Key Aspects:
- A cruise guest who just boarded Allure of the Seas on August 21 was upset to find that the Solarium Bistro buffet would be closed for most, if not all, of their sailing.
- The popular dining venue is being utilized by Fresh Kosher Cruises, which requires kosher meals for the members of its current group cruise.
- The disappointed cruiser felt prior notice of the closure should have been given, but Royal Caribbean is not required to do this.
When you’re looking forward to dining at a specific restaurant or craving a specific meal, few things are more disappointing than finding out it won’t happen.
Unfortunately, this was the unpleasant surprise waiting for passengers who boarded Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas in Rome, Italy, on August 21, 2025.
Guests who were looking forward to eating at the Solarium Bistro Deck 15 were disappointed to learn that the buffet-style restaurant would be closed for at least several days for a private group.
“Just boarded Allure of the Seas from Rome. The Solarium Bistro is closed for the entire cruise for a private function,” one of the up to 5,484 passengers vented on Reddit.
Allegedly, the Mediterranean-themed restaurant has been reserved by Fresh Kosher Cruises, which embarked on a group cruise on August 17 and will be onboard until the Oasis-class ship returns to Barcelona, Spain, on August 24.
This is likely the cruise line’s way of accommodating the group’s strict dietary restrictions, because as the name suggests, the participants must keep kosher.
This means that in addition to using kosher ingredients, meals must be prepared in a kosher kitchen that only uses kosher utensils and appliances to avoid cross-contamination with non-kosher foods.
The ship is operating multiple itineraries simultaneously, so there is a good chance the restaurant will reopen for the second half of the poster’s sailing, which disembarks in Rome on August 28.
In the meantime, the guest will have to make do with more than two dozen restaurants onboard, many of which are included in the cruise fare.
The main dining room, Park Cafe, Cafe Promenade, Dog House, Coastal Kitchen, El Loco Fresh, Sorrento’s, and the Windjammer Buffet are all free of charge.
Should Royal Caribbean Give Advance Notice?
This cruise guest wasn’t just upset that the restaurant was closed, but also that Royal Caribbean did not give advance notice when they surely knew of the reservation ahead of time.
Royal Caribbean welcomes Fresh Kosher Cruises onboard its ships several times each year, so this isn’t exactly a surprise from the cruise line’s perspective.
“I was hoping to have all breakfasts and dinners there as we are without our kids and wanted to avoid the Windjammer. Wish RC would have let us know in advance that the only adult only area was closed, as we would have picked a different sailing,” they complained.
As one point of clarification, the Solarium Bistro is actually family friendly. The guest is confusing the venue with the Solarium, which is an adults only indoor-outdoor retreat.
That said, the Solarium Bistro is a smaller restaurant that is known for being quieter, less crowded, and for serving healthier options since it sticks to a more limited Mediterranean-inspired menu.
Read Also: Oasis of the Seas Dining Guide: Different Options and Dishes
Other cruise fans largely agreed with the posting passenger that they would be upset to learn the Solarium Bistro was closed without advance notice, and sometimes even book sailings with the specific venue in mind.
“While I think that people with dietary restrictions deserve to cruise, removing a venue for an entire sailing should be disclosed. For my latest sailing, I specifically checked that the solarium bistro was available for reservations before final payment,” one cruiser said.
“Having a group rent out a venue for one evening or meal is one thing. Having a venue closed out for the entire sailing (especially a popular venue) would make me really annoyed,” another echoed.
Worth Reading: Royal Caribbean Offers Six Kosher Sailings for 2025 Yeshiva Week
However, Royal Caribbean is allowed to close portions of the ship without notice for a variety of reasons without giving prior notice, such as operational needs, mechanical issues, or safety.
This is one of the common terms and conditions that cruise guests agree to when they book their sailing, both with Royal Caribbean and the other mainstream brands.
With no shortage of other eateries onboard, it’s not like anyone will be going hungry either.
