Review of Jamie's Italian on Royal Caribbean including Menu and Prices
When it comes to dining on a cruise, experiencing delicious food is a big part of the journey. Royal Caribbean offers a renowned restaurant chain called Jamie's Italian, created by famous chef Jamie Oliver. Known for its authentic Italian cuisine and lively atmosphere, Jamie's Italian is a popular choice for food lovers. In this article, we'll share our personal experience dining at Jamie's Italian on the Symphony of the Seas cruise ship. We'll explore the ambiance, menu options, and overall dining experience to see if Jamie's Italian lives up to its reputation as a fantastic dining spot at sea.
Jamie's Italian on Royal Caribbean is a restaurant chain created by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver. It offers guests the opportunity to savor authentic Italian cuisine while cruising with Royal Caribbean.
Jamie’s Italian on Royal Caribbean Menu:
At Jamie's Italian on Royal Caribbean, guests can enjoy a three-course menu with a variety of delicious options. The menu is divided into starters, pasta and risotto, and main courses. Some standout dishes include Tuscan bean and Single Estate Italian olive oil bruschetta, tomato and mozzarella risotto rice balls, and a selection of cured meats. Pasta lovers can savor the truffle tagliatelle and prawn linguine, while the grilled garlic and rosemary chicken, slow-cooked pork belly, and Jamie's famous Italian burger made with chuck and flank steak, smoked mozzarella, balsamic onions, tomato, pickles, and chilies are all enticing choices for main courses.
View the Jamie’s Italian Menu (PDF)
Cost of Jamie's Italian:
Jamie's Italian charges $54 USD per person for dinner, with an additional 20% gratuity, and $24 USD plus 20% gratuity for lunch. These prices represent a significant increase from pre-pandemic rates. Prices may vary among different Royal Caribbean ships. The cost includes unlimited starters, one entree, and unlimited desserts. The Royal Caribbean dining package can be used at Jamie's Italian.
Dress Code of Jamie's Italian:
No specific dress code is enforced at Jamie's Italian.
Enjoying Dinner at Jamie’s Italian in 2023
Royal Caribbean Ships Featuring Jamie's Italian:
You can find Jamie’s Italian on; Harmony of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas and Spectrum of the Seas.
Our Dining Experience:
On our 2023 cruise aboard Symphony of the Seas, we decided to make a reservation at Jamie's Italian. This restaurant is situated in a prime location overlooking Central Park and offers both indoor and outdoor seating options. The ambiance of Jamie's Italian is a blend of rustic and modern elements, creating a relaxed and casual atmosphere that is not overly formal or fancy.
Central Park on Symphony of the Seas
Photo: Cruise with Ben and David
Upon arrival, we were informed of a wait due to a busy kitchen. The only available table was outside in Central Park. Fortunately, the pleasant evening, coupled with the enchanting ambiance of live music and twinkling lights, made this location appealing.
Once seated, we encountered delays in the process of ordering food and drinks. It seemed that our server was overwhelmed by the bustling kitchen, resulting in a chaotic atmosphere. We ordered drinks but were informed of a considerable wait, suggesting that we might prefer going to the trellis bar ourselves.
For our beverages, we opted for the Very Berry mocktails priced at $5 USD. Unfortunately, the mocktails turned out to be disappointing. They tasted like hastily mixed cheap juices and lacked presentation, as they were served in ordinary glasses without any embellishments.
Ultimate Garlic Buns Photo: Cruise with Ben and David
Evaluating the food, our experience was a mix of highs and lows. To begin, we savored the truffle arancini balls, featuring a delightful crispy exterior complemented by a soft mushroom risotto center. The truffle flavor was strong, which may deter those with a dislike for it. Additionally, we ordered the Ultimate Garlic Buns, a soft bread soaked in garlic butter and sprinkled with parmesan cheese. The contrasting sweet bread and savory toppings delighted our taste buds.
However, we faced disappointment when the famous meat platter, highly recommended by our waiter, never arrived. We informed our waiter twice about the missing dish, but it failed to materialize by the end of our meal.
Creamy Prawn Linguine Photo: Cruise with Ben and David
Moving on to the main courses, the Creamy Prawn Linguine stood out with its flavorful combination of garlicky prawns and deliciously creamy sauce infused with a hint of smokiness. However, the portion size was extremely small, especially for a specialty venue, leaving much to be desired.
Penne Carbonara Photo: Cruise with Ben and David
We also tried the Penne Carbonara, which turned out dry, cold, and had a chewy texture. The accompanying side dishes were similarly cold and lacked flavor.
Epic Brownie Photo: Cruise with Ben and David
As for desserts, the Epic Brownie impressed with its rich flavor and dense texture. However, the portion size was far from left us yearning for more, as it was unusually small. On the other hand, the Pavlova shone with its zesty flavors harmonizing with the sweet, creamy filling and fresh fruit.
Pavlova Photo: Cruise with Ben and David
Is Jamie's Italian Worth It?
In our opinion, Jamie's Italian falls short of expectations and does not justify the experience.
Conclusion:
While Jamie's Italian boasts an appealing atmosphere and a menu with promising offerings, our dining experience aboard Symphony of the Seas left us with mixed feelings. The chaotic service, lengthy wait times, and missing dishes were notable drawbacks. Although some dishes, like the truffle arancini balls and the Creamy Prawn Linguine, impressed with their flavors, others fell short in terms of taste, portion size, and temperature. Considering the overall experience, we find it difficult to recommend Jamie's Italian as a worthwhile dining option on Royal Caribbean.
