Giovanni's Italian Kitchen on Royal Caribbean typically costs $20–$30 per person for dinner and $15–$20 per person for lunch, with prices varying by ship class and whether you book in advance or onboard.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Giovanni's Italian Kitchen is one of Royal Caribbean's most popular specialty restaurants — and one of its most reasonably priced. But "reasonably priced" on a cruise ship is relative, and the actual cost depends on when you book, which ship you're on, and whether you're smart enough to use a dining package. Here's the full breakdown.
What Giovanni's Italian Kitchen Actually Costs
Royal Caribbean charges a flat cover charge at Giovanni's, not à la carte pricing. That cover charge gets you appetizer, entrée, and dessert. The price tier you land in depends on ship class and meal period.
| Meal Period | Booking in Advance (App/Online) | Onboard Walk-In Price |
|---|---|---|
| Dinner | $25–$30/person | $28–$35/person |
| Lunch (sea days) | $15–$20/person | $18–$22/person |
| Kids (under 12) | $10–$15/person | $12–$15/person |
| Dining Package (per night) | $18–$25/person | N/A |
Oasis and Icon class ships tend to sit at the higher end of those ranges. Older, smaller ships like Enchantment or Radiance class often price Giovanni's at the lower end — sometimes as low as $22 for dinner if you pre-book.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Key Factors That Drive the Price
1. Ship Class Icon of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, and other mega-ships command premium specialty dining prices. If you're sailing on a smaller Vision or Radiance class ship, expect to pay noticeably less for the same meal.
2. Pre-Booking vs. Onboard This is the easiest money-saver on the table. Booking through the Royal Caribbean app or website before you sail typically saves you 10–20% off the walk-in price. There is almost never a reason to wait.
3. Dining Packages Royal Caribbean's specialty dining packages are where Giovanni's becomes genuinely good value. A 3-night package runs roughly $55–$75/person total (about $18–$25/night), which makes Giovanni's one of the better-value redemptions if you're combining it with a pricier restaurant like Chops Grille or Wonderland.
4. Drink Costs Are Separate The cover charge covers food only. Wine, cocktails, and specialty beverages are billed separately. A bottle of mid-range Italian wine at Giovanni's will run you $45–$65. If you have a beverage package, use it here.
5. Gratuity An 18% gratuity is automatically added to your specialty dining bill. Factor this in — a $30/person dinner becomes $35.40 before you order a single drink.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
How to Get the Best Value at Giovanni's
Buy a dining package before you sail. If you plan to eat at two or more specialty restaurants, the 3-night dining package almost always beats paying à la carte — even at pre-booking prices. Watch for Royal Caribbean's "cruise planner" sales, which regularly discount dining packages 20–30% off the standard rate. Black Friday and early January sales are the best windows.
Book Giovanni's for lunch, not dinner. Lunch service at Giovanni's (available on sea days) runs the same menu at significantly lower prices. You get identical food — same homemade pasta, same sauces — for 35–40% less. This is the single best hack for experiencing Giovanni's without the full dinner price tag.
Combine with the right package redemption. If you have a dining package, use Giovanni's as one of your nights and pair it with a higher-priced venue like Chops ($45–$55/person à la carte) or 150 Central Park ($45–$55/person). You'll extract maximum value from the per-night package rate.
Skip the wine list, use your beverage package. Giovanni's wine by the glass selection is covered under the Royal Caribbean Deluxe Beverage Package. At $75–$95/person/day, the package isn't cheap — but if you already have it, there's no reason to order a bottle.
Is Giovanni's Worth It Compared to Other Specialty Restaurants?
Giovanni's sits in a sweet spot on the Royal Caribbean specialty dining ladder — more polished than the main dining room, significantly cheaper than Chops Grille or specialty tasting menus.
| Restaurant | Avg. Dinner Price/Person | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Giovanni's Italian Kitchen | $25–$30 | Couples, families, Italian food lovers |
| Chops Grille | $45–$55 | Steak lovers, special occasions |
| 150 Central Park | $45–$55 | Foodies, tasting menu experience |
| Izumi Hibachi | $35–$45 | Groups, entertainment dining |
| Hooked Seafood | $30–$40 | Seafood lovers |
| Main Dining Room | Included | Budget-conscious, casual |
For most travelers, Giovanni's delivers the best value-to-experience ratio in the Royal Caribbean specialty lineup. The pasta is legitimately good, the atmosphere is comfortable without being stuffy, and the price point won't cause a minor cardiac event when the bill arrives.
If you want to map out your full Royal Caribbean dining costs before you sail — specialty restaurants, beverage packages, and all the extras — CruiseMutiny can show you exactly what you're likely to spend so nothing surprises you at guest services.