Cruise steakhouses compared: Crown Grill, Chops, Cagney's and The Wake
Choose a cruise steakhouse by menu, total cost and occasion, with included versus paid dining and premium-cut supplements clearly separated.
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The best cruise steakhouse for you is the one whose menu, atmosphere and total bill fit the occasion. Princess’s Crown Grill, Royal Caribbean’s Chops Grille and NCL’s Cagney’s are useful paid-restaurant candidates; Virgin’s The Wake offers a steak-and-seafood experience within its included dining model, with premium-item exceptions.
Use the published menus to compare cuts, seafood alternatives and meal prices. Crown Grill, Chops and Cagney's generally involve a restaurant charge or package benefit; The Wake's standard meal is included in Virgin's fare. In each case, premium items can change the total.
What matters for your decision
- Compare the complete order, including supplements, drinks and service.
- A dining package may cover a standard meal while leaving premium cuts extra.
- Choose for the whole party; the non-steak eater’s menu matters too.
| Situation | Practical choice | Check before sailing |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional paid steakhouse evening | Princess Crown Grill | Ship price, service and premium items |
| Royal Caribbean special occasion | Chops Grille | Exact sailing’s menu and offer |
| NCL package meal | Cagney’s | Booked allowance and supplements |
| Included restaurant model for adults | Virgin The Wake | Treat Yourself items and reservations |
| One extra Carnival dinner | Ship’s steakhouse | Whole-party menu and total price |
Crown Grill: a clear choice for a traditional occasion
Princess’s Crown Grill page describes hand-cut steaks and seafood and currently distinguishes standard-ship pricing from Sun and Star Princess pricing. It lists $55 per adult on the standard arrangement and $60 on Sun and Star, before the applicable service charge, with a separate Australia price treatment. Confirm the price attached to your sailing.
The sample menu lists a 7-ounce filet, 14-ounce rib-eye and 11-ounce strip, plus seafood. It includes one main course and charges for additional mains. Its older service-charge note says 18%; the current restaurant page states 20%. Use the current price and terms attached to your sailing when budgeting.
Chops Grille: compare the actual reservation offer
Royal Caribbean’s Chops Grille page describes a prix-fixe steakhouse and highlights premium cuts. Its marketing photographs and general description do not establish that every ship offers the same butcher display, cut selection or price. Open the restaurant offer for your exact sailing before purchasing.
If both lunch and dinner are available, compare their menus rather than assuming lunch is the same experience for less. A shorter midday meal may be excellent value for someone who mainly wants steak; a celebratory evening may justify the dinner format. Keep the reservation away from a tightly timed excursion return so the occasion does not begin with a rush.
Cagney’s: useful with the right NCL allowance
NCL’s Cagney’s description identifies an American-style steakhouse with beef and seafood. The Free at Sea FAQ places steak restaurants in a paid cover-charge category and explains the dining benefit. A restaurant visit can be attractive when it uses a meal you already intended to purchase.
Read the Free at Sea dining guide to confirm your booked allowance. Allocate a meal to Cagney's if its menu appeals more than the other participating restaurants, and check charges for premium items before ordering.
The Wake: included dining with an important exception
Virgin’s dining page presents The Wake as its steak-and-seafood restaurant within the included dining lineup. The dining FAQ separately identifies extra-cost Treat Yourself items. Included restaurant access therefore does not mean every premium item or beverage is included.
This model can suit adults who want several restaurant occasions without buying separate standard dinner covers. It still requires planning: reserve desirable times and read the menu before assuming a particular steak is part of the included meal. Compare the total cruise fare with other lines plus the dinners you would buy, rather than calling one restaurant free in isolation.
Carnival: compare one special dinner with included alternatives
Carnival's steakhouse page describes an extra-cost dinner covering an appetizer, salad, main, side and dessert. Its menu includes beef and seafood. Confirm your ship's venue and price, then check the Carnival evening dress rules when choosing a night.
Share the menu with everyone before reserving, including companions who prefer seafood or vegetarian food. For children, check the menu price and whether the length of the meal suits them.
Budget for the dinner you intend to order
Add the cover, service charge, supplements, drinks and any package cost allocated to the visit. Compare that total with an included dinner and decide whether the menu and occasion justify the extra spending.
Our conditional picks are Crown Grill for a traditional paid steakhouse occasion, Chops for a Royal sailing with a suitable reservation offer, Cagney’s for a well-used NCL dining allowance, and The Wake for adults who prefer an included-restaurant model. Compare sailings on CruiseGem, then use the dining planning guide to check reservations and cancellation terms.
Your decision checklist
- Read the current ship menu
- Price the whole order
- Confirm package coverage
- Choose a night with enough time
Questions travelers ask
Which cruise line has the best steakhouse?
Choose by the menu and price for your sailing. Crown Grill and Chops suit a planned paid dinner, Cagney's can use an eligible NCL allowance, and The Wake includes its standard meal in Virgin's fare. Premium items and drinks can add charges.
Does a dining package cover every steak?
Not necessarily. Premium cuts, extra mains and other supplements can remain chargeable. Ask about the intended order before purchasing.
Is The Wake included on Virgin Voyages?
The standard restaurant experience is part of Virgin’s included dining model, but its FAQ identifies extra-cost premium items and other dining exceptions.
Official sources and further reading
Sources checked September 20, 2026. Explore the original policies, destination guidance and provider information behind this article. Each description explains what you will find at the source.
- Princess Crown GrillCurrent ship and market price distinctions.
- Princess Crown Grill sample menuMeal structure and supplement context; sample not a guarantee.
- Royal Chops GrilleVenue concept and prix-fixe classification.
- Norwegian Cruise Line: NCL Cagney’sRestaurant concept, not market pricing.
- Norwegian Cruise Line: NCL Free at Sea FAQDining cover and package context.
- Virgin diningThe Wake included-dining model.
- Virgin dining FAQPremium menu-item exception.
- Carnival steakhouseAdditional-cost venue comparator.