The Best Free Places to Eat on Star of the Seas
Royal Caribbean's newest ship did not hold back when it came to included dining. Star of the Seas sails with 17 complimentary restaurants on board, which means you could sail an entire week and never once open your wallet for food. Here is where to eat for free, and which spots are worth building your day around.
AquaDome Market
This is the standout free venue on Star of the Seas. AquaDome Market is a food hall concept with five separate stands under one roof, and it gives you the feeling of a specialty restaurant without the specialty price tag. Expect pulled pork and beef brisket, Southeast Asian dishes like pad Thai and beef panang, Latin American bites like arepas and empanadas, Mediterranean pitas and bowls, and sweet or savory crepes. If you only try one thing on this list, make it AquaDome Market, it was our favorite place to grab lunch on board.
Park Cafe
Tucked into the Central Park neighborhood on Deck 8, Park Cafe is a bit of a hidden gem and a nice change of pace from the buffet crowds. It is a made-to-order spot for paninis, custom salads, and the cafe's famous Royal Kummelweck roast beef sandwich, with both indoor and open-air seating under the greenery of Central Park. Breakfast runs from about 7 to 10 AM, with the lunch and panini menu picking up around 11:30 AM. It is a great choice when you want something fresher and lighter than a buffet plate, and it is included in your fare at no extra cost.
Surfside Eatery
Located in the Surfside neighborhood, this casual buffet is built for families with younger kids in tow. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and keeps things simple and comforting, which makes it an easy stop between pool time and playtime.
Surfside Bites
A walk-up takeout window near Surfside Eatery, open from about 11 AM to 6 PM. This is the spot for soft pretzel bites, hot dogs, chicken tenders, a smash burger, and tater tots. It is quick, it is free, and it hits the spot after a morning at the water park.
Basecamp
Tucked near Thrill Island, Basecamp serves handhelds like pretzel bites, smash burgers, and shrimp bar buns. It is the kind of stop you make on your way to the next slide or climbing wall, no reservation and no charge required.
El Loco Fresh
A casual, complimentary Mexican-style stop for tacos and other quick bites. It is a solid choice when you want something with a little more flavor than the standard buffet fare, without stepping into specialty dining territory.
Main Dining Room
Do not overlook the Main Dining Room just because it sounds formal. This three-story venue at the aft of the ship serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and is included in every fare. A show-stopping chandelier sits at the center of the space, and it is a great choice for a sit-down dinner without a specialty charge.
Windjammer Marketplace
The classic Royal Caribbean buffet, and still one of the most reliable stops on the ship. Windjammer Marketplace serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a global spread that covers everyone in your group, from picky kids to adventurous eaters. It is open early and stays open late, so it is a good fallback no matter what time you roll out of bed.
Sorrento's
No cruise is complete without pizza by the slice, and Sorrento's has you covered on the Royal Promenade. This is the classic Royal Caribbean pizzeria, serving pepperoni and cheese along with rotating specialty pies. It is a reliable stop any time of day, but it really shines late at night when you need a quick, free slice after the shows wrap up or before you head back to the cabin.
The takeaway
With this many complimentary venues, you genuinely do not need a dining package to eat well on Star of the Seas. Save the specialty restaurants for one or two special nights of the cruise, and let the included venues carry the rest of the week. Your wallet, and your taste buds, will both be happy.