Jamie's Italian on Royal Caribbean costs $25–$35 per person for lunch and $35–$45 per person for dinner, depending on the ship and sailing. Some ships include it in the Unlimited Dining Package, which can bring the per-meal cost down significantly.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Jamie's Italian is one of Royal Caribbean's most popular specialty restaurants — and one of the most misunderstood when it comes to pricing. The cover charge isn't a flat fee across the fleet, and whether you pay à la carte or bundle it into a dining package makes a massive difference to your final bill.
What Jamie's Italian Actually Costs on Royal Caribbean
The cover charge gets you a set menu experience with shared antipasti, a pasta or main, and dessert. It's not a la carte — you're paying for the full experience. Here's what to expect in 2025–2026:
| Meal Period | À La Carte Per Person | With Unlimited Dining Package |
|---|---|---|
| Lunch | $25–$30 | Included (no surcharge) |
| Dinner | $35–$45 | Included (no surcharge) |
| Key West / Port Days (some ships) | $25–$30 | Included |
The Unlimited Dining Package runs $25–$55 per person per day depending on sailing length, how early you buy, and the ship. On a 7-night cruise purchased pre-sail, expect to pay around $25–$35/person/day — meaning if you eat specialty dining 4+ nights, the math works in your favor.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
What Drives the Price Up (or Down)
Ship matters. Jamie's Italian is available on Oasis-class, Quantum-class, and select other ships. Pricing isn't identical across the fleet — Oasis of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas tend to run at the higher end of the range.
When you buy matters. Pre-cruise pricing for the Unlimited Dining Package is almost always cheaper than buying onboard. Royal Caribbean runs flash sales on dining packages — sometimes 20–30% off — especially in the 90-day window before sailing. Set a price alert or check back regularly.
Lunch is the hidden value play. The lunch menu is nearly as good as dinner and costs $10–$15 less per person. If you're not on a dining package, showing up for a sea-day lunch at Jamie's is the smartest move on the ship.
Gratuity adds up. The cover charge doesn't include gratuity. Expect to add 18–20% on top of whatever you pay à la carte. On a $40/person dinner for two, that's an extra $14–$16 before drinks.
Drinks are separate. The cover charge covers food only. If you don't have a beverage package (Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package runs $79–$109/person/day in 2025), your Italian wine or cocktails get added to your tab.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
How to Pay Less for Jamie's Italian
Buy the Unlimited Dining Package pre-cruise. This is the clearest money-saving move if you plan to eat specialty dining 3–4 nights on a 7-night sailing. Jamie's Italian counts as one of the included venues with no upcharge.
Go at lunch, not dinner. Same kitchen, same chefs, meaningfully lower cover charge. On a sea day, this is a no-brainer if you're paying à la carte.
Watch for Crown & Anchor loyalty discounts. Diamond and above members sometimes receive a one-time specialty dining credit or a percentage discount. Check your loyalty offers before booking.
Book early for the best times. Popular sailings on Oasis-class ships see Jamie's fill up fast — especially dinner on sea days. Book your reservation the moment boarding begins (or pre-cruise via the Royal Caribbean app) to get the time you want. A bad time slot doesn't change the price, but it can ruin the experience.
Avoid the onboard impulse buy. Crew members will pitch dining packages on embarkation day at "special" prices. Sometimes it's a real deal — but often the pre-cruise web pricing is better. Do your homework before you board.
Is Jamie's Italian Worth the Cover Charge?
For most travelers, yes — with caveats.
| Traveler Type | Verdict | |---|---|---| | Foodies who want a real sit-down Italian meal | Worth every dollar, especially at dinner | | Budget cruisers sticking to the MDR | Skip it — the main dining room is free | | Unlimited Dining Package holders | Absolutely go — no reason not to | | Families with picky eaters | Mixed bag — kids may not appreciate the set menu format | | Solo travelers or couples on anniversary sailings | Lunch is the sweet spot: great food, lower cost |
Jamie Oliver's restaurant group has had its struggles on land, but the shipboard version holds up well — the cacio e pepe arancini and the slow-cooked lamb shoulder are genuinely good. It's not a tourist trap dressed up with a celebrity name. That said, if you're paying $45/person à la carte at dinner and adding wine and gratuity, you're looking at $120–$140 for two people before you've left the ship. Know what you're signing up for.
Use CruiseMutiny to compare specialty dining costs across ships and see whether the Unlimited Dining Package actually saves you money on your specific sailing — the math changes more than you'd think based on itinerary length and timing.