One of the most exciting parts of any cruise is the food, and on our 10-day Mediterranean cruise aboard the Sun Princess, we made sure to try as many included dining options as possible! This post is a full breakdown of everything we ate day by day, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and desserts, all included in the basic fare (no specialty restaurants).
From buffet breakfasts and poolside pizza to sit-down meals in the main dining room and late night sweet treats, we tested it all. I’ll be sharing menus, food photos and my honest thoughts on what was delicious, what was just okay, and what needed improvement. If you’re wondering what to expect from the free dining on Sun Princess, this post has all the details you need!
Let’s dive into the day-by-day food experience on board! 🍽️✨
DAY 1 – Embarkation day (Barcelona, Spain)
We boarded the Sun Princess in Barcelona, Spain, around 11:45 AM and followed a small crowd and crew members toward Horizons Dining Room, the ship’s Main Dining Room. Most passengers, including us, had their carry-on luggage, but we were still warmly welcomed and seated for lunch.
Our waiter greeted us, placed a bread basket with butter on the table, handed us the menu, and took our drink order. When she returned with our waters she took our meal selections.
I started with the potato soup, which was creamy and satisfying. For my main course, I chose the Chipotle Roasted Strip Loin which, unfortunately, lacked flavor. However the bread and butter were absolutely delicious!
To finish, I ordered the Lime and Mango Cake, featuring key lime cream, hazelnut sponge, and mango cream. It sounded promising and I was excited to try it! The dessert was great and not too sweet.
As the day went on we walked past the Gelateria and couldn’t resist stopping for some gelato! 🍨 Yes, it was an extra charge since we didn’t have the Princess Plus or Premier package, but at $3–$4 it was a pretty ok price.
Later in the day, we grabbed a pizza slice from Lido Slices, the poolside pizzeria on Deck 17. 🍕 It was a great quick bite while enjoying the sail away!
For dinner, we had an 8:00 PM reservation at the Main Dining Room and were seated right away. Our appetizer arrived about 15 minutes later, and we decided to share the Crab Seafood Cocktail, which featured snow crab, shrimp, scallops, and boiled eggs. Unfortunately, we didn’t enjoy it.
About 30 minutes later, our entrées arrived. I ordered the Grilled New York Strip Steak with fries and vegetables from the Princess Favorites section, while my husband chose the Norwegian Salmon. My steak needed more salt and his salmon was disappointingly a bit dry.
For dessert I opted for the Princess Love Boat Dream which is a heart-shaped treat with layer of chocolate-raspberry mousse and vanilla raspberry cream on a shortbread cookie base. My husband went with the French Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée. Both were delicious, but hands down, the Crème Brûlée was the best part of the night!
Day 2: Palma de Mallorca & More Delicious Eats
We started the day with breakfast at The Eatery Buffet, where port days can be a bit chaotic, but we managed to grab some food and find a table. One of the best spots? The made to order omelet station, it did not disappoint! You can customize your omelet with any toppings and even choose how you want it cooked. A waiter brought us fresh coffee and juice, making for a great start before heading out to explore Palma de Mallorca in Spain.
After a full day of sightseeing, we returned to the ship and made a quick stop at the poolside eateries. We grabbed a Burger from Lido Grill and a Shawarma from Lido Tacos.
Later in the evening, we checked out the Captain’s Circle Elite & Platinum Lounge at The Dome, where we enjoyed some exclusive quick bites before dinner. And of course, for dinner, we went with our go-to favorite made to order pasta at The Eatery Buffet. It was, hands down, one of the best meals on the ship every time!
DAY 3 – At Sea Formal Night
Since it was a sea day, we took the opportunity to sleep in before heading to The Eatery (buffet) for breakfast. We filled our plates with eggs, pancakes, hashbrowns, bread, ham, cheese, and fresh fruit, then grabbed a seat outside to soak in the sunshine and ocean views.
For a late lunch, we decided to try Americana Diner, located on Deck 8 inside Horizons Dining Room. This spot serves breakfast all day and classic American favorites, so we wanted to sample a variety of dishes.
We started with:
- Nachos – Corn chips topped with pico de gallo, guacamole, melted cheese, and lime crema. (Tasty, but most of the chips didn’t have toppings!)
- Buffalo Wings – Five crispy wings tossed in Buffalo sauce with a side of blue cheese dressing. (These were pretty good!)
- Pub-Style Fish and Chips – Beer-battered cod, fries, and tartar sauce. (The cod was a little dry and needed salt, but it was better with the tartar sauce.)
- Shrimp and Grits – Served with shrimp, bacon, and andouille sausage. (It was okay, but we had to add salt for more flavor.)
At this point, we realized a trend that most dishes on the Sun Princess seemed to lack salt, so we frequently had to season them ourselves or rely on sauces for extra flavor. We skipped dessert at Americana Diner but later, I grabbed a flan from the buffet.
For dinner, we skipped the formal night dinner on the main dining room and kept it simple with fresh made to order pasta from the buffet’s pasta station and finished with a chocolate pudding from the dessert section.
DAY 4: Messina, Sicily
We woke up to a rainy morning in Messina, Sicily, Italy, the second port stop of our cruise. After grabbing a quick coffee, we headed down to the port to explore. We found a local spot for Italian Espresso and breakfast, walked around for a bit, but ultimately returned to the ship due to the weather. Read more about Messina here.
Back onboard, we enjoyed made-to-order pasta from The Eatery (buffet) and spent the rest of the day relaxing on the ship. For dinner, we dined at the Main Dining Room, where I had grilled fish with asparagus and finished with a banana split for dessert.
Day 5: Trying New Things at the Buffet & Casual Dining
We started the day with breakfast at the buffet, trying a variety of options. Since the buffet offers the same selection daily, we like to mix things up to avoid getting into a routine.
For lunch, we kept it simple with a slice of pizza from the Promenade and some refreshing soft-serve ice cream.
For dinner, I didn’t take a photo of the menu, but I believe we ate at Americana Diner inside the Horizons Main Dining Room on Deck 8. I had a Mexican inspired dish with beef, rice, beans, and corn, while my husband opted for fried chicken with fries and I think tater tots.
Day 6: Exploring Athens, Greece & Greek-Inspired Dining Onboard
I was beyond excited for this day we were finally stopping in Athens, Greece! After grabbing a quick bite and coffee at the buffet, we headed to the port to explore the city. We had an authentic lunch in Athens and came back to the ship for dinner later that day. Read all about Athens, Greece cruise port here.
We dined at the Main Dining Room, where we started with Greek Potato Salad with Grilled Octopus and Spanakopita. I was a bit disappointed with the octopus because I wasn’t expecting it to be served cold. It was my first time trying it, and I wasn’t sure if I liked it. For our mains, I chose the Grilled New York Strip Steak, while my husband went with Fettuccine Alfredo. The pasta was always delicious but the steak could’ve used a little more salt.
For dessert, I had the Diplomat Strawberry Tart and my husband chose the Chocolate Caramel Tart. Both were great ways to end the meal but they don’t look like what I would have expected by reading the menu descriptions.
Day 7: A Taste of Turkey & Chef’s International Dinner Onboard
On Day 7, we arrived in Kusadası, Turkey. After a quick coffee we headed down to meet our tour group. Of course, we couldn’t miss the chance to enjoy some authentic Turkish cuisine at the port which was absolutely delicious! You can read all about our Kusadasi Port Guide here, including the tour we took and restaurants recommendations from our local guide.
That evening, we had a special dinner at the Main Dining Room: the Chef’s International Dinner. I started with a classic French Onion Soup followed by Beef Wellington, which is a dish I was excited to try for the first time! The beef was flavorful but needed a little more salt, and while I liked the concept, I found the crust slightly soggy, which took away from the experience.
For dessert, I went with the Coconut Cake, which was a sweet and satisfying way to end the meal.
Day 8: Exploring Chania, Crete & The Best Pasta Onboard
On Day 8, we arrived in Chania, Crete, Greece! To get an early start, we skipped the buffet and headed to the Main Dining Room for an express breakfast instead. Since the ship was offering free shuttle buses to the town center, we wanted to disembark before the crowds.
Breakfast started with a basket of assorted pastries and breads with spreads and jellies. For our main meal, we both ordered the All-American Breakfast, which included a pancake, eggs, hash browns, bacon, and sausages along with coffee and orange juice.
We spent the day exploring Chania, soaking in the charming streets and indulging in authentic Greek food. (You can read all about our experience in Chania, Crete including hidden food gems, fun things to do, and the best photo spots here).
Back on the ship, we went straight to the buffet for more of their made-to-order pasta, and let me tell you, this was hands down the best food onboard! The pasta was prepared exactly how we wanted by a Brazilian chef, and unlike most dishes on the cruise, it was perfectly seasoned and full of flavor!
Day 9: Relaxing at Sea & The Best Dinner of the Week – Gala Night
Day 9 was a sea day, so we started with breakfast at the buffet soaking in the ocean views before spending the afternoon unwinding.
That night, we attended the Formal Night Gala Dinner in the Main Dining Room, and it turned out to be the best dinner of the week! As always, we started with freshly baked bread and butter, followed by appetizers: creamy tomato soup and ricotta cheese tortellini. Both were absolutely delicious!
For the main course, we were pleasantly surprised to see lobster tail on the menu as a complimentary option. We both ordered the Land & Sea, which featured beef tenderloin and lobster tail. While the beef was a bit dry and needed more seasoning, the lobster was buttery and flavorful, definitely the highlight of the dish!
To finish off the night, we indulged in Gianduja Soufflé (chocolate hazelnut) and red velvet cake which was a perfectly sweet ending to an incredible meal.
Day 10: Exploring Naples & Pompeii + Our Final Night Onboard
Our last full day of the cruise started with a quick coffee at the buffet before heading down to the port in Naples, Italy. Our plan for the day? Visiting Pompeii on our own and no tour needed! (You can read all about how we did it here). After a day of exploring the ruins and soaking in the history, we indulged in delicious Italian food at the port before heading back to the ship.
And for our final dinner? You guessed it: pasta from the buffet, again! 🍝 This time, I also grabbed a Caprese salad, which was a perfect way to end the trip with some classic Italian flavors.
Later that night, we made one last memorable stop: Movies Under the Stars on the pool deck, complete with popcorn and cozy blankets. It was the perfect way to wind down and soak in our final night onboard.
Disembarkation Day & Final Breakfast Onboard
Our last morning on the Sun Princess started with a breakfast at the buffet where we grabbed some coffee and a few bites to eat before heading back to our room to collect our belongings.
By 9:15 AM, we had officially disembarked and were making our way to the train station to head to Rome for the next part of our adventure!
👉 Want to know how to get to Rome on your own without a tour? Check out my detailed guide here.
Final Thoughts on Our 10-Day Mediterranean Cruise on the Sun Princess
Sailing on one of the inaugural voyages of the Sun Princess was an exciting experience filled with breathtaking destinations, delicious food (mostly 😆), and plenty of memorable moments. From Barcelona to Rome, we explored beautiful Mediterranean ports, indulged in various onboard dining options and enjoyed the ship’s entertainment and amenities.
✨ My Favorites
✔️ Made-to-Order Pasta at The Eatery (Buffet) – The best meal on the ship! Freshly made, flavorful, and one of the few things that didn’t need extra salt.
✔️ Gala Night Dinner – The best dinner of the cruise featuring lobster tail and beef tenderloin.
✔️ Lido Venues – Great and quickly food by the pool.
🚢 What Could Be Improved
🔹 Food Seasoning – The biggest issue we noticed was the lack of salt and seasoning in many dishes. We often had to add our own salt or rely on sauces.
🔹 Dining Service Speed – Some meals, especially in the main dining room, took a long time to arrive
✅ My Recommendations
✔️ Use the salt shaker – Trust me, you’ll need it! 😆
✔️ Try the made-to-order pasta at the buffet – It was consistently delicious and one of the best free food options onboard.
✔️ Take advantage of the Lido Poolside venues and the Promenade – best quick and flavorful options.
Would I sail on the Sun Princess again? Yes, but with adjusted expectations. The ship has a lot of potential, and I’m sure future sailings will be smoother. If you’re considering this ship, be prepared for amazing destinations, good entertainment, and a mix of hits and misses when it comes to food and service.
Have you sailed on the Sun Princess or another Princess cruise? Let me know in the comments! 🚢✨
READ MORE:
📖 Included Dining on Sun Princess: A Complete Guide to What You Can Eat For Free and Upgrades
