Is there a buffet on Princess Cruises?

World Fresh Marketplace outshines any cruise buffet – with regional fare, chef specialty stations and familiar favorites. And don't forget our International Café with sandwiches, soups and – you guessed it! – sweet treats.



Yes, Princess Cruises features a robust buffet experience, primarily located at the World Fresh Market (or Horizon Court on older ships). In 2026, the buffet remains a staple of the "Standard" fare, providing complimentary, all-day dining that ranges from international hot dishes and carved meats to extensive salad bars and specialized dessert stations. While Princess has leaned into "Casual Dining" venues that require a cover charge for standard guests, the main buffet remains free for everyone. It is a highly "customizable" dining experience, offering everything from regional specialties inspired by the ship's current port to "Movies Under the Stars" snacks. For those seeking a bit of luxury within the buffet setting, Princess also offers a premium "Royal Afternoon Tea" in these areas, which provides a white-glove service experience for a small fee, while standard self-service tea and coffee remain free of charge 24/7.

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To the delight of many passengers (or to the chagrin of those watching their waistlines), cruises offer no shortage of nibbles at all hours of the day. Although cruise midnight buffets are nearly extinct, several lines still offer a spread of snacks that are available into the wee hours of the morning.

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You can take food from the buffet back to your room if you'd rather eat away from the crowds. If you take food from the buffet or another informal location and bring it back to your room, nobody will object.

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Cruise ships are good at making food available 24/7, so if you're hungry, there's usually no one to blame but yourself. The main dining room usually has set meal times, but sections of the buffet will always be open, and you'll usually be able to find a diner, cafe, or pizza shop that's open at all hours.

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Your auto-gratuities will cover all waitstaff in the main dining room, buffet restaurants and specialty dining venues alike. If you dine at the same table and enjoy regular service from one or two particularly excellent waiters, consider leaving an additional $10 to $20 at the cruise's end.

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Unfortunately, the midnight buffet was fairly wasteful for cruise lines when most of the food was uneaten. Additionally, the crew members would spend a significant amount of time setting up the displays and taking them down each night.

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Your choices vary by ship, of course, but your basic cruise fare entitles you to eat three meals a day in the main dining room or the buffet, as well as free venues that can include Guy Fieri's Burger Bar, a Mexican restaurant open for breakfast and lunch, a deli, soft-serve ice cream, various snack spots, and 24-7 ...

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Cruises are often known for decadence when it comes to food – it's available all day, every day, in unlimited portions, and it's certainly not all healthy. That said, it is possible to eat healthy while on a cruise ship – while still enjoying yourself, too!

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Feeding Yourself on Debarkation Day Even though you're leaving the ship, you're still entitled to breakfast onboard. These are your options: Eat in a Dining Room You'll be assigned to the same dining room you had dinner in on the last night of your cruise.

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May I bring my own food on a Princess cruise? The only food that Princess always permits onboard is pre-packaged items, such as breakfast bars or snacks. Most fresh food is subject to customs restrictions and is highly discouraged.

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Choose a luxurious breakfast or experience the ultimate romantic dinner at sea: a sumptuous four-course meal, including succulent lobster tail and juicy steak, your beverage of choice, hors d'oeuvres, all served right on your balcony served by our dedicated waitstaff.

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Princess does have a food service 24 hours at the buffet, so one can get something any time day or night.

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Formal: Evening gown, cocktail dress or pantsuits for ladies, suit, combination or dinner jackets for gentlemen.

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Order as many entrees as you want Ordering food on a cruise ship is no time to be bashful. The quality of food can vary from average to superb and you don't want to miss out on any of the finer dishes. You can order several entrees if you want, or even several appetizers.

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Getting on your ship means a lot of choices on how to begin your vacation, but many guests elect to start things off with lunch. Embarkation usually begins in the late morning to early afternoon, so lunch is the first opportunity to sit down for a bite to eat.

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Most cruise lines have relaxed their policies enough so that most travelers will be able to attend a formal night with the clothes they keep in their closet at home—even if it's a simple request for a collared shirt and a prohibition on jeans at dinner.

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Here are some of the major things you don't need to pack for a cruise.
  1. Soap and Other Toiletries. Most ships are equipped with soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion and shower caps. ...
  2. Hair Dryer. Ships all come equipped with hair dryers. ...
  3. Clothesline. ...
  4. Beach Towels. ...
  5. Dirty Laundry Bag. ...
  6. Books. ...
  7. Snacks. ...
  8. Booze.


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61% tip their stateroom attendant an additional $20–$40 per couple per week, 26% tip $40–$70, and 13% tip an additional $70–$140. The average amount tipped to the head waiter was an additional $20–$50 per week per couple.

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