19 Best Cruise Foods to Eat on Your Next Cruise Vacation -

Let’s be honest — one of the best things about going on a cruise is the unlimited food. From the buffet to elegant dinners and room service breakfast on your balcony, cruise food is a vacation all on its own.

I’ve been on over 25 cruises across different cruise lines, and every single time, I look forward to the dining experiences just as much as the cruise ports.

There’s something about eating amazing food while sailing across the ocean that never gets old.

Below, I’m sharing the best things to eat on a cruise — the dishes that I always look forward to.

These are the classic cruise dishes that every cruise line seems to serve.

Here are the foods I look forward to whenever I go on a cruise.

Shrimp Cocktail

My go-to appetizer on every cruise is the shrimp cocktail. You’ll usually find it in the main dining room, and it’s simple but so good. I always order it, sometimes I even order two.

Caesar Salad

If it’s not shrimp cocktail, my go-to appetizer is Caesar salad. I love that it’s always available on the menu. Sometimes I’ll even get both Caesar salad and shrimp cocktail.

French Onion Soup

Another favorite of mine is French onion soup. That rich, cheesy top and savory broth are just perfect. It’s usually on the menu every day, so if I’m craving something warm and comforting, that’s what I order.

Caprese Salad

When caprese salad is on the menu, I always go for it. The combination of fresh mozzarella, tomato, basil, and balsamic is light and refreshing.

Steak

I make sure to eat steak at least once on every cruise. It’s best if you order it at the specialty restaurant, where it’s cooked to perfection.

The steak in the main dining room is also very good, and if you order it during one of the formal nights, it’s usually free.

These days, some cruise lines charge a small fee for steak on regular nights, but even then, it’s absolutely worth it — steak is always a highlight of any cruise dinner.

Baked Alaska

Baked Alaska is another highlight. It’s not just dessert — on some cruise lines, it’s a whole show. The waiters parade through the dining room with flaming Baked Alaska, and it’s as fun to watch as it is to eat.

Lobster

I always look forward to lobster night. It’s usually served during one of the formal nights and paired with steak for a surf-and-turf dinner. And that hot melted butter makes it perfect.

Bread

I always make sure to have the bread in the main dining room. The bread basket usually comes with fresh, warm rolls and breadsticks — sometimes even different varieties each night.

Some cruise lines serve it with hummus or other dips, but for me, nothing beats classic butter on warm bread.

Prime Rib

When prime rib is on the menu, I never skip it. It’s tender, flavorful, and especially good with a little horseradish sauce on the side.

Risotto

I also love ordering risotto. It’s often the vegetarian option, but it’s creamy and delicious — something I rarely make at home, so I always get it when I can.

Seafood in Puff Pastry

If you ever see seafood in puff pastry on the menu, definitely order it. It’s buttery, flaky, and always delicious.

Fish and Chips

Fish and chips is another favorite. Most cruise ships serve it at least once, and I love it with mushy peas and a splash of malt vinegar.

Private Island BBQ Lunch

Don’t miss the BBQ lunch on the cruise’s private island. It’s casual — ribs, burgers, salads — but the whole beach vibe makes it special. Eating BBQ on the beach really feels like vacation.

Breakfast Favorites

Breakfast on a cruise is something I always look forward to. I always try to have at least one breakfast in the main dining room — it’s such a treat to enjoy full service while relaxing and starting the day in style.

More often than not, I head to the breakfast buffet, which is one of my favorites.

There are so many choices, I always get made-to-order omelets loaded with veggies, meats, and cheese — something I never make at home.

I always make sure to get a side of crispy bacon. Waffles and hash browns are also must-haves. A cruise breakfast like this sets the perfect tone for a day at sea.

Eggs Benedict

If you’re having breakfast in the main dining room, always get the eggs benedicts. Whether it’s with ham or smoked salmon, it’s a real treat. Just skip the buffet version — it’s not the same.

Desserts

Now let’s talk dessert. Soufflés, cakes, and sorbets are all must-tries. Each ship has its specialties — maybe it’s chocolate cake, tiramisu, or red velvet. My favorite is the soufflé, and I always order it if I see it. Sorbet is another one I never skip — it’s light, refreshing, and the perfect finish to a big meal.

Fruit Cup

Even a simple fruit cup feels special on a cruise. Fresh tropical fruit without having to prep anything yourself — it’s such a treat.

Chips and Guacamole

Whenever I find chips and guacamole at the buffet, I load up. It’s the perfect afternoon snack by the pool.

Room Service Breakfast

And finally, my absolute favorite cruise indulgence: room service breakfast. There’s nothing better than sipping coffee and eating breakfast on your balcony while watching the ocean go by. That’s when it really hits — you’re on vacation.

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.