Dining on Spectrum of the Seas ranges from free (Main Dining Room and Windjammer buffet) to $15–$125+ per person at specialty restaurants. Budget around $40–$60/person per specialty meal, or grab a dining package pre-cruise for 25–47% savings.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Spectrum of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean's most dining-rich ships, with a lineup that reflects its Asia-Pacific home base — meaning you get options most Caribbean-itinerary ships don't have. But 'lots of choices' also means lots of opportunities to blow your budget on upcharges if you don't know what you're walking into. Here's exactly what dining on Spectrum will cost you.
What You're Already Paying For (Included Dining)
Every passenger gets access to the Main Dining Room (MDR), the Windjammer Marketplace buffet, the Solarium Bistro (casual, usually free lunch), Sorrento's Pizza, the Park Café, and a handful of grab-and-go spots — all included in your fare. These are genuinely decent options, especially the MDR for dinner. If you're on a tight budget, you can eat every meal on this ship without spending an extra cent on food.
That said, Spectrum's specialty restaurant lineup is legitimately impressive, and skipping it entirely means missing some of the best dining at sea.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Specialty Dining Costs on Spectrum of the Seas
| Restaurant | Cover Charge (Per Person) | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Chops Grille (steakhouse) | $55–$65 | USDA prime cuts, classic sides |
| Wonderland | $45–$55 | Avant-garde tasting menu, theatrical presentation |
| Jamie's Italian | $25–$35 | Italian sharing plates, pasta, wood-fired mains |
| Izumi Hibachi | $45–$58 | Teppanyaki-style hibachi dinner, prix fixe |
| Izumi Sushi (à la carte) | $5–$20 per dish | À la carte sushi and sashimi |
| 150 Central Park | $50–$65 | Fine dining, prix fixe, wine pairings |
| Hooked Seafood | $35–$45 | New England-style seafood, lobster rolls |
| Playmakers (sports bar) | $0 cover, food extra | Wings, nachos, burgers — $10–$18/item |
| El Loco Fresh | Free | Casual Mexican — tacos, burritos |
| Café @ Two70 | Free | Pastries, light bites |
All specialty dining prices are per person before Royal Caribbean's 18% service charge. That $55 Chops dinner is actually $64.90 once gratuity is added. Factor that in.
Budget Breakdown by Dining Style
| Traveler Type | Daily Food Spend (On Top of Fare) | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $0–$10/day | MDR + Windjammer for every meal, occasional Playmakers snack |
| Mid-Range | $30–$60/day | 2–3 specialty dinners across the voyage, à la carte Izumi sushi |
| Splurge | $80–$150+/day | Specialty dining every night, wine pairings, room service |
For a 7-night sailing, a mid-range dining approach adds roughly $210–$420 per person to your trip cost. That's real money — plan for it before you board.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Dining Packages: Are They Worth It on Spectrum?
Royal Caribbean sells Unlimited Dining Packages and 3-Night Specialty Dining Packages through the Cruise Planner before sailing. Prices are dynamic, but expect:
- 3-Night Dining Package: ~$99–$135/person (saves you 25–40% vs. paying individually)
- Unlimited Dining Package: ~$199–$279/person for 7 nights (best value if you're skipping the MDR entirely)
The math: Three specialty dinners at à la carte prices (with gratuity) would run roughly $170–$230/person. A 3-night package at $115 is a no-brainer if you know you're doing three specialty meals. Book it pre-cruise — prices rise once you board, and availability at popular restaurants like Wonderland fills up fast.
One catch: Izumi Hibachi is excluded from most dining packages or requires an upcharge. Confirm what's included in your specific package before purchasing.
Key Factors That Drive Your Dining Cost Up
1. The 18% service charge on everything. Every specialty meal automatically gets 18% added. There's no way around it — just build it into your mental price.
2. Wine and drinks at dinner. A bottle of mid-range wine at a specialty restaurant runs $45–$90. If you have Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package (~$75–$95/person/day, pre-cruise rate), drinks during dinner are mostly covered — but the package has a $14/drink cap, so premium pours trigger an upcharge.
3. Izumi à la carte spending creep. Izumi sushi looks cheap per dish, but four or five rolls plus edamame, miso, and a beer and you're at $70–$90 for two people before you realize it.
4. Room service. The basic breakfast room service is free on Royal Caribbean. Everything else carries delivery fees ($7.95/order) plus the cost of food. Avoid as a regular habit.
Tips to Get the Best Value on Spectrum Dining
- Book specialty restaurants on Day 1 embarkation. Walk straight to the restaurant and ask about onboard booking discounts — sometimes 10–20% off applies on the first day.
- Pre-book your dining package through the Cruise Planner. It's almost always cheaper than onboard pricing.
- Use the MDR strategically. Lunch in the MDR on sea days is often underrated and completely free — don't skip it just because it's not 'special.'
- Wonderland is the splurge worth making. It's genuinely unlike anything else at sea and the theatrical experience justifies the price. Budget for it intentionally.
- Check if your sailing has a 'dining package flash sale.' Royal Caribbean periodically discounts packages 20–30% — set a Cruise Planner alert or check back weekly after booking.
- Skip room service for late-night hunger. Café @ Two70 and Sorrento's often run late or 24 hours — free food beats a $7.95 delivery fee.
Best Specialty Restaurants on Spectrum for Your Money
| Best For | Go To | |---|---|---| | Best overall value | Jamie's Italian | | Best splurge experience | Wonderland | | Best for steak lovers | Chops Grille | | Best group fun | Izumi Hibachi | | Best budget flex (à la carte) | Izumi Sushi | | Best seafood | Hooked Seafood |
Spectrum's dining lineup rewards people who plan ahead. The included food is solid enough that you won't starve, but the specialty restaurants — especially Wonderland and Izumi Hibachi — are genuinely worth budgeting for. Know your numbers, book your packages pre-cruise, and you'll eat like royalty without the sticker shock.
Want to see how dining costs stack up against your full Spectrum cruise budget — drinks, gratuities, excursions, and all? Run the numbers with CruiseMutiny before you sail.