avoid à la carte costs.
The Math: Do Packages Save Money?
Let's say you're on a 7-day cruise and you enjoy 2-3 drinks per day (not unusual). Here's the reality:
Without a package: 2 drinks × $14 average = $28/day × 7 days = $196
With Classic package: $19/day × 7 days = $133 + you can drink unlimited standard beverages = saves ~$63
With Premium package: $28/day × 7 days = $196 + you get premium spirits and craft cocktails included, which would cost $16+ per drink à la carte
The packages almost always save money if you drink more than 2 drinks per day. If you drink 1 drink per day or less, skip the package and pay per drink.
Pro tip from my experience: If you're bringing a group and some people drink heavily while others don't, only buy packages for the drinkers. It's more cost-effective than buying a package for everyone.
When to Buy & Where to Buy
You can buy beverage packages before you cruise (usually discounted 10-15% if you prepay) or onboard (full price). I always prepay when possible. You can also buy daily packages onboard if you want to try it first (some lines don't allow this, but Princess does).
When you book your Princess cruise through CruiseVoices, you can add your beverage package during the booking process through our AI concierge, and you'll lock in any available discounts. You can also modify or add packages up to a certain cutoff date before your cruise.
Ship Class Differences: Dining Varies More Than You'd Think
Grand-Class Ships (Grand Princess, Royal Princess, Sky Princess, Sun Princess)
These are the newest and most upscale Princess ships. Dining spaces are more expansive, and you get more specialty restaurant options. The main dining room spans two decks and has floor-to-ceiling windows. You'll typically find:
- Main dining room (2 decks, seats ~1,500)
- Sabatini's Trattoria
- Crown Grill
- Multiple casual venues (buffet, pizza bar, grill)
- Multiple bar venues including craft cocktail bars
- Wine tasting venues
The food quality is highest on Grand-class ships. I notice better ingredient sourcing and more sophisticated preparations. However, you're also paying slightly more for Grand-class itineraries.
Crown-Class Ships (Crown Princess, Emerald Princess)
These are solid mid-tier Princess ships with excellent dining. Main dining room is more intimate (seats ~800-1,000), which I actually prefer. You get:
- Main dining room (elegant, more intimate)
- Sabatini's Trattoria
- Crown Grill
- Buffet and casual venues
- Multiple bars
Dining quality is only slightly below Grand-class. These ships are often a better value because they're not new (so itineraries are cheaper) but dining is still excellent. Great for first-time Princess cruisers who want to test the line without paying premium prices.
Caribbean-Class Ships (Caribbean Princess, Coral Princess)
These are smaller, older Princess ships, and they offer a more intimate dining experience. Main dining room seats ~600-800, and you feel more connected to fellow diners. Specialty restaurants are similar, but the overall dining atmosphere is cozier. Food quality is solid, though you might notice slightly less variety than newer ships.
These ships sail itineraries (Panama Canal, Alaska, smaller Caribbean ports) that the bigger ships can't access, so if the itinerary appeals to you, the slightly smaller dining venues are worth it.
Insider Tips to Eat Better & Spend Less
After 40+ cruises, I've figured out what actually works:
1. Dine early or very late. The 6:15 PM seating in the main dining room is faster and less crowded than 7:15 or 8:15 PM. Service is more attentive when the dining room isn't at capacity.
2. Make specialty restaurant reservations on day one. Prime seating times (7:00-8:00 PM) fill fast. If you book at the dining desk on embarkation day, you'll get first pick. Through our Princess ship forums, you can also learn which specialty restaurants are best on your specific ship.
3. Skip the specialty restaurants on formal nights. The main dining room on formal nights (captain's gala) features special menus and themed desserts. It's genuinely excellent and is included. Save your specialty dining dollars for sea days when you want to break up routine.
4. Ask your server about seasonal items. The menu rotates, but servers know which dishes are best on any given night. "What's fresh today?" is the best question you can ask.
5. Take advantage of free tastings. Many Princess ships host complimentary wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, and mixology classes. These are actual value, and the instructors are knowledgeable.
6. Order water with lemon, not bottled water. Tap water on cruise ships is safe and clean. Ordering "water with lemon" avoids the cost of bottled water and is what seasoned cruisers do. On some lines this matters; on Princess, everyone is inclusive, but it's a habit.
7. Budget for tipping bar staff. If you're on a beverage package, gratuities are usually not automatically added to bar tabs. Tip $1-2 per drink if you're paying by the drink, or ask if gratuities are already included with your package. Most packages include a service charge, but it's worth confirming.
Food Quality & Dietary Options
Princess accommodates dietary restrictions reasonably well. When you book, you can note allergies, vegetarian/vegan preferences, and religious dietary needs. The kitchen will prepare modified meals for you.
In my experience, vegetarian options are genuinely good (not just side dishes). I've seen risotto, pasta primavera, vegetable Wellington, and stuffed portobello mushrooms—actual entrées, not afterthoughts.
Gluten-free and kosher options require advance notice but are available. Allergy accommodations (shellfish, nut allergies, etc.) are taken seriously because cruise lines have liability concerns. You'll want to notify the ship in advance, not just on embarkation day.
Vegan cruisers have told me the buffet and casual venues have more vegan options than the main dining room, though the dining room can prepare vegan versions of entrées if requested.
Final Take: Is Princess Worth It for Food & Drink?
After 40+ cruises across multiple lines, I can tell you honestly: Princess is in the top tier for dining quality at sea. You're not just getting more food than other lines—you're getting better food, more sophisticated dining spaces, and service that actually feels personalized.
Is it the absolute cheapest cruise line? No. Carnival is cheaper upfront, but the dining experience gap is significant. Is it luxury-line pricing? Absolutely not. Disney is more expensive per day, and Celebrity is comparable.
For the price point, Princess offers real value in dining. The included main dining room is legitimately good. The specialty restaurants are worth the upgrade cost. The beverage packages save money if you drink regularly. And the casual venues—buffet, pizza, grill—are better than mass-market cruise lines.
If food and drink experience matters to you (and it should—you eat twice a day at sea), Princess is a solid choice. Book your 2026 Princess cruise through CruiseVoices, and you can add your beverage package and specialty dining reservations right through our AI concierge while you're planning your entire trip. You'll have everything booked before you step onboard—flights, hotels, excursions, dining packages—all in one conversation.
Ready to experience Princess dining for yourself? Start planning your cruise and share your dining preferences with our concierge. And once you're back from your cruise, come back to our Princess ships community to share your favorite meals and dining tips with other cruisers.