Travel Tip: New Options for Dining A La Carte on Cruise Ships

Cruise ships have come a long way from all-you-can-eat buffets, but those changes could cost you.

Norwegian Cruise Line announced it’s introducing a la carte pricing. Starting on the Norwegian Escape and rolling out fleetwide, three specialty restaurants will charge per dish, instead of a flat cover charge.

Currently, a three-course meal at La Cucina restaurant on most Norwegian ships is $15 per person. On the Breakaway, one main course will start from $12.99.

While details haven’t been announced, Holland America‘s Koningsdam ship is expected to have an a la carte restaurant, Sel de Mer.

But never assume anything. Royal Caribbean introduced Dynamic Dining on its Quantum Class ships, which lets you choose your restaurants—no central dining room or assigned seating.

But they’ve since pulled the plug on the concept for the rest of the fleet because it wasn’t always efficient.

So keep watching this space because you never know what changes might come next.

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