Princess Cruises Dining Guide: Best Ships & Restaurants 2026

Princess Cruises’ culinary program received notable recognition when Royal Princess was named World’s Best Culinary Cruise Ship at the 2025 World Culinary Awards—and the recognition was well deserved. The line offers up to eight specialty dining options on select ships, partners with culinary figures including 13-time World Pizza Champion Tony Gemignani and eighth-generation Italian butcher Dario Cecchini, and introduced its Sphere-class dining concept aboard Sun Princess, which features 30 restaurant and bar venues. Its sister ship, Star Princess, became the fleet’s newest ship when it debuted in October 2025. For food-focused cruisers, Princess remains one of the most compelling options at its price point in the mainstream cruise category.

Princess Cruises Dining: What's Included vs. Extra

Every Princess sailing includes complimentary access to the Main Dining Rooms (MDRs), a buffet-style venue—The Eatery, World Fresh Marketplace or Horizon Court, depending on the ship—and select casual poolside venues. What separates Princess from many competitors is the quality and variety of its paid-upgrade options — and the way those upgrades are bundled into its cruise packages.

Complimentary dining includes:

• Main Dining Rooms (meal availability varies)
• The Eatery, World Fresh Marketplace or Horizon Court, depending on the ship
• Poolside grills and casual deck venues
• International Café (complimentary food; specialty drinks may cost extra)
• Slice or a similar poolside pizza venue
• Select room-service items; menu and delivery charges may apply

For-a-fee dining includes:

• Crown Grill (signature steakhouse)
• Sabatini's Italian Trattoria
• The Catch by Rudi (seafood)
• The Butcher's Block by Dario
• Alfredo's / Gigi's Pizzeria by Alfredo
• 360: An Extraordinary Experience (immersive dining)
• Churrascaria Brazilian Grill (select ships)

The Main Dining Room Experience

The Main Dining Room on Princess ships is a genuine sit-down restaurant — not an afterthought. Menus rotate daily and typically feature four to five entrée options spanning regional cuisine, lighter fare, and a classic always-available section (grilled salmon, chicken breast, Caesar salad) for guests who prefer consistency.

Princess offers three distinct MDR dining styles at dinner:

• Traditional Dining — Assigned early or late seating, with the same dining time, table and waitstaff.
• Reservable Dining — Advance reservations that guests can modify.
• Walk-in Anytime — Open seating without a standing reservation, subject to availability.

On ships with multiple MDRs — such as Royal Princess, which operates Symphony (Deck 5), Allegro, and Concerto (Deck 6) — each room may be designated for a specific dining style, so guests know exactly where to go each night.

Pro Tip: On longer voyages (10+ nights), traditional dining builds a genuine relationship with your waitstaff, who will learn your preferences, dietary restrictions, and even your preferred table configuration by night two. For a foodie, this translates to a noticeably more personalized experience.

Formal or “Dress to Impress” evenings vary by itinerary. Cruises of five days or longer generally include at least one, while longer voyages may include two or more. Check your itinerary and onboard schedule for the exact number.

Best Specialty Restaurants on Princess Cruises, Ranked

1. Crown Grill

The flagship steakhouse across much of the Princess fleet, Crown Grill serves hand-cut USDA Black Angus steaks, select signature cuts, fresh seafood, and a curated wine list. Princess confirms that its butchers cut steaks onboard, although menu selections and preparation styles vary by ship and sailing. Popular choices include cooked-to-order steaks, chops, and seafood dishes.

2. The Butcher's Block by Dario

Available aboard Sun Princess and Star Princess, this specialty restaurant is a collaboration with Dario Cecchini, the Panzano-based butcher whose family has practiced the craft for eight generations. Its shared, meat-focused menu showcases premium steaks, signature cuts, and Italian-inspired accompaniments rooted in Cecchini’s butchery traditions, making it one of the more distinctive specialty dining experiences in Princess’s price category.

3. Sabatini's Italian Trattoria

The longest-running specialty restaurant in the Princess fleet and a consistent guest favorite. Handmade pasta, branzino, and a tiramisu that competes with anything you'd find in a mid-range Roman trattoria. The ambiance skews romantic — low lighting, attentive service, unhurried pacing.

4. The Catch by Rudi

A newer specialty restaurant created by Rudi Sodamin, Princess Cruises’ Head of Culinary Arts and fleetwide Executive Chef. The menu focuses on fresh, sustainably sourced seafood and seasonal preparations, including catch-of-the-day selections, lobster, whole fish, and a raw seafood bar. The Catch by Rudi is available aboard Sun Princess, Star Princess, Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess, Majestic Princess, and Sky Princess.

5. Alfredo's / Gigi's Pizzeria by Alfredo

Tony Gemignani’s partnership with Princess has introduced five signature pizzas across Alfredo’s Pizzeria, Gigi’s Pizzeria by Alfredo, and select top-deck pizza venues. The made-to-order pizzas feature hand-crafted dough and premium ingredients. Alfredo’s and Gigi’s are casual dining venues that generally carry a cover charge or offer à-la-carte pricing. Eligible Princess Plus guests can use one of their four included casual-dining meals, while Princess Premier includes unlimited casual dining. Both venues are worth considering for pizza lovers.

6. 360: An Extraordinary Experience

An immersive, multisensory dining event rather than a traditional restaurant, 360 is available exclusively aboard Discovery Princess and Enchanted Princess. Guests are seated in a circular room for a seven-course experience combining destination-inspired storytelling, projected visuals, sound, aromas, and wine pairings. It carries an additional charge and is not included with Princess Plus or Princess Premier—but for a special occasion, it is one of the most theatrical dining experiences Princess offers.

Specialty Restaurants by Ship: Quick Reference

Restaurant availability, names, and concepts may change by ship or sailing. Confirm the current dining lineup with Princess Cruises before booking.

Casual and Buffet Dining

Princess’s primary buffet-style venue is called The Eatery, World Fresh Marketplace, or Horizon Court, depending on the ship. These venues offer international dishes, live cooking stations, carving selections, and desserts in layouts designed to support an efficient flow of guests. Operating hours vary by ship, itinerary, and daily schedule.

Additional casual venues include:

• The Salty Dog Gastropub — A fee-based pub-style venue serving elevated dishes such as burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, tacos, lobster mac and cheese, and beef short ribs, accompanied by a broad selection of beers. Princess currently lists the Gastropub aboard Ruby Princess.
• Planks BBQ — Slow-smoked meats with regional American BBQ sauces. Available on select ships.
• Slice — Poolside pizza by the slice, complimentary.
• The Crab Shack — Pop-up seafood experience on select evenings; additional fee applies.
• Coffee & Cones — Ice cream and specialty coffee bar; frappes are included with both Princess Plus and Premier packages.

Pro Tip: The International Café, available 24 hours a day on many Princess ships, is a convenient option between meals. Pastries, sandwiches, salads, and other light bites are complimentary, while specialty coffees and teas cost extra unless covered by an eligible beverage package.

Best Princess Ships for Foodies: Sun vs. Star vs. Royal

Not all Princess ships offer the same dining depth. Here's how the top contenders compare for food-focused cruisers in 2026.

Sun Princess (launched in 2024, with capacity for 4,300 guests at lower berths) introduced Princess’s Sphere-class dining concept, featuring 30 restaurant and bar venues. Star Princess, which debuted in October 2025, offers a closely related 30-venue lineup with several expanded dining spaces and is the newest ship in the fleet. It was also named World’s Best Culinary Cruise Ship in 2026. Royal Princess has a smaller, established Royal-class dining lineup and received the same World Culinary Award in 2025, making it a strong alternative for travelers who prefer a somewhat smaller ship.

For a deeper look at how Sun and Star compare across all categories, see our guide to Sun Princess vs. Star Princess: Which Ship to Book in 2026.

Princess Plus vs. Princess Premier: Dining Value Breakdown

Choosing the right package determines your out-of-pocket dining spend for the entire voyage. Here's how they compare specifically on dining:

Benefits shown apply to current Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages purchased on or after July 22, 2025. Benefits may differ for packages purchased earlier and can vary by sailing, ship, market, and availability.

The math for foodies: If you plan to dine at Crown Grill, Sabatini’s, The Butcher’s Block, or other specialty restaurants—and also use several casual dining venues—Princess Premier may offer good value on sailings of seven nights or longer. However, specialty dining alone may not offset the full per-person price difference between Premier and Plus. Its overall value depends on your combined use of unlimited specialty and casual dining, premium beverages, four-device Wi-Fi, shore-excursion credit, and photo benefits.

For the full breakdown of what changed in the 2026 package updates, see Princess updates: Premier and Plus packages with shore excursion credits and dining perks.

Pro Tip: If you’re traveling as a couple with different dining priorities—one partner wants to try every specialty restaurant while the other prefers the MDR—do not assume that the first two guests can choose different packages. Princess normally applies the selected Plus or Premier package to guests one and two on the reservation. Confirm whether any exception is available directly with Princess or your travel advisor.

Chef Experiences and Cooking Classes

Princess has invested meaningfully in culinary programming beyond restaurant dining.

Chef's Table is available on select ships and is described by Princess as an intimate multicourse dining experience for 12 guests, accompanied by wine pairings. The format and location vary by ship, with the experience hosted in a dedicated dining area and sometimes including a behind-the-scenes galley component. Guests may also have an opportunity to interact with the executive chef or culinary team. Because capacity is limited, reservations can fill quickly.

Culinary demonstrations may be scheduled as part of Princess’s onboard activities and can feature presentations led by members of the culinary team. Topics, timing, availability, and any associated charges vary by ship and sailing, so consult the onboard daily program for details.

Alfredo’s Pizzeria on Sun Princess and Star Princess features an open kitchen where guests can watch the pizzaiolos prepare and bake made-to-order pizzas—a more engaging experience than standard pizza-by-the-slice service.

For guests interested in pairing culinary experiences with destination-driven food exploration, Princess's Mediterranean itineraries are particularly well-suited — especially sailings that call in Sicily, the Amalfi Coast, or Istanbul. See our guide to Best Mediterranean Cruise Ports for First-Timers in 2026 for port-by-port food context.

Tips for Booking Dining in Advance

Specialty restaurants on Princess ships — especially Crown Grill, Sabatini's, and 360: An Extraordinary Experience — fill up quickly, particularly on popular itineraries and holiday sailings.

What to know before you sail:

• Book as early as possible. Dining reservations may become available up to six months before departure. Most guests can access reservations after paying their cruise fare in full, while Platinum and Elite Captain’s Circle members and guests booked in Reserve Collection or suites may receive earlier access.
• Use the Princess Cruises App. The app allows guests to manage dining reservations, dining preferences, OceanReady information, and eligible onboard delivery orders.
• Reserve Chef’s Table early. Capacity is limited and availability varies by ship and sailing, so reserve the experience as soon as your dining-booking access becomes available.
• Flexible dining guests: Reserve MDR times in advance even for flexible dining — especially for the first and last nights of the voyage, which see peak demand.
• Sea days fill specialty restaurants. Counter-intuitively, sea days drive higher specialty dining demand than port days. If you want a quieter, more attentive experience at Crown Grill, book a port-day evening slot.

Pro Tip: If you miss your preferred specialty restaurant reservation, check the app on embarkation day — cancellations open up regularly as guests finalize plans after boarding. The 30-minute window before a restaurant opens is also a good time to ask the host directly about same-day availability.

Key Takeaways

• Sun Princess and Star Princess offer the fleet’s broadest dining programs, with 30 restaurant and bar venues and culinary collaborations involving Tony Gemignani, Dario Cecchini, Makoto Okuwa, and Rudi Sodamin.
• Royal Princess earned the World's Best Culinary Cruise Ship award in 2025 — proof that dining execution matters as much as venue count.
• Princess Premier may offer good value on a seven-night sailing if you plan to use several specialty and casual dining venues along with its premium beverages, four-device Wi-Fi, shore-excursion credit, and photo benefits.
• Chef's Table is a limited-capacity dining experience, so reserve it as soon as your dining-booking access becomes available.
• The International Café is a strong complimentary option, while Alfredo’s and Gigi’s offer made-to-order pizza for a cover charge, à-la-carte price, or through an eligible dining package.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which Princess ship has the best dining in 2026?

Sun Princess and Star Princess each feature 30 restaurant and bar venues, giving them the fleet’s broadest dining selection, with culinary collaborators including Tony Gemignani, Dario Cecchini, Makoto Okuwa, and Rudi Sodamin. Star Princess is the newest ship and was named World’s Best Culinary Cruise Ship in 2026, while the smaller and older Royal Princess received the same award in 2025.

Q: Is specialty dining worth it on Princess Cruises?

Princess Premier can be worthwhile for guests who plan to combine frequent specialty and casual dining with premium drinks, four-device Wi-Fi, shore-excursion credit, and photo benefits. Guests primarily interested in one or two specialty meals may spend less by paying à la carte. Crown Grill and Sabatini’s are among Princess’s signature specialty restaurants, while The Butcher’s Block by Dario aboard Sun Princess and Star Princess offers a distinctive, meat-focused dining experience.

Q: What is included in Princess Cruises dining packages?

Princess Plus includes four casual dining meals per guest per voyage, plus specialty coffees, beverages up to $15, and non-alcoholic drinks. Princess Premier includes unlimited specialty and casual dining, plus unlimited beverages up to $20 per drink. Both packages include bottled water (up to 12 x 500mL per day), Red Bull, and fountain sodas.

Q: Can I make specialty dining reservations before my cruise?

Yes. Dining reservations may open up to six months before departure through Manage Booking or the Princess Cruises App, generally after final payment. Eligible loyalty, Reserve Collection, and suite guests may receive earlier access. Chef’s Table has limited capacity, so book as soon as you become eligible.

Q: Does Princess Cruises offer cooking classes?

Princess may schedule culinary demonstrations and chef-led presentations as part of its onboard activities, with topics, timing, availability, and any charges varying by sailing. Chef’s Table is a paid, limited-capacity multicourse experience hosted by the executive chef or culinary team; its format varies by ship. Formal multi-day cooking courses are not part of Princess’s standard onboard program.

Q: How does Princess Cruises dining compare to other premium lines?

Princess competes in the premium/mainstream cruise segment, while Oceania emphasizes culinary-focused premium cruising and Regent Seven Seas operates in the luxury, highly inclusive category. Because fares, included dining, specialty-restaurant charges, and ship classes differ, comparisons should consider overall value as well as food quality. For a direct comparison, see our guide to Princess Cruises vs. Holland America: Which Line Wins in 2026?. If you're evaluating Princess against the broader foodie cruise landscape, our Best Cruise Lines for Foodies: Top Ships for Dining in 2026 provides a cross-line comparison.

Fast Facts

• Best For: Food-focused cruisers, couples celebrating special occasions, guests who want chef-driven dining without ultra-luxury pricing
• Top Foodie Ship: Star Princess for the newest ship and 2026 culinary award; Sun Princess for its closely related Sphere-class dining lineup; and Royal Princess for a smaller, established Royal-class alternative.
• Best Specialty Restaurant: Crown Grill (consistency); The Butcher's Block by Dario (most distinctive)
• Best Value Package for Foodies: Princess Premier may suit guests planning frequent specialty and casual dining who will also use its premium beverages, Wi-Fi, shore-excursion credit, and photo benefits.
• Limited-Capacity Dining Experience: Chef’s Table—reserve as soon as your dining-booking access becomes available.
• Best Complimentary Dining: International Café and select pool-deck venues such as Slice
• Notable Casual Dining: Alfredo’s or Gigi’s Pizzeria, depending on the ship
• Best Time to Book Dining: As soon as dining access becomes available; compare available times across sea-day and port-day evenings.
• Price Range: Fares vary by itinerary; Princess Premier package adds a per-day premium over base fares — confirm current pricing on Cruisebound