Dinner on a cruise ship is not just a meal — it’s often the best part of the day. We’ve had that evening ritual across fivecruises on two lines, and our Discovery Princess sailing on the Mexican Riviera in 2025 set the bar for how good it can be. Here’s exactly what to expect from dinner on a Princess ship.
Sailing MSC instead? Dinner works differently there — fixed seating and a set table for the week.
What Are Dinners Like on Princess Cruise Ships?
The main restaurant on Princess ships is genuinely elegant — spacious, with a well-designed interior, comfortable chairs, and white tablecloths. The service is attentive without being intrusive. Everything feels considered.
Breakfast and lunch are also served in the main restaurant, but dinner is different. By evening, passengers are dressed up, the atmosphere shifts, and the meal feels like an occasion rather than just food.
We’ve sailed on both MSC and Princess Cruises. When it comes to food quality, Princess is the better experience — every dish was well prepared and properly presented.
How Dining Works on Princess: Deck 5 vs Deck 6
The main restaurant spans two decks, and they work differently:
| Deck 5 | Deck 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Dining style | Fixed dining time | Flexible (anytime 6–10 PM) |
| Atmosphere | Quieter, more intimate | More relaxed, busier |
| Reservation needed | Yes — book via Princess app before sailing | No |
| Menu | Same as Deck 6 | Same as Deck 5 |
We didn’t know about the reservation system before our first Princess sailing, so we ended up on Deck 6 by default. It turned out to work well for us — after full days of shore excursions, being able to decide at 8 PM that we were ready for dinner was actually a better fit than a fixed time slot.
Tip: If you prefer a guaranteed seat at a specific time, book your table on Deck 5 through the Princess app before the cruise starts. If you’re flexible, Deck 6 works just as well.
The upper deck buffet is also open until midnight and includes the famous cruise pizza — a reliable option if you want something quick or informal after a long port day.
Who Will You Be Seated With?
The restaurant has tables for two, four, and eight. On our Mexican Riviera sailing we were a group of four with our own table — dinner felt like a private event each evening.
Shared seating works differently here than on MSC: with Princess’s flexible dining, you mostly share a table only if you choose to or arrive solo at peak time. On MSC’s fixed-seating system we once shared a table with a Spanish couple for 17 straight nights — one of the unexpected joys of that crossing — but that’s not how Princess works.
If you’d prefer to dine only with your group, ask the staff for a separate table. They will do their best to accommodate you.
Dress Code: What to Wear
Dinner on Princess has a dress code, and it’s worth knowing before you pack:
| Evening type | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Formal nights (2 per cruise) | Suit or jacket | Evening dress or elegant outfit |
| Smart casual (most evenings) | Long-sleeved shirt or polo | Dress or smart ensemble |
| Not appropriate | Shorts, flip-flops | Beachwear |
We liked this tradition. It gives dinner a different quality from the rest of the day — you’ve been in shorts exploring a port all afternoon, and by evening you’re dressed properly, sitting down to a proper meal. It works.
The dress code adds something to the evening — we’ve covered what people actually wear on formal nights separately.
The Menu: What’s Included and What Costs Extra
When you sit down, the menu arrives — and there are no prices on it. You can order as many starters, main courses, and desserts as you like. All of it is included in the cruise fare— along with more than most first-timers expect.
Drinks are extra. Here’s what we paid:
| Drink | Approximate price |
|---|---|
| Bottle of water | ~$5 |
| Glass of wine | from $8 |
| Coffee or tea | ~$4 |
Tip: If you’re a regular wine drinker, a drinks package usually works out cheaper than paying per glass. Check the options when you book.
What We Actually Ordered: Real Dishes from the Menu
Starters:
- Air-dried beef carpaccio with arugula and Parmesan
- Fried calamari with lemon aioli
- Cold cucumber soup with mint
Main courses:
- Grilled steak with pepper sauce and mashed potatoes
- Pan-seared sea bass with lemon butter and asparagus
- Spinach and arugula ravioli with sage cream sauce
Desserts:
- Chocolate-hazelnut cake
- New York cheesecake with berry sauce
- Vanilla crème brûlée
“Princess Favorites” — always available regardless of the daily menu: grilled salmon, chicken breast, or pasta with tomato sauce. Good fallback if the evening’s menu doesn’t appeal.
Full Cost Overview: Dining on Princess Cruises
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Main restaurant dinner | Included | Unlimited courses |
| Buffet (upper deck) | Included | Open until midnight |
| Specialty restaurants | Extra | Varies by ship |
| Water (bottle) | ~$5 | Per bottle |
| Wine (glass) | from $8 | Per glass |
| Coffee / tea | ~$4 | Per cup |
| Drinks package | Varies | Usually worth it for daily drinkers |
The drink prices are where the extras add up — budget for them or look into a package.
FAQ: Dinner on Princess Cruises
Is dinner included in the Princess cruise price?
Yes — all meals in the main restaurant are included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Drinks (alcohol, water, coffee) are charged separately.
Do I need to reserve a dinner table on Princess?
Only if you want a fixed dining time on Deck 5. Book through the Princess app before sailing. Deck 6 operates on a flexible schedule — no reservation needed, arrive anytime between 6 and 10 PM.
How many formal nights are there on a Princess cruise?
Usually one formal night on a 7-night cruise and two on longer sailings — our 8-day Mexican Riviera had one gala evening.
Can I order multiple courses at dinner on Princess?
Yes — as many as you like. Starters, mains, and desserts are all unlimited and included in the fare. There are no extra charges for ordering more than one of any course.
How does Princess Cruises compare to MSC for food?
Based on our personal experience across both cruise lines, Princess offers noticeably better food quality — better ingredients, better presentation, and more varied menus. MSC is competitive on price; Princess is stronger on the dining experience.
What if I have dietary requirements on Princess?
Princess accommodates most dietary needs including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-free options. Notify the cruise line when booking and confirm with your waiter on the first evening.
Is Dinner on Princess Worth It?
The main restaurant on Princess Cruises delivers a proper dining experience — good food, good service, and an atmosphere that makes the meal feel like part of the trip rather than just fuel. The no-prices menu and unlimited courses are genuinely enjoyable, and the dress code adds something to the evening that we didn’t expect to appreciate as much as we did.
The drink prices are the one area where costs add up quickly. Budget for them or look into a drinks package before you sail.
If you’re comparing cruise lines on dining quality, Princess is the stronger choice in our experience — and the main restaurant is the place to prove it.