Royal Caribbean Unlimited Dining Package: What You’re Really Paying and Whether It’s Worth It

If you’re planning a Royal Caribbean cruise, you’ve probably seen the Unlimited Dining Package (UDP) pop up in your My Royal Cruise planner, usually advertised as “up to 40% off.”
But is it a great deal, or just great marketing? Let’s break it down step-by-step so you know exactly what you’re paying for, what’s included, and when it actually makes sense to buy it.

1️⃣ What the Unlimited Dining Package Includes

The UDP gives you specialty dining every night of your sailing and lunch on sea days for one flat daily rate per person.
It also includes:

40% off bottles of wine under $100
20% off bottles of wine $100 and up
The ability to make advance reservations through My Royal Cruise or once you board

Right now, the package is showing $38.99 per adult per day on select sailings.

2️⃣ What It Costs (Real Example)

When I added it for two adults, the total went from $295.92 before gratuity to $349.12 after gratuity.
When I added our teens, it increased to $698.24 total.

The difference is an 18% service charge that Royal Caribbean automatically applies at checkout, so gratuity is included up front. You won’t be charged again each night unless you want to leave extra cash for exceptional service.

3️⃣ What’s Not Included

Even though the package is called “unlimited,” there are limits and surcharges:

🍣 Izumi Hibachi/Teppanyaki – +$15 per person
🍽️ Chef’s Table / Holiday Dinners – +$50 per person
🎩 Empire Supper Club / Lincoln Park Supper Club – +$130 per person
🍱 Izumi Omakase – +$60 per person

If your ship has à la carte venues, you’ll receive a $20 food credit per day instead of full coverage. This applies to Playmakers, Giovanni’s Wine Bar, English Pub, Portside BBQ, and others. Izumi in the Park gives a $10 credit.

Drinks are not included. You’ll need a beverage package or pay à la carte for cocktails, wine by the glass, or soda.

Breakfast is not included, and the package cannot be used for Starbucks®, Main Dining Room premium items, or special events like Taste of Royal.

4️⃣ What Cruisers Are Saying

Fans of specialty dining love the UDP because it removes the nightly upcharge stress. You just show up, order what you want, and enjoy.
Casual diners often prefer the 3-Night or 5-Night packages, saying the full UDP felt like too much food or too many reservations to manage.
Common tip: book your first-night dinner as soon as you board to get prime times.

“Worth it on big ships where the specialty restaurants are amazing.” – Cruise Critic user

“By day 4 I was ready for Windjammer again.” – Reddit user

5️⃣ How to Decide if It’s Worth It

Ask yourself these questions before buying:

How many specialty restaurants are on my ship? (Oasis- and Icon-class have the most.)
Will I actually use it every night? If not, a smaller dining package might save more.
Do I enjoy multi-course, sit-down meals nightly, or do I prefer variety with casual dining?
Am I okay making reservations early to get preferred times?

In general, you’ll start to “break even” after about four or five specialty meals on a seven-night cruise.

6️⃣ Insider Tip from Marketing Perspective

Watch the actual per-day prices, not just the advertised “% off.”
Royal Caribbean — like most travel and retail companies — sometimes adjusts base pricing before a sale so the percentage discount looks deeper.

If the UDP was $38.99 yesterday and shows “40% off” today but costs $41.99, that’s not a deal, that’s a label.
Always compare the total cost per person per day before you click buy.

✅ Quick Pros & Cons

Pros:

Specialty dinner every night and lunch on sea days
Predictable cost upfront (gratuity included)
Discounts on bottles of wine
Great for food-lovers and longer sailings

Cons:

Some restaurants still add surcharges
Drinks not included
Requires planning to get full value
Can feel repetitive or heavy after several nights

💡 FAQs

Q: Are gratuities included in the UDP?
Yes. An 18% service charge is automatically added when you purchase the package. You can tip extra onboard if you wish, but it’s optional.

Q: Does the UDP cover lunch every day?
Only on sea days. On port days, specialty venues may be closed or not included.

Q: Can kids use the package?
Children 0–5 eat free from the kids’ menu at specialty venues. Ages 6–12 have a reduced child rate when available.

Q: Are beverages included?
No. The UDP covers food only. Beverage packages are separate.

Q: Can I cancel the UDP?
Yes you can cancel up to 48 hours before your sailing for a full refund.

Q: How do I make reservations?
You can book through My Royal Cruise or the app before boarding. Once onboard, visit any specialty restaurant or the dining desk to adjust times.

Q: Is it available on embarkation day?
Yes, you can typically use it the first night, but lunch isn’t covered that day.

🧭 Final Take

The Unlimited Dining Package can be amazing value if you plan to dine specialty nearly every night, especially on larger ships with multiple venues.
If you prefer mixing casual options with fine dining, a smaller dining package might stretch your budget further.

Either way, knowing exactly what you’re paying for — and watching the real price instead of the “% off” — is the key to getting the best value before you sail.

Charity Bradley