Royal Caribbean specialty dining costs range from $25 to $65+ per person for à la carte meals, with dining packages starting around $55–$110 per person for 3–5 restaurants depending on the ship and sailing.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean's specialty dining prices catch a lot of cruisers off guard — especially when you realize the main dining room is already included in your fare and these upcharges are purely optional. But if you're sailing on an Oasis-class or Icon-class ship, skipping specialty dining entirely means missing some genuinely excellent food. Here's exactly what you'll pay.
What Royal Caribbean Charges for Specialty Dining
Prices vary by ship class, restaurant, and whether you book in advance (always cheaper) or onboard. The numbers below reflect 2025–2026 sailing rates for pre-cruise booking, which saves you 15–20% versus booking at the restaurant podium.
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Per Person Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Chops Grille | Steakhouse | $55–$65 |
| Giovanni's Italian Kitchen | Italian | $25–$35 |
| Hooked Seafood | Seafood | $39–$49 |
| Izumi Hibachi | Japanese/Hibachi | $45–$59 |
| Izumi (Sushi à la carte) | Sushi | $10–$40+ (à la carte) |
| Wonderland | Avant-garde/theatrical | $55–$65 |
| 150 Central Park | Fine dining | $55–$65 |
| Jamie's Italian | Italian (select ships) | $30–$40 |
| El Loco Fresh | Mexican (casual) | Free–$5 |
| Playmakers Sports Bar | American bar food | À la carte, $10–$20/item |
| Mason Jar (Icon of the Seas) | Southern comfort | $39–$49 |
| Empire Supper Club (Icon) | Fine dining/entertainment | $150–$185 |
Bottom line: Budget $35–$65 per person per meal for a sit-down specialty restaurant. Hibachi tends to run higher because you're paying for the entertainment, not just the food.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Dining Packages — Are They Worth It?
Royal Caribbean sells dining packages that bundle 3, 4, or 5 specialty restaurant visits at a discount. These are almost always the smarter financial move if you plan to eat at two or more specialty spots.
| Package | Restaurants Included | Typical Price Per Person |
|---|---|---|
| 3-Night Dining Package | 3 restaurants of your choice | $55–$75 |
| 4-Night Dining Package | 4 restaurants of your choice | $75–$99 |
| 5-Night Dining Package | 5 restaurants of your choice | $99–$130 |
| UDP (Ultimate Dining Package) | Unlimited specialty dining | $159–$229 for 7-night sailing |
Watch out: The Ultimate Dining Package (UDP) is only worth it if you plan to eat specialty dining every single night. On a 7-night cruise at $229, you need to use it at least 4–5 times to beat the per-meal pricing. Most casual cruisers don't.
Also note: Hibachi carries a surcharge even on dining packages — typically an extra $10–$20 per person — because of limited seating and the entertainment factor.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Key Factors That Drive the Cost
Ship class matters a lot. Icon of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas have the most specialty restaurants and some of the highest prices. Empire Supper Club on Icon is Royal Caribbean's most expensive dining experience at up to $185/person. Older ships like Freedom-class have fewer options and slightly lower price points.
Booking timing is everything. Pre-cruise pricing through the Royal Caribbean app or website runs 15–20% cheaper than onboard walk-up pricing. Book 30–60 days before sailing for the best availability and price.
Night of the week pricing. Some ships use dynamic pricing, meaning Friday or Saturday night reservations (popular formal nights) can cost more than a Tuesday dinner at the same restaurant.
Port vs. sea days. Specialty restaurants sometimes offer sea day lunch specials at reduced rates — Chops Grille lunch, for example, can run $35–$45 versus $65 at dinner.
How to Save Money on Royal Caribbean Specialty Dining
1. Buy the dining package before you board. The savings are real — a 3-night package at $65/person beats paying $55 + $45 + $65 à la carte by a significant margin.
2. Watch for onboard promotions. On embarkation day (usually 5–6 PM), restaurants often send crew into the main atrium with discounted same-night reservations. If you're flexible, you can score 20–30% off.
3. Go for lunch, not dinner. Chops Grille, Giovanni's, and Hooked all offer lunch service on sea days at meaningfully lower prices. Same kitchen, same quality, lower bill.
4. Use Crown & Anchor status perks. Platinum and Diamond members often receive a complimentary dinner for two at a specialty restaurant, or at minimum a BOGO 50% discount voucher. Check your status benefits before paying full price.
5. Skip Wonderland unless you're adventurous. At $55–$65/person for a theatrical novelty meal, it's the worst value per calorie on the ship. Great experience, mediocre food. Chops Grille at the same price is a far better meal.
6. Izumi à la carte beats the set price for light eaters. If you only want a few sushi rolls and edamame, à la carte at Izumi can run $15–$25 versus paying the full per-person cover. Just don't order the wagyu and then complain it was expensive.
Which Ships Have the Best Specialty Dining Value?
| Ship Class | Standout Restaurant | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Icon of the Seas | Empire Supper Club, Mason Jar | Splurgers, experience-seekers |
| Oasis/Wonder class | 150 Central Park, Wonderland | Foodies, special occasions |
| Quantum class | Izumi Hibachi, Wonderland | Families, group dining |
| Freedom/Voyager class | Chops Grille, Giovanni's | Classic steakhouse fans |
| Vision/Radiance class | Chops Grille | Budget-conscious diners |
For pure value, Freedom and Voyager-class ships offer the best specialty dining experience relative to cost — fewer gimmick restaurants, solid Chops Grille, and slightly lower per-person pricing than the mega-ships.
If you want to model out your full cruise food budget — specialty dining, drink packages, and everything else — run it through CruiseMutiny before you sail. It's the fastest way to see exactly what your Royal Caribbean cruise will actually cost before the bill hits your onboard account.