I have been cruising (and testing cruise ship cookies) since I was 11 years old and in this guide, I will share with you the cookie options from all the mainstream cruise lines.
Cookies vary in quality, availability and location.
Of course, this is just based on my personal experience. Cookie locations and availability are subject to change at any time!
Royal Caribbean
Where Will You Find them?
- Buffet
- International Cafe
- Two70 Cafe on some ships
Availability
There are normally a couple of choices available, on most days.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Where Will You Find them?
- Buffet
Availability
There are normally a couple of choices if you find them – but they aren’t available every day.
Carnival
Where Will You Find them?
- Buffet
Availability
We only found Chocolate Chip cookies, they were in big bowls in the buffet.
Some people would empty the bowl completely – taking 20+ cookies at a time – which we found quite surprising!
MSC
Where Will You Find them?
- In the buffet
- Raj Polo Tea House on MSC World Europa
Availability
They are often available in the buffet – but they are more like British biscuits than American Style Cookies.
There are jars of cookies/biscuits available in the Tea House on MSC World Europa
Costa Cruises
Where Will You Find Them?
- No American Style Cookies were available anywhere, they had small, harder biscuits available in the buffet in the afternoons.
- Afternoon snacks in the buffet are things like Churros and interesting breads.
Availability
Costa’s biscuits were available from 4 pm when they opened for afternoon snacks. I never found American-style cookies anywhere.
Find out more about my trip on the Italian Mega Ship, Costa Smeralda here:
Celebrity
Where Will You Find them?
- Cafe El Bacio
- Drinks come at an additional charge (if they aren’t within your drinks package) but the cookies and other snacks are free.
Availability
Whenever the cafe is open ( which is most of the time) they are available. Just go and ask. They will give you them to take away in a paper bag if you aren’t staying for a hot drink.
On my last cruise, they had four different types to choose from.
This cafe is often open 6.30 am until midnight every day, and the cookies are of a very good quality.
Princess
Where Will You Find them?
- International Cafe
- Sometimes in the buffet
Availability
When you go to the International cafe, you will have to ask for cookies.
They normally have some in the afternoons and evenings at least.
P&O
Where Will You Find them?
- You are unlikely to find American Style Cookies anywhere.
- You might find British biscuits, and they supply biscuits with the tea and coffee-making facilities provided in the cabins.
Availability
Biscuits in the cabin were replenished daily on P&O’s Iona – but interestingly, when I sailed on her sister ship Arvia later the same year there were no biscuits at all.
Someone told me later that they will leave biscuits in the cabin if you ask – so I recommend you do!
This is probably just another cutback to save P&O money.
Marella
Where Will You Find them?
- Snack Shack on the pool deck.
- British-style biscuits, rather than cookies are available in the buffet
Availability
When those venues are open (which is most of the time) you will likely find biscuits there.
Paid Cookie Option on Marella
Coffee Port Cafe
In the Coffee Port Cafe, they sell amazing cookies for a couple of Euros each.
They are well worth the additional cost!
Virgin Voyages
Where Will You Find them?
- I’ve never found any at all – but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any.
- I’ve only taken one Virgin cruise so far and there weren’t any cookies that i could find.
Fred Olsen
Where Will You Find them?
- There are proper, British biscuits like Custard Creams in the buffet at afternoon tea time.
- Fred Olsen are a traditional, British cruise line, so it is no surprise they don’t serve American-style cookies.
Availability
British-style biscuits are available every afternoon in the buffet.
Find out more about sailing on a traditional, British Cruiseline here:
Before You Go
Although Costa Cruises didn’t serve cookies ( that I could find) they did have a range of interesting food available. Find out what I ate on my last Costa Cruise here:
Everything I Ate on my Costa Cruise (Photos and Menus) – Food Review
Find out what are the differences between the dining room food and buffet food in the article below:
What is the Difference Between Eating in the Buffet or the Main Dining Room on a Cruise Ship?
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