Heidi BucoloWe have just returned from ten days on Royal Caribbean’s newest cruise ship to date, Star of the Seas. Similar to her sister, Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas offers cruisers plenty of dining options, including several complimentary venues and more delicious specialty restaurants. See all the mouth-watering details of the Star of the Seas restaurants in our complete dining guide with menus, prices, and hours.
Star of the Seas Restaurants: Complimentary Dining
There are several dining options that are included in your cruise fare with Royal Caribbean. These include the main dining room and the popular Windjammer buffet. There are many other casual spots as well, including Royal Caribbean favorites like Sorrento’s pizzeria and Park Café, along with some new spots on the Icon class like the AquaDome Market and Pearl Café.
Further, suite guests have access to the exclusive restaurant, Coastal Kitchen, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in addition to all the other options listed below. Suite guests can also enjoy a small Mediterranean-inspired buffet outdoors on The Grove sundeck.
Main Dining Room (Decks 3, 4, & 5)
The 3-story main dining room on Star of the Seas offers the traditional cruise dining experience. Given the size of the ship, there are actually four seating times on Star of the Seas: 5 PM, 6:45 PM, 7:30 PM, and 8:30 PM.
Cruisers can also opt for My Time Dining (Deck 3) which is available from 6:45 PM to 9 PM daily. With this option, you can dine whenever you like; however, you will not have the same table or waitstaff each evening. Even if you have My Time Dining, you can pre-reserve your dining times in the app before your cruise. In fact, on a ship the size of Star of the Seas, we highly recommend it.
Regardless of whether you opt for traditional dining or My Time Dining, the dinner menus are the same. These options do rotate each evening. The menu has a different theme each night including French, Italian, Caribbean, and more.
On a traditional 7-night cruise, there will be two formal nights. The order of the menus and when these formal nights occur vary based on the itinerary. Generally, the two formal nights fall on your itinerary’s sea days.
The MDR also serves breakfast most mornings from around 7/8 AM to 8:30/9:30 AM. There is also lunch on sea days from around 11:30 AM to 1 PM. On the first sea day, there is brunch (instead of breakfast and lunch) from around 8:30 AM to 12 PM.
For the specific order of menus on your sailing, check the Royal Caribbean app.
Star of the Seas Main Dining Room Menus:
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Welcome Aboard Dinner
- Star-Studded Menu
- Taste of Italy
- Taste of the Caribbean
- Taste of Mexico
- The Royal Night
- Bon Voyage
- Kids Menu
- Wine List
Sorrento’s (Deck 5)
Sorrento’s is the Royal Caribbean pizza spot located on Deck 5 in the Royal Promenade on Star of the Seas. This quick service venue is open most days from 11:30 AM to 3 AM.
Sorrento’s serves up slices of classic favorites like pepperoni and cheese in addition to daily specialty pizzas. It’s the perfect midnight snack after enjoying all the fun the Star of the Seas has to offer.
Pearl Cafe (Deck 6)
Open 24 hours a day, Pearl Café is your go-to spot for snacks and coffee any time. Think a similar but upgraded replacement for Cafe Promenade found on other Royal Caribbean ships in the fleet.
Serving up continental breakfast items, sandwiches, salads, and small desserts, you will never go hungry. These items are definitely an upgrade from those typically found at Cafe Promenade. There are also pre-packaged grab-and-go options available. These selections do vary slightly each day.
Additionally, there’s a complimentary coffee and tea station here, along with other beverages. Or, guests can purchase specialty coffees which are included in the Deluxe Beverage Package or the Café Select coffee card.
Located on the second level of the Promenade beside expansive windows, this Café is a great place to grab a table and people watch or just enjoy your snack alongside ocean views. It’s also a convenient spot to do some work if needed, as you’ll find power outlets located here.
Surfside Eatery (Deck 7)
Surfside Eatery is a new addition to Star of the Seas (and Icon of the Seas). Located in the family-centric Surfside neighborhood, this buffet is just steps away from all the kid-friendly action.
The Surfside Eatery is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily serving items the kids will love along with twists on kids classics for the grownups too.
In the morning, guests can enjoy typical selections like eggs, breakfast meats, and pancakes from around 7:30 to 10:30 AM. Lunch is served from 12 to 3 PM with options like chicken nuggets and hot dogs. Dinner is available from 5 to 8 PM. At dinner time, guests can enjoy similar options to those available in the Windjammer like pasta, meats, fish, and more.
Surfside Bites (Deck 7)
Surfside Bites is another complimentary dining venue located in the Surfside neighborhood on Star of the Seas (and our personal preference). Guests can enjoy snacks from this takeout window from around 11 AM to 6 PM daily.
With tasty items like popcorn chicken, hot dogs, burgers, and pizza toasties, alongside cookies and churros, you’ll definitely want to check out these bites during your cruise…even if you don’t have kids.
Park Cafe (Deck 8)
Located in the Central Park neighborhood on Star of the Seas, Park Café offers quick service breakfast and lunch items. Park Café is open for breakfast most days from around 7 to 10 AM and for lunch from around 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
For breakfast, cruisers can enjoy hot sandwiches, oatmeal, a bagel bar, fresh fruit cups, and more. In the afternoon, the café serves up paninis, custom salads, and the famous Royal Kummelweck sandwich. With upgraded indoor and outdoor cafe seating, this is a perfect alternative to the often crowded buffet.
Vitality Cafe (Deck 14)
The Vitality Café, located in the Spa, offers healthy light bites from 6:30 AM to 7 PM daily. These complimentary items include homemade granola bars, small muffins, and fresh fruit.
Fresh juices and smoothies are also on the menu for your pre- or post-workout needs. These drinks are included in the Deluxe Beverage Package or guests can pay a la carte prices.
AquaDome Market (Deck 15)
This complimentary food hall on Star of the Seas is located in the new AquaDome neighborhood and features five unique food stalls, with a few different options from Icon of the Seas. It’s open from 10:30 AM to midnight most days.
The food stalls include:
- Pig Out BBQ- featuring barbecue sandwiches and mac & cheese (NEW)
- Mai Thai- serving Thai favorites (NEW)
- La Cocinita- featuring Latin American tapas like empanadas (NEW)
- Feta Mediterranean- featuring similar options to Icon like gyros
- Creme de la Crepe- serving up delicious crepes
AquaDome Menus: Pig Out BBQ | Mai Thai | La Cocinita | Feta Mediterranean | Creme de la Crepe
Sprinkles (Deck 15)
In addition to all the other snacks you can enjoy around the ship, there is also the poolside ice cream station. Sprinkles offers soft serve selections throughout the day from 10 AM to 10 PM. There is a second Sprinkles located in the Surfside neighborhood on Deck 7 that goes great with the churros from Surfside Bites.
El Loco Fresh (Deck 15)
El Loco Fresh is your Mexican eatery on Royal Caribbean ships. This outdoor venue serves up grab-and-go options nearby the Cove Pool and Royal Bay Pool in Chill Island. El Loco Fresh favorites include tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and nachos with a custom salsa bar.
El Loco Fresh is open midday for lunch starting around 11 AM and remains open until around 6 PM.
Windjammer Marketplace (Deck 15)
If you have cruised on Royal Caribbean before, then you are very familiar with the Windjammer Marketplace. This casual, complimentary buffet is open most of the day serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
For breakfast (approximately 6/7 AM to 10:30/11:30 AM), you can find your typical selections including fruits, breakfast pastries, cereals, and hot menu items such as scrambled eggs, bacon, and sausage, along with an omelet station.
For lunch (approximately 11 AM/12 PM to 3 PM), you will find a selection of salads, cold cuts and sandwiches, grilled items, and other hot dishes and international cuisine which vary slightly each day of the cruise.
At dinner (approximately 5:30 to 9 PM), you will find similar standard selections as lunch, along with themed nights which include Flavors of India, Flavors Across the Caribbean, Savor La France, and All American Classics, among others.
Basecamp (Deck 16)
Located on Deck 16 in Thrill Island, Basecamp is another new-to-Icon-class eatery found on Star of the Seas. This quick-service spot is open most days from around 11 AM to 8 PM serving all complimentary items now.
Guests can enjoy soft pretzel bites, hot dogs, chicken tenders, a smash burger, and ‘tato tots. We are glad to see that Royal Caribbean moved away from the up-charge items at this venue, and Don did really enjoy the smash burger here.
Star of the Seas Restaurants: Specialty Dining
With so many complimentary dining offerings on Star of the Seas, you certainly do not have to pay extra for dining (if you don’t want to). Though, Royal Caribbean ships also feature a variety of specialty restaurants that come with an up-charge, which we think are totally worth it. In fact, we scored some great savings by booking pre-cruise and sampled ALL the Star of the Seas specialty restaurants during our ten days on the ship.
If you plan to dine at any of these specialty restaurants, you should make reservations pre-cruise, as popular dining times do fill up quickly. An 18% gratuity will be added to all meals. Of note, if you purchase a specialty dining package, you CAN make reservations now prior to boarding the ship.
Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen (Deck 6)
One of our favorite Royal Caribbean specialty restaurants, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, has found a new home on Icon class ships. Located on the second level of the Royal Promenade, this rustic venue serves up all the Italian classics. The menu features made-to-order pizzas prepared in an open kitchen concept, classic pasta dishes, along with mouth-watering entrées and desserts.
There is even a small a la carte food menu at the adjacent Giovanni’s Wine Bar, which is perfect for lunch or a light dinner.
Giovanni’s is open daily 5 to 9 PM for dinner and on sea days from 12 to 1:30 PM for lunch. The current pricing for dinner at Giovanni’s is $55 for dinner and $25 for lunch.
Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen Menus: Lunch | Dinner | Kids | Giovanni’s Wine Bar
Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade (Deck 6)
Similarly, Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade has found a new home on Deck 6 of the Royal Promenade on Star of the Seas. It’s also located close by the kids and teens clubs, Adventure Ocean and Social 020.
Playmakers is home to a large collection of televisions broadcasting games from around the world, along with arcade style games and pool tables. It also serves up a variety of game time food favorites and a wide selection of beer. The a la carte menu features items like chicken wings, nachos, an onion ring tower, and the signature Playmakers burger.
This venue opens for food most days somewhere between noon and 3 PM and remains open until 11 PM.
Pier 7 (Deck 7)
Pier 7 is a brand-new dining spot on Star of the Seas (and Icon of the Seas), located in the Surfside neighborhood. Featuring brunch and dinner, we think this venue is a hidden gem. While Surfside Eatery and Surfside Bites are complimentary, Pier 7 will cost extra money but we think the food is worth the upcharge.
This venue has an a la carte menu featuring items like shrimp tostados, lettuce cups, Korean fried chicken, and fish tacos, along with brunch items like Sunrise Benedict, pancakes, or a Surfer’s Club. Or, guests can pay a flat fee of $25 for 3 selections at dinner time and $15 for 2 selections during brunch.
Pier 7 is open from 5 to 9 PM daily, as well as 11 AM to 3 PM on sea days. With its laidback, beachside vibe, you won’t want to miss trying this Star of the Seas restaurant during your cruise.
Pier 7 Menus: Brunch | Dinner | Drinks
Lincoln Park Supper Club (Deck 8)
The Lincoln Park Supper Club is the newest and most elevated dining experience in the Royal Caribbean fleet with a taste of Chicago glamour. Lincoln Park Supper Club offers a similar vibe to the Empire Supper Club on Icon of the Seas, but instead of New York the focus is on Chicago’s golden age.
Located off Central Park, the elegant evening combines cuisine, cocktails, and live music in an intimate space. The multi-course journey includes upscale selections like crab ravioli and lamb with morel and chanterelle mushrooms, alongside live jazz music. It’s a completely unique culinary and entertainment experience giving repeat Icon class cruisers a reason to return.
This formal experience begins at 6:30 PM and typically lasts 2-3 hours, so you should plan your evening accordingly. The price to dine here is a bit steep at $200 per person (or $130 if you have the unlimited dining package), but remember it does include cocktails as well. Of note, there is a dress code to dine here: men need a jacket.
Chops Grille (Deck 8)
Chops Grille is the Royal Caribbean signature steakhouse. If you are looking for a perfectly seared cut of beef, then you will want to head to this venue also located in the Central Park neighborhood on Star of the Seas.
As one of the most popular specialty restaurants on Royal Caribbean ships, reservations are required to dine here; and prime dinner times do fill up quickly.
Chops Grille is open every night of the cruise for dinner from 5 to 9 PM. The restaurant is also open on select days for lunch from 12 to 1:30 PM. The current onboard pricing is $30 for lunch and $70 for dinner.
With a new butcher’s display, an open kitchen, and new stellar cuts, this version of Chops Grille is certainly top-notch.
Combining a dinner at Chops along with some cocktails at the nearby Bubbles or Trellis bars makes for the perfect date night. Don’t forget to stop in for some tunes at the new Lou’s Jazz ‘n Blues while in the neighborhood.
Chops Grille Menus: Lunch | Dinner
Izumi Hibachi & Sushi (Deck 8)
Izumi is a Royal Caribbean fan favorite offering Asian-inspired teppanyaki, sushi, and other far east flavors. The Hibachi experience has a flat fee for the four-course meal. Current pricing is $70 for dinner and $45 for lunch. This dinner-and-a-show always makes for a fun night out.
At Izumi Sushi, guests can pay a la carte or select the prix-fixe meal option which includes one small plate, two large plates, and a dessert. The current prix-fixe price is $40 for both lunch and dinner. The menu does feature more than just sushi to accommodate everyone in your travel party.
Now located in Central Park, Izumi is open nightly for dinner from 5 to 9 PM (or 9:30 PM for Hibachi). The venue is also open on select days for lunch from 12 to 1:30 pm.
Izumi Hibachi | Izumi Sushi | Izumi Drinks
Izumi in the Park (Deck 8)
Relatively new to Royal Caribbean ships is Izumi in the Park. This takeout window in Central Park offers a selection of sushi rolls, dumplings, crispy chicken karaage, and Japanese bubble cones from around 11 AM to 10 PM.
The menu features grab-and-go items at a la carte prices that guests can enjoy anywhere, any time of day. So, if you’re in the mood for some sushi but don’t want to take the kids to a 2-hour sit-down dinner, this is the perfect compromise.
Celebration Table & Chef’s Table (Deck 15)
This private dining experience in the AquaDome, set in the back of Hooked Seafood, can be booked for groups up to 12. With a private lounge and sweeping ocean views, this venue is perfect for an intimate celebration. There are a selection of prix fixe menus from which to choose that are all served family-style along with a signature cocktail.
This venue also doubles as the Chef’s Table. With the Chef’s Table having an early seating (5:30 PM) and the Celebration Table utilizing the space afterwards (8:30 PM). The price to dine at the Chef’s Table is $110 per person.
Hooked Seafood (Deck 15)
Hooked provides a nautically themed setting alongside ocean views from the front of the ship overlooking the new AquaDome. While dining at this Star of the Seas specialty restaurant, you can dive into New England-style seafood selections including oysters, crab cakes, twin lobster tails, surf n turf, or a lobster roll.
Hooked on Star of the Seas is open for dinner nightly 5 to 9 PM. The venue is also open for lunch on select days from 12 to 1:30 PM. The cover charge is $65 for dinner and $25 for lunch.
While we’ve largely avoided this venue because there isn’t much on the menu that I’d eat, we were pleasantly surprised by our lunchtime dining experience during our recent sailing on Star. Quite the bargain at $25, Don enjoyed oysters and a lobster roll while I had a salad and crispy chicken sandwich.
Hooked Seafood Menus: Lunch | Dinner
Desserted Milk Shake Bar (Deck 16)
Located in Thrill Island on Star of the Seas, you won’t want to miss the Desserted Milk Shake Bar. Whether the kiddos want a traditional milkshake or adults want to indulge on a boozy concoction, how can you resist drinks with names like Oreoasis, Chocolate Castaway, or Strawberry Shipwreck?
It’s the perfect reward after conquering the Category 6 waterslides or Crown’s Edge. Milkshakes range in price from $9 to $18. Floats are also available for $7. But, if you’re deciding between a milkshake here or a bubble cone at Izumi in the Park, we’d definitely choose the bubble cone!
The Desserted Milk Shake Bar is open most days from 11 AM/12 PM to 9 PM.
Room Service
Room service is available 24 hours a day on Royal Caribbean ships. Continental breakfast is complimentary from 6 to 11 AM. All other orders have a $7.95 service charge (plus 18% gratuity); though, you can order as much as you want for this one set price.
Guests can order room service by calling from their stateroom phone or by using the stateroom television.
Room Service: Breakfast Menu | All Day Menu
Star of the Seas Restaurant Prices
- Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen: $55 dinner, $25 lunch
- Playmakers: a la carte
- Pier 7: a la carte or $25 dinner, $15 lunch
- Lincoln Park Supper Club: $200
- Chops Grille: $30 lunch, $70 dinner
- Izumi Sushi: a la carte or $40
- Izumi Hibachi: $45 lunch, $70 dinner
- Izumi in the Park: a la carte
- Hooked Seafood: $65 dinner, $25 lunch
- Chef’s Table: $110
- Room Service: $7.95 per order
Comments
Do you have plans to cruise on Royal Caribbean’s new Star of the Seas? Which is your favorite of the Star of the Seas restaurants? Drop us an anchor below to share your dining preferences on Royal Caribbean ships.
