Best Included Cruise Food: Holland America, Princess, Celebrity, Cunard
When it comes to cruising, included dining can vary just as much as the ships themselves. Some lines focus on elegance, others on variety or presentation — but which one truly delivers the best experience without paying extra? Let’s compare Holland America, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Cunard to see how each line handles included cruise food.
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Included Cruise Food: Holland America
Holland America takes a classic fine-dining approach to included meals, focusing on presentation and flavor rather than volume. The main dining room menus rotate nightly and offer well-prepared dishes like grilled salmon, lamb shank, and Indonesian-inspired satay — a nod to the line’s Dutch heritage. Service tends to be refined and attentive, with meals served in a calm, quiet atmosphere that feels a bit more formal than most mainstream lines.
Afternoon tea is offered on Holland America ships, featuring a classic selection of finger sandwiches, pastries, and scones served with loose-leaf tea. It’s a relaxing mid-day tradition that adds a refined touch to the overall dining experience.
Outside the main dining room, the Lido Market buffet provides a solid mix of made-to-order stations, fresh salads, and desserts that often feel closer to restaurant quality than typical cruise buffet fare. Options like the New York Deli & Pizza and Dive-In Burgers give passengers some extra variety, while the Dutch Café adds a touch of European charm with pastries, sandwiches, and coffee drinks — all included and perfect for a lighter bite. Overall, Holland America leans more toward quality over quantity.
Included Cruise Food: Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises strikes a nice balance between traditional and approachable dining. The main dining rooms offer rotating menus that feature crowd-pleasers like prime rib, salmon, and pasta dishes, along with lighter options and a few global flavors. The atmosphere feels refined yet relaxed — polished service without being overly formal.
The Americana Diner, available on newer ships like Sun Princess and Star Princess, brings a nostalgic twist to casual dining with classic comfort foods like burgers, fries, and milkshakes. It’s a fun, retro-style spot perfect for a relaxed, included meal.
The World Fresh Marketplace buffet tends to be well-organized and varied, with themed nights and plenty of fresh options, including salads, stir-fry, and carved meats. A standout tradition on Princess is their afternoon tea, served daily in the main dining room — complete with finger sandwiches, pastries, and scones. It’s a quiet, elegant touch that sets Princess apart, making the included dining experience feel just a bit more special.
Included Cruise Food: Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises takes a modern, upscale approach to included dining, with attention to presentation and plating that feels closer to a boutique hotel restaurant than a cruise ship. The main dining rooms are split across themed venues — like Normandie, Cosmopolitan, Tuscan, and Cyprus on the Edge-class ships — but all share a common core menu, along with a few signature dishes unique to each room.
The Oceanview Café buffet is one of the best at sea, offering a wide range of international flavors, live stations, and high-quality ingredients that make even casual meals feel special. The Spa Café, located near the solarium, serves fresh, health-forward options like small plates, wraps, and salads — ideal for guests looking for something light and refreshing during the day.
The Eden Café on Celebrity ships offers a relaxed, modern setting with light bites, fresh sandwiches, salads, and specialty coffees. It’s perfect for a casual snack or a midday pick-me-up while enjoying the ship’s immersive Eden experience.
For a more relaxed atmosphere, Café al Bacio offers complimentary pastries in a cozy, European-style setting. It’s the perfect spot for a mid-morning break or an afternoon treat, adding to Celebrity’s sense of quiet sophistication and everyday indulgence.
Included Cruise Food: Cunard
Cunard stays true to its British heritage, emphasizing elegant presentation and a more formal dining structure. Guests dine in the Britannia Restaurant (or the Princess and Queens Grill Rooms for higher stateroom classes), where menus focus on classics like roast beef, baked cod, and soufflés, prepared with precision. Service is highly traditional — you’re seated at the same table each night, with the same staff, creating a timeless fine-dining rhythm that appeals to those who enjoy ceremony.
Beyond the main dining room, Cunard’s Lido or King’s Court buffet serves a range of international options, though it tends to be simpler and more traditional than what you’d find on newer, more casual lines. Where Cunard really stands out is in its signature rituals — notably afternoon tea, served daily in the Queen’s Room with live music, white-gloved service, and tiered trays of finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries. It’s an elegant highlight that captures the line’s British heritage perfectly.
Between meals, the Golden Lion Pub serves British comfort food like fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, and curry — all included. Guests also enjoy venues like the Corinthia Lounge, offering light snacks and pastries throughout the day — included in the fare — though beverages are extra.
Together, these touches make Cunard feel less like a modern cruise and more like stepping into a traditional, floating grand hotel where dining remains an event in itself.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it — four cruise lines, four different dining experiences.
Celebrity leads with the best food quality and creative presentation. Princess offers the most variety and flexibility with solid execution. Cunard delivers unmatched formal elegance and tradition. And Holland America provides attentive service, though the main dining room quality can be inconsistent.
Bottom line? If you’re a foodie, go Celebrity. Want reliable variety? Choose Princess. Love formal dining? Cunard’s your line. Value service over culinary excellence? Holland America works.
Drop a comment with which line sounds right for you — and if this helped, hit that subscribe button. Safe travels!
