Ever wonder what it takes to feed thousands of people on a cruise ship? Below, we’re going behind the scenes on a Princess Cruise to show you the spotless kitchens, incredible desserts, and jaw-dropping culinary creations you don’t usually see.
I took this behind-the-scenes galley tour on my Regal Princess Cruise, and unlike other cruise lines, it was completely free!
Offered on one of the sea days, this tour gave me a rare peek into how the chefs work their magic.
Don’t Miss the Cooking Demonstration
The tour kicks off with a live cooking demonstration in the main theater—trust me, you don’t want to miss this!
The chefs are not only talented, they’re hilarious, cracking jokes and keeping the audience entertained while showing off their skills. You’ll see everything up close, from slicing to plating.
During my cruise, the galley tour took place after the live cooking demo. It’s scheduled on sea days, so check your daily planner and make sure to attend—it’s as fun as it is fascinating!
Princess Cruise Kitchen Galley Tour
A Spotlessly Clean Kitchen
Cruise ship kitchens are held to incredibly high hygiene standards. I was impressed at how immaculate the galley looked—no grease and no mess!
Staff members constantly clean as they go to maintain a pristine, hygienic cooking environment.
Prep Work in Action
The kitchen never sleeps! Even during off-hours, cooks are hard at work prepping ingredients for the next meal service.
This constant preparation ensures everything runs smoothly when it’s time to serve passengers.
Cucumber and Fruit Sculptures
I love how the kitchen staff made an effort to surprise us during our tour. One of the most beautiful surprises in the galley is the stunning display of cucumber and fruit sculptures.
These intricate designs showcase the artistic talents of the kitchen staff and add an elegant touch to meal presentations.
Beautiful Cakes
During our tour, we saw dozens of cakes on display, ready to be served. They were getting ready to serve these masterpieces at the buffet!
Liquor and Wine Storage
Have you ever wondered where the cruise ships keep all the wine and liquor? All liquor and wine storage areas are securely locked to limit access. This ensures careful inventory management and prevents unauthorized access.
Water Dispenser
These high-efficiency water dispensers fill pitchers for the dining room staff. Every little detail helps serve thousands of passengers smoothly.
Handwashing Stations
There are several strategically placed handwashing stations in the kitchen. I was happy to see this level of hygiene! Crew members must wash their hands frequently, a critical practice when preparing food for thousands of passengers!
Commercial Toaster
Ever wondered how toast is made for hundreds of passengers at once? The commercial toaster can handle massive quantities in record time—efficiency is everything!
Massive Dishwashing Area
The dishwashing area is massive and extremely clean and organized. Equipped with powerful machines, this space ensures every dish, glass, and utensil is spotless and ready for the next meal service.
Designated Place for Dirty Dishes
Cruise ships have a streamlined process for handling dirty dishes. Specific collection zones ensure that used dishes and utensils are quickly transported to the dishwashing area without disrupting kitchen operations.
Juice Dispensers for Main Dining Room Orders
The juice dispensers behind the scenes look exactly like those at the buffet! You can order these juices for free from the main dining room.
Espresso and Industrial Coffee Machines
Coffee is a big part of the drink station, they have impressive espresso machines similar to the ones found at the cafe.
Pastry Side of the Kitchen
I didn’t realize there was a separate pastry section. Here, pastry chefs work their magic, creating amazing treats and desserts that are as beautiful as they are delicious.
Mechanics at Work
It’s not just chefs in the galley! You might catch a glimpse of mechanics ensuring that all kitchen equipment is in top-notch condition. Their behind-the-scenes efforts keep the operation running smoothly.
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.
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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