Most likely, no matter what major cruise line you choose or what destinations you are traveling to, there are going to be dining upgrades that are offered on your cruise. So what are cruise ship dining upgrades? Isn’t everything already pre-paid for and everything included? That is actually a loaded question and has a multifaceted answer of yes and no. While all of your incredible meals are included in the main dining rooms of all cruises, there are going to upgrades available for those travelers that may want to try a something different. With multiple dining rooms, restaurants and other venues, there is no shortage of different cuisines that you are going to be able to experience as well as different settings that each location is going to provide. Many travelers like to try different venues just for the atmosphere alone.
Cruise dining upgrades are very popular and actually book up very quickly. Why is that? Many travelers that have been on many cruises, like to have more of restaurant style venue for every meal and feel as if they are going to different restaurants while on board. Your larger cruise liners have a vast array of specialty restaurants that feature different cuisines from around the world and offer sensational dishes that are not available in the main dining rooms that are included with your cruise. Steakhouses, Italian, seafood, Mexican and Chinese are just a handful of options that may be offered on your select cruise. In addition to the different menu options, the settings are much more intimate providing an atmosphere that many travelers prefer. You can try one of the dining upgrades or none at all. It’s just an option.
Main Dining Rooms
The main dining room on your cruise ship is where you are going to be going for all of your main meals should you choose to do so. Remember, most cruises you have the option to head to the buffet areas instead to have any or all meals should you choose to do. If you like to have a little more of a selection then the buffets are always an excellent option. The main dining rooms are more upscale and will have a menu for you to choose from.
Each night for dinner there will be different options available as well as a standard featured selection that will be available every night. The main dining room will offer breakfast selections, lunch options and a vast selection of different cuisines during the cruise each night even including a Lobster night quite often as well as Baked Alaska if you are on an Alaskan cruise.
Breakfast Dining Upgrades
Most of your breakfast options are either going to be in the main dining rooms or in the buffet areas of the cruise ship. There is going to be more than enough for you to choose from and the different options provide you the ability to have a sit down served breakfast in the dining rooms or get what you what at the buffet areas and find a seating area of your choosing.
Depending on the exact cruise ship you are on, there might be a specialty crepe shop or specialty coffee house that may offer additional upgrades that are not part of your standard cruise dining options. If one morning you find that you want something a little different or an alternate setting, heading to one of the quick shops might be something that you may enjoy. Many travelers are not big breakfast people, so quick fare bites may sound more appealing.
Lunch Dining Upgrades
Lunch options are going to abundant. Besides the main dining rooms and the buffet areas that are going to be operating at full steam ahead, this is where many people tend to try some of the different dining venues. From the on-board pizza counters, ice cream areas, hamburger and fries spots and more, this is also when some of the upgraded dining options on your cruise begin to open.
One perfect example is the designated Fish N’ Chips pub is a popular upgraded dining option for lunch on many cruise ships. Chinese cuisine also tends to be very popular as well as a variety of Sushi options. When you board your ship, check out what the upgraded options for lunch are so you can plan your trip to try one of these specialty options if you desire. Also, keep in mind that many of the venues book up very quickly.
Dinner Dining Upgrades
So its dinner time and see you groups of people headed in different directions other than where the main dining rooms and buffets are. These people are headed to the upgraded specialty restaurants on board. Each cruise line and ship offers many different upgraded venues including fine Italian, steak and seafood, Korean, Vietnamese and more. Upgraded options provide an excellent selection of foods that you will not be able to get elsewhere on the ship as well as some of the best view locations on-board.
Some of the upgraded dining options on certain cruise ships are so popular that they even get entirely booked before you even board. When you get your booking confirmation, make sure you visit the dining section of your cruise packet to see if there are any upgrades that you may want to book ahead of time.
To Upgrade Or Not To Upgrade
So should you do a dining upgrade on your cruise or not. Well, that is going to be a personal decision but here are some tips to think about to help you make the best decision. First, are you traveling with you and your significant other or are you with a larger group of people? A larger group might be a little harder to get the entire group to want to pay for something extra when they can get dinner that is already included with the cruise.
If it’s just the two of you that want to have a more intimate experience and want to celebrate a special occasion then an upgraded option might be perfect. There also may be a specific cuisine that you are craving that might not be a part of the offerings in the main dining room. Like most things, the only way you’re going to know if you like something, is to try it at least once.