On a 6-night Allure of the Seas sailing hitting Nassau, Falmouth, and Perfect Day at CocoCay, the Main Dining Room is included in your fare with a rotating nightly menu — no cover charge. Here's exactly what's on the table each night and what it'll cost you beyond the base meal.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Most people book a Royal Caribbean cruise, see 'Main Dining Room included,' and assume dinner is completely free. It mostly is — but understanding what's on the menu each night, what the upsells are, and how to budget the full dining picture for a 6-night Caribbean sailing is where the real money gets saved or wasted.
The MDR on Allure of the Seas: What You're Actually Getting (and What It Costs)
The Main Dining Room on Allure of the Seas operates on a rotating nightly menu across all 6 nights, included in every fare tier from Interior to Suite. There is no cover charge for the MDR. You will pay for alcoholic beverages, specialty coffees, and any premium menu items flagged with a surcharge (rare but they exist — typically a lobster tail upgrade or a premium steak on formal night for $15–$25 extra).
Dave's take: Allure's a solid ship, but if you're comparing Royal Caribbean pricing to what you'd pay for a similar Carnival itinerary, expect to see RC holding at 2–3x the cost — and here's the thing: the premium actually sticks. The MDR is genuinely better than Carnival's, the specialty dining hits different, and CocoCay's execution (plus your drink package working on the island) justifies more of that gap than you'd think. Just don't assume the included dining means your food budget stops there.
— Dave Giovacchini, Travel Mutiny
Here's the typical night-by-night MDR theme structure Royal Caribbean runs on this 6-night Nassau/Falmouth/CocoCay itinerary:
| Night | Theme | Dress Code | Signature Dishes to Expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Night 1 — Embarkation | Welcome Aboard / American Classics | Smart Casual | Shrimp cocktail, beef tenderloin, NY cheesecake |
| Night 2 — Nassau | Caribbean Night | Smart Casual | Jerk chicken, mahi-mahi, tropical desserts |
| Night 3 — Falmouth | Italian Night | Smart Casual | Pasta, osso buco, tiramisu |
| Night 4 — Sea Day | Formal / Chic Night | Formal / Dress Up | Lobster tail, prime rib, soufflé |
| Night 5 — CocoCay | Tropical / Seafood Night | Smart Casual | Crab cakes, snapper, key lime pie |
| Night 6 — Sea Day | Bon Voyage / Chef's Showcase | Smart Casual | Chef specials, classic favorites, grand dessert |
Heads up on Formal Night: The lobster tail is the most-hyped MDR moment on any Royal Caribbean Caribbean sailing. It's included, but the portion is modest. If you want the full 10oz lobster instead of the tail, expect an upcharge of $15–$20. Worth it for some, not for others.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
What Dinner in the MDR Actually Costs Per Night (Full Budget Breakdown)
The meal itself is free. What you spend depends entirely on what you drink and whether you order upcharges.
| Cost Category | Budget Diner | Moderate Diner | Splurge Diner |
|---|---|---|---|
| MDR meal cover charge | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Lobster/steak upcharge (Night 4) | $0 (skip it) | $0 (base lobster is fine) | $15–$25 |
| Wine by the glass (per person) | $0 (bring wine from port*) | $11–$15 + 18% gratuity | $18–$22 + 18% gratuity |
| Cocktails (2 per person, per night) | $0 (drink package) | $25–$30 + 18% gratuity | $30–$40 + 18% gratuity |
| Specialty coffee / dessert drink | $0 (skip) | $6–$9 + 18% gratuity | $6–$9 + 18% gratuity |
| Nightly total per person (drinks only) | $0–$5 | $30–$45 | $50–$75 |
*Royal Caribbean allows you to bring 2 bottles of wine or champagne per stateroom at embarkation. A $15 corkage fee applies if you bring them to the MDR. Still cheaper than ship wine prices.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Key Factors That Drive Your MDR Dining Costs
The Drink Package Math If you're planning to drink at dinner every night, the Royal Caribbean Deluxe Beverage Package is priced at roughly $75–$95/person/day pre-cruise (check your Cruise Planner — it fluctuates constantly and Black Friday sales can knock 20–30% off). At 6 nights with 2 people, that's potentially $900–$1,140 total for the package. Break-even is roughly 5–6 drinks per person per day including specialty coffees and waters. A 2-drink dinner plus a couple drinks by the pool makes that math work easily on this itinerary.
The Gratuity Add-On Is Unavoidable Every drink ordered in the MDR (or anywhere on the ship) carries an 18% automatic gratuity on top of the listed price. Two glasses of wine at $13 each = $30.68 with gratuity, not $26. Budget accordingly.
Specialty Dining as an MDR Alternative Allure of the Seas carries multiple specialty restaurants. Average cover charge runs $40–$55/person for venues like Chops Grille (steakhouse), Giovanni's Table (Italian), and 150 Central Park. A specialty dining package for 3 nights typically runs $120–$165/person — a 25–35% discount versus paying per visit.
For a 6-night sailing, I'd suggest: 4 nights MDR (hit Formal Night, Caribbean Night, and a couple others), 2 nights specialty. That's the sweet spot.
Practical Tips to Maximize MDR Value on This Itinerary
1. Pre-book your MDR dining time before you board. My Time Dining fills up. Lock in a standing 7:30pm reservation in the Royal Caribbean app before your sail date. Free to do.
2. Don't skip Formal Night (Night 4). The MDR MDR lobster tail is genuinely good for included food. Dress up, lean in, skip the specialty restaurant that night.
3. Ask your waiter on Night 1 what's coming on Night 4. Good waiters will tell you if the lobster upcharge is worth it based on portion size that sailing. Build that relationship — you'll be at the same table all 6 nights.
4. Watch the Cruise Planner obsessively for drink package deals. Royal Caribbean's pricing is dynamic. Packages that launch at $95/day often drop to $65–$72/day in flash sales 60–90 days before sailing. Set a calendar reminder to check weekly.
5. Nassau and Falmouth port days = skip the expensive ship lunch. Eat local at port. Save your appetite and your money. Return to the ship for a free Windjammer lunch only if you're back early.
6. CocoCay dining is partially included, but not all of it. The base food options at Perfect Day at CocoCay (burger shacks, etc.) are included in your cruise fare. The Coco Beach Club has elevated dining — that's a premium add-on starting around $149–$249/person for the day pass depending on season. Worth it if you want a quieter, upscale beach experience; skip it if you're happy with the main beach.
Bottom Line: What to Budget for MDR Dining on This 6-Night Sailing
| Traveler Type | 6-Night MDR Dining Budget (per person) |
|---|---|
| Strictly sober / light drinker | $0–$30 (maybe a wine upcharge or two) |
| Moderate drinker, no package | $180–$270 (drinks + gratuities across 6 nights) |
| Drink package holder | $450–$570 for the package; $0 incremental at dinner |
| Specialty dining 2 nights + MDR 4 nights | Add $80–$110 for two specialty covers |
The MDR itself is one of the best values in cruising — a full three-course dinner with professional service, included in your fare, every single night. The only way to lose money here is to not show up and default to room service or specialty dining every night without a plan.
Before you book or budget this sailing, run your full cruise cost through CruiseMutiny — it'll calculate your all-in cost including drinks, gratuities, port excursions, and specialty dining so there are no surprises when you get the final credit card bill.