This buffet area, located on the Lido Deck (15) between the main pool area and the stern of the ship, allows a more casual dining experience set for your own pace. From 6 am to midnight, you’ll often find plenty of well-balanced options to choose from. Stop by for breakfast and visit the designer pancake station, or enjoy one of their unique hot cereal offerings, or have a custom omelette made for you. At lunch, look for handcrafted sandwiches, regionally inspired dishes and soups, as well as many carvery selections. For dinner, there’s everything from breakfast at night, family kitchen comfort foods, stir-fry or customized pasta, plus a multitude of fresh fruit and salad choices. 

Often, crew staff are positioned at each entrance and ask everyone entering the area to please thoroughly wash their hands at the 2 to 4 washbasins located at each of the four entrances. Anti-bacterial gel dispensers are also located throughout the buffet area.

The buffet area is separated into two large nearly identical serving and seating areas (During slow periods they may have only one serving section open) with a large salad, pastry, and dessert section in between them. Both areas also have areas where you can find beverages such as water, coffee, milk, juices, lemonade, or tea. You can also have the wait staff deliver your beverage to you.

In the mornings we love to get our breakfast from the buffet and then go sit out on the aft deck tables to view the ocean or the port we had sailed into that morning. Waiters would scurry to meet us and bring us our coffee and orange juice, or whatever beverage we desired.

Even in the casual buffet atmosphere there were cloth napkins, porcelain plates and cups,  and service was typically prompt and done with a smile.

The buffet is open for a continental breakfast from 5 am to 6 am and a full breakfast menu from 6 am to 11:30 am. Lunch is served from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm, afternoon snack time is 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm, and dinner is served from 5:30 pm to Midnight.

You will never leave the buffet area hungry.

All food, beverages, and services in the buffet area are included in your cruise fare.

From zesty appetizers to robust tasting soups, crisp salads, sumptuous Land or Sea main courses and luscious desserts, you'll eat like a king – or queen. 

Princess Cruises used to offer two dining options: Traditional Dining, a classic cruise experience which offered having dinner the same time each night (at two different seating times) in their dining rooms. You would enjoy the same table with the same people and wait staff throughout your cruise. 

The other option was Anytime Dining, which allowed you the freedom to eat with whomever you wish and whenever you like in the main dining rooms.

These two options have been technically eliminated with the introduction of Dine My Way. Some veteran cruisers who liked the Traditional Dining experience do not like this change but we think it is a big improvement allowing us to more easily schedule our dining times as we wish.

If you find a particular Main Dining Room and wait staff you prefer you can always schedule your dining time for the same venue and request the same wait staff. So in effect, you would be choosing a "Traditional" style of dining when using the Main Dining Room.

There are three Main Dining Rooms (MDR); the Michelangelo Dining Room is located on Deck 5 (Plaza Deck) and the Da Vince and Botticelli Dining Rooms are located on Deck 6 (Fiesta Deck). Be aware that the Botticelli MDR may be difficult to locate as there is no hallway from the Piazza area to that MDR. The food offered in all three of these Main Dining Rooms is the same for each evening, but varies from night to night, so it is always a curious surprise to see what the chefs had prepared for that evening.

The dinners consist of 3 to 4 courses, fresh baked bread brought to your table, along with your choice of beverage. Now order 1 or 2 appetizers of soups or salads. The main course gives you an option to choose from the Past, Land or Sea menus --- or order from both options. Many times you can also order a select steak or seafood option in the Main Dining Room which has been prepared in the Crown Grill Specialty Restaurant for an additional fee of $19. 

If you don't see something on the menu that interests you we have heard that you can also request items that may have been served the night before.

Now top off your dinner with a decadent dessert, the award-winning choices are nearly endless! It's your vacation, so indulge! Each evening, you'll have your choice of delectable desserts to choose from in the Main Dining Rooms. Perennial guest favorites include the Princess Love Boat Dream, traditional New York cheesecake, and create-your-own sundae. Chocolate seems to be a reoccurring theme in many of these desserts.

There are few foods that inspire as much passion as chocolate, and master chocolatier Norman Love has designed some of the most decadent, hand-crafted treats exclusively for Princess’ Chocolate JourneysSM program. Trained in France, and named the Inaugural Inductee into the Chocolatier Hall of Fame by Dessert Professional Magazine, Chef Love combined premium quality chocolate with unique flavors and artful designs to mastermind his exclusive creations found in the Main Dining Rooms, Specialty Restaurants, and at World Marketplace Buffet.

These Main Dining Rooms are also available for breakfast from 7:30 am to 9:30 am. Lunch is also served on turnaround days in Fort Lauderdale, sea days, and in select ports.

We found that the service can be kind of slow, but I think they are attempting to create a more elegant dining experience in the process. However, with the new Dine My Way option, you can select how slow or fast you want your meal to progress!

All food and services in the Main Dining Rooms are included in your cruise fare (except special orders).

If you really like chocolate you can also indulge in the extraordinary, hydrating, anti-oxidant chocolate body treatment offered in the Lotus Spa. You'll enjoy the exquisite touch and scent of an amazing chocolate experience as your body is covered with chocolate. (Charges do apply)

To experience a premium dining adventure you may want to consider indulging in an extraordinary treat for both gastronomes and gourmet novices. The Chef's Table is a perfect culinary journey for any special occasion. Join a select group of 12 guests for a behind the scenes galley tour with champagne and hors d'oeuvres, followed by an extravagant multi-course dinner selected, created, and hosted by the ship's executive chef. At the end of this exclusive and unique dining experience, each of the guests are presented with a photo book capturing the evening's experience and a Princess Cruise recipe book signed by the chef. This table is limited to 12 guests, reservations are required, and costs $115 per guest ($85 without wine). This experience is only offered a few times during a 14 day cruise period and you have to visit the main desk as soon as boarding to get on the list.

During the pandemic they removed the visit to the galley. It is unknown when the tour will return.

A refined steakhouse that serves aged and hand cut, cooked-to-order steaks and premium seafood, including grilled shrimp and lobster. With a rich wood décor and a theater-style open kitchen, this specialty restaurant was named among the "Best Cruise Ship Steakhouses" by USA TODAY. Located on Promenade Deck (7).

This is one of our favorite specialty restaurants onboard Princess ships.

Crown Grill Menu

Experience the culinary magic of Chef Angelo Auriana — executive chef of renowned Los Angeles restaurants, The Factory Kitchen and Officine BRERA. Chef Auriana crafted a menu of handmade pasta courses, prepared fresh daily, that introduce diners to the flavorful dishes of the Italian countryside. Guests are invited to watch pasta being made fresh in the kitchen.

 Located on the Sky deck (17) at the aft of the ship.

Sabatini's Dinner Menu  

Dessert Menu

Offering some innovative gourmet burger creations inspired by pub favorites or devour a savory rib eye burger named "Best Burger at Sea" by the Cruise Critic website. Select two gourmet plates from the menu.

 Located on the Promenade deck (7) of the ship.

$18 per person for Standard Fare cruisers (Free to cruisers with the Plus or Premier packages)

Salty Dog Gastropub Menu  

A family-style seafood restaurant offers dinner served by wait staff. Choose from Black & Blue Mussels or Classic Clams “Steamers” or the Broiled Platter which includes scallops, shrimp and crab-stuffed flounder. All come with generous sides and dipping sauces as well as starters and dessert. Lunch and breakfast dining is also available. Located adjacent to the buffet area at the aft of the ship.

Nominal fee for Standard Fare cruisers (Free to cruisers with the Plus or Premier packages)

Steamers Menu

Drop by for a classic American-style dinner, served by wait staff. This casual BBQ restaurant gives you a choice of "Planks" loaded with four meats, chili, coleslaw and seasoned fries along with starters and decadent dessert. Planks BBQ also serves a buffet-style lunch, with signature soup and freshly tossed salad, as well as regionally inspired fork-and-knife sandwiches. Buffet-style breakfasts, include savory breakfast bowls customized for you. Located adjacent to the buffet area at the aft of the ship.

Nominal fee for Standard Fare cruisers (Free to cruisers with the Plus or Premier packages)

Planks BBQ Menu

Choose a luxurious breakfast or experience the "ultimate" romantic dinner at sea: a sumptuous four-course meal, including succulent lobster tail and juicy steak, your beverage of choice, hors d’oeuvres, all served right on your balcony served by our dedicated waitstaff.

Enjoy specialty coffee and tea favorites, along with a large variety of pastries, sandwiches, desserts, salads and quick bites. This venue is open 24 hours per day and is located in the Piazza area on the Plaza Deck (5). This is one of our favorite places to grab a pastry or a light desert and a cup of coffee and sit and people watch or enjoy some music playing in the Piazza area.

Here is a video showing some of the items you may find offered at this causal dining option.

Food items are free, coffee and tea is a la carte.

Treat yourself to a 100% handmade Gourmet Burgers, including the Princess Burger or Triple Smoked Burger. The Salty Dog Grill also offers new Street Tacos featuring a choice of grilled chipotle-lime chicken or roasted sweet potato-green chile. And don’t miss the Classic Hot Dogs, plus loaded fries in tempting varieties including chili cheese and bacon and cheese. Located on the Lido Deck (15) in the pool area.

All food is included in your cruise fare.

Salty Dog Grill Menu

Also located on the Lido Deck (15) is Slice pizzeria which offers a variety of tempting indulgences that begin with made-from-scratch dough and hand tossed. Try the Stromboli, artisanal toast or renowned Neapolitan-style pizza. 

All food is included in your cruise fare.

Complimentary ice cream cones await you on the Lido Deck (15) where a creamery venue allows you to pick up a chocolate cone, a vanilla, or a combination, or treat yourself to an ice cream sandwich, with a tempting choice of flavors. There is also specialty New Grounds Crafted Coffee, too. Energize yourself with an Espresso, Cappuccino, Latte or Chai Tea. Or, if you want to cool down, opt for a refreshing Frappe. 

(Hint - during Movies Under The Stars you can also find free popcorn and cookies here to enjoy during the movie)

Ice Cream cones are included in your cruise fare. Ice cream sandwiches, Frappes and specialty coffees are extra.

Coffee & Cones Menu and Prices

So you don't feel like leaving your room? No problem, as 24-hour complimentary room service is also available when you want to enjoy a quiet moment in your stateroom munching on a club sandwich or maybe that slice of chocolate fudge cake. Breakfast orders can be placed the night before by dialing "room service" on your stateroom phone or by using the MedallionClass™ App on your smartphone. For cruises after August 12, 2023 a $5 charge will be assessed to those travelers with the standard fare booking and free for Plus or Premier packages. (this does not apply for orders placed the night before by hanging a requested breakfast order on your cabin door)

Charges apply for balcony breakfast and dinner, pizza delivery, bottled soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. Subject to change.

One thing we finally found time to do on our last cruise was to indulge in the Princess Cruise afternoon tea tradition. 

Served daily at 3 pm, afternoon tea is a treasured tradition whether it’s a special occasion, an intimate moment for two, or just quiet time for reflection. You will enjoy a wide selection of teas, or coffee if you prefer, served by white-gloved waiters in formal attire. The setting is an elegant dining room, with tables crowned with sparkling samovars and a delicious array of tasty treats: freshly prepared finger sandwiches, cookies and cakes.

The food, coffee, and tea are included in your cruise fare.