Cruise vacations come with plenty of included dining options, so is paying extra for dinner really worth it? Some cruise ship specialty restaurants offer memorable experiences, from elegant tasting menus and premium steakhouses to interactive cooking shows. Others leave passengers wondering why they spent more for a meal that wasn’t much better than what was already included. As Cruise Critic highlights, certain onboard restaurants stand out for their food, service and atmosphere. Here are six specialty restaurants worth considering for a splurge and six that some passengers say aren’t worth the extra cost.
Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud, Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent, Worth the Upcharge
Celebrity’s Le Voyage offers something considerably different from the typical cruise ship dining experience. Created with celebrated chef Daniel Boulud, the restaurant features globally inspired dishes, elegant presentation, and a tasting-menu option designed for a leisurely evening. Cruise Critic highlighted Le Voyage when recognizing Celebrity for specialty dining in its 2025 awards. It’s particularly appealing for couples celebrating an anniversary or travelers who enjoy fine dining on land. However, the premium price makes it more of a special-occasion splurge than somewhere most passengers would eat repeatedly.
Fine Cut Steakhouse, Celebrity Edge-Class Ships, Worth the Upcharge
Fine Cut Steakhouse delivers the familiar pleasures of an upscale steakhouse, with carefully prepared beef, seafood, and classic sides served in a polished dining room. Cruise Critic singled it out when awarding Celebrity Cruises its 2025 specialty dining honor, and passengers have praised the attentive service and quality of the meals. Unlike a lengthy tasting menu, Fine Cut offers a more traditional dinner that steak lovers will recognize. The downside is the additional charge, particularly if you’re already satisfied with the beef selections in the main dining room.
150 Central Park, Royal Caribbean Oasis-Class Ships, Worth the Upcharge
Tucked into the leafy Central Park neighborhood aboard select Royal Caribbean ships, 150 Central Park feels removed from the crowds and noise elsewhere onboard. The restaurant specializes in refined, multi-course dining, with carefully presented dishes and attentive table service. Cruise Critic has highlighted its upscale atmosphere, while passenger feedback includes praise for the food and personal attention. It’s a good choice for a romantic evening or a special celebration. However, travelers who prefer straightforward meals may find the slower pace and more elaborate presentation unnecessary.
The Mason Jar, Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas, Worth the Upcharge
Not every specialty restaurant needs white tablecloths and expensive steaks to feel special. The Mason Jar aboard Wonder of the Seas focuses on Southern comfort food, with dishes such as fried chicken, crab beignets, and banana pudding. A Business Insider writer revisiting a 2022 sailing in an October 2026 article praised several of those dishes. The relaxed atmosphere makes it appealing to travelers who prefer familiar food with a twist. Still, passengers accustomed to excellent Southern cooking at home may question paying extra for these classics.
Le Bistro, Norwegian Gem, Worth the Upcharge
Norwegian’s Le Bistro offers a more intimate dining experience than the ship’s included restaurants, with French-inspired dishes such as steak tartare, escargot, and carefully prepared meat entrees. A September 2026 Norwegian Gem passenger described the food as outstanding and said they would have preferred a second visit to Le Bistro over dinner at Cagney’s. Other cruisers have praised the restaurant’s traditional French specialties. It’s an appealing use of a specialty dining credit, although reservations can fill quickly and the menu may be less attractive to picky eaters.
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Chef’s Table, Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas, Worth the Upcharge
Royal Caribbean’s Chef’s Table turns dinner into a hosted culinary experience rather than another restaurant reservation. A small group of guests enjoys multiple courses, with explanations of the dishes and wine pairings that complement each selection. Cruise Critic describes the Wonder of the Seas experience as accommodating roughly 16 diners, creating a more personal atmosphere than the ship’s larger restaurants. It’s particularly appealing to food and wine enthusiasts who enjoy learning about what they’re eating. However, the lengthy meal and premium price won’t suit everyone, especially passengers who don’t drink wine.
Cagney’s Steakhouse, Norwegian Bliss, Some Passengers Say Skip It
Cagney’s is Norwegian’s signature steakhouse, but paying extra raises expectations for the quality of the beef. An August 2026 Norwegian Bliss passenger complained that the rib-eye was thin and disappointing compared with steaks served at upscale restaurants on land. Other cruisers have reported much better experiences, including praise for the service and certain cuts. That inconsistency makes Cagney’s a questionable splurge for travelers who are particularly demanding about steak. If you’re using a limited dining credit, consider whether another specialty restaurant offers something more distinctive.
Umai Teppanyaki, Sun Princess, Some Passengers Say Skip It
Umai Teppanyaki combines Japanese-inspired cooking with a lively performance as chefs prepare meals on a hot grill in front of diners. For some passengers, the entertainment is part of the appeal. Others find the routine distracting, especially when they’re more interested in the food. An October 2025 Sun Princess passenger described the show as annoying and the meal as merely acceptable, concluding that they wouldn’t return. It’s worth considering whether you enjoy theatrical dining before paying extra, since the experience is about more than what’s on the plate.
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Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, Sun Princess, Some Passengers Say Skip It
Sabatini’s promises an elevated Italian dinner, but familiar dishes can be difficult to justify at specialty restaurant prices when the execution disappoints. One October 2025 Sun Princess passenger complained that the pasta was overcooked and gummy, saying the restaurant fell short of expectations. The same traveler preferred Crown Grill, returning there for a second meal. Of course, one disappointing dinner doesn’t mean every sailing delivers the same results. Still, passengers who are happy with the ship’s included dining may prefer to save their specialty dining allowance for something less familiar.
Jamie’s Italian, Anthem of the Seas, Some Passengers Say Skip It
Jamie’s Italian brings celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s approach to familiar Italian comfort food aboard Anthem of the Seas. The menu features dishes such as pasta, lasagna, and rustic-style appetizers, with lunch offering a somewhat smaller selection than dinner. One passenger reviewing a 2026 sailing found the lunch experience underwhelming and questioned whether it justified the extra expense. However, other passengers have enjoyed the restaurant’s food and relaxed atmosphere. If you’re mainly looking for a simple pasta dinner, the included dining options may be enough.
Q Texas Smokehouse, Norwegian Encore, Some Passengers Say Skip It
Q Texas Smokehouse offers barbecue favorites in a casual roadhouse setting, a welcome change from the usual cruise ship steakhouse. Unfortunately, barbecue can be particularly disappointing when the meat isn’t cooked properly. A Norwegian Encore passenger reviewing an April 2023 sailing complained about dry, overcooked meat, excessive sauce, and slow service. They even preferred a barbecue dish served in the complimentary main dining room, although they praised Q’s cookie skillet dessert. That older review doesn’t establish today’s quality, but it illustrates why some diners question paying extra for familiar barbecue.
Chops Grille, Anthem of the Seas, Some Passengers Say Skip It
Chops Grille is one of Royal Caribbean’s most recognizable specialty restaurants, serving steaks, seafood, and traditional sides in an upscale setting. While many passengers enjoy it, others question whether the experience is enough of an improvement over the included dining room. A passenger reviewing a 2026 Anthem of the Seas sailing found lunch disappointing, while another cruiser aboard Jewel of the Seas enjoyed the steaks but didn’t consider the meal worth the additional cost. For budget-conscious travelers, the decision may come down to whether a premium steakhouse dinner feels special enough to justify the charge.
