Royal Caribbean Adds New Chops Grille Brunch as Guests Compare the Price

Royal Caribbean has added brunch to Chops Grille, expanding the paid dining lineup at its signature steakhouse.

The new menu sits alongside the restaurant’s existing dinner and lower-priced lunch service, rather than replacing either one.

Early Cruise Planner pricing has put brunch at around $48 per adult before sailing, with onboard pricing reported higher on some sailings. Since specialty dining prices can vary by ship, date, and pre-cruise sale, passengers should check their own Cruise Planner for the exact cost.

The New Brunch Adds a Steakhouse Spin to a Daytime Meal

Chops Grille is best known as Royal Caribbean’s steakhouse, and the brunch menu reflects that.

Menu items include avocado toast, pancakes, waffles, steak and eggs with filet mignon, Royal Crab Benedict, short ribs, shrimp tortellini alfredo, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and desserts such as chocolate brownie and Cherries Jubilee.

The setup appears more structured than a quick breakfast stop. Bakery items are served at the table, while some starters and desserts are offered family-style, with extra servings available on request.

One specialty beverage is included. Extra drinks are charged separately unless covered by a purchased beverage package.

Chops Grille Lunch Has Not Been Removed

One of the biggest early questions was whether brunch would replace Chops Grille lunch.

Royal Caribbean has said it will not. Standard Chops lunch remains available separately.

That matters because Chops lunch has long appealed to passengers who want a specialty restaurant meal without paying dinner prices. It is usually offered on select days, often on sea days, and can cost much less than dinner or brunch.

For many cruisers, lunch remains one of the easier specialty dining purchases to justify. Brunch adds a more premium daytime alternative.

Pricing Is Where Most of the Discussion Starts

Much of the early reaction has focused on price.

Pre-cruise brunch pricing has been reported at about $47.99 per adult on some sailings, while onboard pricing has been seen around $60. By comparison, Chops lunch can be much lower, with some passengers seeing prices close to $21.99 or discounted further during Cruise Planner sales.

That gap explains the debate. The brunch menu is broader than a standard breakfast, but the higher price may give some passengers pause when complimentary daytime dining is already included in the cruise fare.

The Main Dining Room, Windjammer buffet, Café Promenade, Park Café, Sorrento’s Pizza, El Loco Fresh, and other ship-dependent venues all offer included lunch options. Chops provides a quieter setting and specialty service, but passengers will need to decide whether that justifies the added cost.

Dining Package Guests May Still See an Extra Charge

Guests with Royal Caribbean’s Unlimited Dining Package should also check the details before booking.

Lunch at specialty restaurants is often included under dining package rules when the restaurant is open for lunch. Chops Grille brunch, however, has been reported as a separate experience with an added surcharge.

Reports so far point to an extra charge of around $30 per person once onboard.

That may still appeal to passengers who want to try the menu without paying the full brunch price. However, package holders should not assume brunch works the same way as lunch.

The Menu Gives Royal Caribbean Another Brunch Option

Royal Caribbean already offers brunch in some forms, including occasional Main Dining Room brunches and Mason Jar brunch on select ships.

Adding the meal to Chops Grille gives the line a broader brunch footprint, especially on ships that don’t have Mason Jar.

It also makes use of specialty dining venues during the day, when they are typically less busy than at dinner.

The appeal will depend on what each passenger wants from the meal. A quieter sea day brunch with filet mignon and a specialty drink may feel worthwhile to some. Others may prefer the included dining options.

Final Word

For now, the key point is simple: Chops Grille brunch is separate from lunch.

Passengers who want the premium menu can book it, while those looking for a lower-priced Chops meal can still choose lunch when it is offered.

You Might Also Like…