20 Cruise Dining MISTAKES Even Experienced Cruisers Make in 2026
Cruise ship dining has changed in 2026 & you must avoid these cruise dining mistakes! New extra charges, fees & items that used to be included that aren’t anymore. However, there are also new dining & cruise food options, as well as little-known onboard discounts that even experienced cruisers don’t know about!
Cruise newbies often miss out on included dining options on their cruise, but no more! This video includes the best cruise tips for the main dining room, cruise ship buffet, speciality restaurants & in cabin room service.
These are the cruise dining secrets & food hacks that will be helpful on many cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean. Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity, MSC Cruises, Holland America, Disney Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Virgin Voyages & more!
These cruise travel tips will help you out with food on a cruise, so you have the best cruise vacation!
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ABOUT ME
Hi! I’m Ilana! I live in Montreal, Canada with my husband Frank. We can often be found dreaming about and planning future cruises, ideally to hot and sunny destinations! I believe in having fun, being kind and that you are never too old, or too young, to live the life of your dreams!
Please note that I do not sell cruises on Life Well Cruised. This and all other videos are for entertainment purposes only. I share my own opinions, personal experiences and information with other cruise travellers, which I hope can be helpful. Please contact your travel agent or the cruise line directly for advice and any information specific to your booking.
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8 Comments
Ilana, great points of interest and can follow. 😁
When I was on Carnival a few days ago, they allowed to desserts, two entrees, and two apps before they charged a fee
I usually do a casual or MDR on embarkation day
Thanks Ilana. Great tips as always! Skipping the main dish for more appetizers (and an extra dessert 😉 is my go to, especially on long cruises where they repeat the menu. And you don't feel so guilty about eating too much or leaving food on the table.
Yes to Indulge on NCL. I'm hoping all cruise lines add this experience. Plus it's free!
Thanks!
Last year on Celebriity Alaska cruise, they were VERY serious about not taking food off ship, particularly if you were going on an animal observation excursion! Bears can smell those granola bars or peanut butter sandwiches from far away.
as far as te allergies go, IF you are one of those who suffers from this TELL THEM ! As a retired chef I once nearly killed a lady because she never mentioned a severe garlic allergy. She assumed that what she ordered had no garlic in it. I used Montreal Steak seasoning and THAT has garlic !
In today's kitchens so many things end up in places that you would not expect them it is not worth the risk of thinking "OH I'm not ordering fries with my pizza so my potato allergy is not relevant" OH YES IT IS ! ! potato starch is often used to stop pre grated cheese from clumping and what is on pizza ?
As a chef I would rather have to deal with the PIA allergy work around than to deal with than the paperwork of a deceased customer !
Many allergy sufferers "don't want to be a nuisance" but it is better than puking at the table.
Of course there is no shortage of those just seeking attention and using faux allergies as their go to but the kitchen doesn't care, we consider most customers as crazy anyway ! Professional chef since 1973 so I know of what I speak, the stories I could tell…. !
Specialty dining reservations. On a recent NCL cruise, reservations opened just after final payment, so I was able to get my restaurant and time, something I couldn’t on another cruise when I waited until check-in opened