I just had a client return from a Caribbean Cruise in January. She was concerned with the fact that cruise lines charge for alternate dining on board the ship. I started to think about this question... “You should not have to pay for your meals on a ship”. Thinking about this conversation, it became apparent that the comment was not really 100% correct. You do not HAVE to pay for dining on any ship as each cruise line offers includes dining in the main dining rooms, buffets and snack venues.

As cruising became more popular, cruise lines added more choices for passengers. The new eateries -- including steak houses, Italian trattorias and fast food chains -- have exploded. Norwegian Cruise Line came out with their specialized Bistro restaurants in late 1980's and it was such a huge success, other cruise lines, big/small ships have this available as an optional "choice" on board.

On the other hand, optional restaurants have limited seating, upgraded menus and more interesting venues. The cost, usually presented as a “cover charge”, runs from about $10 to $25. If you are celebrating a special event while on board or just want an excellent dining experience once or twice while cruising, then consider alternative dining for just what it is “alternative and optional”. Or you can blissfully dine 3 to 6 times per day at the free restaurants.

Extra Benefits for Alternative Dining include:
Flexibility - Rather than the traditional dining room on a cruise ship where there is a fixed time to eat, these restaurants are usually open from 5 p.m. till late. Just make reservations.
Choice – Most cruise lines feature a number of specialty and boutique restaurants to choose from. Popular themes include Italian ristorante, French bistro, Asian sushi bar, and American steakhouse.
Romance - Romantic dining on cruise ships starts with a table for two. It’s difficult to book a table for two in the main dining room, making specialty restaurants a more intimate choice.

With the popularity of these choices, we recommend booking ahead (online if possible, or your first day onboard) If you want to be spontaneous, aim to eat at the busier alternative restaurants on formal nights (passengers still prefer to eat in the dining room then) or during intense days at port.

If you have not sampled an alternative restaurant, be careful, you might get hooked! It must be a popular feature because the cruise lines that used to offer only “traditional” first and second seating dining are adding flexible dining options as well as more extensive alternative restaurants to new and existing ships.

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