A taste of Princess from casual bites to show-stopping meals
From sushi by the pool to fine dining with a magical twist, Princess Cruises serves up variety, flavour, and flair, as well as new culinary experiences expanding the offering on its latest ships.
Dining is a big part of any cruise, and, with Princess, it's taken seriously. Not in the white-tablecloth, hushed-whispers kind of way – though you’ll find elegance when you want it – but in the sense that food is central to the onboard experience.
Whether you’re after a late-night burger or an extravagant seven-course tasting menu, the options on board are broad and flexible. It’s one of the many things Princess gets right, and nowhere is that more evident than on its two newest ships, Sun Princess and Star Princess, where the dining experience has evolved without losing touch with the line’s classic feel.
Dining with Princess Cruises
Across the Princess fleet, dining falls into four main categories:
- Complimentary: these venues are included in your cruise fare
- Casual: fancy a relaxed bite, these are the places to go
- Speciality: high-end dining for those special occasions or the everyday foodies
- Experiential: more than just a meal, a sensory experience
Complimentary & casual
The complimentary offering forms the backbone of Princess Cruises' food and drink offering – think Main Dining Rooms, grab-and-go cafés and the ever-popular World Fresh Marketplace buffet, where you'll find dishes ranging from familiar favourites to globally inspired meals (the Asian curries and pasta bars are regular highlights).
At the Main Dining Rooms, guests can enjoy chef-crafted menus with three table-service options: walk-in, flexible (giving you the chance to book a table) or traditional (with a choice of early or late seating at the same table and with the same waiting staff).
On Sun Princess, the complimentary offering gets a lift with The Eatery, a new food hall concept where you can sample different cuisines at self-service stations or order at the counter. It’s a fresh take that brings together convenience and variety without compromising quality.
For something relaxed, casual venues offer quick, satisfying food with a chilled vibe. They are not included in the fare, but prices are reasonable (and dining there is often included in the Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages).
Alfredo’s Pizzeria is a crowd-pleaser, serving up thin-crust Neapolitan-style slices, while Salty Dog Gastropub dishes out pub classics, including burgers and short ribs. There are up to seven casual dining options to choose from.
Elevated dining
Speciality dining is where Princess really starts to show off. These venues come with a cover charge (although they are included in the Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages), but for many passengers, they’re worth it for the experience alone.
Sun Princess and Star Princess have added new names to the line-up: The Butcher’s Block by Dario, a partnership with renowned Italian butcher Dario Cecchini, is a rustic, high-energy meat-lover’s paradise, while Umai Teppanyaki turns dinner into theatre, with skilled chefs performing behind the grill.
Elsewhere on the fleet, favourites like Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria and Crown Grill continue to win praise. The former offers regional pasta dishes and seafood, and the latter is the go-to for premium steaks and lobster.
More than just a meal
If you’re after something more immersive, Princess’s experiential dining takes things a step further. The Chef’s Table Lumiere is an intimate, multi-course experience that begins with a behind-the-scenes galley tour and ends under a halo of light as dish after dish arrives, paired with wine and chef commentary.
On Sun Princess, new to the line is Spellbound by Magic Castle, a hidden-away venue inspired by the iconic LA club, combining illusion and fine dining in a setting that feels unlike anything else at sea. Another highlight of Princess' experiential dining is 360: An Extraordinary Experience, a seven-course sensory journey fusing fine dining, storytelling, wine and immersive visual entertainment.
Going all-in(clusive)
Of course, cruise holidays are meant to feel easy, and that’s where the Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages come in. Both bundle in extras like Wi-Fi, drinks and fitness classes, but also include some of the paid-for dining options.
Depending on your package, that might cover meals at Crown Grill, Sabatini’s or other speciality restaurants, making it far more cost-effective if you plan to explore beyond the main dining room. The all-inclusive package takes the pressure off once you're on board.
Helpful technology
And if you’re the kind of cruiser who prefers lunch on a lounger or late-night dessert delivered to your cabin, there’s OceanNow. Available via the Princess app as part of the MedallionClass experience, it lets you order drinks, food and snacks straight to wherever you are on the ship.
On Sun Princess, where the Piazza acts as the social heart of the ship, it means you can settle in with a cocktail and have sushi brought straight to your seat. It's this kind of tech-enabled ease that Princess has leaned into, not for gimmicks, but to make the whole experience feel more personal and relaxed.
So, who’s this dining set-up best for? In truth, almost everyone. Families appreciate the casual options and flexibility. Couples gravitate towards the more elegant venues or late-night bites. Foodies can plan a week of varied, creative meals, while those who like routine find the main dining rooms reliably excellent.
And with Sun Princess and Star Princess expanding what’s possible at sea – from curated tasting menus to food halls and open-kitchen concepts – Princess is showing what cruise dining should be about, delicious and varied, from casual and on-the-go, all the way to gourmet and experiential.
