The Ultimate Guide to Alaska Cruise Food: Gluten Free Options & Dining Highlights
On my 7-day Royal Princess Alaska cruise sailing the Inside Passage from Seattle, I was impressed by the variety and quality of Alaska cruise food, especially when it came to gluten free options. The selection of Alaska cruise gluten free options exceeded my expectations, from freshly baked gluten free pizza crusts to Parmesan-crusted eggplant and daily gluten free muffins and toast. This post dives into everything I ate onboard, highlights standout dishes, and offers tips for enjoying delicious, safe meals on your Alaska cruise.
Alaska Cruise Food Dining Options
Understanding your dining options on a Princess Cruise is key to making the most of your experience. Princess Cruises offers a wide variety of restaurants, including elegant main dining rooms, casual eateries, buffets, specialty restaurants, and convenient room service. Depending on your onboard package (we chose the Premier package) you may enjoy unlimited access to both casual and specialty dining without restrictions. We preferred spending most of our time at the casual spots and specialty restaurants, where the variety and quality really stood out. However there isn’t a bad option on board.
Daily Alaska Cruise Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Highlights
Here’s a glimpse of what our typical day looked like for meals aboard the Royal Princess, from breakfast through dinner.
Breakfast
Breakfast aboard the Royal Princess was casual for us. While we tried the Allegro dining room one morning, most days we grabbed coffee and options from the International Café. Pro tip: get your coffee at the Gelato shop across the Piazza for the same great coffee but with a shorter line. My favorite was the Butter Pecan Latte, and it paired perfectly with gluten free muffins and yogurt parfaits. James loved his daily warmed egg muffin sandwiches (not gluten-free) and chia pudding.
Lunch
Lunch on the Royal Princess was a mix between Allegro (complimentary option) and Alfredo’s Pizzeria (casual dining option), with Alfredo’s quickly becoming a favorite thanks to their amazing gluten free pizza. I couldn’t get enough of the Cal Italia Pizza which was loaded with Prosciutto di Parma, sweet fig preserves, asiago, gorgonzola, mozzarella, parmigiano reggiano, and a balsamic reduction, and it paired perfectly with a glass of Whispering Angel Rosé. James, who isn’t gluten free, declared the Tiramisu here his favorite dessert on the entire ship. The only meal we didn’t eat aboard the ship was at the Alaska King Crab Company in Ketchikan where we enjoyed fresh Alaskan King Crab!
Dinner
Dinner was definitely the highlight of our days, with three evenings spent at the complimentary Allegro, three at Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria (speciality dining), and one at the Crown Grill (speciality dining). Tip: make your reservations in advance on the app!
Allegro
The highlights at Allegro were the dishes featuring local Alaskan seafood. I especially loved the Wild Alaskan Salmon appetizer and the rich crab corn chowder soup. For entrees, I enjoyed the pork chop with chutney, fresh halibut, and the surf and turf with beef tenderloin and lobster.
Crown Grill
We managed to get a reservation at Crown Grill for just one night, and it’s tough to score a walk-in. During our dinner, the shrimp cocktail was my choice for appetizer, and the surf and turf featuring filet mignon and a 7oz lobster tail didn’t disappoint. I paired it with creamy red skin mashed potatoes and finished off with a delicious key lime pie bar for dessert.
Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria
Without a doubt, Sabatini’s was my favorite dining option on the ship, especially for its amazing gluten free choices. To start, they served gluten free toast with olive oil and balsamic, plus a risotto ball, and I always requested two! For my appetizer, the Fritto Misto alla Veneziana was a highlight featuring light and crispy Venetian-style fried shrimp and calamari, a rare and memorable treat for me. For the first dinner course, I enjoyed their gluten free spaghetti, followed by the parmigiana di melanzane which was breaded eggplant baked in marinara sauce with sharp Parmesan and mozzarella (need I say more?). On only one night did I save room for dessert, which was a flourless almond cake paired with limoncello mascarpone gelato, and of course a glass of limoncello to pair.
Alaska Cruise Gluten-Free Options: How to Navigate Dining Safely
Going on a Princess Cruise with a gluten free allergy was surprisingly easy and stress free. While I’m not celiac but gluten sensitive, I had no issues throughout the trip. The Princess app allows you to note food allergies, so when they scan your medallion, the staff is alerted. At every meal, servers asked if anyone had allergies, and whenever I requested gluten free options, the kitchen was quick to accommodate. There were a few dishes that couldn’t be modified, but those were reasonable exceptions and just hopeful wishes. My best tip: if the server doesn’t ask right away, be sure to mention your gluten free needs at the start and they’re always happy to help!
Specialty Restaurants & Must-Try Alaska Cruise Food Dishes
I debated between the Plus and Premier packages before splurging on Premier. After reading blogs and Reddit posts, I decided I wanted a stress-free cruise without worrying about what was included or not. The Premier package also gave us more devices for Wi-Fi, which was essential since we needed to work and rarely fully unplug. Onboard, we didn’t notice any limits on food or drinks. Since our favorite meals were mostly outside the complimentary options, we definitely felt we got our money’s worth. One important tip: to enjoy the full dining experience, book your specialty restaurant reservations as early as possible. I reserved dinners around 6–6:30 PM daily, which sometimes conflicted with excursion schedules and made lunch and dinner close together, but we prefer not to eat too late. Also, keep in mind that with Alaska’s extended daylight hours, your sense of time might get a little off!
Drinks & Desserts on an Alaska Cruise
The Vines Wine Bar quickly became our favorite evening hangout, thanks in large part to the friendly staff, Stephen and Adi. We enjoyed a mix of cocktails and wine, and with the Premier package, unlimited charcuterie boards made for perfect snacks throughout the cruise. The bartenders rarely missed a beat with any cocktail requests, but if you’re looking for a fun, creative drink menu, Sabatini’s specialty cocktails that had a twist on classic Italian drinks were the highlight.
I don’t have a huge sweet tooth, so I often pass on dessert, but I did enjoy a scoop or two of praline pecan and coffee gelato during the trip. For those with a bigger sweet tooth, the cruise offers endless options, from pastries and ice cream to sundaes and layered cakes. While not all are gluten free, there’s always something to satisfy your sweet cravings at literally any time of day.
What Surprised Me Most About Alaska Cruise Food
I was amazed by the variety of gluten free options available, far beyond just store-bought pizza crusts and salads. Even when I chose salads or veggies with the charcuterie board, I was pleasantly surprised by how fresh everything tasted. And to top it off, finding fried calamari in the middle of the ocean was a rare treat for me and one of only a few places I’ve enjoyed it. I had no complaints.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alaska Cruise Food
Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions I encountered about our trip!
- Is Food Included on an Alaska Cruise? Yes! Your cruise fare covers plenty of complimentary dining options, plus you can choose to upgrade for specialty restaurants and premium meals if you want an elevated experience.
- What Dining Options Are Available on an Alaska Cruise Ship? Alaska cruises offer a wide variety of dining options from casual buffets and quick snacks to elegant sit-down restaurants and convenient room service.
- Can Cruise Ships Accommodate Gluten Free and Other Dietary Restrictions? Yes! Gluten free options are widely available and easily accommodated on Princess Alaska cruises. Menus often include vegetarian and other special diet choices, and you can note your dietary needs in the cruise line’s app to ensure your meals are prepared accordingly.
- Are Specialty Restaurants Worth the Extra Cost? In my experience, yes! We enjoyed more unique menu options and quicker service thanks to smaller crowds. While the main dining rooms were enjoyable, the specialty restaurants quickly became our go-to when reservations were available.
- Can You Eat Whenever You Want on an Alaska Cruise? Yes! Most dining options are available throughout the day, though choices become more limited after 9:00 PM. Still, you can always find something to eat no matter the time.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac)
If you happen to be flying out of SEA Airport and are in Gates A or B, I highly recommend stopping at Floret. It’s a vegetarian restaurant with plenty of gluten free options, making it a perfect choice for travelers with dietary needs. James was a little hesitant when I told him it was vegetarian, but we both ended up loving the flavor. From the dine-in menu, we split the spinach and artichoke dip with homemade chips, and both ordered the black bean burger (mine on a gluten free bun) and the flavors were amazing (chef’s kiss to the aioli). Floret also has a fantastic cocktail menu, the lemon drop was hands-down the best I’ve ever had. Highly recommend for my gluten free friends and any foodies who appreciate great taste before a flight.
Final Thoughts on Alaska Cruise Food and Dining Experience
Whether you’re sailing with Princess Cruises or another line, Alaska cruise food offers a delicious variety of options, including excellent gluten free accommodations that make dining onboard enjoyable and stress-free. From fresh local seafood to specialty restaurants and casual dining spots, there’s something to satisfy every palate while cruising through Alaska’s breathtaking scenery.
Safe Travels, Jacki
For more information on Alaska cruising, be sure to check out my other detailed blog posts below covering itineraries, packing tips, and must-see excursions.
🛳️ My Royal Princess 7-Day Alaska Cruise Itinerary (2025): What to Do in Every Port + FAQ’s
🧳 My Alaska Cruise Packing List (& What I Wish I Brought)
🛤️ Top Princess Alaska Cruise Shore Excursions & Essential Travel Tips for Your Trip