Heidi BucoloPlanning where to dine on Star Princess just got easier. This brand-new ship boasts the largest selection of restaurants in the Princess Cruises’ fleet, and we’ve done the homework for you. We sampled our way through complimentary venues, specialty restaurants, and everything in between. Our Star Princess restaurants guide includes every menu, complete with pricing and honest reviews to help you make the most of your cruise dining experience.
Star Princess Complimentary Restaurants
There are several dining options on the list of Star Princess restaurants that are included in your cruise fare. These include the main dining room as well as the cruise ship buffet, The Eatery. There are also a few other quick service options throughout the ship. Not to mention, there’s not one but two coffee shops also serving light bites throughout the day.
The Main Dining Rooms (Decks 6 & 7)
A first for Princess Cruises, the main dining room on Sphere-class vessels is a stunning three-story venue. The aft of this newly redesigned space is more open and features stunning wake views. This spacious and grand setup makes this dining room the most elegant on any Princess Cruises’ ship.
The Aurora Dining Room on Deck 6 is the largest dining room open to traditional diners. Traditional dining offers an early and late seating, with cruisers assigned the same table and waitstaff for the duration of the cruise. The Celestial Dining Room on Deck 7 is reserved for guests who prefer flexible dining. Guests with this dining arrangement can make reservations through the cruise line’s app either pre-cruise or once onboard the ship.
Both Aurora and Celestial dining rooms serve the cruise line’s signature menu, with a rotational selection of starters, entrees, and desserts each night of the cruise. With daily classics, a unique pasta dish each evening, and entree selections like braised short rib, duck a l’orange, beef wellington, chicken parm on Italian night, and surf & turf on Gala night, you can’t go wrong with the main dining room on Star Princess.
Regardless of your dinner preference, all guests can walk up for breakfast from around 7/7:30 AM to 9/9:30 AM daily to enjoy options from either the Port Day Express Breakfast menu or the full Breakfast menu on sea days. On sea days, lunch is available from about 11:30 AM to 1 PM.
Main Dining Room Menus: Night 1 | Night 2 | Night 3 | Night 4 | Night 5 | Night 6 | Night 7 | Breakfast | Port Day Breakfast
Coffee Currents (Deck 7)
A new addition to Sun and Star Princess is a second coffee shop in the Piazza. Open from 6 AM to late, Coffee Currents serves the same menu of espresso-based drinks as the International Café.
However, it boasts more seating than its Deck 9 counterpart and a lounge that offers ocean views from the Sphere on the starboard side.
A small selection of bakery items is available throughout the day; though, there are less food options here vs. the International Cafe. While the coffee drinks are an upcharge here, all of the food items are complimentary.
The Sanctuary Restaurant (Deck 8)
As a first for Princess Cruises, the Sphere-class debuts the line’s attempt at a ship-within-a-ship experience. The Star Princess Sanctuary Collection includes the most luxurious accommodations on the ship, exclusive spaces available only to guests staying in these staterooms, and a number of additional benefits.
One of the biggest perks is access to the exclusive Sanctuary Restaurant. Located aft on Deck 8 (the third level of the main dining room), the Sanctuary Restaurant is an elegant and sophisticated restaurant reserved for those staying in the 215 suites, mini-suites, and balcony staterooms in the Sanctuary Collection.
The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The dining times are essentially the same as in the other main dining rooms. In the morning, breakfast is typically served from around 7/7:30 AM to 9/9:30 AM. Lunch is open from about 11:30 AM to 1 PM. Dinner service in the Sanctuary Restaurant is from 5 PM to 9 PM. Dinner is open seating, so reservations are never needed.
Likewise, the lunch and dinner menus rotate each day. The menus in the Sanctuary Restaurant are similar to those in the other main dining rooms, with a few elevated options like roasted prime rib from a carving trolley and filet mignon.
Out on the Sanctuary Club pool deck, guests can also enjoy exclusive snacks throughout the day.
Sanctuary Restaurant Menus: Night 1 | Night 2 | Night 3 | Night 4 | Night 5 | Night 6 | Night 7 | Breakfast | Sanctuary Club
International Café (Deck 9)
This Princess Cruises staple serves up convenient eats around the clock. Open from around 6 AM until midnight, the International Cafe offers savory breakfast sandwiches and pastries in the morning to flatbreads, sandwiches, and delightful desserts in the afternoon.
All of the food at this Café is included in the cruise fare, and espresso-based drinks are covered in the Princess Cruises Drink Package.
This space offers outdoor seating on the Deck 9 promenade as well, another first for Princess Cruises.
The Eatery (Deck 9)
The cruise ship buffet on Star Princess (and Sun Princess) has been renamed and relocated when compared to other ships in the fleet. Now on Deck 9, The Eatery still serves various delicacies and specialties for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
This all-day dining venue is conveniently located adjacent to the Piazza and offers expansive windows overlooking the outdoor Promenade. Further, the cruise line redesigned the layout of the buffet to enhance traffic flow. The venue is open most of the day, serving food from around 6 AM until 11 PM.
Cruisers can choose from various warm and cold food selections including Asian, Mexican, and Italian favorites. There’s also carving boards of roasted meats, tapas, bread, salad, fruits, and desserts for every sweet tooth.
Custom omelet stations and staple items like eggs, breakfast potatoes, meats, and bakery items are available for breakfast. We had no complaints with the food quality.
The Promenade (Deck 9)
An extension of the Eatery, there are additional quick service stations outside on the Deck 9 promenade. Offering menu items similar to Lido Eats up on the pool deck, the Promenade features dining stations and a bar on each side of the ship.
Among the quick service items served here are Detroit-style pizza, burgers, hot dogs, and soft-serve ice cream. The Promenade is open most days from 11 AM to 6 PM.
Americana Diner (Deck 9)
Americana Diner is the aft portion of the Eatery buffet on Deck 9. The venue serves as an extension of the buffet for breakfast and lunch. However, it features an a la carte dinner menu from around 5/6 to 10 PM. Reservations are not accepted; so it is first come, first served.
Menu selections focus on comfort food including “breakfast for dinner”, burgers, ribs, chicken wings, fish & chips, and more.
Lido Eats (Deck 17)
With a laid-back resort vibe, the new Lido Eats offers quick service counter options up on the main pool deck. With four unique stands, there is something for everyone. Cruisers can find a satisfying snack most of the day, from salads to tacos, burgers, hot dogs, and pizza.
Lido Eats is open daily from around 11 AM to 9 PM. Covered tables and chairs are available nearby, or cruisers can grab their food and head back to a lounge chair near the pool.
We think this is a nice addition, so cruisers lounging poolside don’t have to trek down to the Eatery when lunch time rolls around.
Star Princess Specialty Restaurants
With so many great complimentary offerings, you certainly do not have to pay extra for dining on Star Princess (if you don’t want to). Though, this new ship also offers great specialty restaurants that come with an up-charge (if you don’t have a Princess Premier Package).
Happily, Princess Cruises has maintained several of the line’s popular specialty restaurants on Star Princess. Many of these restaurants feature enhanced menus to align with the latest contemporary design and décor of the venues themselves. The Sphere-class also features some completely new-to-brand restaurant concepts.
If you plan to dine at any of these Star Princess restaurants, you should make reservations pre-cruise, as popular dining times do fill up quickly.
The Butcher’s Block by Dario (Deck 7)
The Butcher’s Block by Dario is a specialty bistro located on Deck 7 across from the Princess Live! entertainment venue. The price to dine here is $60 per person plus 18% gratuity.
In partnership with the world’s most famous butcher, Dario Cecchini, this new dining concept is open for dinner only. Serving an 8-course carnivore’s delight in a family-style setting, this restaurant is all about enjoying a communal dining experience with family and friends.
Along with some sides, cruisers can also indulge in crusty bread and a shared bottle of Chianti. Just make sure to save room for the Oil Olive cake for dessert.
If you are cruising with someone who doesn’t eat red meat, there is a vegetarian menu available at a discounted price of $45.
O’Malley’s Irish Pub (Deck 7)
One of our favorite bars on the new Star Princess is O’Malley’s Irish Pub. Many cruise ships feature pubs, but O’Malley’s has the energy and ambiance of an Irish pub in Dublin.
This traditional Irish pub boasts live music, interactive entertainment, and more seating. The venue also serves comfort food at its best – pub-style Fish & Chips, Guiness braised beef stew, chicken wings, and more – along with a more condensed menu of pub bites after 9 PM.
Menu items are priced a la carte, or cruisers can opt for a three-course meal including a starter, an entrée, and a dessert for $14.99 (plus gratuity). The Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages include food at O’Malley’s Irish Pub.
Of course, even if you don’t want to dine here, you can still stop in for a drink and some Irish tunes.
The Catch by Rudi (Deck 7)
The Catch by Rudi is a specialty restaurant by renowned Chef Rudi Sodamin. This restaurant is located on Deck 7 midship next to Bellini’s. This new home is definitely more intimate, with bright glass fixtures and plenty of natural light.
The Catch is a seafood-centric restaurant showcasing treasures from the sea, like shrimp cocktail, Seafaring Stew, and calamari as appetizers. For entrees, guests can enjoy dishes like surf & turf, the catch of the day, or goat cheese souffle. And, the meal wouldn’t be complete without the signature Mozart’s Berry Composition for dessert.
The cover charge to dine at The Catch is $60 per person. Of note, a few menu items are an additional charge here like the Whole Shebang 12 oz. Lobster Tail, Sole a la Minute, oysters, and caviar.
The Catch by Rudi is open for dinner from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM daily.
Crown Grill (Deck 7)
A favorite of Princess guests who enjoy a perfectly grilled steak, Crown Grill on Star Princess takes this classic steakhouse to a new level with modern and upscale decor. Featuring premium aged beef and fresh seafood, this specialty restaurant offers an intimate dining experience in an elegant setting.
Dinner at the Crown Grill is available from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM for a cost of $60 per person. Reservations are required.
Guests can enjoy menu items like a crab cake, black & blue onion soup, Four Six Ranches and Good Stock by Nolan Ryan cuts, and Baked Alaska Our Way. Additional entrees will incur an upcharge of $20 each.
Makoto Ocean (Deck 8)
This modern sushi bar, adjacent to the heart of the Piazza, offers spectacular views from the Sphere along with a vast array of sushi and sashimi specialties. Reshaping traditional sushi with a creative approach, Chef Makoto Okuwa brings his 25 years of experience to Star Princess.
Makoto Ocean offers mouthwatering bites that guests can enjoy from intimate tables. Or, they can watch sushi crafting at its best from expert chefs at the traditional sushi bar.
Guests can opt for the Makoto Experience for $60 or choose to pay a la carte. Though, a la carte items are not included in the Princess packages.
Umai Teppanyaki (Deck 8)
Exclusive to Star (and Sun) Princess, Umai Teppanyaki is the first Japanese steakhouse on Princess Cruises. Here, highly skilled teppanyaki masters take center stage, using their fiery skills and flair to create a highly entertaining dinner-and-a-show experience.
The meal begins with a selection of starters like miso soup, panko-crusted pork, or shrimp and progresses to grill entrées like Filet Mignon, Black Tiger Shrimp, Seared Scallops, or Teriyaki Chicken, served alongside vegetables and fried rice. There’s also a choice of dessert.
Within the Umai venue, cruisers can also opt for a hot pot experience. This is also a first for Princess Cruises or any other cruise line for that matter. During this communal experience, guests craft a custom meal at one of the hot pot tables. Cruisers choose from 3 broths and several platters, like seafood, meat, or vegetarian, and then boil up the perfect meal. Dinner also includes rice, noodles, and dessert.
Both the Tepanyaki and Hot Pot experiences are $60 per person.
Umai Teppanyaki Menu | Hot Pot Menu
Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria (Deck 8)
Another Princess staple, Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, returns on Star Princess. This modern restaurant features elegant decor with intimate bistro-style nooks. It offers a sophisticated yet cozy and approachable dining experience for groups of various sizes.
Further, all cruisers will want to stop by to take a peek at the freshly made pasta prepared at the entrance of the restaurant.
The menu features unique handmade pasta courses prepared fresh daily, along with other classic Italian dishes and items finished tableside. Guests can enjoy starters like creamy Burrata e Prosciutto or Fritto Misto. Seafood dishes and savory meat selections like Seafood Linguine, Ossobuco Milanese, and Chicken Parm are entree highlights, along with select new dishes inspired by Frescobaldi. And of course, cruisers can’t pass on the Tiramisu or the new Torta Caprese for dessert.
Similar to other specialty restaurants, the cover charge is $60 a person, with the dining room open from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM nightly.
On select evenings, there’s a special Frescobaldi Tuscan Dinner experience for $99 per person which includes a 5-course meal with wine pairing.
Sabatini’s Menu | Frescobaldi Menu
Alfredo’s Pizzeria (Deck 9)
This charming favorite, serving the “Best Pizza at Sea,” has an open kitchen design on Star Princess. At Alfredo’s Pizzeria, guests can watch the chefs create pizza by hand and serve it straight out of the oven. The venue features a professional, open-mouth oven that reaches 968 degrees. At these temperatures, chefs prepare truly authentic Neapolitan pizza in just 90 seconds.
Plus, guests can enjoy seating right in the Piazza, or outdoor seating is also available on the Promenade. Alfredo’s Pizzeria is open from around 11 AM to 9 PM daily.
Menu items are priced a la carte, or cruisers can opt for a three-course meal including any pizza or calzone and an optional starter and dessert for $14.99 (plus gratuity). Cruisers with Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages can dine at Alfredo’s Pizzeria for no additional charge. If it’s been a while since you’ve cruised with Princess, you should note this change, as Alfredo’s is no longer free for all guests to enjoy.
Newer additions to the menu include specialty pizzas by the World Pizza Champion Tony Gemignani. The New Yorker and Cal Italia are must-try dishes!
Coffee and Cones (Deck 17)
Cruisers will want to head aft on Deck 17 portside for a sweet treat. At Coffee and Cones, cruisers can get espresso-based drinks and free soft serve. Cruisers can currently indulge in one of the premium ice cream selections here at a la carte prices as well.
Of note, the premium desserts are no longer included in the Princess Premier package, so it’s unclear if these selections will still be available for purchase in the future.
Love By Britto (Deck 17)
Located completely aft on Deck 17, affording wonderful wake views, is another new restaurant concept for Princess Cruises. In partnership with artist Romero Britto, this intimate venue offers an exceptional menu created by Chef Rudi. This artistically-inspired dining experience celebrates the essence of “love”.
With a multi-course tasting menu that is as delicious as it is photo-worthy, this intimate restaurant is the perfect spot for those looking for a special night out.
Since the debut of the Sphere-class, the price has been lowered to $60 per person (down from $79), and it’s now included in Princess Premier. This means there’s even more reason to dine here!
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