If you’re planning a cruise vacation and have a fondness for fresh, succulent seafood, one of your top culinary concerns might be: Do they serve lobster on Princess Cruises? The good news is, yes — not only do they serve lobster, but they offer it in multiple ways across various dining venues onboard. Whether you’re dreaming of indulging in a buttery lobster tail at dinner or savoring lobster bisque poolside, Princess Cruises delivers an impressive seafood experience, especially for those seeking luxury flavors.
In this comprehensive guide, we dive deep into the lobster offerings across Princess Cruise Line’s fleet, explore dining venues where you can enjoy this delicacy, discuss seasonal availability, and give insider tips on how to elevate your gourmet cruise dining experience. Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or planning your first voyage, understanding what to expect from Princess’s lobster options can make your trip even more deliciously rewarding.
Understanding Princess Cruises’ Culinary Approach
Princess Cruises is well-known not just for its scenic itineraries and comfortable accommodations, but also for its elevated onboard dining standards. The cruise line partners with acclaimed chefs and culinary experts, such as the late Emeril Lagasse (whose “Emeril’s Bistro 1394” was a signature dining experience), to ensure a fusion of global inspiration, fresh ingredients, and refined cooking techniques.
Seafood plays a significant role in Princess Cruises’ culinary repertoire. With routes spanning tropical Caribbean isles, Alaskan fjords rich in wild-caught seafood, and the Mediterranean coast, the menu rotates to reflect regional specialties and seasonal availability. Lobster, in particular, is treated as a star entrée or featured delicacy on many sailings, showcasing the cruise line’s commitment to high-end dining.
Princess Cruises categorizes its meals into several dining experiences:
- Main Dining Rooms (formal sit-down dinners)
- Specialty Restaurants (premium dining venues with reservations)
- Informal Dining (buffets, poolside grills, and casual bites)
Each of these dining tiers may offer different lobster preparations — from classic lobster dinner entrées to decadent seafood towers and refined soups.
Where to Find Lobster on Princess Cruises
While not every sailing may feature lobster on the menu every night, Princess Cruises strategically offers this luxury item across several dining venues. Below is a detailed look at where and how you can enjoy lobster during your voyage.
Main Dining Room: Elegant Entrées with a Seaside Touch
The Main Dining Room (MDR) on Princess Cruises offers multi-course meals in an elegant setting, often with rotating nightly menus. While lobster is not guaranteed every night, it frequently appears as a featured “Dish of the Day” or as one of the premium entrée selections during formal nights.
Typical lobster offerings in the MDR include:
- Lobster Tail with drawn butter – Served broiled or grilled, often accompanied by seasonal vegetables and a starch like garlic mashed potatoes.
- Lobster Ravioli – A creamy pasta dish combining tender lobster meat with a white wine or tomato-based sauce.
- Lobster Bisque – A rich, velvety soup made with real lobster meat, cream, and aromatic herbs. This is often available as an appetizer and is a guest favorite.
On longer cruises or special sailings — such as holiday voyages or grand culinary-themed cruises — lobster appears more frequently. Seasonal menus may also feature regional variations, such as Alaskan king crab legs or Caribbean-style grilled lobster.
Specialty Restaurants: Gourmet Lobster Experiences
For those seeking a more elevated dining experience, Princess’s specialty restaurants are where lobster truly gets the royal treatment. Access to these venues typically requires an additional fee, but the quality, ambiance, and portion sizes are well worth the investment.
1. Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria
Sabatini’s is a premium Italian restaurant known for its handmade pastas and fresh seafood. While the menu changes slightly per voyage, several lobster-centric dishes are routinely offered:
- Scampi di Mare: Sautéed lobster tails with white wine, garlic, tomatoes, and herbs, served over linguine.
- Tartare di Gamberi e Astice: A seafood tartare combining lobster and shrimp with avocado, citrus, and microgreens.
- Seasonal lobster specials, such as lobster-stuffed ravioli or lobster and scallop scampi, may appear depending on availability.
Pricing for entrées generally ranges from $30–$40, with appetizers like lobster bisque around $15.
2. Crown Grill (Now “The Steakhouse”)
Though traditionally known for premium steaks and filets, Princess’s upscale steakhouse — formerly Crown Grill — often features a surf-and-turf combination that includes lobster. One popular option is the:
- Lobster and Filet Mignon Duo: A 6- to 8-ounce filet paired with a butter-poached lobster tail. The dish is finished with a red wine reduction and served with au gratin potatoes and seasonal vegetables.
Many guests rave about the perfectly cooked lobster — tender, sweet, and generously portioned. For first-time Crown Grill diners, this entrée is a top recommendation.
3. Ultimate Balcony Dining (Room Service at Sea)
While not a restaurant per se, Ultimate Balcony Dining is a premium room service experience available at extra cost. It’s ideal for romantic dinners or a quiet night with a view.
Lobster occasionally appears on this menu, especially on special occasions like a guest’s birthday or anniversary. Diners can order:
– Grilled Lobster Tail with Butter Sauce
– Lobster Risotto
– Lobster and Shrimp Cocktail Platter
The presentation is elegant, and service includes white-glove attention, silverware, linens, and even champagne upon request (for an additional fee).
Casual and Buffet Dining: Surprising Lobster Delights
You might not expect to find lobster at the poolside buffet or in the casual Horizon Court, but Princess Cruises occasionally treats guests to lobster in their free dining venues, especially on:
– Sea days with special theme nights
– Embarkation or disembarkation days
– Holiday sailings (e.g., Christmas, New Year’s Eve)
Common casual lobster offerings include:
| Venue | Lobster Option | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Horizon Court (Main Buffet) | Lobster Bisque | Available during lunch and dinner; often part of the soup rotation |
| Alfredo’s Pizzeria (Specialty) | Lobster Ravioli | Seasonal item; may appear during gourmet pizza nights |
| Buffet Seafood Bar | Lobster Claw or Tail Pieces | Limited availability; often on select nights with seafood extravaganzas |
| Poolside Grill | Lobster Roll (occasional) | Caribbean or Northeastern itinerary sailings may feature this gourmet sandwich |
Though casual venues do not offer lobster daily, they provide delightful opportunities to sample a taste of luxury without paying a specialty dining fee. Keep an eye on the daily cruise planner — called the Scheduler — to catch any surprise lobster appearances.
Factors That Affect Lobster Availability
While lobster is a staple of Princess Cruises’ premium offerings, availability depends on several dynamic factors. Understanding these can help you plan and manage expectations.
Itinerary and Geographic Region
Where you sail influences the seafood on your plate. For instance:
– Alaska Cruises: While king crab and salmon dominate, lobster is less common due to regional sourcing (though imported lobster still appears in specialty restaurants).
– Caribbean or Bermuda Voyages: These regions feature more lobster on menus, especially spiny lobster (a different species from North Atlantic lobster). You might taste grilled spiny lobster tails at themed nights.
– Mediterranean Sails: Lobster appears in Italian and French-inspired dishes, often prepared with local herbs and citrus.
Seasonality and Freshness Standards
Princess Cruises prides itself on serving high-quality, fresh ingredients. As such, lobster supply is constrained by shipping logistics and seasonality. The cruise line avoids frozen lobster whenever possible, relying instead on imported fresh lobster from suppliers in Maine and Canada. This means that while lobster is available year-round, the frequency of offerings may decrease on back-to-back short voyages when restocking is limited.
Holiday seasons, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, typically feature enhanced menus with lobster as a centerpiece.
Menu Rotation and Chef’s Specials
The Main Dining Room operates on a rotational system where menus repeat every few days. However, chefs often introduce a “Chef’s Special” — a unique dish that may feature lobster based on seasonal inspiration or available ingredients.
These one-night-only dishes are announced in the daily cruise planner and are worth seeking out. Regularly checking your stateroom TV or the Princess Cruises app will help you stay informed.
How to Maximize Your Chances of Eating Lobster on Board
Want to make sure you get your lobster fix during your cruise? Here are pro tips based on experience from seasoned cruisers and insider insights:
1. Book a Specialty Dining Package Early
If you’re determined to savor lobster in a gourmet setting, consider purchasing the Princess Plus or Premium Beverage Package, which sometimes includes discounts on specialty dining. Alternatively, reserve spots at Sabatini’s or The Steakhouse as early as possible — ideally before boarding, through the Princess website.
These venues fill up quickly on longer voyages, especially on sea days. Dining early in the cruise increases your chance of securing a table when lobster specials are fresh and available.
2. Review the Daily Scheduler Daily
The daily cruise planner (available in your stateroom, via app, or on stateroom televisions) lists upcoming menu highlights. Look for keywords like:
– “Seafood Night” in the buffet
– “Gourmet Tasting Menu” at Sabatini’s
– “Fine Dining at The Steakhouse”
These events often feature lobster, caviar, crab, and other premium offerings.
3. Request It for Special Occasions
Celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or honeymoon? Don’t hesitate to inform Princess Cruises in advance (via customer service or your travel agent). While they can’t guarantee lobster, many guests report receiving complimentary upgrades or having lobster included in surprise room-service meals.
4. Choose Theme Night Cruises
Princess Cruises occasionally offers “Ultimate Culinary Experience” sailings or “Wine & Food Festival” cruises in partnership with the Wine & Food Foundation. These cruises feature:
– Master chef demonstrations
– Gourmet tasting menus
– Curated seafood buffets with lobster, king crab, and shrimp
These specialty voyages dramatically increase your chances of enjoying lobster — and doing so in creative, chef-designed ways.
5. Ask About Fresh-Caught Options on Expedition Cruises
For cruisers opting for Princess’s expedition-style voyages (such as those in Alaska with the Discovery Princess or similar vessels), there may be opportunities to learn about local seafood through onboard talks. While passengers aren’t allowed to fish, the culinary team often features locally sourced seafood in educational tasting events — and on rare occasions, such efforts include Alaskan spot prawns or Dungeness crab, which serve as luxurious alternatives to lobster.
What Types of Lobster Can You Expect?
Princess Cruises typically serves two types of lobster, depending on the menu and sourcing:
North Atlantic (Maine) Lobster
The classic lobster most guests associate with a luxury meal. Sourced from cold Atlantic waters, this lobster is prized for its sweet, tender meat and rich flavor. You’ll mostly find it in:
– The Steakhouse (as lobster tail)
– Sabatini’s (in pasta dishes)
– Special celebrations (e.g., lobster bisque in the MDR)
Spiny Lobster (Caribbean Lobster)
Commonly featured on Caribbean itineraries, spiny lobster lacks the large claws of the Maine variety but offers similarly flavorful tail meat. It’s often grilled and served with tropical salsas, citrus butter, or coconut rice.
While spiny lobster is technically a different species (no claws, different habitat), it’s still a luxurious and delicious entrée experience.
Allergies, Sustainability, and Ethical Considerations
Princess Cruises takes food allergies seriously. If you or a travel companion has a shellfish allergy, you can notify the cruise line in advance and speak with the maître d’ onboard. Kitchens follow strict cross-contamination protocols to ensure safety.
Additionally, Princess emphasizes sustainable seafood sourcing. Lobster is procured from fisheries that comply with conservation standards, and the cruise line is a member of initiatives like the Seafood Watch Program by the Monterey Bay Aquarium. This means your lobster meal isn’t just delicious — it’s also responsibly sourced.
Final Verdict: Yes, You Can Enjoy Lobster on Princess Cruises
To answer the original question directly: Yes, lobster is served on Princess Cruises, and it’s presented with care, quality, and culinary creativity. While you won’t find it on the menu every single night in every dining venue, numerous opportunities exist to enjoy this delicacy — whether through the elegant Main Dining Room, premium specialty restaurants, or surprise appearances in casual buffets.
From buttery lobster tails in The Steakhouse to velvety bisque in the Horizon Court, Princess Cruises ensures that seafood lovers are well catered to. And with a little planning — by booking specialty dinners, reviewing daily schedules, and celebrating special moments — you can make lobster a highlight of your cruise experience.
Tips Recap: How to Enjoy Lobster on Your Princess Cruise
- Reserve tables at Sabatini’s or The Steakhouse early for guaranteed gourmet lobster dishes.
- Check the daily cruise planner for surprise lobster appearances in buffets or themed nights.
- Travel during holidays or culinary-themed sailings to increase lobster odds.
- Inform Princess of special occasions — you might get a complimentary upgrade or surprise dish.
- Look for regional lobster varieties based on your itinerary (e.g., spiny lobster in the Caribbean).
Whether relishing a quiet lobster dinner on your balcony at sunset or sipping bisque while watching whales off the Alaskan coast, dining on lobster with Princess Cruises offers a memorable taste of indulgence at sea. Bon appétit — and happy cruising!
Do Princess Cruises serve lobster on their menus?
Yes, Princess Cruises regularly serves lobster on its menus, especially on special dining nights or as part of premium menu options. Lobster is often featured during formal nights or holiday celebrations, where guests can enjoy dishes like lobster tails, lobster bisque, or surf-and-turf combinations. These offerings are typically available in the main dining rooms or specialty restaurants, depending on the ship and itinerary.
The availability of lobster can vary by cruise route, time of year, and restaurant venue. For example, on Alaska cruises, fresh local seafood including lobster may be more plentiful and prominently featured. While lobster is not guaranteed at every meal, guests can anticipate it appearing at least once during a 7-night cruise, particularly if they explore the specialty dining options like Crown Grill or Sabatini’s, where premium seafood selections are standard.
Where can I find lobster on a Princess Cruise ship?
Lobster is most commonly found in Princess Cruises’ specialty dining restaurants, such as the Crown Grill and Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria. Crown Grill, the ship’s steakhouse, frequently offers lobster tail as an add-on or part of a surf-and-turf dish. Meanwhile, Sabatini’s features refined Italian cuisine and on occasion includes lobster in pasta dishes or seafood appetizers.
In the main dining rooms, lobster may appear during special events like “Sabato Primi” or holiday-themed dinners. Additionally, guests might find lobster bisque or cold lobster cocktails served in buffet areas or during select afternoon or brunch events. It is recommended to check the daily newsletter, Princess360, for daily menu highlights, as it often lists when and where lobster will be served onboard.
Is lobster included in the cruise fare or is it extra?
Lobster in the main dining room is occasionally included in the cruise fare, particularly if it appears on a themed night menu or as a featured dish during a complimentary dinner service. However, these instances are rare and often limited to specific cruises or seasonal offerings. Most standard menu items in the main dining rooms are included, but premium proteins like lobster typically come at an additional cost.
When lobster is offered in specialty restaurants such as the Crown Grill, there is a cover charge—usually around $40 to $50 per person—on top of the base cruise fare. This fee grants access to dishes like lobster tail, prime cuts of meat, and other gourmet selections. Some beverage or dining packages may partially cover the cost, but generally, enjoying lobster on Princess Cruises involves an extra expense beyond the standard fare.
How fresh is the lobster served on Princess Cruises?
The freshness of lobster served on Princess Cruises is maintained through strict procurement and refrigeration protocols. While the lobster is typically flash-frozen at the source to preserve quality during transportation, it is expertly prepared onboard by trained culinary staff to simulate a fresh-cooked experience. This ensures that flavor, texture, and safety meet high standards, even in a cruise environment.
On certain itineraries, such as Alaska or Caribbean cruises, Princess may source seafood more regionally, which can enhance freshness. While truly live lobster is rarely kept onboard due to logistical challenges, the frozen lobster used is high-grade and cooked to order, often grilled or broiled, resulting in a tender and flavorful dish. Guests frequently report that the lobster tastes fresh and luxurious, even if not harvested on the same day.
Can I request a lobster dish if it’s not on the menu?
Princess Cruises generally does not accommodate custom requests for lobster dishes if they are not on the daily menu. The ship’s galley operates on pre-planned menus and limited inventory, especially for premium items like lobster, so accommodating off-menu requests is logistically difficult. However, guests are encouraged to speak with the maître d’ or dining room manager to express their interest.
In some cases, if a guest has a special occasion such as a birthday or anniversary, the staff may offer alternatives or surprises, which could include a lobster dish if available. While a direct request won’t guarantee lobster, the crew often makes an effort to enhance the dining experience for loyal or celebrating guests. Checking the menu schedule in advance and making dining reservations for specialty restaurants improves the chances of enjoying lobster during the cruise.
Are there vegetarian or alternative options if I don’t eat lobster?
Absolutely, Princess Cruises offers a wide variety of vegetarian, vegan, and alternative protein options across all dining venues. The main dining rooms feature dedicated vegetarian menus, and many dishes can be customized upon request. Options include plant-based appetizers, pasta dishes without animal products, and hearty salads that cater to diverse dietary preferences.
In addition to standard offerings, specialty restaurants like Sabatini’s and International Cafe include vegetarian entrées such as eggplant Parmesan, risotto, or seasonal vegetable plates. The Horizon Court buffet also features a “Cruisin’ Tastes” section with rotating international vegetarian selections. Guests with dietary restrictions are encouraged to notify Princess prior to sailing so the culinary team can better accommodate their needs throughout the voyage.
Does Princess Cruises offer lobster during lunch or only at dinner?
While lobster is more commonly served during dinner, especially in specialty restaurants or formal night menus, it can occasionally appear during lunch on select days. For example, brunch buffets or special event lunches may feature cold lobster cocktails, lobster rolls, or lobster bisque as part of an enhanced menu lineup. These offerings are often tied to holiday themes or port days in seafood-rich regions.
Availability during lunch is less frequent than at dinner and heavily dependent on the ship’s schedule and culinary programming. Guests interested in enjoying lobster at midday should review the daily Princess360 newsletter, which details all menu offerings for each meal period. Planning ahead and visiting specialty dining areas during lunch hours, where some premium items may still be available, can increase the likelihood of finding lobster on the menu outside of dinner service.