You know that moment when the waiter comes to take your order, and you’re still looking back and forth between two appetizers? Turns out, you can just ask if you can have both.
That’s one of the nice things about the main dining room on a cruise.
There’s usually a little more flexibility than the menu lets on. You can ask for the sauce on the side, get a cup of tea with dessert, or see if the kitchen can find you something plain when everything on the menu sounds a bit too rich.
These are requests you can often make at no extra charge. What’s included varies by ship and cruise line, so if you’re ordering seconds or asking for something off the menu, a quick “Is that included?” takes care of it.
1. A Second Appetizer
If both the shrimp cocktail and the soup sound good, go ahead and ask if you can have both.
Two starters can also come in handy when you’re only a little hungry. Ask if one can come out with everyone else’s main course.
That way you’re still eating when the rest of the table gets their dinner.
If it’s a second main course you’re after, check before ordering.
Some lines charge for additional entrées, and dishes marked with a supplement are a separate thing altogether.
2. A Side Dish From Another Entrée
Ever picked the chicken but secretly wanted the mashed potatoes that came with the short ribs? Ask your server if you can swap the side.
It helps to pick something the kitchen is already serving that night. “Could I get the chicken with the mashed potatoes from the short rib dish?” is an easy request to understand.
Sometimes the sides come plated a certain way, but if they can make the swap, you’ve got the dinner you actually wanted.
3. Sauce or Dressing on the Side
This is a small one, but it can make a big difference.
A salad with too much dressing gets soggy pretty fast, and a piece of fish can disappear under a surprising amount of sauce.
Ask for it on the side when you order. It works best with sauces and dressings that go on just before serving.
If the meat has been cooking in the sauce all afternoon, well, that’s a different story.
4. A Simple Dish When Nothing on the Menu Sounds Good
By night five, sometimes a bowl of plain pasta sounds better than anything with three sauces and a fancy garnish.
Ask what the kitchen can do. Plain pasta, steamed vegetables, plain rice or a simply prepared piece of chicken are the kinds of things worth asking about.
There may also be an everyday section of the menu you skimmed past while looking at the specials. Your waiter can tell you what’s available and included.
PRO TIP: They can also be a good option if you’re feeling seasick. Plain white rice, boiled potatoes, and toast are usually among the best foods to eat when you’re feeling nauseous.
5. A Smaller Portion
Maybe you had a late lunch in port, or you wanna leave room for a dessert. Either way, it’s fine to ask for a smaller serving.
“Could I have a little less pasta?” is usually easier for the kitchen to accommodate than a request for a half-size steak.
It’s especially handy with sides, where you might only want a spoonful of potatoes or a few vegetables.
Asking for a half portion is also one of these 17 Amazing Cruise Hacks that comes in handy when you want to try a dish without filling up.
6. A Scoop of Ice Cream With Dessert
If there’s a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the included dessert menu, ask if you can have it with your warm brownie or apple crumble.
The ice cream might be listed all the way down at the bottom, where it’s easy to miss.
If you’re after a scoop earlier in the day, free ice cream is one of the cruise perks people often miss, check the full list here!
7. Regular Coffee or Hot Tea With Dessert
If you want something hot with dessert, ask what regular coffee or tea is included.
It may be listed separately from the desserts, or your server might simply ask if anyone wants a cup.
Say “regular coffee” if that’s what you mean. A cappuccino or latte can be priced separately, and it’s easy to forget that when you’re used to ordering one after dinner at home.
Just remember that, in general, the best time to ask for most of these things is when you place your order.
That gives the waiter a chance to check with the kitchen before the plates start coming out.
Just ask, and don’t be disappointed if something isn’t possible. Keep in mind that cruise ship restaurants serve thousands of guests every evening, so they can’t accommodate every request.
And before your next cruise dinner, check out these 10 dining mistakes that are easy to make onboard.
