During my 7-night Western Caribbean cruise on Star of the Seas, I was so excited to try the food on the brand-new and biggest ship in the world. With so many restaurants onboard, I couldn’t wait to see what the Main Dining Room had to offer and it didn’t disappoint.
Each night came with a new themed menu, starting with “Welcome Aboard” on the first evening and ending the week with a warm “Bon Voyage” farewell. I loved how the menus changed daily.
I’ve collected all the Royal Caribbean Main Dining Room menus that were served during our cruise along with menus from other itineraries to give you a complete look at what’s being offered in 2025. So, let’s take a closer look at what’s cooking in Royal Caribbean’s Main Dining Room menus.
About Royal Caribbean Main Dining Rooms
Each Royal Caribbean ship has multiple Main Dining Rooms usually spread across Decks 3, 4, and 5. Even though the dining rooms have different names and beautiful designs, they all serve the same menu each night, so no matter where you dine, you’ll enjoy the same delicious dishes.
On some longer 8-night cruises, there’s even an extra themed menu, often Taste of the UK or Taste of the USA, adding something new to the lineup. Ships sailing on Asian itineraries may also feature a special Taste of Asia menu that highlights regional dishes.
Royal Caribbean Dining Times
Royal Caribbean offers Traditional Dining and My Time Dining to enjoy dinner in the Main Dining Room. Traditional Dining has set seating times including early and late dining for guests who like a fixed schedule, while My Time Dining allows more flexibility so you can dine when it suits you best.
Recently, Royal Caribbean has started introducing three set Main Dining Room dinner times around 5:00 PM, 6:30 PM, and 8:00 PM with My Time Dining beginning at 7:00 PM. This change is being rolled out gradually across the fleet and may vary by ship. Some cruisers have even noticed that by choosing the same My Time Dining slot each night such as 6:30 PM, they were given the same table and waiter for the entire cruise just like traditional dining.
Royal Caribbean Main Dining Room Menus for 2025
During my cruise on Star of the Seas, I noticed that the Main Dining Room isn’t just for dinner. It’s also open for breakfast, brunch, and lunch on both sea days and port days. I really enjoyed having these options because it gave a quieter, sit-down experience compared to the busy buffet.
Breakfast is served from 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM. Brunch is less common but sometimes offered on sea days from 8:30 AM until noon. When brunch is served, breakfast and lunch are not offered separately.
Lunch in the Main Dining Room runs from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM, and it’s available on most sea days and port days. It’s perfect for when you want a slow, relaxed meal before heading out or after coming back from shore.
The exact times may vary by ship, but I found it nice knowing the Main Dining Room was open throughout the day whenever I wanted a calm, sit-down meal.
Royal Caribbean Main Dining Room Breakfast Menu
Given below is the Royal Caribbean breakfast menu for the Main Dining Room:
Royal Caribbean Main Dining Room Brunch Menu
Given below is the Royal Caribbean brunch menu for the Main Dining Room:
Royal Caribbean Main Dining Room Lunch Menus
Given below are the Royal Caribbean lunch menus for the Main Dining Room:
Royal Caribbean Main Dining Room Dinner Menus
Given below are the Royal Caribbean dinner menus for the Main Dining Room:
Royal Caribbean Main Dining Room Vegan Menu
Given below is the Royal Caribbean Vegan menu for the Main Dining Room:
Royal Caribbean Main Dining Room Kids Menus
Given below is the Royal Caribbean kids menu for the Main Dining Room:
Royal Caribbean Main Dining Room Reservations
During my sailing, I learned that reservations in the Main Dining Room depend on which dining option you choose. If you have Traditional Dining, you don’t need to worry about making a reservation.
For those who choose My Time Dining, reservations are strongly recommended. I booked mine in advance using the Royal App. You can also call the restaurant once onboard.
Walk-ins are allowed too, but from what I saw, it’s easier to get your preferred time if you book ahead especially on sea days when everyone wants to dine around the same hour.
If you’re looking for drink options onboard, you can also check out my detailed guide to Royal Caribbean drink menus with prices to explore all the available beverages.
Royal Caribbean Main Dining Room Dress Code
When it comes to dressing for dinner, Royal Caribbean keeps things simple but classy. The Main Dining Room has a relaxed yet elegant vibe, so most guests like to dress nicely for the evening. I usually wore a casual dress or a nice shirt with pants, and it always felt just right for the atmosphere.
There are a few basic rules to remember. Bare feet are not allowed anywhere, and tank tops are not permitted in the Main Dining Room or any specialty restaurants during dinner. It’s all about keeping the dining experience comfortable but respectful.
On some nights Royal Caribbean hosts Dress Your Best evenings which are like formal nights. Guests bring out their best outfits such as suits, ties, cocktail dresses, or evening gowns. Depending on your sailing, there can be one to three of these nights. I loved these evenings because the dining room felt extra special with everyone dressed up and enjoying the elegant setting.
Most guests also love dressing up during the ship’s themed parties, which makes the evenings even more fun. If you’re sailing soon, check out my guide to Royal Caribbean theme nights and parties to know what to pack and expect onboard.
My Final Thoughts on the Main Dining Room
After a week on Star of the Seas, I can honestly say the Main Dining Room quickly became one of my favorite dining spots alongside a few standout specialty and complimentary venues. The food was consistently delicious and each night brought a different menu with unique main courses and beautifully presented desserts to try.
The service was attentive and friendly with staff always ready to offer recommendations or accommodate special requests. Even on “Dress Your Best” nights, the experience felt upscale without being intimidating and the presentation of each dish added to the overall charm.
Even if you don’t get a chance to try the specialty restaurants, you can rely on the Main Dining Room, buffet, and other complimentary venues for consistently high-quality meals that rarely disappoint. It’s reassuring to know that no matter where you dine on board, the food and service maintain the same standard.
Here are a few of the dishes that I tried in the Royal Caribbean Main Dining Room!
Now, let’s answer a few common questions below.
FAQs about Royal Caribbean Main Dining Room
Do you need reservations for the Main Dining Room on Royal Caribbean?
Traditional Dining on Royal Caribbean doesn’t require reservations, while My Time Dining requires one and is best booked in advance to secure your preferred dining time.
How do I schedule my time dining on Royal Caribbean?
You can schedule My Time Dining on Royal Caribbean using the Royal App, at the onboard dining desk, or by calling the restaurant directly.
Is there a captain’s dinner on Royal Caribbean?
No, Royal Caribbean no longer offers a traditional Captain’s Dinner. Instead, the cruise line now features special formal nights with elegant dining experiences.
What night is the formal dinner on the Royal Caribbean cruise?
Formal nights vary by cruise length. On 3- to 5-day sailings, the formal dinner is usually on the second night, while 6- to 8-day cruises have two formal dinners, typically on the second and second-last night of the cruise.
Does Royal Caribbean allow shorts in the Main Dining Room?
Guests can wear shorts during breakfast and lunch, and most evenings are casual. It’s best to avoid shorts on formal nights to follow the cruise dress guidelines.
Can I wear jeans to the Main Dining Room on Royal Caribbean?
Jeans are fine for casual evenings in the Main Dining Room. On formal nights, most guests dress up, so slacks, skirts, or dresses are recommended.