Secrets of the Cruise Main Dining Room
Jun 03, 2026
Published October 2024 | Updated June 2026
5 Secrets of the MDR: Maximize Your Cruise Dining
One thing that makes cruising special is the opportunity to enjoy restaurant-quality meals every evening in the Main Dining Room, or MDR. But did you know that there are five little-known "secrets" that can make this experience even more enjoyable?
What Is the Cruise Main Dining Room?
The Main Dining Room is the primary complimentary sit-down restaurant found on virtually every major cruise ship. Unlike the buffet, the MDR offers a multi-course dining experience with full table service, typically including an appetizer, soup or salad, an entree, and dessert, all included in your cruise fare at no additional charge. Meals are prepared to order and served at your table, making it a significant step up from the self-serve buffet in both quality and pace.
Most major cruise lines offer the MDR in two formats: traditional dining, where you are assigned a specific table, dining time, and wait staff for the entire sailing, and anytime or flexible dining, where you can show up whenever you like and be seated at an available table. Traditional dining works well for cruisers who enjoy building a rapport with the same wait staff each night, while flexible dining suits those who want to keep their evenings open. For a deeper look at choosing between these two styles, check out this post.
The MDR is also separate from the ship's specialty restaurants, which carry a per-person cover charge and are not included in the base fare. The MDR is always complimentary. Related: New to cruise terminology? This cruise lingo guide covers everything from MDR to tender ports and beyond.
- Always free: The MDR is included in your cruise fare with full table service and multi-course meals.
- Not just dinner: Most ships open the MDR for breakfast and lunch too. Check your cruise app for hours.
- Kids menu for adults: Any guest can order off the kids menu. Just ask if you do not see it.
- Mix and match freely: Swap sides between entrees or pull a side from the kids menu. No restrictions.
- Order extras: Multiple courses are usually welcome, though some lines now charge for premium extras. Ask first.
In This Guide
1. The MDR isn't Just for Dinner
I love the MDR, so I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the MDR isn't just for dinner. It's often open for breakfast, brunch and/or lunch. I somehow completely missed this fact until my fourth cruise. Oof! All cruise line apps differ, and sometimes this information isn't immediately visible, so you may need to dig around a bit to find details of MDR hours, but it's worth looking into, as (in my humble opinion) all MDR meals are superior to those from the buffet.
Pro Tip
MDR breakfast tends to be quieter and far less crowded than the buffet since most cruisers do not know it is available. Check the dining section of your cruise line's app for the hours, as they can be tucked away and easy to miss.
2. You Can Order Off the Kid's Menu
If you are, shall we say, a "selective eater" (as one myself, I won't use the insulting term "picky eater"), you'll be pleased to know that you are welcome to order off the kid's menu at any time. The kid's menu is sometimes not listed on the regular menu, and if you aren't traveling with children, your wait staff won't proactively give you one, so if you don't see it anywhere. Just ask! With this menu, you'll find basic and dependable kid-friendly standbys such as chicken tenders, pasta, burgers, mac and cheese, and burgers. I love mac and cheese, so even when I don't order from the kid's menu, I'll ask for a serving of mac and cheese on the side. Which brings me to our next secret...
3. You Can Mix and Match
Want the steak entree, but it comes with mashed potatoes, which you don't like? But darn it, the broccoli you love comes with a different entree, but one you don't want. No worries! In the MDR you can mix and match entrees and side items, and this includes asking for items from the kid's menu (the aforementioned mac and cheese, for example).
4. You Can Take Food "To Go"
While I love the MDR experience, it's not for everyone as it can feel "stuffy" and others may not like the lengthy process, as service can take 1.5-2 hours from start to finish. Or, perhaps you don't mind these things, but you had a long port day and you're just tired and don't feel like a prolonged dinner. Well... good news! You can order food to go. Wait staff will provide you with plate covers so you can take your food back to your stateroom. This is also helpful when you want to bring dessert back to your room, either because you're too full to eat it, or you want a second serving to enjoy later. Which brings us to my final secret...
5. You Can Order Extras
One of the most enjoyable aspects of the MDR is the opportunity to try new foods; sometimes exotic things such as beef tongue, squid, or escargot. But perhaps you aren't sure if you'll like it, and don't want to be left hungry. Or, maybe you had a long day and just brought an extra robust appetitive with you to dinner. No worries. You can order extras! Cruisers are welcome to order more than one appetizer, entree, and/or dessert, which is also helpful, as sometimes portions can be quite small. Some cruise lines are starting to crack down on extras, though. I recently sailed MSC, and they charged $5 for an extra entree. Some of the other lines, such as Carnival, still allow for complimentary seconds, but charge for thirds. Many of them charge for seconds of the more expensive entrees, such as lobster tail on elegant night. But when in doubt, just ask.
Now that you know these "secrets" of the MDR, make sure to consider and ask for them on your next cruise. And if you're curious about the differences between MDR dining times, such as whether to choose flexible or set dining, check out my post here.
MDR FAQ
What is the MDR on a cruise ship?
The MDR (Main Dining Room) is the primary complimentary sit-down restaurant on the ship. It offers multi-course meals with full table service, all included in your cruise fare at no additional charge.
Is the MDR open for breakfast and lunch?
Yes, most cruise lines open the MDR for all three meals, though hours and availability vary by ship and sailing. Check the dining section of your cruise line's app for the daily schedule, as the MDR hours can be easy to overlook.
Can adults order from the kids menu in the MDR?
Yes. Any guest can order off the kids menu at any time. If you do not see it listed, just ask your waiter. The kids menu is not always proactively offered to adults or to guests not traveling with children.
Can you order more than one entree in the MDR?
Usually yes, though policies vary by cruise line. Some lines now charge a small fee for additional entrees, particularly premium items. When in doubt, ask your waiter before ordering extras.
Can you take MDR food back to your stateroom?
Yes. Ask your waiter for plate covers and you can bring your meal back to your cabin. This also works well for dessert if you want to save it for later.
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