Royal Caribbean is quietly making the dining change passengers want

No one leaves a Royal Caribbean cruise hungry.

Even the smallest Royal Caribbean ships offer three meals a day in the main dining room (MDR), the Windjammer all-you-can-eat buffet, light meals and complimentary snacks at various cafes and close to 24/7 pizza.

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On larger ships, the options become even more extensive. Oasis-class ships add Park Cafe, which offers breakfast, lunch and some late-night snacks, Boardwalk Dog House, a hot dog stand, El Loco Fresh. which offers Mexican, and select other locations.

However, many experienced cruisers enjoy the additional charge specialty restaurants on Royal Caribbean ships. On smaller ships, that usually means Chops, a steakhouse, one of its multiple Italian restaurant concepts, and Izumi, a sushi/hibachi restaurant.

Larger ships have all of these and then some. You can sail on an Oasis class ship and eat at a different specialty restaurant every night.

It’s something a lot of people like to do, and to make it a little more affordable, Royal Caribbean offers the Unlimited Dining Package (UDP). At its core, the UDP offering is simple, and the cruise line explains it on its website.

“What is included? Specialty restaurants for dinner every sailing evening and lunch on sea days.”

It sounds simple, but it’s actually a lot more complicated, and Royal Caribbean hasn’t made any changes to account for the new dining options.

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Izumi offers a Prixe Fixe menu.

Image source: Royal Caribbean

A deeper look at Royal Caribbean’s UDP

At most restaurants, UDP pays your cover charge. La Chops, for example, includes as many appetizers and sides as you like along with an entree and dessert. There are, however, some restaurants that come with additional charges.

“For ships with the following locations and experiences, they are included with an additional fee that will be charged once on board: Izumi Hibachi/Teppanyaki — $15; Wonderland by DaDong — $25; Royal Railway: Adult — $50, Child — $25; Chef’s Table & Holiday Dinners – $50 Izumi Omakase – $60 Empire Supper Club – $130,” the cruise line said on its website.

Most of these are high-end “experiences” that go beyond just traditional restaurants.

However, in recent years, Royal Caribbean has added several unique restaurants, and it wasn’t always clear how they were included in the UDP (in most cases, they weren’t). The cruise line, for example, has never been clear about surcharge food options without a reservation, other than the Playmakers sports bar.

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UDP holders receive $20 daily credit at Playmakers.

Now, without telling anyone, the cruise line has added more restaurants to UDP, including a hot new concept that’s only on Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas.

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Royal Caribbean is making a UDP change

A number of Royal Caribbean ships offer à la carte menus at bars that support some of their specialty restaurants. Giovanni’s Wine Bar, for example, appears on several ships and does not require reservations.

Passengers can walk in, grab a seat and order from a menu of snacks and pizza. Previously this was not included in the UDP, but Royal Caribbean has fixed that.

“For ships with the following a la carte locations, you will receive a $20 food credit: English Pub, Fish & Ships, Giovanni’s Wine Bar, Playmakers, Portside BBQ, Trellis Bar and Vintages. For Izumi in the Park, you will receive a $10 food credit. Credits are non-refundable and can only be used once per day,” it said on its website.

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That’s $20 at each of those locations every day.

In theory, this could lead to passengers eating lunch and dinner in restaurants and eating more snacks or side meals at à la carte locations. It’s more realistic to think that some people will trade higher priced restaurant meals for a more casual meal here and there.

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So this change gives passengers something they want, while maybe saving Royal Caribbean some money too.

Izumi in the Park, appearing only at that Central Park location on Utopia and Icon of the Seas, offers freshly made sushi and ice cream cones.

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