Each ship has a big restaurant, which can accommodate all the passengers on board the ship. So, there are no shifts on board the ship. Passengers are arranged at appointed tables, which are planned by travel group according to the nationality,flavor, religion and culture. Usually, there are ten persons in one table. Sometimes, there are three to five persons at one table, which depend on the number of the total passengers. There are many collective activities such as shore excursions and they have fixed schedules, so the meal schedules are fixed, too. It takes 1-2 hours to have a buffet and one hour for delivered-to-table meals. You may give advanced notice if you are a patient, or Moslem, or Buddhist. Diet, vegetarian, low sugar and low salt food are also available.

Some cruise ships offer free tea, local beer and drinks during meals, with certain quantity. You can order other drinks or wines yourself.,but they are charged for an extra fee.