What is a Royal Kummelweck sandwich at Royal Caribbean?

Royal Caribbean fans love the cruise line for its huge ships filled with top attractions and games, but did you know that they also welcome you with a cheap sandwich?

It’s not new, but the Royal Kummelweck beef sandwich has become such a staple on Royal Caribbean cruises that it’s a hot topic of conversation all over YouTube, TikTok and Facebook. Many riders look forward to enjoying one so much that it is one of the first things they eat on the day of the ride.

Royal Caribbean introduced the sandwich in 2009 when the line’s Oasis Class debuted on Oasis of the Seas. Fifteen years and several ships later, this freshly made finger food is now readily available and continues to be a traveler favorite.

Here’s what you need to know about this delicious dish.

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What is Royal Kummelweck on a Royal Caribbean cruise?

The Royal Kummelweck is a beefy take on Royal Caribbean’s weck sandwich. Readers familiar with the Buffalo area of ​​New York know that it stands for beef on a kummelweck roll.

“The word is long, and it’s not easy,” said Fritz Halbedl, Royal Caribbean’s food and beverage quality assurance coordinator, in a YouTube video the line produced to highlight the sandwich. “‘Kummel’ stands for caraway, and ‘weck’ is a roll. It’s a combination between a European and an American roll, meaning a sponge inside and a crusty outside.”

What is the recipe for Royal Kummelweck?

The Royal kummelweck recipe starts with rolls sprinkled with caraway seeds and salt. Inside are slices of ground beef, usually on the rare side, topped with jus and a choice of horseradish, mustard or both. (I went with both and didn’t regret it one bit.) When the ingredients are combined, the taste is amazing.

Royal Caribbean exclusively uses New York strip loin, which the chefs rub with Royal Caribbean’s signature (and secret) spice blend, along with rosemary and thyme. Then, the beef cooks in special ovens for 12 to 14 hours at 250 degrees before appearing in the carving stations.

I recently tried a sandwich for the first time while aboard the Utopia of the Seas and found myself in need of a quick lunch. I’m not a big fan of red meat, but I loaded it up with all the sauces and found the experience delicious and delightfully messy.

The chef at the ship’s Park Cafe, located in the leafy Central Park aboard the Oasis Class and Icon Class ships, told me he estimates he serves 100 sandwiches a day. After the experience I’ve had, I’m surprised it’s not a higher number.

How much does a Royal Kummelweck sandwich cost?

The Royal Kummelweck sandwich is free on Royal Caribbean ships – so eat it!

Where can you find Royal Kummelweck?

This Royal Caribbean version of beef on weck is available at Park Cafe on Oasis Class ships and Cafe @ Two70 on Quantum Class ships.

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