№ 17Life on Board
Cruise Dining Guide: Restaurants, Menus & Dress Codes
Main dining, speciality restaurants and afternoon tea — everything you need to know about eating on a cruise.
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From white-glove afternoon tea to poolside pizza, dining is one of the greatest pleasures of cruising. Here's everything you need to know about eating on P&O and Cunard.
Dining on a Cruise: What to Expect
Food is one of the biggest highlights of any cruise — and it's almost entirely included in your fare. From the moment you step on board, you'll have access to multiple restaurants, cafés, bars and snack stations, most of which are completely free.
The main dining room serves multi-course meals with waiter service — think starters, mains and desserts every single evening, with menus that change nightly. The buffet offers huge variety from early morning until late at night. Then there are poolside grills, pizza bars, afternoon tea and 24-hour room service.
On top of the included dining, both P&O Cruises and Cunard offer speciality restaurants with celebrity chef menus for a supplement — and they're well worth trying at least once.
Whether you're a foodie seeking fine dining or just want to enjoy stress-free meals without cooking, cruise dining delivers. The quality across both lines is genuinely impressive — this isn't airline food.
What's Included in Your Fare
One of the best things about cruising is that most dining is included. Here's everything you can enjoy without spending an extra penny:
Main Dining Room
IncludedMulti-course à la carte meals with waiter service. Rotating menus every night — the centrepiece of cruise dining.
Buffet Restaurant
IncludedSelf-service with a huge range of international dishes. Think Lido on Cunard or The Horizon on P&O.
Pizza & Grill Stations
IncludedPoolside pizza bars, burger grills and hot dog stands. Perfect for a quick lunch without changing out of swimwear.
Afternoon Tea
IncludedFinger sandwiches, scones and pastries. A true highlight — especially Cunard's white-glove service in the Queens Room.
Room Service (Basic)
IncludedContinental breakfast, sandwiches and light snacks delivered to your cabin. Basic items are included in the fare.
Self-Serve Ice Cream & Snacks
IncludedSoft-serve machines, pastry counters and late-night snack bars. Available throughout the day at no extra cost.
Not included: Speciality restaurants (£15–50/person), premium coffees, alcoholic drinks, some room service items and certain premium ice cream brands. See our drinks packages guide for details on beverage costs.
Daily Meal Schedule
You can eat almost around the clock on a cruise ship. Here's a typical daily schedule — times vary slightly between ships and routes.
| Time | Meal | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 6:30–9:30am | Early Breakfast | Buffet, room service |
| 7:00–10:00am | Breakfast | Main dining room & buffet |
| 11:30am–2:00pm | Lunch | Main dining room, buffet, poolside grill, pizza bar |
| 3:00–5:00pm | Afternoon Tea | Queens Room (Cunard), Atrium (P&O), buffet |
| 4:00–6:00pm | Late Snacks | Buffet, poolside, ice cream stations |
| 6:00–9:30pm | Dinner | Main dining room, speciality restaurants, buffet |
| 10:00pm–12:00am | Late-Night Bites | Buffet (limited), room service, pizza bar |
Main Dining Room
The main dining room is the heart of cruise dining. It's a full-service restaurant where you'll enjoy multi-course meals — typically 4–5 courses at dinner — with attentive waiter service, crisp white tablecloths and a different menu every evening.
Fixed vs flexible dining: On P&O, you can choose "Freedom Dining" (turn up when you like between 6pm and 9:30pm) or a fixed sitting (early at 6:15pm or late at 8:30pm). Cunard uses fixed sittings for most passengers, with a Britannia Club flex option available at a premium on some ships.
Table assignments: You'll be assigned a table for the duration of your cruise. This means the same waiters every night — they'll learn your preferences, remember your favourite wine, and anticipate your needs. You can request a table for two, but on busy sailings you may be asked to share — which can actually be one of the best social aspects of cruising.
Menu rotation: Menus change nightly and never repeat on standard 7–14 night cruises. Expect starters like prawn cocktail or French onion soup, mains ranging from roast beef to sea bass, and desserts including crème brûlée and chocolate fondant. There's always a vegetarian option and you can order multiple courses — two starters, two desserts, whatever you fancy.
Wine: An extensive wine list is available at dinner with bottles from around £20. Some passengers pre-order wine packages before sailing for better value. See our drinks packages guide for details.
Buffet & Casual Dining
The buffet is the most flexible dining option on board. Known as the Lido on Cunard and The Horizon or Marketplace on P&O, it serves everything from a full English breakfast to international dinner options — all included in your fare.
What to expect: A vast self-service spread covering multiple cuisines. Carving stations, pasta bars, Asian corners, salad stations, dessert tables and made-to-order omelettes at breakfast. The variety is impressive, though quality can vary — the made-to-order stations are usually the best.
Poolside & casual venues: Beyond the main buffet, you'll find poolside grills serving burgers, hot dogs and chips; pizza bars with freshly made slices; and self-serve soft-serve ice cream stations. All free, all delicious, all dangerously convenient.
Busy times to avoid: The buffet gets packed at standard mealtimes — especially 8:00–9:00am and 12:00–1:00pm. Sea days are busier than port days. The secret? Eat at slightly off-peak times, or skip the buffet entirely and use the main dining room for a sit-down breakfast or lunch — far fewer people realise it's open for those meals too.
Speciality Restaurants
Both cruise lines offer extra-cost speciality restaurants with celebrity chef involvement and premium ingredients. These carry a per-person cover charge or à la carte pricing — and they're genuinely worth it for a special night.
Epicurean
Fine dining
P&O's premium restaurant crafted by Marco Pierre White. Exquisite multi-course tasting menus with modern European flavours.
Sindhu
Indian
Created by Atul Kochhar, serving refined Indian cuisine. A unique alternative to typical cruise dining — beautifully spiced dishes.
The Glass House
Wine bar & tapas
Olly Smith's wine-paired small plates. An intimate, sociable venue perfect for a relaxed evening with excellent vintages.
Keel & Cow
Steakhouse
Premium steaks and seafood in a contemporary setting. Dry-aged cuts cooked to perfection — the meat-lover's choice.
The Verandah
French fine dining
Cunard's most exclusive speciality restaurant. Classic French-inspired cuisine in an elegant art-deco setting with ocean views.
Steakhouse at The Verandah
Steakhouse
Premium cuts in a refined setting. Available on select ships — think USDA prime beef and lobster thermidor.
Are speciality restaurants worth it?
For a 7-night cruise, we'd recommend booking one speciality meal as a treat — perhaps for a birthday, anniversary or just a midweek indulgence. The food quality, intimate atmosphere and dedicated service are noticeably above the main dining room. Book early (ideally before boarding via the cruise line's app) as the best time slots fill up fast, especially on shorter voyages.
Dress Code Guide
Dress codes are one of the most asked-about aspects of cruise dining. Here's a clear breakdown of what's expected at each level — and how it differs between P&O and Cunard. See our packing list guide for exactly what to pack.
Casual / Resort
DaytimeOn P&O
Relaxed daytime wear. Shorts, sundresses, T-shirts around the pool and buffet. No swimwear in restaurants.
On Cunard
Similar to P&O during daytime. Smart jeans and polo shirts accepted in the Lido.
Smart Casual
Most eveningsOn P&O
The default evening standard on most nights. Collared shirts or smart tops for women. No jeans with holes, no sportswear.
On Cunard
Expected in the Britannia restaurant most evenings. Trousers and a collared shirt or smart dress.
Formal / Gala
Formal nightsOn P&O
Evening gowns and cocktail dresses for women. Suits, tuxedos or dinner jackets for men. Typically 1–2 nights per week.
On Cunard
Black tie or formal attire required in the main restaurants. Cunard takes this more seriously — tuxedos and ball gowns are common.
Black Tie / White Star
Gala eventsOn P&O
Not typically used on P&O — formal nights cover this level.
On Cunard
Cunard's most prestigious evenings. Full black tie expected. The White Star Gala is a highlight of Transatlantic crossings.
How many formal nights by cruise length?
| Cruise Length | P&O | Cunard |
|---|---|---|
| 3–4 nights | 0–1 | 1 |
| 7 nights | 1–2 | 2–3 |
| 14 nights | 2–3 | 4–5 |
| Transatlantic (7 nights) | N/A | 3–4 |
| World cruise (100+ nights) | 12–15 | 20–30 |
Cunard vs P&O Dining Comparison
Both lines offer excellent food, but the experience feels quite different. Here's a comprehensive side-by-side comparison. For the full non-dining comparison, see our Cunard vs P&O guide.
| Feature | P&O Cruises | Cunard |
|---|---|---|
| Overall atmosphere | Relaxed, modern & family-friendly | Traditional, elegant & formal |
| Main dining rooms | 1–2 per ship (Freedom, Select dining) | 2–3 per ship (Britannia, Grills) |
| Buffet quality | Good variety, busy at peak times | Slightly more refined, Lido restaurant |
| Speciality restaurants | 4+ options (Epicurean, Sindhu, Glass House, Keel & Cow) | 2–3 options (The Verandah, Steakhouse) |
| Dining times | Freedom Dining (eat when you want) or fixed | Fixed sittings (early/late) or Britannia Club flex |
| Dress code strictness | Moderate — smart casual most evenings | Strict — formal nights enforced, Grills always smart |
| Formal nights per week | 1–2 per 7-night cruise | 2–3 per 7-night cruise |
| Afternoon tea | Included, casual style in buffet area | Included, famous white-glove service in Queens Room |
| Room service | Basic items free, hot menu extra | Basic free, expanded for Grills guests |
| Wine list | Good selection, mid-range pricing | Extensive list, premium options, higher prices |
| Children's menu | Yes — dedicated kids' options in all restaurants | Yes — available in Britannia, limited in Grills |
| Dietary handling | Good — flag at booking, menus clearly marked | Excellent — proactive head waiters, advance menus |
| Celebrity chef involvement | Marco Pierre White, Atul Kochhar, Olly Smith | Less celebrity-driven, classic fine dining focus |
| Best for | Families, food variety, relaxed dining | Traditionalists, formal dining lovers, Grills experience |
Choose P&O if you want…
- Relaxed, family-friendly dining
- More speciality restaurant choices
- Freedom Dining flexibility
- Celebrity chef menus
Choose Cunard if you want…
- Traditional, elegant dining
- The Grills exclusive experience
- Famous white-glove afternoon tea
- A more formal, occasion-driven feel
The Grills Experience (Cunard)
If you've booked a suite on Cunard, you unlock the legendary Grills experience — often described as "a ship within a ship." It's one of the most exclusive dining experiences at sea and a key reason many passengers choose Cunard over other lines.
The Grills: A Ship Within a Ship
Princess Grill (Junior Suites)
A private restaurant with an à la carte menu that goes beyond the Britannia selection. Intimate seating, dedicated waiters, and premium ingredients. Open seating — no fixed times.
Queens Grill (Grand Suites)
The pinnacle. A fully bespoke dining experience — order anything you want, any way you want it. Your personal waiter will remember every preference. Butler service in your suite means room service is equally exceptional.
Grills Lounge
An exclusive lounge reserved for Grills guests. Afternoon tea, canapés and cocktails in a refined, quiet setting. Concierge service for booking excursions and spa treatments.
Grills Terrace
A private sun deck with dedicated steward service, plush loungers and a separate pool or hot tub on some ships. Light lunches served al fresco — the most peaceful spot on board.
Is it worth the upgrade? If you can afford it, the Grills transforms your entire cruise — not just dining. The combination of exclusive restaurants, private lounges and butler service creates a truly premium experience. See our cabin types guide for suite pricing.
Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea is a genuine highlight on both cruise lines — and it's included in your fare. On Cunard, it's elevated to an art form. On P&O, it's a lovely, more casual affair.
Cunard Afternoon Tea
Served daily in the Queens Room with white-glove service. Properly tiered cake stands with finger sandwiches (crusts off, naturally), freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, and a selection of pastries and cakes. A string quartet often plays in the background. It's quintessentially British and one of the most photographed moments on board.
P&O Afternoon Tea
A more relaxed version, typically served in the buffet area or atrium. Still features sandwiches, scones and cakes, but the presentation is less formal. Some ships offer a premium afternoon tea experience for a small charge with champagne and upgraded selections.
Dietary Requirements & Allergies
Both P&O and Cunard take dietary needs seriously. Whether you're vegan, gluten-free, or managing severe allergies, you'll be well catered for — but advance notice is key.
Vegetarian & Vegan
Clearly marked on all menus. The main dining room always has at least one vegetarian starter and main. Vegan options are increasingly available — notify at booking for the best selection.
Gluten-Free
Gluten-free bread, pasta and desserts are available in the main dining room. The buffet labels allergens but cross-contamination is harder to control — the dining room is the safest option.
Nut & Severe Allergies
Inform the cruise line at booking and the maître d' on embarkation. The head waiter will discuss your needs daily. In the main dining room, dishes can be prepared separately to avoid cross-contamination.
Halal & Kosher
Available with advance notice (at least 4–6 weeks before sailing). Cunard is generally better set up for these requirements. Dedicated meal preparation can be arranged for the main dining room.
Children's Diets
Kids' menus available everywhere with familiar options. If your child has specific allergies or dietary needs, the same advance notification process applies. See our kids' cruising guide.
Low-Sugar & Medical Diets
Diabetic-friendly, low-sodium and other medical dietary requirements can be accommodated. Speak to the medical team and dining staff on embarkation day.
When to notify the cruise line
At booking: Flag any allergies or dietary requirements. This ensures the galley is prepared.
2–4 weeks before: Call or email to confirm your requirements are on file. Request specific items if needed (e.g. oat milk, specific gluten-free brands).
Embarkation day: Speak to the maître d' or head waiter at your first meal. They'll often show you the next day's menu in advance so you can pre-select suitable dishes.
Room Service
Room service is available 24 hours on both P&O and Cunard — though what's included versus charged varies. It's one of the great luxuries of cruising: breakfast in bed while watching the ocean through your window.
IncludedFree Room Service
- —Continental breakfast (pastries, fruit, tea, coffee, juice)
- —Sandwiches and light snacks (daytime and evening)
- —Tea and coffee at any time
- —Late-night snack menu (limited selection)
Extra costPremium Room Service
- •Full cooked breakfast (on some ships)
- •Hot dinner items from a premium menu
- •Alcoholic drinks and premium beverages
- •Late-night hot food (charges may apply)
Suite & Grills Perks
Cunard's Grills guests enjoy a significantly expanded complimentary room service menu — including hot dishes, canapés and premium selections. Queens Grill passengers can even dine from the full restaurant menu in their suite. It's like having a private chef on call. See our cabin types guide for more on suite perks.
Tipping & Gratuities
Gratuities are a standard part of cruise dining — they pay the hardworking waiters, cabin stewards and behind-the-scenes staff who make your trip memorable. Here's how they work.
P&O Cruises
Cunard
How gratuities work in practice
Gratuities are automatically added to your on-board account daily. They cover your waiter, cabin steward, wine waiter and behind-the-scenes staff. You can adjust the amount at the guest services desk if you feel the service warrants more or less — though reducing them is increasingly frowned upon in the industry.
Drinks: A 12.5% service charge is automatically added to all bar and drink purchases on board. This is separate from the daily gratuity.
Speciality restaurants: The cover charge at speciality restaurants usually includes gratuities for that meal, so no additional tip is needed.
Wine & Drinks at Dinner
While soft drinks, water and juice are included at dinner, alcohol is not part of the standard fare. Both lines offer extensive wine lists — here's what to expect.
Wine by the bottle: Expect to pay from £20 for a decent house wine to £60+ for premium selections. Cunard's list tends to be more extensive (and pricier) than P&O's. An unfinished bottle will be kept for your next dinner — just give your table number.
Drinks packages: If you plan to drink daily, a drinks package can offer significant savings. P&O's packages start around £30–40/day per person. Check our drinks packages guide for a full breakdown of what's included and whether it's worth it.
Service charge: A 12.5% service charge is added to all drink purchases automatically. This applies everywhere on board — restaurants, bars and room service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything else you need to know about cruise dining, answered.
Can I eat whenever I want on a cruise?
Will I really gain weight on a cruise?
Can I request a private table for dinner?
What if I have severe food allergies?
Do children eat free on a cruise?
Is room service really available 24 hours?
What if I don't want to dress up for formal nights?
Can I bring my own wine on board?
Are the speciality restaurants worth the extra cost?
Ready to Book Your Cruise?
Now you know what to expect at the dining table, it's time to find the perfect sailing. Compare prices across P&O and Cunard to find the best deals.
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