Independence of the Seas dining guide: Fish & Ships, Giovanni’s and free food
Plan Independence of the Seas meals with Fish & Ships, Giovanni’s Table, Chops, Izumi, included dining and a practical specialty-food budget.
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Independence of the Seas includes the Main Dining Room, Windjammer, Café Promenade food and Sorrento's pizza. Specialty dinners and casual purchases at places such as Playmakers and Johnny Rockets add to the fare. At Fish & Ships, check which items on the current menu carry a charge.
For a reserved dinner, compare Chops, Giovanni's Table and Izumi's Japanese dining options. This guide covers their formats alongside the ship's included meals and poolside food.
What matters for your decision
- Fish & Ships is on Independence, but verify the charge beside each item on the current menu.
- The ship lists Giovanni’s Table, Chops Grille and Izumi Hibachi & Sushi as its main specialty choices.
- Do not import Coastal Kitchen or an Icon-class food hall into an Independence dining plan.
Which restaurants are included on Independence of the Seas?
The Main Dining Room and Windjammer are the foundation for full meals. Café Promenade and Sorrento’s help when a sandwich, snack or pizza slice is sufficient. Fish & Ships has had item-level differences in what is included, and Royal’s current marketing categorizes the venue separately; ask for the current menu before treating the whole counter as complimentary or paid.
| Venue | Food and occasion | Cost / access |
|---|---|---|
| Main Dining Room | Served dinner and scheduled daytime service | Included base menu |
| Windjammer | Buffet meals | Included |
| Café Promenade | Sandwiches and snacks | Included food; specialty drinks separate |
| Sorrento’s | Pizza by the slice | Included |
| Fish & Ships | Poolside fish-and-chip-style food | Confirm included items and supplements |
| Giovanni’s Table | Italian meal | Extra charge |
| Chops Grille | Steakhouse | Extra charge |
| Izumi Hibachi & Sushi | Japanese dining and grill experience | Extra charge |
| Playmakers | Sports-bar food and game setting | Extra charge |
| Johnny Rockets | Burgers and diner food | Extra charge |
| Chef’s Table | Hosted multi-course experience | Separate paid booking |
| Sugar Beach | Sweets and ice cream treats | Extra charge |
Fish & Ships by the pool and Italian dinner at Giovanni's
Fish & Ships is a poolside counter. Royal's sample menu shows cod with mushy peas, fried shrimp and calamari among the food styles. That older sample is not a current price list for Independence. Use the onboard menu to distinguish included choices from supplements.
Playmakers serves sports-bar food in a setting built around games and screens. Check whether the match you want will be shown before planning your meal there. Café Promenade and Sorrento's provide included alternatives when you simply want a snack.
Giovanni's Table offers Italian dishes such as pasta with pancetta and grilled lamb chops, alongside sharing starters. Use its menu for your sailing when checking children's choices or dietary alternatives. Giovanni's Italian Kitchen on other ships has a different menu.
Choose Chops, Giovanni's or Izumi for a reserved dinner
If one person is celebrating and wants a conventional steakhouse evening, start with Chops. For a group that enjoys Italian food and a longer shared dinner, inspect Giovanni’s Table. Izumi’s hibachi format is a useful meal-and-entertainment option, but confirm whether you are booking the grill or sushi dining and check how any package applies to that choice.
The Main Dining Room's changing menus and the included daytime venues can cover the cruise without specialty reservations. If you want to add a meal, compare its individual price with the dining package and the number of dinners you intend to use.
Independence lunch stops and evening reservations
On embarkation day, check the posted lunch venues rather than assuming every counter opens immediately. If you want to use the pool, locate Fish & Ships and its menu at the start of the afternoon, while keeping Windjammer as an alternative when open. For evenings with a show, leave a comfortable margin after specialty dining so the meal does not become a race.
On a short sailing, count the dinners you want before purchasing a package. Check cancellation deadlines for reserved meals and keep an included option in mind when a port return or activity changes the day's timing.
Your decision checklist
- Read Fish & Ships item prices before ordering.
- Confirm whether your Izumi reservation covers sushi or the grill experience.
Questions travelers ask
Can I eat on Independence of the Seas without paying for specialty restaurants?
Yes. The Main Dining Room, Windjammer, Café Promenade food and Sorrento’s provide an included-food plan. Check Fish & Ships at item level, and expect separate charges at the ship’s specialty restaurants and paid snack venues.
Which Independence of the Seas restaurant should I book first?
Choose Chops for a steakhouse celebration, Giovanni’s Table for Italian dining or Izumi hibachi for a more interactive meal. Reserve the format the group wants rather than buying a package first.
Should I assume every Fish & Ships item is included?
No. Inspect the current menu for included choices and separately charged selections. A venue can offer an included meal while still selling premium items.
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.
- Royal Caribbean: Independence onboard experiencesVerified ship dining roster.
- Royal Caribbean: Fish & ShipsVenue and item-level menu check; no blanket free-food claim.
- Royal Caribbean: Giovanni's TableCorrect Italian concept for Independence.
- Royal Caribbean: Onboard dining optionsRoyal Caribbean's overview of included dining, specialty restaurants and other onboard dining experiences.
- Fish & Ships sample menuOlder dish examples only; not used as a current Independence price or inclusion list.