13 Cruise Dining Mistakes You’ll Regret Making

Cruise food is one of the main reasons why I keep cruising. But it’s easy to miss the best meals, wait too long for a table, or eat at the wrong place at the wrong time.

After more than 25 cruises, these are the dining mistakes I’ve learned to avoid.

1. Not Checking the Main Dining Room Menu Ahead of Time

One of the biggest mistakes is not checking the main dining room menu before deciding where to eat.

On many cruises, some of the best dinners are only served on certain nights.

You might have lobster, steak, prime rib, or another special dish that you won’t see again for the rest of the cruise.

These premium dishes are often served on sea days, so I always check the cruise app ahead of time or ask my server what’s coming up.

You don’t want to decide to eat at the buffet that night and then find out later that you missed lobster night.

2. Not Asking to Change Your Table

When I was new to cruising, my husband and I took a Mediterranean cruise with Royal Caribbean and we were assigned to a table with two other couples.

I was young, in my early twenties, that I honestly just accepted it.

It never even occurred to me that I could ask to be moved.

Looking back, I should have just requested a table for two.

Now I know better.

If I’m not happy with my assigned table, whether it’s the location, the table size, or who I’m seated with, I make the request on the first day of the cruise so there’s a better chance it can be resolved right away.

3. Thinking You Can Only Order One Item

A lot of first time cruisers don’t realize how flexible cruise dining can be.

You can order more than one appetizer, soup, salad, or dessert.

So if there are two appetizers that looks good, try both.

Just keep in mind that some cruise lines now charge for a second main entree, so check the policy on your particular ship.

4. Not Coordinating Your Courses With the Rest of the Table

This is a small thing, but it can make dinner feel awkward.

If everyone at your table orders two appetizers and you only order one, you will end up sitting there waiting for everyone to finish their second appetizer.

Or the opposite can happen.

If you’re the only person ordering multiple appetizers, everyone else may be waiting for you before the entrees arrive.

That’s why it’s best to coordinate with everyone at your table so you order the same number of courses. 

5. Not Knowing Your Wine Bottle Can Follow You Around the Ship

When I was new to cruising, I was sometimes hesitant to order a bottle of wine because I thought we had to finish the entire bottle at dinner.

But you don’t have to.

If you don’t finish your bottle, your server can store it for you.

Then you can ask for that same bottle again later.

For example, you could have a glass with dinner, ask for the bottle at a lounge later that evening, or have it brought back to your table at dinner the following day.

So don’t feel pressured to finish an entire bottle of wine in one sitting.

6. Not Knowing Some Continental Breakfast Room Service Is Free

A lot of cruisers assume room service automatically costs extra.

But on many cruise lines, basic continental breakfast room service is complimentary.

Although you need to check because for example, Norwegian Cruise Line charges for room service.

But if your cruise line offers complimentary continental breakfast delivery, it can be really convenient.

You can order things like coffee, tea, juice, pastries, cereal, or fruit.

I especially like it on port days when you’re trying to get everyone ready and out of the cabin early.

7.  Not Making Reservations If Your Cruise Allows It

If you have flexible dining and your cruise line lets you make reservations, make them.

It’s tempting to think you’ll just show up whenever you’re hungry, but popular dining times can fill up quickly.

This is especially important if you’re traveling with a larger group since it’s harder to get a big table. You don’t want to spend 45 minutes waiting to be seated.

If reservations are available, make them and then adjust later if your plans change.

8. Waiting Too Long to Request Early or Late Traditional Dining

If your cruise uses traditional dining, you’ll usually have an assigned dining time.

That could mean early dining or late dining.

If you have a strong preference, tell the cruise line as early as possible.

Popular dining times can fill up.

This is especially important if you’re traveling with kids, older family members, or anyone who really doesn’t want to eat dinner at 8:30 at night.

Don’t wait until you board the ship to think about it.

Choose your preferred dining time when you book the cruise.

9. Not Knowing You Can Eat at More Than One Venue

Another thing new cruisers sometimes don’t realize is that you don’t have to choose just one place to eat.

Maybe you have an early dinner in the main dining room, watch a show, and then get hungry again later.

You can eat again.

I’ve definitely had dinner, watched a show, and then stopped by the buffet afterward for dessert or a slice of pizza.

That’s one of the fun parts of cruising. You can enjoy different dining venues throughout the evening instead of feeling like dinner has to be one and done.

10. Not Telling Your Server About Food Allergies

If you or someone in your family has a food allergy, make sure you tell your dining room staff.

Cruise lines deal with food allergies all the time, and the staff can usually help you figure out what you can safely order.

My son has a nut allergy and he usually gets the menu for tomorrow and pre-orders his meals ahead of time. 

Then when you eat the following day, you can let them know you pre-ordered and they will bring your food out to you. 

11. Only Eating at the Buffet

Some cruisers end up eating at the buffet for almost their entire cruise because it’s convenient and feels more casual.

But that can be a mistake because you may be missing some of the best food that’s already included in your cruise fare.

The main dining room often has dishes you won’t find at the buffet, including better cuts of meat, seafood, and more elevated entrees.

And don’t assume you have to get dressed up just to eat there.

Most cruise lines are pretty casual these days, even on formal or elegant nights.

So don’t let the dress code scare you away from trying the main dining room.

12. Always Ordering From the Everyday Menu

Many cruise ship dining rooms have a group of dishes that are available every night.

You might see grilled chicken, steak or salmon.

Those are great backup options, but I wouldn’t automatically order them every night.

If something on the menu is only available that evening, I usually try that first.

You can always order the everyday steak tomorrow.

But that special pasta or seafood dish is only available once during your cruise.

13. Missing the Included Casual Restaurants

Look at the cruise app or daily planner so you know which restaurants are included in your cruise fare.

Some ships have a lot complimentary casual restaurants that people completely miss because they assume it costs extra.

There may be burgers by the pool, pizza, cafes, or food halls included in your cruise fare.

Cruise Essentials to Buy Before Your Cruise

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Travel Must-Haves

Passport neck wallet – Keeps your passport and travel documents secure and accessible. It also has RFID protection.

Cruise lanyards – A super convenient way to keep your cruise card within easy reach. No more digging through your bag every time you need it! I recommend getting one lanyard per person in your group and choosing different colors so it’s easy to tell them apart.

Anti-theft crossbody bag with anti-pickpocket clip – Genius anti-theft clip and versatile enough for both port days and evenings in the dining room.

Anti-theft crossbody bag with RFID – Padded shoulder straps with RFID lining to safeguard against identity theft.

Insulated water bottles –I don’t like spending money on bottled water, and I always want fresh water in my cabin. I’ll fill my bottle at the buffet or ask my server at dinner, then bring it back so I have water at night. This is my go-to water bottle—I prefer ones without straws since they’re much easier to wash in the cabin sink.

Pashmina – This multi-purpose wrap always earns its spot in my luggage. Use it as an evening wrap, a lightweight plane blanket, or a cover-up when visiting places of worship that require modest dress. I never cruise without one—you’ll be surprised how often it comes in handy.

Cruise Planning Essentials

Day Passes to Resorts– Booking private beach resort access in advance guarantees a comfortable beach experience at the cruise port.

Travel Insurance with CFAR Coverage– CFAR travel insurance gives you flexibility to cancel your cruise for any reason and recover part of your costs if plans change.

Last Minute Cruise Deals– Search for last minute cruise deals.

Cabin Comfort & Organization

Non-surge Cruise power strip– Cabins never have enough outlets (check cruise line rules first).

Magnetic hooks – Super-strong magnetic hooks that attach easily to your cabin walls. They’re perfect for hanging hats, cruise lanyards, goggles, swimsuits, and towels. I personally use the 85+ lb hooks—they’re incredibly sturdy and can even hold backpacks!

Small portable fan – Improves airflow and keeps Inside Cabins from feeling stuffy.

Motion sensor night light – Perfect for Inside Cabins, for when you get up at night to use the bathroom. It also has a magnetic base, so you can easily attach it to your cabin walls.

Toiletries & Laundry

Hanging toiletry bag – Keeps your essentials neat and accessible.

Fabric freshener spray – Fights wrinkles and refreshes clothes between wears.

Travel-size detergent – Handy for washing swimsuits, underwear, and quick-dry clothing in the sink.

TSA-approved travel containers – Easy to pack your lotions, creams, and other liquids without worrying about TSA rules.

Health & Wellness

Anti-seasickness medicine – My go-to meds for anti-seasickness. I take one in the morning on sea days (bring chewables for kids).

Acupressure bands – A natural alternative for seasickness relief. I use this with the anti-seasickness meds.

Packing & Storage

Cruise travel planners– Check out my travel planners, they help you stay organized before and during your trip.

Packing cubes –  I never travel without packing cubes! They make packing and unpacking so easy—you can simply slip the entire cube into the cabin closet or drawer. I like to assign a different color to each person so there’s no mix-up.

Foldable duffel bag –  I always pack a foldable duffel bag in case I bring home too many souvenirs or do some extra shopping. It doubles as an extra carry-on and barely takes up any luggage space. 

Foldable shopping bag – Perfect for shopping at cruise ports, these bags fold up small enough to keep in your purse. I always carry one with me—you never know when you’ll need it! Plus, many countries charge a fee for shopping bags, and I’d much rather use my own than pay extra. 

Foldable backpack – Perfect for cruise port days when you need an extra bag. I love that these backpacks are lightweight and fold down small, so you can toss one in your luggage without taking up much space.

Travel luggage scale – I always keep one in my suitcase so I can weigh my bags before heading to the airport. It’s a simple way to avoid overweight baggage fees.

Apple AirTags – I pop one into each of my bags so I can track my luggage for peace of mind. They’re especially helpful if you have a short layover and worry about your suitcase getting left behind.

Beach Essentials

Towel Clips – A simple must-have for pool and beach days! They keep your towels from slipping off lounge chairs, and I never cruise without brining a few in my luggage.

Waterproof phone pouch – Protect your phone from water and sand while still being able to snap photos. I always bring one when cruising the Caribbean or Mediterranean—it’s a lifesaver for beach and pool days.

Striped beach bag with zipper – You’ll need a beach bag with zipper to keep your things secure. I like this one because it’s stylish, has a water bottle holder, keeps belongings secure and has a lot of pockets.

Kid-Friendly Cruise Essentials

Magnetic toys – Cabin walls are magnetic, making these toys perfect for fun, mess-free entertainment. They keep kids busy when you’re in the cabin, especially since cruise TV options for kids can be limited. It’s always best to bring your own toys.

Collapsible beach buckets and toys –  You’ll definitely want to bring beach toys if you’re going on a Caribbean cruise! This collapsible set includes foldable buckets, shovels, and sandcastle molds, all packed neatly in one bag. They’re easy to fit in your suitcase without taking up much space.

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