If you are not used to cruising, it can feel a little weird to dine in a nice restaurant, eat a full meal with wine, and then… just walk out without paying the bill.
If you are used to dining out on land in pubs and restaurants, it can take a little getting used to.
Why It Works on a Cruise
Meals in the main dining room and buffet at the very least are included in your cruise fare.
Often, there are other restaurants included in the fare, too. When I recently sailed on Marella Discovery 2, there were six different free restaurants to choose from. I worked my way around all of them!
Find out about that here.
This Cruise Ship Has 6 Restaurants Included in the Cruise Fare (I Tried Them All)
Virgin Voyages has over twenty smaller restaurants, all included. The food quality is great, so it seems odd not to have to pay for your meal!
Drinks packages work the same way. You just order, and it’s covered. Even if you choose not to buy a drinks package (as I often do), the cost of the drinks will be added to your onboard account, which is then settled at the end of the cruise.
Some cruise ships have Speciality restaurants that charge extra, but again, you never pay at the table. Any additional costs are just charged to your onboard account.
You might have to sign a receipt at the end if there is a charge, but that’s it.
Cruising is a bit like being in an all-inclusive land resort, but you are on the sea, sailing to exciting far-off destinations!
What Happens Behind the Scenes
Waiters know everything is charged automatically to your stateroom account (unless otherwise included). They can just concentrate on serving food and drinks, and not be distracted by dealing with the bill.
There are no receipts, and no tips to calculate. This makes your dining experience smoother and faster.
Cultural Quirk
First-timers might hover awkwardly at the end of the meal, waiting for a bill that never comes!
In a land restaurant, you would never just get up and leave without paying – the police would be called!
It feels particularly weird to me on ships that have multiple small dining rooms and dining experiences. It is hard to believe you aren’t in a restaurant on land.
Why It’s the Best Feeling
It makes dinners more relaxing. You don’t have to worry about how much you have spent, there is no awkward bill-splitting between family and friends, and no waiting around at the end to pay the bill.
It feels like luxury, even if technically, you have already paid for it.
So there is no need to worry, get up and leave when you have finished your meal! – If you are in a speciality restaurant, you might have to sign a receipt with the cost on it, but you won’t pay there and then.
Have a look at all the lovely food I ate onboard Norwegian Prima, both in the main dining room and in their numerous speciality restaurants below. Be warned, it might make you feel hungry…
Before You Go
A few cruise lines include the price of drinks in the cruise fare, as well as meals. These are very much in the minority though. Azamara include lots within their cruise fares, find out about that here:
Azamara Cruises – What is Included? (Food, Gratuities and More)
Marella are a British cruise line that also includes drinks and tips. Have a look at the sort of drinks they include here:
Marella Cruises All Inclusive Drinks List
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