Is food included on a cruise?
On most cruises, food is included in the total price. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are offered as standard as part of the package, although what exactly is included varies by operator. Drinks, specialty restaurants, and excursions are often not included. In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions about food and drink on a cruise holiday.
What is typically included on a cruise?
On most cruise holidays, three meals per day are included in the total price: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This applies to both large cruise companies and smaller sailing cruises. What exactly is included depends greatly on the type of ship and the service level of the trip.
On large cruise ships, the total price generally covers the main meals, but extras such as drinks packages, specialty restaurants, and room service often come at an additional cost. On luxury and boutique concepts, it is common for almost everything to be all-inclusive, including meals, drinks, and service. It is therefore wise to read carefully what is included in the total price when booking.
In addition to food, there are other things that may be included as standard, such as:
- On-board accommodation
- Access to shared spaces and deck
- Certain activities or excursions
- Entertainment or guided experiences
The higher the service level, the more is generally included without additional costs.
Which meals are included on a sailing cruise?
On a sailing cruise, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included in the total price in most cases. On smaller, luxury sailing vessels, meals are often freshly prepared by an on-board chef and served in a shared dining room, giving it the character of an intimate dinner.
The character of meals on a sailing cruise differs greatly from that on a large cruise ship. Instead of buffet restaurants and multiple options, everyone eats together at the table. This contributes to the atmosphere on board: convivial, informal, and connecting. Meals are tailored to the group and the destination, with fresh local produce often playing a role.
On some sailing cruises, snacks or afternoon refreshments are also offered as part of the daily programme. This depends on the specific concept and operator.
Are drinks also included on a cruise?
Whether drinks are included on a cruise holiday depends entirely on the operator and the chosen package. On large cruise companies, soft drinks and water during meals are sometimes included, but alcohol and specialty drinks almost never are. For these, you need to book a drinks package separately.
On luxury or boutique sailing cruises, the approach is often different. Here it is more common for drinks to be included in the total price. This fits the all-inclusive character associated with this type of cruise.
Want to be sure what is included? When booking, ask specifically about:
- Alcoholic drinks with meals
- Soft drinks and water throughout the day
- Cocktails or aperitifs
- Coffee and tea
This way you will not be faced with any surprises afterwards.
What do food and drinks cost extra on a cruise?
On large cruise ships, the extra costs for food and drinks can add up quickly. Drinks packages, specialty restaurants, and other additions are charged separately on top of the basic fare. Contact the operator in advance for a clear overview of what is and is not included, so that the total price of your cruise holiday does not come as a surprise.
Other items that may cost extra include room service, special dietary requirements, premium coffee and tea, and bottled water in the cabin. It is wise to be well informed about these additional costs in advance.
With boutique and luxury concepts, these extras are often already included in the all-inclusive total price. This makes it easier to know in advance what to expect, and you can focus entirely on the experience on board rather than keeping track of costs.
How does dining on a luxury sailing ship differ from a large cruise company?
Dining on a luxury sailing ship is a fundamentally different experience from that on a large cruise ship. Where large companies focus on choice and scale, with extensive buffets and multiple restaurants, a small sailing ship is all about quality, atmosphere, and personal contact.
On a small sailing ship, you eat together with a limited group of fellow travellers. There is one chef who cooks fresh every day, tailored to the wishes of the group and the produce available at the destination. This gives the meals a homely and authentic character that you will not find on a large ship.
Moreover, the setting on a sailing ship is unique: dining in an atmospheric lounge while the ship lies at anchor in a secluded bay, or having lunch on deck with a view of the sea. The combination of good meals, a small group, and a special setting makes dining on board an experience in itself.
What should you look out for when booking a cruise regarding food?
When booking a cruise holiday, there are a number of concrete points relating to food and drink that you should investigate in advance. This prevents you from being faced with unexpected costs afterwards or finding that the meals do not meet your expectations.
Pay attention to the following in any case:
- What exactly is included? Check whether breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all included in the total price, or whether some meals are charged separately.
- Are drinks included? Ask specifically about alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and coffee. This makes a significant difference to the total cost.
- How are meals served? Is it a buffet, a set menu, or à la carte? This partly determines the atmosphere on board.
- Are there options for dietary requirements? Think about vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or allergies. Always ask about this in advance.
- Are there extra costs for specialty restaurants? On large ships, these are separate expenses that can add up quickly.
On smaller, luxury sailing cruises, the answers to these questions are often simpler: everything is included, there is personal contact with the chef, and dietary requirements are accommodated flexibly.
How we ensure an unforgettable culinary experience on board
With Clipper Stad Amsterdam, you need not worry about hidden costs or disappointing meals. On our luxury sailing cruise in the Caribbean, everything is included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner, all freshly prepared by our on-board chefs, along with a house selection of wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee, and tea.
What you can expect:
- Three fresh meals per day, prepared by an experienced chef
- A house selection of drinks included, from coffee to wine and beer
- Dinners in the atmospheric lounge or outside on deck
- Attention to dietary requirements and personal preferences
- An intimate atmosphere with a maximum of 28 passengers on board
Our dedicated crew is available throughout the entire cruise. Rates are exclusive and tailored, depending on season and duration. Contact us for a personal quote, so you can focus entirely on the experience on board.
Would you like to know more or are you ready to book? View the available voyages or contact us for personal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kan ik mijn dieetwensen of allergieën opgeven na het boeken?
Het is het beste om dieetwensen en allergieën zo vroeg mogelijk door te geven, bij voorkeur op het moment van boeking. Op kleinere luxe zeilcruises, zoals die van Clipper Stad Amsterdam, is er direct contact met de bemanning en worden wensen flexibel en persoonlijk opgevangen. Hoe eerder je het doorgeeft, hoe beter de chef zich kan voorbereiden op jouw specifieke behoeften.
Wat als ik tijdens de cruise trek krijg buiten de vaste maaltijden om?
Op grote cruiseschepen zijn er doorgaans buffetten of snackbars die een groot deel van de dag open zijn, maar hier kunnen extra kosten aan verbonden zijn. Op boutique-zeilcruises worden vaak tussendoortjes en snacks aangeboden als onderdeel van het dagprogramma. Vraag bij het boeken specifiek na wat er buiten de drie hoofdmaaltijden beschikbaar is, zodat je weet wat je kunt verwachten.
Is het drankenpakket echt de moeite waard op een grote cruise, of kan ik beter per drankje betalen?
Of een drankenpakket de moeite waard is, hangt af van je drinkgedrag en de specifieke voorwaarden van de aanbieder. Vraag bij het boeken naar de exacte inhoud en condities van het pakket, zodat je een weloverwogen keuze kunt maken. Bij luxe all-inclusive zeilcruises vervalt dit dilemma volledig, omdat dranken al in de totaalprijs zijn opgenomen.
Hoe zit het met eten tijdens een tussenstop of uitstapje aan land?
Maaltijden tijdens uitstapjes aan land zijn bij de meeste cruises niet inbegrepen in de reissom. Je betaalt dan zelf voor lunch of diner in een lokaal restaurant. Dit kan juist een leuke gelegenheid zijn om de lokale keuken te ontdekken. Controleer vooraf het dagprogramma van je cruise om te weten op welke dagen je aan land bent tijdens etenstijden, zodat je hier rekening mee kunt houden.
Kan ik op een zeilcruise rekening houden met seasickness en zijn er lichte maaltijden beschikbaar?
Zeeziekte is een reële overweging, zeker op kleinere zeilschepen die meer beweging kunnen hebben dan grote cruiseschepen. Op luxe zeilcruises is er direct contact met de chef, waardoor je altijd kunt vragen om lichtere of maagvriendelijke maaltijden. Het is ook verstandig om eventuele medicatie of zeeziektebandjes mee te nemen en dit bij het boeken te vermelden, zodat de bemanning hier rekening mee kan houden.
Zijn er ook mogelijkheden voor kinderen of kieskeurige eters op een cruise?
Op grote cruiseschepen zijn er vaak speciale kindermenu’s en een breed aanbod dat ook kieskeurige eters bedient. Op kleinere boutique-zeilcruises is het aanbod beperkter in variatie, maar de persoonlijke aanpak maakt het mogelijk om vooraf specifieke wensen door te geven. Geef bij het boeken altijd aan als er kinderen meereizen of als er eters met een beperkt palet in de groep zitten, zodat de chef hier van tevoren op kan inspelen.
Wat is het verschil in culinaire kwaliteit tussen een goedkope en een duurdere cruise?
Bij budgetvriendelijke cruises ligt de nadruk op schaal en keuze: grote buffetten met veel opties, maar de kwaliteit is wisselend en de beleving vrij onpersoonlijk. Bij luxe cruises, zoals boutique-zeilcruises, betaal je voor verse bereiding, hoogwaardige ingrediënten en een persoonlijke aanpak waarbij de chef rekening houdt met de groep en lokale producten. De exclusieve prijsstelling vertaalt zich niet alleen in beter eten, maar ook in een completere culinaire beleving als onderdeel van de reis.