Here is my complete guide to food and dining on the Sky Princess.

If you’re a foodie, then you’re going to absolutely love the Sky Princess.

Whether you’re sticking to the all inclusive fare or have the budget to splash out on speciality meals, there’s plenty for you to enjoy onboard. Even the buffet is a huge treat, with themed nights and rotating menus that keep things fresh.

This blog post explains where you can eat onboard the Sky Princess, including the three dining options: included, casual and speciality.

What Dining Is Included on the Sky Princess?

There are many options available when it comes to complimentary dining on the Sky Princess.

What I mean by complimentary is any restaurant or eatery that is available to anyone with no extra charge. This includes all three of the main dining rooms, Estrella, Ciello and Soleil, as well as the ship’s buffet, the World Fresh Marketplace.

On the pool deck you’ll find the Salty Dog Grill, Slice Pizzeria and Swirls Ice Cream Bar. These are available throughout the day and make a great casual option for light meals by the pool. You’ll also find the International Cafe on the ground floor of the Piazza. This venue is open 24 hours a day, featuring light bites, late night snacks and speciality coffees (for an additional fee).

Sky Princess Dining Packages

If you have the budget available, and you want access to additional dining options, then it’s well worth booking either the Princess plus or Princess Premier packages.

Princess Plus is the cheaper option, costing £50 per person, per day and £55 on the Sun and Star Princess. This might sound costly but it includes up to 15 drinks per day, including cocktails, wine, beer and soft drinks, as well as unlimited specialty coffees and teas. When it comes to dining, the Princess Plus package includes 4 casual dining reservations that you can use throughout your trip.

Princess Premier is more expensive at £75 per person, per day for most ships and £80 on the Sun and Star Princess. This package allows unlimited premium drinks, as well as unlimited casual and speciality dining.

If you’re likely to purchase drinks and make the most of the many dining options available on the Sky Princess, then paying for one of these packages can be a great way to save money. Make sure you compare the cost of the package to your usual spend, to ensure it makes financial sense for you.

Bear in mind that both packages have wifi included, which is an another bonus!

Sky Princess Main Dining Rooms

Here’s what you need to know about the three main dining rooms on the Sky Princess: Estrella, Cielo and Soleil.

What can you expect?

Each of these restaurants is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and will have the exact same menu that rotates each day.

The Soleil Dining Room caters for cruisers with a preference for traditional, fixed time dining. If you make a reservation here you will be eating at the same table, at the same time, each night, and will likely be served by the same staff. I personally didn’t eat in here as I prefer more flexible dining, and to turn up for dinner when I feel hungry.

The Estrella Dining Room is the most flexible of the three, with tables that are available on a walk-in basis. Naturally this was the main dining room that I visited the most, although I did find that there was sometimes a short wait for a table to become available.

The Cielo Dining Room is a mix of the two, and requires a reservation in order to visit. These can easily be made at any time on the Princess app, and I did sometimes eat in here if I knew the time that I wanted to visit in advance.

What is the food like?

The food in the main dining rooms is excellent and I always had something great to eat. The choice ranges from meat, seafood and vegetarian dishes, with destination inspired meals too. For example, we enjoyed an Italian night while we were sailing through Italy, which included delicious pasta dishes and desserts like tiramisu.

The main dining room menu typically includes appetiser, main, grillery and dessert sections, options to add things like fillet mignon and lobster tail for an additional fee.

The chefs here are able to cater for a wide range of dietary requirements, and as a vegetarian who doesn’t like cheese, I frequently ordered from the vegan menu which is available upon request.

World Fresh Marketplace and the Pastry Shop

As a fussy eater I always love a good buffet, and the World Fresh Marketplace on the Sky Princess was excellent. This is actually the dining option that I’ve missed the most since disembarkation, and would love the chance to visit one more time!

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, this spot has a casual vibe, with floor to ceiling windows that offer panoramic views. Staff members roam the tables offering drinks and clearing used plates, keeping everything clean and tidy.

I enjoyed so many delicious meals in here, and loved that the selection on offer changed each night. The World Fresh Marketplace also featured themed nights and live cooking stations, which were all included in the cruise fare.

You can also visit in-between meals for a snack, although it isn’t available late at night. My best top tip is to visit at 3pm in the afternoon for freshly made waffles in the Pastry Shop, cooked in front of your eyes by a member of staff.

This is also a great option for families with children, who can make use of the children’s buffet which includes lots of plain foods such as pasta with tomato sauce, chips and fried chicken.

It was really good to see plenty of fresh food here, with salad bars and fruit available each day.

The International Café

This eatery is located in the piazza and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Here you’ll find pastries, sandwiches and light bites, as well as a variety of snacks throughout the night. I enjoyed many late night cookies from this spot, as well as several slices of pound cake.

Speciality coffees are also available for an additional fee, or free with Princess Premier or Princess Plus packages.

The Crown Grill on Sky Princess

The Crown Grill is the ship’s premium steakhouse, and a popular restaurant for special occasions. This is a speciality dining option, which makes it free for passengers with the Princess Premier package, and costs an additional fee for all other guests.

As a vegetarian this restaurant wasn’t at the top of my list, but those who do eat meat can choose from a variety of steaks, chops and seafood. I know that it’s a favourite among Princess cruisers and well worth a visit!

Sabatini's Italian Trattoria

(I ate here for free during my cruise thanks to Princess in return for an honest review. As always, all opinions are my own.)

I enjoyed a delicious meal at Sabatini’s during my cruise, and highly recommend it for any fans of Italian cuisine. Described as a taste of Tuscany and beyond, expect handmade pasta, salads, soups as well as a variety of meat and fish dishes.

I particularly loved the bread basket, which was served with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. I also ordered an off menu vegetarian dish, customised from a meat version on the menu, which the chef was happy to do.

This is another speciality option that is free for Princess Premier passengers and subject to an additional fee for all other guests. To read my full review, take a look at my blog post here (to come).

The Catch by Rudi

Located on the upper level of the Piazza, the Catch by Rudi is the ship’s final speciality restaurant and specialises in all things seafood. The menu was put together by Rudi Sodamin, and features fresh fish, oysters, pasta and steaks.

This venue is once again included for Princess Premier passengers and an additional fee for all other guests.

Alfredo's Pizzeria on Sky Princess

Princess is said to offer the best pizza at sea, and now I see why!

Alfredo’s is the Sky Princess’s dedicated pizzeria, with an open kitchen and a classy, sit down eating area. The menu offers a wide variety of pizzas, as well as appetisers and dessert for guests wanting a three course meal.

I made sure to visit during my own cruise and enjoyed a delicious vegetarian pizza (with the cheese removed on my request). Everything is freshly prepared and we were offered a table for two right away.

While Alfredo’s used to be a free venue, it now carries a small charge per item, and is included for Premier Plus and Premium guests. We were happy to pay this and found it to be a great lunchtime treat for one of our sea days.

Pizza isn’t offered at Sabatini’s Italian, and while individual slices are available for free on the pool deck, this is the only place you can order the whole thing for yourself.

Ocean Terrace Sushi

Another casual dining option, I didn’t try Ocean Terrace Sushi but I definitely would have eaten here if I had a Plus or Premier package.

This restaurant is located on the same deck as Rudi’s and faces the Piazza. Options include handcrafted sushi rolls, fresh nigiri, sashimi, and maki, as well as edamame, seaweed salad and hamachi tacos. Miso soup and green tea are also on offer here, and the drinks menu also includes Sake and Japanese beer. Vegetarian rolls are even available for those who don’t eat seafood.

Dining here is free for guests with a Princess Plus or Premier package. Those without will be subject to a small fee of either $14.99 per adult or $7.49 per child for the set menu. Items are also individually priced if you prefer to order on an a la carte basis.

The Salty Dog Grill

This is the perfect place for a casual lunch, dinner, or mid-afternoon snack on the Sky Princess’s pool deck. The best thing is that this venue is 100% free for all guests, serving a choice of burgers, hot dogs and fries, with vegetarian options available.

The service here is quick, and all of the food is cooked as you wait. They even stay open late during Movies Under the Stars, making it a great place for an evening snack.

Slice

Also located on the pool deck, this is a great quick service option where you can grab freshly cooked pizza free of charge.

Expect margarita and pepperoni pizzas, as well as specials that change each day. My partner enjoyed plenty of slices here throughout our cruise.

Swirls Ice Cream

This kiosk was a happy discovery for me once I boarded the Sky Princess, as it offers free soft serve ice cream.

Open all day long and into the evening, Swirls serves both vanilla and chocolate ice cream, either in a cone or a tub. This spot was popular with adults and children alike, and I loved that they also provided free popcorn here in the evenings.

I was a regular visitor for evening bags of salty popcorn to eat while watching Movies Under the Stars. You’ll find Swirls on the pool deck, opposite Slice and the Salty Dog Grill.

Afternoon Tea on the Sky Princess

Served in one of the main dining rooms on all sea days, afternoon tea is complimentary for all guests. This traditional British meal includes scones with cream and jam, finger sandwiches, cakes and pastries, as well as tea and coffee.

Usually served at 3pm, you will also find all aspects of the afternoon tea on offer in the World Fresh Marketplace.

The Gelateria

A step up from the complimentary soft serve option, the Gelateria is located in the piazza and offers freshly made ice cream for a small surcharge. The sundaes here really are quite impressive, and make a great treat after a long day in port.

I had intended to try the gelato here but with so many other complimentary options throughout the ship, I never found myself feeling quite hungry enough.

Ultimate Balcony Dining

This is a fab option for anyone after a romantic experience on their private balcony.

Available for breakfast and dinner, Ultimate Balcony Dining costs $57.50 per person for the Ultimate Balcony Dinner and $27.50 per person for the Deluxe Balcony Breakfast.

Note that you must be staying in a balcony grade cabin or higher in order to book this dining experience.

OceanNow and Room Service

I was pleased to find that the Sky Princess offers a room service menu with a limited number of free options. Delivery is free for Princess Plus and Princess Premier guests, and can be unlocked for all other guests in return for a one off payment of $14.99 per person.

The dishes on offer vary throughout the day, and include some additional fee options. The medallion technology also means that you can have food delivered to you at locations around the ship using OceanNow, which is ideal if you are relaxing by the pool or in the Piazza.

Which Are the Best Restaurants on the Sky Princess?

Crowning the best restaurant on the Sky Princess really depends on your personal preferences.

Best for steak

One of the ship’s popular speciality restaurants, the Crown Grill is the best place onboard for a sumptuous steak.

Best for Italian food

Lovers of Italian food must visit Sabatini’s for a hearty, traditional style meal.

Best for seafood

The Catch by Rudi offers a wide range of fresh fish and oysters, with options for any vegetarians in your party.

Best casual lunch

For a casual lunch you can’t beat the Salty Dog Grill or Slice, which are located next to each other on the pool deck.

Best pizza

Alfredo's Pizzeria serves some of the best pizza at sea and is a must visit during any Princess Cruise.

Best for a special occasion

For a birthday or anniversary I recommend either the Crown Grill or Sabatini's, which have an unmatchable atmosphere in private dining rooms.

Best for a romantic meal

For a romantic setting, book the Ultimate Balcony Dining and enjoy a freshly prepared meal delivered straight to your cabin.

Best free dining option

This might be controversial but my favourite free dining option was the World Fresh Marketplace, which offered a fantastic range of food at all mealtimes.

Sky Princess Dining Tips

Here are some of the best tips that I learned from my voyage onboard the Sky Princess.

Make sure you book your speciality restaurants early for the best choice of dates and times.
Don't overlook the included restaurants. Great food is served in all of their eateries, and you’re bound to have a delicious meal wherever you go.
Try Alfredo's for a casual meal. This may be included in your cruise fare, if you have a Princess Plus or Premier package. If not, you can still eat here for a small fee.
Save room for afternoon tea. This is something that I didn’t follow during my own cruise, and missed out as I was always full up from the other food on offer.
Use the buffet when you want a quick meal with lots of variety.
Check the day's menus before choosing dinner - these are viewable on the Princess Cruises app, as well as outside the main dining room restaurants.
Tell the dining team about your dietary requirements early. These can be submitted both in the Princess app, and by speaking to the catering team on embarkation day.
Don't feel you need to eat in a speciality restaurant every night. With so many excellent included options, it’s worth booking the speciality meals as a one off treat to look forward to during your trip.

For more information about the Sky Princess, take a look at my other blog posts below.

Restaurants and Dining on Sky Princess: Complete Food Guide