Princess Cruises offers a range of specialty dining venues beyond the main dining rooms, and two of the most popular are Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria and Crown Grill. But when you’re limited to just one night, which is worth it? This article dives into Sabatini’s vs Crown Grill, highlights the differences in style and cuisine, and presents details from the Princess Sabatini’s Menu so you can pick your favorite spot.

Specialty Dining on Princess: Where Sabatini’s & Crown Grill Fit In

First, a bit of context. Princess Cruises classifies these restaurants under its Specialty Dining category, meaning they carry additional cover charges beyond the included meals in the main dining room.

As described on Princess’s site, the Crown Grill is their “timeless American steakhouse” featuring hand-cut steaks and seafood, while Sabatini’s is their signature Italian trattoria offering handcrafted pasta, slow-braised meats, and traditional Italian flavors.

So, when comparing Sabatini’s vs Crown Grill, you’re really choosing between an Italian restaurant and a steakhouse—both elevated, both with premium ingredients, but different in style.

What to Expect: Ambience & Experience

Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria

• Intimate, warm, and cozy in design, invoking an Italian trattoria feel.
• Emphasis on pasta, regional Italian dishes, and Mediterranean flavors.
• On recent updates, Sabatini’s menus are inspired by Frescobaldi wines and Italian tradition, blending old family recipes with modern touches.
• Some guest reports mention that portions can be generous, and selection is broad.

Crown Grill

• More formal steakhouse setting—dark woods, open kitchen or grill theater, and a “steakhouse ambiance.”
• Focused on premium beef cuts (e.g. USDA Black Angus, bone-in ribeye) and surf-and-turf combinations.
• Offers a “salt menu” (i.e., finishing salts) to enhance flavor.
• Because it’s a steakhouse, some guests say Crown Grill is harder to get reservations, given limited capacity and high demand.

In forums, cruisers often debate Sabatini’s vs Crown Grill. Some prefer Sabatini’s for its variety and atmosphere, while others favor Crown Grill for its steaks and consistency. One user remarked:

“They are both excellent. Sabatini’s has a new menu and it’s so good. The filet in the Crown Grill is the best. It’s harder to get into the Crown Grill.”

Thus, your choice may depend on whether you prefer Italian cuisine or a steakhouse.

Princess Sabatini’s Menu: Sample Dishes & Cover Charges

To help you decide, here’s a dive into the Princess Sabatini’s Menu and what you might expect to eat there.

Sample Menu Highlights

From a Princess PDF menu, here are some of the offerings:

Antipasti & Starters

• Arancini al Tartufo – Sicilian fried rice balls with truffle and mozzarella, with marinara sauce
• Chef’s Version Panzanella – Grilled shrimp, croutons, heirloom tomatoes, basil, olives
• Vitello Tonnato – Roasted veal with tuna-capers emulsion
• Burrata Caprese, flatbread with vegetables, mixed salumi & cheese plates

Soups & Salads / First Courses

• Ribollita (Tuscan vegetable soup)
• Fresh pasta options, such as linguine, carbonara, etc. (varied by sailing)

Main Courses (Secondi Piatti)

• Bistecca Toscana – strip steak with garlic and rosemary
• Lombata di Vitello al Forno – roasted veal rack, mushroom ragout, Barolo glaze
• Seafood stew (Cozze & Gamberi) in tomato-wine broth
• Porcini Mushroom Risotto
• Fritto Misto alla Veneziana – fried shrimp and calamari with polenta & marinara
• Lasagna, Pappardelle alla Bolognese, tortello di ricotta, etc.

Cover Charge & Extras

• The “Frescobaldi-inspired” menu lists a cover charge of $55 per person (including one selection from each course); additional pasta or main courses may be $15 each.
• On some older or alternate menus, a cover charge of $35 is quoted.
• Menu items are subject to change depending on ship, itinerary, and season.

Thus, the Princess Sabatini’s Menu offers a wide variety of pasta, seafood, meat, and Italian-style items in a multi-course format. If you love varied Italian dining, it’s a great choice.

Sabatini’s vs Crown Grill: Pros, Cons & Which to Pick

To summarize Sabatini’s vs Crown Grill on Princess Cruises, here’s a comparative breakdown:

If you only have one specialty dinner to pick, go with the cuisine you prefer: Italian (Sabatini’s) or steakhouse (Crown Grill). For groups with varied tastes, Sabatini’s often offers broader options, while Crown Grill delivers a narrower but refined steakhouse experience.

Tips to Maximize Your Specialty Dining Experience

• Make reservations early: For both venues, reservations open early onboard. Crown Grill often fills faster.
• Check which menu applies: New “Frescobaldi-inspired” Sabatini’s menu with $55 cover may apply depending on ship and itinerary.
• Skip the bread & antipasti if you want room: Sabatini’s portions are generous.
• Ask for sharing portions: Some dishes at Crown Grill (surf & turf, sides) are easier to share.
• Review menus ahead: Compare current menus (often PDF) to see what appeals to you before booking.

Sample Guest Impressions & Feedback

Cruise forums and message boards offer personal takeaways on Sabatini’s vs Crown Grill:

• Some guests love the new Sabatini’s menu, calling it “so good.”
• Others praise the steak quality at Crown Grill, especially the filet, but note its restricted availability.
• On Reddit, some say Sabatini’s has hit or miss elements—like rice balls being “meh,” but the chocolate desserts or osso buco praised.
• One commenter: “I love the lasagna bolognese. Burrata Caprese is a highlight. But sometimes seafood items are less consistent.”

These opinions show there’s no perfect choice, but your decision can align with your preferences.

Choosing for Your Cruise: What Should You Pick?

To decide between Sabatini’s vs Crown Grill, here’s a decision framework:

1. What cuisine do you prefer?

• If Italian, pasta, rich sauces, seafood, then Sabatini’s likely wins.
• If steak, beef cuts, grilled flavors, go for Crown Grill.

• Sabatini’s broader menu serves mixed groups better.
• Crown Grill’s narrower steak focus may disappoint non-meat lovers.

• If you plan far ahead, you may get Crown Grill reservations.
• If booking later, Sabatini’s often has more open slots.

• For culinary variety and Italian ambiance, pick Sabatini’s.
• For a special steakhouse night, pick Crown Grill.

• Compare the current cover charges for your ship; sometimes the difference is minimal.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to Sabatini’s vs Crown Grill on Princess Cruises, there is no universal “best” — only the best for your tastes. Sabatini’s is ideal for lovers of Italian food, crave variety, and sharing plates. Crown Grill is perfect for meat and steak enthusiasts wanting a premium steakhouse vibe.

And if you’re curious about the Princess Sabatini’s Menu, this blog gives you a taste (figuratively and literally) of what to expect—handmade pasta, rich sauces, seafood, veal, risotto, and more, under a multi-course dining format with recent “Frescobaldi-inspired” enhancements.