stupid question
 

Is ALL food included in all of the major cruiselines (HAL, Celebrity, Princess, Regent)? When I get quotes from agents, some say includes some complementary beverages and dinner in certain restaurants but are silent otherwise. I've never been on a cruise before and my understanding is that generally food is included, but are there are certain things that typically require a supplement (say, at certain restaurants, for example, or for certain drinks or even water)?

Second dumb question: what is the deal with "seatings"? Does that mean that you have to commit in advance to what time you want to eat each day? How far in advance do you need to book these, and if you change your mind, what happens?

You will find far more info on cruisecritic.com than you will here.

Yes, some lines have fixed seating times and table for dinner. Celebrity only has this option, Princess and HAL lets you choose between fixed and open dining, Regent has always offered open dining hours.

You book your seating when you book your cruise and it is often difficult to change based on what others have already confirmed. We prefer anytime dining and also like HAL (when we cannot afford Regent, our first choice).

You will pay extra for many things you might not expect on the mass market lines (all that you mention except for Regent). Specialty coffee (or just a decent cup of brewed on some lines), bottled water, extra charge food and restaurants, fitness center classes, saunas, soft drinks, even ice cream on some lines.

If you want an espresso after dinner, you will pay for it.

On any cruiseline it is possible to be over-stuffed with many food options without paying extra. As mentioned, only specialty restaurants, alcohol, sodas, bottled water, specialty coffees are extra.

On lines where you get a seating time that really is when you eat - but there is almost always another option (like buffet) if you want to eat early/late.

On my first cruise, only the late seating was opened (8 pm) so I didn't have a choice. It was easy to change to earlier seating, but I was by myself, probably this helped.

Yes, you need to commit in advance, but you can order room service (additional tips) if you miss it, or just lazy to get dressed :)

Yes, all food in included, and you can eat any time, but not anywhere. Every evening you'll receive a schedule of activities for the next day, there will be a list of restaurants with some having (additional charge) - so you can know in advance which are free, which are not.

Usually tea, coffee, some juices, water (not bottled) are free. Soda (coke) and alcohol are never free. You will give the bartender or waiter your room card and pay on the last night of the cruise, either cash or credit card.

In your post you included Regent which is not in the same class as Celebrity, Princess or HAL. Just want to clarify, on Regent all specialty restaurants, alcohol drinks, bottled water and specialty coffees drinks are included. Regent also has open seating so you don't need to chose early or late seating.

On many cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival, etc., you'll find that any sort of "bar" beverage (and that often includes sodas and soft drinks at meals) is/are extra.

Some lines have a "soda card" which gives you unlimited soft drinks for the length of the cruise for a set price paid up front.

Some so-called "premium" cruise lines include these as well as alcohol at meals and in staterooms...believe me, you pay for it eventually. Alcohol "sales" are one of the top revenue producers on cruises.