First timers - what food & drink is included

[david56]

As first time cruisers (60th birthday holiday), well be on the Regal Princess around the Baltic in June.

 

I've been trying to work out exactly what is "free" (included) on board, and what isn't.

 

Food: The range of restaurants is confusing, because some of them seem to be specialised but are included, some are slightly formal and some are informal. I can see four "Speciality" restaurants for which a charge applies, and I can see mention of "Casual" dining at Horizon Court, the pizzeria, burger & hot dog grill. But that must leave some gaps because I know there is a pizza restaurant called Alfredo's. How does this differ and what other restaurants are there?

 

Drinks: we're not big drinkers of alcohol and will be happy with tea or iced tea most of the time. Are the "free" drinks available at all the restaurants?

 

Thanks - I will probably think of more questions later.

[ano]

I've not been on this ship, but there is a big mix of free and extra charge, and formal and casual. Most are casual, but the main dining room will likely have some formal nights for dinner, and other nights its business casual, but people in nice shorts usually won't be kicked out. This is the free dining room, but you can always go to the buffet which is casual and also free. Usually other free restaurants are typically casual. At the pay restaurants, you can dress up if you like, much like a restaurant on land. Like a fancy restaurant on land, their is a minimum acceptable amount of dress, around business casual. The pizza/hot dog place is casual all the time, and open long hours if not 24 hours. That falls into the casual free list. Honestly your here on vacation, so they provide a bit of everything to make everyone happy.

 

With all the restaurants, tea or water or regular coffee is free. Sometimes at the buffet they will also have other free choices like juice. Alcoholic beverages can be ordered at an added fee if you haven't purchased a beverage package. There is usually one soda beverage package, and one or more alcoholic ones. Soda in the restaurants is also extra without the soda beverage package. Its around $3 to $4 for a soda, and $7 to $15 for alcohol in general.

Edited March 9, 2016 by ano

[woodythebeagle]

Food: The range of restaurants is confusing, because some of them seem to be specialised but are included, some are slightly formal and some are informal. I can see four "Speciality" restaurants for which a charge applies, and I can see mention of "Casual" dining at Horizon Court, the pizzeria, burger & hot dog grill. But that must leave some gaps because I know there is a pizza restaurant called Alfredo's. How does this differ and what other restaurants are there?

 

Alfredo's is a free sit down pizza place where you order a pizza off a menu. The other pizzeria near the pool is pizza-by-the-slice counter service and very casual.... they usually serve a cheese, a pepperoni and another specialty pizza of the day.:D

[david56]

Alfredo's is a free sit down pizza place where you order a pizza off a menu. The other pizzeria near the pool is pizza-by-the-slice counter service and very casual.... they usually serve a cheese, a pepperoni and another specialty pizza of the day.:D

 

Great, thanks. Are there other restaurants like Alfredo's? And do you need to book a table at any of them?

[chrysalis]

This should help....

 

http://www.princess.com/learn/ships/gp/amenities_publicrooms/personal_choice_dining/

[woodythebeagle]

Great, thanks. Are there other restaurants like Alfredo's? And do you need to book a table at any of them?

 

The only other free one i can think of is the Pub Lunch which was offered twice on our 10 day cruise from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This was very popular and there was a long line each time but would die down around 1 or so, if you can wait. I really enjoyed it.

 

I don't think either Alfredo's or the Pub Lunch take reservations.:cool:

[chrysalis]

....and this....

 

http://www.princess.com/ships-and-experience/food-and-dining/whats-included/

[david56]

....and this....

 

http://www.princess.com/ships-and-experience/food-and-dining/whats-included/

 

Ah, that's a help, thanks, although it's not specific to the ship - does Regal have the International Café? Isn't there a simple list of eateries for each ship?

[chrysalis]

Ah, that's a help, thanks, although it's not specific to the ship - does Regal have the International Café? Isn't there a simple list of eateries for each ship?

 

Yes, and the first link that I posted was for the Regal and lists the International Cafe

[david56]

Yes, and the first link that I posted was for the Regal and lists the International Cafe

 

OK, thanks. They don't make it easy to tell, do they.

[JF - retired RRT]

Drinks: we're not big drinkers of alcohol and will be happy with tea or iced tea most of the time. Are the "free" drinks available at all the restaurants?

In the Horizon Court (buffet) for breakfast you can get OJ almost instantly. You can also request (takes a little more time) tomato juice and prune juice (there may be others). At lunch, lemonade is available (it's very strong).

 

In the almost any venue that serves food; coffee, tea (hot or iced) and water. Extra charge for "sparkling" water.

 

At the International Cafe (IC), food is free. The specialty coffees, teas, hot chocolate, etc. are additional cost. If you buy a coffee card, the specialty coffees use one of the 15 punches on the card plus tea, hot chocolate are included at no extra charge for the duration of the cruise. Any leftover punches are good on future cruises. The card costs approx. $33 USD.

[j3000]

Hi David. just want to say 'welcome'. we're not experienced cruisers either.

the folks here on the forum are great. very informative. just ask any question (I ask a lot of stupid ones!) and they'll help you out with all you need to know!

[cb at sea]

The Main dining room and buffet is include...so is room service

.

[caribill]

No charge for food at:

 

o Main dining rooms. If you have Anytime Dining, this would be the dining rooms mid-ship on decks 5&6. If you have traditional fixed seating, it will be the aft dining room on deck 6. Sometimes one of the AT dining rooms will have an early fixed seating which will become anytime later in the evening. The menus and dress code (formal or smart casual) is the same in all three dining rooms. One of the dining rooms is open for breakfast every morning and it will also be open for lunch on embarkation day (until 1:30 PM) and on sea days. Dress is casual (shorts OK) at breakfast and lunch.

 

o International Cafe

 

o Alfredo's Pizza

 

o Lido deck Pizza, hamburger counter, soft-serve ice cream

 

o The buffet areas on the Lido deck.

 

o Room service (except for party and celebration items and a $3 pizza delivery charge).

 

o The English Pub on the days it is offered.

 

All of the above will charge (when available there) for juice when not at breakfast, for any alcoholic beverage, bottled H20, soda, specialty coffees and specialty teas. Iced tap water, juice at breakfast, lemonade after breakfast,hours, milk, regular coffee and regular tea are at no cost. (Chocolate milk is free for children, but has a cost for adults.)

 

There is a charge for:

 

o All specialty restaurants (Crown Grill, Sabatini's) including any set up in the evening in the buffet area (crab shack, fondue).

 

o Ocean Terrace Seafood Bar

 

o Gelato (ship-made ice cream is at no charge in the dining room at lunch and dinner)

 

o Winemaker's dinner and Chef's table dinner, both of which do take place in a dining room.

 

By the way, at breakfast the buffet area will have a station which can make omelets to order (no charge).

 

If your cruise is going to Princess Cays, the lunch there is at no cost.

Edited March 10, 2016 by caribill

[david56]

Thanks to all - a lot of useful information.

[skynight]

As first time cruisers (60th birthday holiday), well be on the Regal Princess around the Baltic in June.

 

I've been trying to work out exactly what is "free" (included) on board, and what isn't.

 

Food: The range of restaurants is confusing, because some of them seem to be specialised but are included, some are slightly formal and some are informal. I can see four "Speciality" restaurants for which a charge applies, and I can see mention of "Casual" dining at Horizon Court, the pizzeria, burger & hot dog grill. But that must leave some gaps because I know there is a pizza restaurant called Alfredo's. How does this differ and what other restaurants are there?

 

Drinks: we're not big drinkers of alcohol and will be happy with tea or iced tea most of the time. Are the "free" drinks available at all the restaurants?

 

Thanks - I will probably think of more questions later.

Free Dining:

All DR food; International Cafe, Alfredo's, Trident Grill, Prego Pizza, Horizon Ct./Bistro/Pastry shop buffet area, Soft ice crem by the pool, room service, except full pizza, afternoon tea in the DR.

Free drinks:

Coffee, tea, ice tea, juices for breakfast, lemonade for lunch in the buffet only, ice tea.

Charged drinks,

All alcoholic drinks except those served at the special cocktail parties. All soft drinks and and alcohol free cocktails. Also all espresso drinks at the various coffee bars. If you like espresso drinks suggest you purchase the Cafe Selects card.

Charged Dining.

Sabatini's & Crown Grill US$25/p;, Crab Shack & Fondues US $20/p;, Ocean Terrace seafood bar, menu priced items plus one free sample selection; Gelato; Wine Maker's Dinner; Chef's Table; Special balcony breakfast or dinner.

[aquilegia]

In the Horizon Court (buffet) for breakfast you can get OJ almost instantly. You can also request (takes a little more time) tomato juice and prune juice (there may be others).

 

I always request cranberry juice and there's never been a problem.

[VTX-AL]

Added info - in the "Specialty Restaurants" the cost is referred to as a "cover charge" which also is considered to cover the gratuity for your waiter, with additional tipping an individual choice. The food is free (i.e. not individually priced and is part of food which is included in your cruise fare).

 

...VTX-Al

[RhondaC]

I always request cranberry juice and there's never been a problem.

 

I never have a problem getting pineapple juice either. :)

[mudd77]

Heading out on the Regal in a couple of weeks. My family are big soda drinkers so we will be ordering the Sodas and More package for all. Quick question....How are sodas served at the buffet? Is there a soda station or do waiters refill your glass? Thanks in advance.

Edited March 18, 2016 by mudd77

[JF - retired RRT]

How are sodas served at the buffet? Is there a soda station or do waiters refill your glass? Thanks in advance.

No soda station. You get sodas at the bars, from room service, etc.

If you have a "sodas" card, I think you can give it to your waiter in the buffet and he/she will fetch it. I know that you can do this in the MDR, cuz I've seen it done. No personal experience, I don't drink soda.

 

The drinks available in the buffet are coffee (from syrup, decaf & leaded), various hot teas, iced tea (these are all self serve or the waiter will bring), also juices...ask the waiter for these.

[Croptop]

How are sodas served at the buffet? Is there a soda station or do waiters refill your glass? Thanks in advance.

 

You just show a waiter the sticker on your cruise card(s) when you order your drink(s). They will go get your soda (or mocktail) for you and bring it to you no fuss, no muss.

[mudd77]

Awesome!.. Thanks guys!

[david56]

 

The drinks available in the buffet are coffee (from syrup, decaf & leaded), various hot teas, iced tea (these are all self serve or the waiter will bring), also juices...ask the waiter for these.

 

Thanks - do you mean that these drinks are no-cost at the buffet?

[Sea Day Cruiser]

Thanks - do you mean that these drinks are no-cost at the buffet?

 

 

Yes. No cost in the Horizon Court.