Last Updated on 04/05/26 by Rose Palmer
My cruise on the Sapphire Princess to South America and Antarctica was a dream come true. It had everything I had come to expect from a Princess cruise, including lots of good food.
I spent 16 days on the Sapphire Princess cruising to South America and Antarctica. I described this experience in detail in my posts Finding My Blue Heaven on a Princess Cruise – A Detailed Sapphire Princess Cruise Review With Photos and What is a Princess Cruise to Antarctica Really Like?.
Over the course of these 16 days, I had plenty of time to try the majority of the dining options offered on board the Sapphire Princess. I never had trouble finding something I liked, and my meal was always served with a smile.
The Sapphire had plenty of complimentary dining choices that were included in the standard fare. I could also choose Casual and Specialty restaurants for an additional cost without one of the special fare packages.
I have cruised on 12 different Princess ships all over the world. For each cruise, I evaluate if it makes sense to purchase a Princess Plus or Premier package. This post Princess Cruises Drinks Packages and Fare Packages – Which One is Best? describes each package in great detail.
The daily Princess Patter listed all the operating hours for all the food and drink venues on board the ship.
The Sapphire Princess dining options – complimentary dining
Complimentary dining is part of the standard cruise fare and is available to everyone on a cruise.
The Main Dining Rooms – Decks 5 and 6
I really liked that there were five smaller dining rooms, each one decorated with a different theme. It made meal time feel more intimate, and it was fun to have a choice of décor to pick from each day.
I did not make reservations for dinner in the main dining rooms, and I had no trouble finding a table whenever I chose to eat. For larger groups, a reservation would be recommended.
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International dining room – traditional dining
The International dining room offered traditional dinner seatings with two fixed seating options per night at 5 PM and 7:30 PM. This was ideal for guests who liked to eat at the same time each evening, at the same table, and with the same wait staff. Note that I could only reach this dining room via the aft elevators or by using the aft stairs from deck 7.
Pacific Moon dining rooms – walk in anytime
The Pacific Moon dining room on deck 6 was the “walk-in any time” dining room, where dinner reservations were not necessary. On my cruise, afternoon tea was also served in the Pacific Moon dining room on sea days (the Princess Patter will have the most up-to-date information). This was also where I had the special Chef’s Table dinner.
Vivaldi and Santa Fe dining rooms – flexible, reservable anytime dining
The Vivaldi dining room on deck 5 and the Santa Fe dining room on deck 6 offered reservable anytime dining. Dinner reservations could be made in 20-minute increments beginning at 5 PM. The Santa Fe dining room was where Reserve Class dining was available for suite guests and those staying in Reserve Class mini suites.
The dinner menus were the same in all five dining rooms and changed daily. There was always a vegetarian option along with gluten-free choices, and there was also a separate vegan menu.
If I wanted a sit-down breakfast or lunch, these were available in the International Dining Room. Breakfast was available every day, and lunch was offered during sea days. The breakfast menu included some of my favorites: French toast, eggs Benedict, or omelets.
Afternoon tea
One of the best things about sea days was the afternoon tea served in the Pacific Moon Dining Room. Waiters walked around serving a variety of mini sandwiches, mini desserts, and of course, scones, cream, and jam, along with pots of tea. Yum! (Note that these items were also offered in the buffet.)
International Café – Deck 5
The International Café is my favorite eatery on a Princess ship. This was where I picked up one of their delicious almond croissants, a smoked salmon sandwich, or a yogurt parfait for breakfast.
And if I was in the mood for a latte or a cappuccino, I got that here as well (note that specialty coffees were an extra charge without a package).
Since the International Café was open late, this was also the go-to spot for a late-night snack or for one or two of their good cookies.
World Fresh Market Place at Horizon Court – Deck 14
The World Fresh Marketplace buffet at the Horizon Court was open continuously from early morning till late into the evening. While the food serving area was not very large, they managed to offer quite a diverse selection for each meal, which changed daily.
I found plenty of healthy salad and fruit options, hot foods on the cold days, cold foods on the hot days, soups, breads, and many dessert choices. And in the afternoons, they also offered scones, cream, and jam so I could get my afternoon tea fix without going to the dining room.
The seating area around the Horizon Court was huge, and I never had a problem finding an open table. Not surprisingly, the window seats filled up quickly, though.
Waiters always came around promptly and took orders for drinks to go along with my meal. I could also refill my water bottle here with water, iced tea, or lemonade, or get hot tea and coffee any time of the day.
Prego Pizzeria – Deck 14
Princess has been dubbed “the best pizza at sea,” and I would have to agree. This is where I got individual slices of pizza for lunch or a snack. Each day they made three types: cheese, pepperoni, and a special pizza of the day, and I liked them all. I especially enjoyed watching Movies Under the Stars and indulging in a slice of pizza.
Trident Grill – Deck 14
I will admit that I do occasionally get a hankering for a burger or an order of French fries, even with all the other good food choices available. In a few minutes, the cook whipped up a fresh burger, a chicken sandwich, or tacos, along with an order of fries. With a soda from the Mermaid’s Tail bar next door, this was another meal of choice while watching a Movie Under the Stars.
Swirls – Deck 14
A cone of soft serve ice cream was always a welcome treat any time of day.
Room Service on the Sapphire Princess
In my opinion, one of the best things about a cruise is room service, especially for breakfast. I could order room service via the Princess app or by using the phone in my room. (Depending on the type of Princess package purchased, there may be an additional charge for room service delivery.)
For breakfast, I put out a paper Stateroom Breakfast card with my choices, which I hung on my cabin door knob the night before. Breakfast was delivered the next morning at my chosen time (there was no delivery charge for this).
I did this cruise over my birthday, and I could think of no better way to start my special day than with a room service breakfast.
Other included dining opportunities
Platinum and Elite loyalty guests and suite guests also had other included dining options.
Reserve dining
Suite guests and guests booked in a Reserve class mini suite could eat in the Reserve section of the Santa Fe dining room. No reservations were necessary. Dining here included an expanded menu and a dedicated wait staff.
Captain’s Circle cocktail hour
Each afternoon, platinum and elite loyalty members were offered a cocktail party with a variety of finger foods, snacks, and discounted drinks.
Breakfast at Sabatini’s
On my cruise, guests staying in suites were offered breakfast at Sabatini’s restaurant with a dedicated, made-to-order menu.
Casual Dining on the Sapphire Princess
Casual dining restaurants are covered by both the Plus and Premier packages. Reservations cannot be made at these restaurants.
Alfredo’s Pizza – Deck 5
Princess makes great pizza. At Alfredo’s, I could get a freshly made, hot, straight from the oven, individual-sized pizza that had the perfect crispy crust that I love. I ate here a few times over the course of the cruise for dinner or lunch. I also found that it was not busy during formal night.
Depending on the type of Princess package purchased, there may be an additional fee to eat here.
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Vines – Deck 5
This was another casual dining option on the Sapphire Princess. I could get a charcuterie board to go along with that special glass of wine. Extra charges are applied without a package.
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Churrascaria – Deck 14
In the evening, the back starboard corner of the Horizon Court became the private, fancier Brazilian-style Churrascaria restaurant. This was another casual dining option. Extra charges applied to eat here without a package.
I did not have a chance to try this on the Sapphire Princess, but I did recently try it on the Diamond Princess. For meat lovers, this was a carnivore’s delight.
(Note that this restaurant may be replaced by the Planks and Steamers casual restaurants later in 2026. Also, Princess has reduced the menu since turning it into a casual dining option.)
Specialty Dining on the Sapphire Princess
Specialty dining restaurants are covered by the Premier fare package. Reservations are necessary for these restaurants and can be made on the app or on the ship.
Crown Grill – Deck 5
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Princess’s popular steak house is a new addition to the Sapphire Princess. It is located in what used to be the classy Savoy dining room. Meat eaters love the steak here, which is served with three different specialty salts. I have always enjoyed the Black and Blue Onion Soup, the lobster tail, or the Chilean sea bass on other ships.
Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria – Deck 7
Sabatini’s is the other specialty restaurant on board the Sapphire Princess (and will also cost an extra fee without a package).
I had my birthday dinner here, and it was excellent, though as always, way too much (great) food. Even though the portions were small, 5 courses were a lot of food.
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The staff also surprised me with a special cake and candle, and by (very enthusiastically) singing happy birthday, which was a really nice touch (though also a little embarrassing).
Makoto Ocean – Deck 7
This Japanese sushi restaurant made its debut on the Sun Princess and has been added to the Sapphire Princess (in the location where the internet cafe was). I really liked the meal I had at Makato on the Sun Princess.
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Special Experiential Dining on the Sapphire Princess
These special dining experiences cost extra and are not covered by any of the fare packages.
Crab Shack Pop Up
I’ve tried the crab shack pop-up on other Princess ships and loved it. It was a lot of food and well worth the cost. The Princess Patter listed on which sea days the crab shack was offered and the location. Note that this meal is an extra charge, which is not covered by the Plus or Premier package.
Balcony dining
Balcony dining was available for either breakfast or dinner. Since I did not have a room with a balcony on this cruise, I did not indulge this time. I have tried the balcony breakfast on the Majestic Princess and the Sun Princess, and it was a divine experience with a huge amount of food.
Chef’s Table Experience
This was my second Chef’s Table Experience with Princess, and it did not disappoint. A few times during a cruise, the ship’s executive chef presents a special menu that is paired with fine wines. This was my menu, but it likely changes with each head chef.
The Chef’s Table is offered only a few times each cruise to 10-12 guests per sitting and does cost extra.
For me, this was gourmet, foody type food that I love to try – food that stimulated my senses and titillated my taste buds. I am sharing my Chef’s Table menu on the Sapphire Princess, though the menu changes with different chefs.
My Chef’s Table menu was presented by Executive Chef Ravindra Dulipalla.
Starter
Lobster, avocado, and mango margarita
Crab cake with Maryland sauce
Slow roasted pork belly with honey soy sauce
Soup
Carrot bisque infused with ginger and raisin
First course
Spanish saffron fishmonger’s risotto
Sorbet
Cucumber and raspberry sorbet served with Beefeaters gin
Second Course
Seared beef medallion topped with Maine lobster thermidor with béarnaise sauce, lamb chop Villeroy with rosemary jus, salsa verde, and fresh market vegetables
Dessert
Passion fruit and Bavarian mousse with strawberry cheesecake garnish with fresh berries and chocolate
Caymus Winemaker dinner
Like the Chef’s table, the Caymus winemaker dinner is a special food and wine pairing event. A unique and dedicated menu was developed by the Caymus Vineyards owner to complement dedicated Caymus wine vintages. I’ve tried this event on other ships and thought the food was well worth the cost, even though I don’t drink very much.
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Frescobaldi Grand Tuscan Dinner
This special Italian menu and wine pairing served at Sabatini’s takes the flavors of the Frescobaldi restaurant in Florence and brings them to the Sapphire Princess. Six dishes are perfectly paired with classic Frescobaldi vintages.
This is a new offering from Princess that was recently introduced across the whole fleet.
When I tried the Frescobaldi dinner on the Star Princess, I tried the following dishes:
Carpaccio Di Mare Mediterraneo – delicate tuna and scallop carpaccio topped with sturgeon caviar, salmon caviar, black truffle, and a vibrant citrus dressing.
Polpo Grigltato con Pesto Rosso e Gnochi di Spinact – tender grilled octopus with zesty red pesto, served over spinach gnochi.
Branzino Con Caponata alla Siciliana – seared sea bass served atop tangy Sicilian caponata, drizzled with fresh basil oil. I had this dish on the Star Princess and really liked it.
Pinolata Senese – light and airy Tuscan pine nut cake with rich custard cream.
Cantucci Biscotti Con Grappa di Vino Luce – crunchy almond biscotti served with Grappa di Vino Luce for the perfect Tuscan dip.
The Sanctuary – deck 16
The Sanctuary is the adults-only retreat at the front of the ship. If I want some time here, I make it a point to go up to the Sanctuary as soon as I board the ship to reserve an afternoon on one of the sea days. This is an extra cost and is not covered by any of the fare packages.
A reservation in the Sanctuary came with its own menus for breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea, all of which were served to my lounge chair.
Wine tasting experiences
Princess also offers a variety of wine-tasting experiences throughout the cruise, paired with appropriate nibbles. The cost of these programs is extra and is not covered by the Plus or Premier packages.
There is usually a Grapevine Wine Tasting, which is an introduction to wine tasting. Most cruises also offer an International Wine Tasting experience, where guests can try many different vintages from around the globe.
Depending on the length of the cruise, additional wine-tasting opportunities may also be offered. Details will be listed in the Princess Patter and in the Journeyview section on the app. The events will also be advertised and promoted on the ship.
Ordering via the Ocean Now app
A convenient feature of the Princess app is the Ocean Now function. This allowed me to order food or drinks to be delivered to wherever I was located. I could get room service for dinner or a late-night snack or have a drink brought to me as I was lounging by the pool or in a hot tub. Extra chargesare applied without a package.
Yes – this was a very memorable cruise, and the food on board the Sapphire Princess definitely added to the overall experience.
Links to all my cruising content, including all my other Princess cruises, can be found on my Experience – Cruising page.
I like to look for cruise deals and book all my cruises directly with the cruise line on the Princess website.
Other Princess cruising stories:
All about my 360 dining experience: The Princess 360 Experience – A Performance for all the Senses
Dining on the Regal Princess: Dining Like a Princess – All the Regal Princess Dining Options Including the Chef’s Table Experience
Dining on the Sun Princess: All the Sun Princess Dining Options – So Many Choices, So Little Time
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
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