When you think of cruise dining, Italian food probably makes the top of the list—freshly baked pizzas, creamy pastas, homemade focaccia, tiramisu, and rich tomato sauces that taste like they came straight from a family kitchen in Naples. If you’re sailing with Royal Caribbean and wondering, “Does Royal Caribbean provide Italian food?”, the short answer is: Yes, absolutely—and plenty of it.
Italian cuisine is one of the most popular options across the entire Royal Caribbean fleet, available in both free and specialty venues. From hand-tossed pizzas at Sorrento’s to elevated multi-course meals at Giovanni’s Table, you’ll find Italian dishes spread across the ship from morning to night.
This pillar guide explores every place you can find Italian food on Royal Caribbean, what’s free, what costs extra, the best dishes to try, dining tips, and how to maximize the Italian cuisine experience during your cruise.
Let’s dive in!
Royal Caribbean offers Italian food in complimentary dining rooms, buffet spreads, casual cafés, and signature Italian specialty restaurants. Whether you want something quick or a full dining experience, you will find an Italian option that fits your taste and schedule.
Below are all the main places that serve Italian cuisine onboard.
You don’t have to pay extra to enjoy Italian meals. Some of the best cruise-approved Italian options are found at free dining venues, available to all guests.
The Main Dining Room (MDR) offers Italian dishes almost every night, including:
Spaghetti Bolognese
Chicken Parmesan
Lasagna Al Forno
Shrimp Scampi
Penne Arrabbiata
Alfredo pasta
Tiramisu
The MDR rotates menus daily, so there’s always something new—including themed nights with Italian classics.
Windjammer is Royal Caribbean’s largest buffet, and it almost always includes:
Margherita pizza slices
Garlic bread
Grilled vegetables with olive oil
Fresh salads
Parmesan-shaved pasta bowls
Meatballs in marinara
Fresh-baked rolls
Herbed focaccia
Minestrone soup
Breakfast also includes fresh ciabatta and focaccia-style breads.
Nearly every ship has Sorrento’s, Royal Caribbean’s dedicated pizza venue.
It is completely free and open until late night.
Popular choices include:
Pepperoni pizza
Margherita pizza
BBQ chicken pizza
Daily rotating specialty slices
Antipasti bar (on select ships)
You’ll also often find Italian-style desserts like panna cotta or mini cannoli on some sailings.
If you’re craving more authentic Italian cuisine, Royal Caribbean offers several specialty options. These restaurants provide a more premium dining experience, from homemade pasta to multi-course meals inspired by various Italian regions.
Here are the main specialty Italian venues.
This is Royal Caribbean’s flagship Italian restaurant, available on many ships.
Expect:
Handmade pasta
Fresh mozzarella
Fried calamari
Bruschetta
Braised short rib
Chicken Marsala
Burrata
Tableside tiramisu
Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, the newest version, features:
Gourmet pizzas baked in a stone oven
Italian sandwiches
Prosciutto appetizers
Creative pasta dishes
Desserts served in family-style portions
It’s known for comfort-style Italian food with a home-cooked feel.
Created by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, this venue focuses on rustic, modern Italian dishes, including:
Truffle tagliatelle
Handmade ravioli
Burrata with balsamic glaze
Lamb lollipops
Prawn linguine
Amalfi lemon cheesecake
Jamie’s Italian is especially loved for fresh pasta and huge portion sizes.
While not exclusively Italian, Coastal Kitchen (for suite guests & Pinnacle members) often includes Mediterranean-Italian fusion dishes.
Menu highlights may include:
Caprese salads
Olio pasta
Seafood risotto
Braised lamb with Italian spices
This restaurant blends flavors of Tuscany with California cuisine.
Italian flavors pop up in small spots everywhere on Royal Caribbean ships.
Offers:
Prosciutto sandwiches
Tomato mozzarella paninis
Italian-style pastries
Great for quick bites.
Found on Oasis-class ships, serving:
Focaccia paninis
Fresh mozzarella salads
Herb-seasoned roasted meats
Light, flavorful, and conveniently located.
Here’s a clear breakdown to help you plan your meals.
Pizza (Sorrento’s)
Italian pasta dishes in Main Dining Room
Lasagna (MDR or Windjammer)
Pizza slices at Windjammer
Italian soups like minestrone
Garlic bread
Some Italian desserts
You can enjoy these without spending anything extra.
Paid Italian options include:
Giovanni’s Table
Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen
Jamie’s Italian
These offer the most authentic Italian cuisine onboard.
Sometimes sold in:
Café Promenade
La Patisserie
Room service menu
Think cannolis, gourmet cakes, and gelato.
Specialty Italian restaurants are extremely popular, but are they worth the added cost?
You get:
Fresh handmade pastas
Authentic ingredients like truffle oil, buffalo mozzarella, and Parmigiano-Reggiano
Higher quality meats and seafood
Larger portion sizes
A quiet, romantic atmosphere perfect for date nights
Unique desserts not available elsewhere
For many guests, Giovanni’s and Jamie’s Italian are among the best specialty dining choices on the ship.
Looking for recommendations? These dishes are consistently praised by guests.
Chicken Parmesan
Shrimp Scampi
Spaghetti Bolognese
Cheese-loaded lasagna
Garlic herb focaccia
Pepperoni pizza
Margherita pizza
Meatball Gigante
Lasagna della Nonna
Burrata Caprese
Tiramisu
Truffle Tagliatelle
Prawn Linguine
Amalfi Lemon Dessert
Italian food onboard can be a highlight if you know how to plan your meals. Here are helpful tips.
Italian venues fill up, especially on sea days. Book early on:
Royal Caribbean app
Cruise Planner website
Booking pre-cruise is often cheaper than onboard prices.
Sample:
Sorrento’s for quick bites
MDR for classic dishes
Giovanni’s for a premium experience
This gives you a broad Italian flavor experience.
Windjammer sometimes holds themed dinner nights featuring:
Lasagna stations
Italian carving meats
Dessert displays with tiramisu and cannoli
Royal Caribbean can accommodate special diets, including:
Gluten-free pasta
Vegetarian sauces
Vegan marinara options
Just ask your server.
Below are common questions travelers have about Italian food on Royal Caribbean.
Yes. Many ships have Giovanni’s Table or Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen. Some older ships feature Jamie’s Italian.
Yes, many Italian foods like pizza and pasta are free in venues such as:
Sorrento’s
Main Dining Room
Windjammer
Specialty restaurants cost extra.
Not every ship, but most Royal Caribbean ships have either Giovanni’s Table or Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen.
For free venues, no.For specialty Italian venues, reservations are strongly recommended.
Yes! Sorrento’s pizza is one of the most popular onboard snacks—fresh, hot, and available almost all day.
If you’re craving Italian cuisine on your cruise, you’re in luck. Royal Caribbean delivers a huge variety of Italian food across its fleet, from free pizzas and pastas to premium dining experiences featuring fresh handmade dishes.
Whether you want a quick slice at Sorrento’s, a romantic dinner at Giovanni’s, or a multi-course Italian feast with chef-crafted recipes, Italian lovers will find no shortage of delicious options onboard.
Royal Caribbean understands that Italian food is a universal favorite—which is why it’s available all day, every day, throughout the ship. Sail confidently knowing you’ll enjoy authentic flavors, quality ingredients, and plenty of options no matter which ship you’re on.
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