Freedom Of The Seas Dining & Restaurants: Complete Guide
There are two very different ways to approach food on a cruise ship. You can treat mealtimes as something you simply need to fit between the FlowRider, the pool, the shows and whatever else Freedom of the Seas has planned for the day. Or you can make the food part of the holiday. My post-cruise waistline shows I prefer the latter.
Dining At A Glance
From included favourites to speciality restaurants, here’s where you can eat onboard.
Included In Your Cruise Fare
No speciality dining charge
- Main Dining RoomDecks 3–5
- Windjammer MarketplaceDeck 11
- El Loco FreshDeck 11
- Sorrento’s PizzaDeck 5
- Café PromenadeDeck 5
Speciality Dining
Additional charge applies
- Chops GrilleDeck 11 · Steakhouse
- Giovanni’s Italian KitchenDeck 11 · Italian
- Izumi Hibachi & SushiDeck 4 · Japanese
- Chef’s TableReservation required
Casual Dining
Additional charge applies
- Johnny RocketsDeck 12 · Burgers & shakes
Eat In Your Cabin
Room service available day and night
- Continental breakfastComplimentary
- Most other room serviceUS$7.95 delivery charge*
*Prices and dining arrangements can change by sailing. Check the Royal Caribbean app or Cruise Planner for the latest information applicable to your cruise.
On Freedom of the Seas, there is plenty of opportunities to indulge.
From a proper multi-course dinner in the Main Dining Room to a plate of tacos by the pool, freshly made pizza, burgers, sushi, steak, Italian comfort food and late-night snacks, there is plenty of choice without having to pay extra every time you get hungry.
And that is important because Freedom of the Seas has a good balance between included dining and speciality restaurants. You could quite happily spend a whole cruise eating without paying for speciality dining, but there are also several tempting options if you want to turn dinner into more of an occasion.
The ship’s dining line-up includes the three-level Main Dining Room, Windjammer Marketplace, Sorrento’s Pizza, Café Promenade and El Loco Fresh, alongside speciality favourites including Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, Izumi Hibachi & Sushi and Chef’s Table. Johnny Rockets provides a more casual paid option, while room service means you can eat without even leaving your cabin.
The result is a ship where breakfast can be an omelette in the buffet, lunch might be tacos and quesadillas by the pool, dinner could be filet mignon or handmade Italian pasta, and a late-night pizza can still be on the cards afterwards.
Here is our complete guide to Freedom of the Seas dining, including what is included, which restaurants cost extra, sample dishes, where to eat, dining times, reservations, dietary requirements and our tips for getting the most from the ship’s food. I’ve also included sample menus where available.
NOTE: Menus are sample menus and dishes may change. Always check the Royal Caribbean app or Cruise Planner for the price and menu applicable to your cruise.
What Food Is Included On Freedom Of The Seas?
One of the biggest advantages of sailing on Freedom of the Seas is that you don’t need a speciality dining budget to eat well.
Your cruise fare includes the Main Dining Room, Windjammer Marketplace, Café Promenade, Sorrento’s Pizza and El Loco Fresh, with additional complimentary snacks and soft-serve ice cream available around the ship.
The complimentary restaurants cover a surprisingly wide range of styles. You can have a formal-ish sit-down dinner, a relaxed buffet, Mexican food, pizza, sandwiches, pastries and snacks without putting anything extra on your onboard account.
The Main Dining Room is the obvious choice for a proper evening meal, while Windjammer is particularly useful when everyone in your party wants something different. El Loco Fresh is ideal for a quick lunch, and Sorrento’s is the place to remember when you suddenly realise you are hungry after the evening entertainment.
Main Dining Room (Incuded)
Decks 3, 4 and 5
The Main Dining Room is the heart of Freedom of the Seas’ evening dining experience and is spread across three levels, giving the restaurant a grander feel than a typical cruise dining room.
It is also where you will find the most traditional cruise-dining experience on the ship: waiters taking your order, several courses arriving at the table and a menu that changes throughout the cruise.
The current Royal Caribbean menus have been designed around different nightly themes, so there is usually something new to try rather than simply repeating the same menu every evening. Depending on the sailing, themes can include Italian, French, Caribbean, Mexican, Mediterranean, British, Asian-inspired and American favourites.
What Can You Eat In The Main Dining Room?
The menu generally gives you a choice of starters, soups or salads, main courses and desserts, with a number of dishes changing each evening.
Sample dishes from Royal Caribbean’s rotating menus have included French onion soup, chicken Waldorf salad, Maryland-style crab cake, fried chicken, prime rib and various seafood dishes, alongside vegetarian choices and lighter options.
The main courses are deliberately varied. One evening might bring something hearty such as beef or lamb, while another could have a seafood dish, pasta or an international speciality.
There are also familiar favourites available for guests who don’t fancy experimenting every night. That can be particularly useful for families, or simply for those nights when you want something comforting rather than adventurous.
Dessert is worth leaving room for. Depending on the evening, you might find classics such as cheesecake, chocolate desserts, fruit-based puddings or ice cream alongside the rotating menu.
And if you want something different from the listed choices, don’t be afraid to ask your waiter what is available. Royal Caribbean’s dining rooms are used to guests mixing and matching dishes.
Breakfast And Lunch
The Main Dining Room isn’t just for dinner.
Breakfast and lunch may also be offered depending on the sailing, giving you a quieter alternative to the Windjammer. Breakfast can include cooked-to-order eggs, omelettes, pastries, fruit and other traditional breakfast choices.
Lunch tends to be a more relaxed affair, with sandwiches, salads, soups and hot dishes.
For many guests, though, it is dinner where the Main Dining Room really earns its place.
Traditional Dining Or My Time Dining?
You generally have two approaches to dinner.
Traditional dining gives you a set dining time and normally the same table and wait team throughout the cruise. This can be lovely if you enjoy getting to know your dining team and having the familiarity of returning to the same table each evening.
My Time Dining is more flexible and allows you to choose when you eat within the available dining period. It is particularly useful if your days are unpredictable or you don’t want dinner to dictate your evening entertainment schedule.
If you choose My Time Dining, reservations are still a good idea, particularly at popular times.
Our Tip
Don’t automatically dismiss the Main Dining Room in favour of speciality restaurants.
The menu changes every evening, the service turns dinner into an occasion and the fact that it is included means you can order several courses without worrying about the bill.
Windjammer Marketplace (Included)
Deck 11
Windjammer is Freedom of the Seas’ main buffet and one of the most useful restaurants on the ship.
It is casual, flexible and designed for those occasions when nobody can quite agree what they want to eat.
Breakfast brings the familiar cruise-buffet line-up of eggs, bacon, sausages, hash browns, pancakes, pastries, cereals, fruit, yoghurt and bread, with an omelette station for freshly prepared eggs.
There are also cold meats and cheeses, breakfast potatoes and a variety of breads and pastries.
Photo: Royal Caribbean Intermnational
Lunch is where the buffet becomes particularly useful. You can build a plate around salads, vegetables, meat, fish, pasta, sandwiches, pizza and changing international dishes.
Dinner brings another rotation, often with a particular cuisine highlighted for the evening.
What Are The Best Things To Try?
Windjammer is less about ordering a specific dish and more about taking advantage of the variety.
You might find carved meats alongside pasta, rice dishes, curries, salads, vegetables and seafood. There are usually plenty of familiar choices for less adventurous eaters, while changing international dishes give you the opportunity to try something different.
Breakfast is particularly good for anyone who likes a leisurely start. The made-to-order omelette station means you can create something exactly as you want it, while the buffet takes care of everything else.
There are also desserts and smaller sweet treats, meaning Windjammer can easily become a destination for a post-lunch pudding rather than simply a place to grab lunch.
The Windjammer Advantage
The biggest benefit is flexibility. If one person wants a salad, another wants curry and someone else wants pizza and chips, nobody has to compromise.
It is also particularly useful with children because they can see what is available before committing to something they may or may not actually eat.
The downside is that Windjammer can become extremely busy around peak breakfast and lunch times.
Our Tip
Don’t head straight for the first buffet station you see.
Walk around first and see what is available. The layout can stretch further than you initially realise, and different stations may have completely different dishes.
If you are looking for a quieter experience, eating slightly outside the traditional peak times can make a considerable difference.
El Loco Fresh (Included)
Deck 11
El Loco Fresh is one of the easiest places on Freedom of the Seas to grab something substantial without sitting down for a full meal.
The complimentary Mexican venue is positioned close to the pool, making it particularly convenient on sea days when changing out of swimwear and heading into a formal restaurant sounds like entirely too much effort.
The menu centres around tacos, burritos and quesadillas, with toppings and accompaniments allowing you to customise your meal.
You can also expect tortilla chips and salsa, with fillings and flavours changing according to the current menu.
Royal Caribbean highlights dishes such as beef burritos, fish tacos, carnitas and quesadillas, making this much more than a token Mexican snack stop.
What Should You Try?
The tacos are an obvious starting point, particularly if you want something lighter than a full burrito.
Burritos are better when you are properly hungry, while quesadillas are an easy option for children or anyone who prefers something familiar.
The chips and salsa are also useful for a quick snack between activities.
Our Tip
El Loco Fresh is one of the best places to use when you want lunch without losing half the day.
It is also worth remembering at times when the Windjammer is packed.
Sorrento’s Pizza (Included)
Deck 5
Pizza has become something of a cruise tradition, and Sorrento’s is Freedom of the Seas’ answer to the inevitable “Can we have pizza?” question.
The pizzas are included in the cruise fare and slices are available throughout the day and into the evening, making Sorrento’s particularly useful as a snack rather than simply a lunchtime restaurant.
Expect classic choices such as cheese and pepperoni, alongside other toppings that can change.
You can grab a slice, sit down with it on the Royal Promenade and carry on with your day.
Why Sorrento’s Is Worth Knowing About
This is one of those venues that becomes increasingly useful as the cruise progresses.
Had a late lunch? Grab a slice later.
Coming back from an evening show? Pizza.
Kids suddenly declare themselves starving? Pizza.
You’ve already had dinner but somehow feel hungry again? You know where to go.
It is also a good option if one member of the family wants something simple rather than joining everyone else for another full meal.
Café Promenade (Included)
Deck 5
Café Promenade is Freedom of the Seas’ go-to spot for quick bites and basic refreshments, and its location on the Royal Promenade makes it extremely convenient.
The complimentary selection includes pastries, sandwiches, small snacks, cookies and other light bites, with complimentary coffee, tea and water available.
Premium coffees are available for an additional charge.
This is not really a restaurant for sitting down to a substantial meal. Think of it more as the ship’s answer to the café you might pop into several times a day.
When Should You Use Café Promenade?
Breakfast is an obvious time. If you don’t want a full Windjammer breakfast, you can grab a pastry and coffee before heading off to explore the ship.
It is also handy mid-afternoon when you want something small rather than another full meal.
And then there is the late-night factor. Royal Caribbean promotes Café Promenade as an around-the-clock favourite, making it particularly useful for night owls.
Our Tip
If you have a beverage package that covers premium coffees, Café Promenade becomes even more useful.
Sprinkles And Soft-Serve Ice Cream
There is also complimentary soft-serve ice cream available around the pool area, making it one of those little cruise perks that tends to become part of the daily routine.
Flavours generally include classics such as vanilla, chocolate and swirl, although availability can vary.
For families, this can be almost as important as the main restaurants.
For everyone else, it is simply a very good excuse to have ice cream in the afternoon.
Chops Grille (Cover Charge)
Deck 11 | Speciality Dining
If you are looking for the classic special-occasion dinner on Freedom of the Seas, Chops Grille is probably the first restaurant to consider.
This is Royal Caribbean’s American steakhouse, with a menu built around premium cuts of meat, seafood and classic steakhouse sides.
Current advertised pricing for Freedom of the Seas has been around US$35 per person, although speciality dining is dynamically priced and the amount shown in your Cruise Planner may be different.
What Can You Eat At Chops Grille?
Start with something such as charred beef carpaccio, served thinly sliced with rocket, Parmesan and truffle mustard dressing.
Other starters can include seafood options such as crab cakes or tuna tartare.
For the main course, the obvious choice is steak. Menu options can include a petite filet, filet mignon and other premium cuts, with preparation to your preferred level.
Chops isn’t only for meat eaters, however. Seafood dishes can include options such as Maine lobster, grilled fish and other seafood specials, depending on the current menu.
The sides are almost an attraction in themselves.
Think Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, truffled French fries and Gruyère cheese tater tots.
And then there is dessert.
The menu has featured key lime meringue pie, New York cheesecake and chocolate-based desserts, among other choices.
Is Chops Grille Worth The Extra?
For a birthday, anniversary, celebration or simply a night when you want a more polished dinner, yes, this is probably the speciality restaurant I would prioritise.
It feels sufficiently different from the complimentary dining that you are getting an actual change of experience, rather than simply paying for food you could find elsewhere onboard.
Chops can also offer lunch on selected sea days, which can be a useful way of experiencing the restaurant at a lower speciality-dining price when a lunch promotion is available.
Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen (Cover Charge)
Deck 11 | Speciality Dining
Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen is the restaurant to choose when your idea of holiday food involves pasta, pizza, cheese and a large plate of something comforting.
It is a more relaxed alternative to a formal Italian restaurant, with an emphasis on hearty Italian favourites rather than ultra-modern tasting menus.
Current Freedom of the Seas pricing has been advertised around US$35 per person for dinner, although prices can vary by sailing.
What Is On The Menu?
Giovanni’s is packed with dishes designed to share, making it particularly good for couples, families and groups.
You can start with an Italian-style meat and cheese platter, featuring items such as prosciutto, mozzarella and mortadella.
There are salads, soups, pasta dishes and classic mains, with examples including lasagna, veal meatballs, chicken Parmesan, osso buco and pappardelle.
The restaurant also serves hand-tossed pizzas cooked in the onboard pizza oven.
If you are dining with a group, ordering several dishes to share makes sense because you can try more of the menu rather than committing to a single enormous bowl of pasta.
Don’t Forget Dessert
Italian dining needs an Italian finish.
Depending on the menu, desserts can include cannoli, tiramisu, panna cotta and other traditional favourites.
Our Tip
Giovanni’s is particularly good for a relaxed group dinner.
If everyone wants something different, the menu makes it easy to order a mixture of starters, pasta, pizza and mains and share them around the table.
Izumi Hibachi & Sushi (Á la carte)
Deck 4 | Speciality Dining
Izumi provides something quite different from the rest of Freedom of the Seas’ speciality dining line-up.
This is the ship’s Japanese restaurant, offering sushi, sashimi, Asian-inspired dishes and hibachi-style cooking prepared at the table.
Unlike Chops and Giovanni’s, Izumi uses a mixture of à la carte and fixed-price options, depending on what you order.
That means you don’t necessarily have to commit to a full speciality meal.
Sushi And Sashimi
The sushi menu includes rolls, nigiri and sashimi, with choices changing according to the current menu.
Sample options have included California rolls, spicy crispy tuna rolls, salmon-focused rolls and more elaborate chef’s signature rolls.
There are also sushi and sashimi selections featuring tuna, salmon, yellowtail and shrimp.
For anyone who loves sushi, this is probably the speciality restaurant that offers the biggest contrast with the complimentary dining onboard.
Hibachi
The hibachi experience is as much about the performance as the food.
Chefs prepare meat, seafood, vegetables and rice on the hot cooking surface in front of you, with the theatrical flourishes that make teppanyaki such a popular cruise-night activity.
Depending on the menu, dishes can include hibachi chicken, steak, shrimp and vegetables, accompanied by rice and sauces.
How Much Does Izumi Cost?
Because Izumi can be ordered à la carte, there isn’t one simple restaurant-wide price.
For example, sample menus have listed items such as hibachi vegetables around US$14, chef’s sushi selections around US$17 and assorted sashimi around US$22, although menu pricing can change.
That makes Izumi particularly worth checking in the Royal Caribbean app before booking.
If you are not a huge eater, ordering a few smaller dishes à la carte can make more sense than choosing a fixed-price option.
Chef’s Table (Cover Charge)
Reservation required | Speciality Dining
Chef’s Table is the most exclusive dining experience on Freedom of the Seas and is aimed firmly at foodies rather than people looking for a quick dinner.
It is an intimate, hosted dining experience built around a multi-course menu and wine pairings.
Royal Caribbean describes it as a five-course experience, with sample dishes including scallop carpaccio with yuzu vinaigrette and grilled filet mignon with truffle potato purée.
The menu is designed as a complete culinary experience rather than simply a collection of restaurant dishes.
Wine is paired with the courses, adding another layer to the evening.
Is Chef’s Table Worth It?
This is the one to save for a genuine celebration or if the food itself is one of the main reasons you cruise.
It is considerably more intimate than the Main Dining Room and is a very different proposition from grabbing dinner at one of the larger speciality restaurants.
Numbers are limited, so this is one dining experience you should investigate early if you want to do it.
How Much Does Chefs Table Cost?
This is the most exclusive and therefore most expensive restaurant on board Freedom of the Seas. Prices range between $85-$110 per person with the average Standard A La Carte Price of around $99.00 per person + 18% mandatory gratuity.
Johnny Rockets (Additional Charge)
Deck 12 | Additional Charge
Johnny Rockets is the fun option. The 1950s-style diner serves classic American comfort food in a deliberately retro setting, complete with burgers, fries, onion rings, hot dogs, sandwiches and milkshakes.
Current typical Royal Caribbean pricing is around US$12.99–$14.99 per person for lunch or dinner, depending on the ship and sailing, with an 18% gratuity added. Milkshakes and some other extras are charged separately.
What Should You Order?
The obvious choice is a burger and fries.
Menu favourites include the Original Burger, Smoke House Burger and other classic cheeseburger variations, alongside chicken tenders, hot dogs, grilled sandwiches and salads.
You can add onion rings or chilli cheese fries, and the milkshake menu is full of the sort of over-the-top flavours you would expect from a retro American diner.
Popular flavours include chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and Oreo-style shakes.
Is It Worth Paying For?
This is more about the experience than finding the best food on the ship.
If you have children, teenagers or anyone who loves a proper American diner, it can be a fun change from the Main Dining Room.
For adults, I would probably choose Chops or Giovanni’s if I only wanted to spend money on one speciality meal.
Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade
Deck 4 | Additional Charge
Playmakers isn’t a traditional restaurant, but it is worth mentioning in a dining guide because it is another place where you can order substantial food.
The sports bar and arcade serves the sort of comfort food that works particularly well when you’re watching a game or fancy something casual.
Photo: Roya Caribbean International
The menu includes items such as burgers, chicken wings, loaded fries, nachos and other American-style bar food, alongside desserts and drinks.
The atmosphere is very different from Chops or the Main Dining Room.
Think big screens, sports, arcade games and food designed to be eaten while you’re chatting rather than lingering over several formal courses.
Our Tip
Playmakers can be a good alternative when you want a casual paid meal but don’t fancy sitting through a traditional speciality-dining experience.
Room Service
Sometimes the best restaurant is your cabin - a leisurely breakfast on your balcony or a late night snack when the bars close.
Room service is available around the clock on Freedom of the Seas, making it particularly useful after a late night, an early morning or one of those days when you simply cannot face getting dressed and going to breakfast.
The Continental Breakfast is complimentary, while the all-day menu and American breakfast carry a US$7.95 delivery charge per order, with an 18% gratuity applying to applicable orders.
The important thing is that the charge is generally per order rather than per item, so ordering several things together makes more sense than placing multiple small orders.
What Can You Order?
Breakfast options can include items such as eggs, bacon, toast, pastries, cereal, fruit and other traditional breakfast choices.
The all-day menu has included salads, sandwiches and comfort-food favourites.
Other examples on Freedom of the Seas include a Mediterranean chicken salad with grilled chicken and feta and a seeded rye baguette with smoked salmon and Brie (remember menus can change).
Room service isn’t necessarily the best option if you’re looking for a restaurant-quality meal, but it is unbeatable for convenience.
Our Tip
If you’re ordering room service, order enough for everyone at once.
A US$7.95 delivery charge for one coffee and a sandwich feels less appealing than the same charge for a full cabin breakfast.
Remember too that it’s an option if you get back late and exhausted from an excursion!
Dining Packages On Freedom Of The Seas
If you want to try several speciality restaurants, it is worth checking the dining packages before you sail.
Royal Caribbean offers packages covering multiple speciality restaurants, with options including three-restaurant packages and the Unlimited Dining Package on eligible sailings.
Royal Caribbean says speciality dining packages can save guests money compared with paying individually, with savings of up to 40% advertised on some packages.
However, don’t automatically buy one because it sounds like a bargain.
If you are perfectly happy eating in the Main Dining Room and Windjammer, a dining package can easily become an unnecessary expense.
The better approach is to decide first which speciality restaurants you genuinely want to visit.
If you know you want Chops, Giovanni’s and Izumi, compare the individual prices with the package price shown for your particular sailing.
What About Drinks?
The dining venues provide plenty of complimentary basic drinks, including water, tea, coffee and selected beverages.
Premium coffees, soft drinks, bottled water, alcoholic drinks and speciality beverages cost extra unless covered by an appropriate beverage package.
This is worth remembering when calculating the real cost of a speciality meal.
A US$35 restaurant cover charge doesn’t necessarily mean your final bill will be US$35 if you add cocktails, wine or premium drinks.
An 18% gratuity is also commonly added to speciality dining and beverage purchases.
Dining Times And Reservations
Dining times can vary according to the itinerary and sailing.
Rather than relying on a fixed timetable you found online before travelling, use the Royal Caribbean app to check the current opening hours and menus for your cruise.
This is particularly important on port days because restaurants may open later or close earlier than you expect.
Which Restaurants Need Reservations?
Reservations are recommended for speciality restaurants, particularly Chops Grille, Giovanni’s, Izumi and Chef’s Table.
Chef’s Table is particularly limited because of its intimate format.
The Main Dining Room can be booked around your chosen dining arrangement, while casual venues such as Sorrento’s, El Loco Fresh and Windjammer generally operate on a walk-in basis.
Johnny Rockets and Playmakers are also much more casual.
Dining With Children
Freedom of the Seas is well suited to families because there is no requirement for every meal to be a sit-down restaurant experience.
Children can grab pizza, tacos, burgers, pasta, fruit, desserts and familiar buffet favourites without having to wait through a multi-course meal.
The Main Dining Room also offers children’s choices, while the buffet gives youngsters the chance to see exactly what they are getting before committing.
For parents, this flexibility can make a huge difference.
A child who is perfectly happy with pizza one night doesn’t have to sit through a long dinner just because everyone else wants to eat formally.
Vegetarian, Vegan And Gluten-Free Dining
Royal Caribbean caters for a range of dietary requirements, including vegetarian and gluten-free diets, and can accommodate other requirements with advance notice.
The Main Dining Room is generally the easiest place to discuss dietary needs with your dining team because your waiter can explain the available choices and help you navigate the menu.
Windjammer also has plenty of naturally vegetarian options, including salads, vegetables, rice, pasta and fruit.
For allergies and more complex dietary requirements, it is important to notify Royal Caribbean before sailing rather than relying solely on what appears to be suitable once onboard.
The ship’s galleys are not allergen-free environments, so guests with serious allergies should always speak to the restaurant team.
What Is The Best Restaurant On Freedom Of The Seas?
That depends entirely on what you want from dinner.
For steak: Chops Grille is the obvious choice, particularly if you like classic steakhouse sides and premium cuts.
For Italian: Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen is the one for pasta, pizza and hearty Italian favourites.
For sushi: Izumi offers the greatest contrast to the complimentary restaurants.
For a special celebration: Chef’s Table is the most memorable choice if you enjoy fine dining and wine pairings.
For families: Windjammer is hard to beat because everyone can choose something different.
For a quick lunch: El Loco Fresh is one of the easiest options.
For late-night food: Sorrento’s Pizza and Café Promenade are the places to remember.
For a fun treat: Johnny Rockets is all about the retro diner experience.
For casual food and sport: Playmakers is the obvious choice.
For breakfast: Windjammer gives you the greatest choice, while the Main Dining Room offers a more relaxed sit-down alternative when available.
How To Save Money On Dining
You really don’t need to spend a fortune on food on Freedom of the Seas.
The most important money-saving tip is also the simplest: use the complimentary restaurants properly.
You could eat breakfast at Windjammer, have lunch at El Loco Fresh, enjoy pizza in the afternoon and have a multi-course dinner in the Main Dining Room without paying a speciality dining surcharge.
If you do want to splurge, pick one or two restaurants rather than automatically buying a package.
Chops is the one I would choose for a special occasion, while Giovanni’s offers a completely different style of meal.
Izumi can work particularly well for smaller appetites because of the à la carte options.
And don’t forget that speciality dining prices vary considerably by sailing. Check the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner before committing.
Our Freedom Of The Seas Dining Tips
Don’t eat every meal in the Windjammer. It is convenient, but the ship has enough variety that you can easily become bored if you use the buffet for everything.
Try El Loco Fresh early in the cruise. It is easy to overlook because it is positioned up by the pool, but it is one of the best complimentary casual options onboard.
Check the Main Dining Room menu in the app. You can see what is being served before deciding where you want to eat.
Book speciality restaurants early. The most popular dinner times can disappear quickly, particularly on shorter sailings.
Consider speciality lunch. If Chops or another restaurant offers lunch on a sea day, it can be a useful way to experience the venue without committing to a full speciality dinner.
Don’t forget Sorrento’s after the shows. It is exactly the sort of place you will appreciate when you suddenly become hungry at 11pm.
Use room service strategically. If you are paying the US$7.95 delivery fee, make the order worthwhile by ordering several items together.
Walk around Windjammer before filling your plate. The buffet can have more variety than is immediately obvious from the first station.
Leave room for dessert. This is a cruise. There is no medal for restraint.
The Lowdown
Freedom of the Seas doesn’t require you to spend extra money to eat well.
The complimentary dining is varied enough to keep most guests happy for the duration of a cruise, with the Main Dining Room providing a proper evening experience, Windjammer offering maximum choice and flexibility, and El Loco Fresh, Sorrento’s and Café Promenade filling the gaps between meals.
If you do want to spend a little more, Chops Grille is our first choice for a special dinner, while Giovanni’s is a good option when you fancy Italian food. Izumi provides the biggest change of pace, particularly for sushi and teppanyaki fans, while Chef’s Table is the one to save for a genuine foodie occasion.
Johnny Rockets is more about fun and nostalgia than fine dining, and Playmakers is ideal when you want burgers, wings and sports-bar food in a lively setting.
The biggest mistake would be assuming that you need a speciality dining package to enjoy the ship’s food. You don’t. In fact, you could quite easily spend an entire Freedom of the Seas cruise eating at the included venues and never feel short of choice.
But if food is an important part of your cruise, one carefully chosen speciality dinner can turn a good holiday meal into a memorable one.
And, of course, there is always pizza afterwards.
Freedom Of The Seas Dining FAQs
Is food included on Freedom of the Seas?
Yes. A considerable amount of food is included in your cruise fare, including the Main Dining Room, Windjammer Marketplace, Sorrento’s Pizza, Café Promenade and El Loco Fresh. Complimentary snacks and soft-serve ice cream are also available.
Which Freedom of the Seas restaurants cost extra?
Speciality dining includes Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, Izumi Hibachi & Sushi and Chef’s Table. Johnny Rockets and Playmakers also carry additional charges for their food.
How much does Chops Grille cost on Freedom of the Seas?
A current advertised price is around US$35 per person, although Royal Caribbean uses variable pricing and your actual price may differ.
How much is Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen?
Current advertised pricing for Freedom of the Seas has been around US$35 per person for dinner, although the price can change by sailing.
How much is Johnny Rockets?
Johnny Rockets generally costs around US$12.99–$14.99 per person for lunch or dinner, depending on the ship and sailing. An 18% gratuity is added, while milkshakes and some other extras cost more.
Is Sorrento’s Pizza free?
Yes. Pizza at Sorrento’s is included in the cruise fare.
Is El Loco Fresh free?
Yes. El Loco Fresh is complimentary and serves Mexican-style favourites including tacos, burritos and quesadillas.
Is Windjammer free?
Yes. Breakfast, lunch and dinner at Windjammer Marketplace are included.
Is room service free?
Continental breakfast is complimentary. Most other room service orders carry a US$7.95 delivery charge per order, plus applicable gratuity.
Does Freedom of the Seas have sushi?
Yes. Izumi Hibachi & Sushi serves sushi, sashimi and other Japanese dishes, as well as hibachi-style dining.
Is Izumi included?
No. Izumi is speciality dining and carries an additional charge. Some dishes are available à la carte, while other options may be offered at a fixed price.
Does Freedom of the Seas have a steakhouse?
Yes. Chops Grille is the ship’s speciality steakhouse.
Does Freedom of the Seas have Italian food?
Yes. Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen serves Italian favourites including pasta, pizza and meat dishes.
Can I eat vegetarian food onboard?
Yes. Vegetarian choices are available across the ship, including in the Main Dining Room and Windjammer. Tell your dining team about your requirements so they can help you choose suitable dishes.
Can I eat gluten-free on Freedom of the Seas?
Yes. Gluten-free options are available, but guests with coeliac disease or serious allergies should notify Royal Caribbean in advance and speak to the dining team once onboard.
Do I need to reserve speciality restaurants?
Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for Chef’s Table, Chops Grille, Giovanni’s and Izumi.
Can I eat in the Main Dining Room every night?
Absolutely. You can eat in the Main Dining Room throughout your cruise, and the menu changes from night to night.
What is the best free restaurant on Freedom of the Seas?
For a proper dinner, the Main Dining Room is the best choice. For variety, Windjammer wins. For casual food, El Loco Fresh is one of our favourites, while Sorrento’s is hard to beat when you fancy pizza.
What is the best speciality restaurant on Freedom of the Seas?
For a special occasion, we’d choose Chops Grille. Giovanni’s is the best choice for Italian comfort food, while Izumi is the most different dining experience. Chef’s Table is the pick for serious foodies.
Prices Disclaimer
Prices quoted in this guide are indicative and based on currently available Freedom of the Seas and Royal Caribbean pricing information. Royal Caribbean uses dynamic pricing and speciality dining, room service, gratuities and menu prices can change by sailing, itinerary and date.
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