Midnight buffets

[KristyM79]

I just got off the FOS a few weeks ago and was just thinking there wasn't a midnight buffet. I'm usually not up that late anymore, and by no means hungry, but was curious when they stopped doing it.

Edited September 1, 2014 by KristyM79
grammar edit

[Clarea]

I just got off the FOS a few weeks ago and was just thinking there wasn't a midnight buffet. I'm usually not up that late anymore, and by no means am not hungry, but was curious when they stopped doing it.

Last traditional midnight buffet in the MDR we saw was in 2007.

 

Some ships still do a poolside late night buffet, once per cruise.

Edited September 1, 2014 by clarea

[KristyM79]

Thanks! FOS did have the poolside party, but we didn't go. The last one I recall is 2008 on the Jewel.

[kmcphee26]

Last traditional midnight buffet in the MDR we saw was in 2007.

 

Some ships still do a poolside late night buffet, once per cruise.

 

Yup- we had one poolside on the Jewel last year. But it wasn't billed so much as a "midnight buffet"... they referred to it more as a deck party that happened to have buffet-style food available. Other than that I haven't seen one in the last 6 years or so.

[poolreader]

When the Midnight Buffet first stopped I asked why and was told that cruise line had done an experiment to find out how much food was actually eaten. They weighed the food as it went out to the buffet. Then after it was over they collected all the left over food from the buffet and weighed what had not been taken. Finally, they gathered all the leftover food around the ship, from tables inside and outside, and from the hallways where people had taken it to their rooms. They allowed for left over room service and did not add this weight to their total. I can not remember the exact number, but it was around 70% by weight not eaten.

So the food cost, preparation, clean up, etc., was not worth it to the cruise line. They opted for the theme party at night with food, which because of the limited menu was much cheaper, and created a great deal less waste.

[cb at sea]

It's been forever since they did the midnight buffets!!!

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

Have never experienced a "traditional" midnight buffet, but on the Radiance at the beginning of June there was a late night (around 11) chocolate/dessert buffet in the Windjammer. There was tons of desserts (cakes/puddings/brownies/cupcakes) and there were several ice sculptures also.

 

Here's a pic:

 

[trev71]

The last midnight buffett I remember was on the pool deck on the Liberty in 2011 on our 7 day cruise.

[LMaxwell]

The last midnight buffett I remember was on the pool deck on the Liberty in 2011 on our 7 day cruise.

 

Those pool deck late night buffets don't hold a candle to the real Midnight Buffets. Have not seen them this decade. Last time I saw one was 2005? I did not cruise in 2006-2009 though, so they may have been around.

[dancinman66]

Pity they're not happening any more

Loved em :)

 

 

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[biomedbob]

We use to frequent these buffets, if not to eat, but take some pictures. You could enter early for pics, then come back around to eat.

 

Lately, because of our advanced age......did not know what time they were held. :mad:

[Beyond The Sea 03]

There was a midnight chocolate buffet on Jewel of the seas in 2011. Was fun, but totally unnecessary- my family predictably overindulged on chocolate. :)

[cjm06]

The chocolate ones are they every night or just on a certain night

[Clarea]

The chocolate ones are they every night or just on a certain night

Varies by ship, but I don't think any ship has them every night anymore. Check the Cruise Compass (daily schedule).

[CRUISEBOY305]

Majesty had the midnight buffets on every cruise I was on, then the last time I came on just a few weeks ago they stopped doing the buffet. I never participated in them but it was always nice seeing the displays.

[alfaeric]

I always thought that they were very wasteful. So much food and effort just to have so much of it just thrown away.

[Cookiecookie]

Radiance still doing the chocolate buffet last week. It was in the Windjammer on the Wednesday at around 10.30pm.

[ERIE 13]

I loved those midnight buffets. The way the food was prepared and the derests and the Ice sculptures were amazing. Loved taking pictures of them.

[Beyond The Sea 03]

The chocolate ones are they every night or just on a certain night

 

I've cruised 4 two week cruises with RCI & there was only a chocolate buffet on one night of the eight weeks.

[smoosh21]

Those pool deck late night buffets don't hold a candle to the real Midnight Buffets. Have not seen them this decade. Last time I saw one was 2005? I did not cruise in 2006-2009 though, so they may have been around.

 

The last really big one I experienced was in 2005 on HAL where they had their chocolate extravaganza buffet. Desserts were the focus, but there was also lots of regular food out.

However, while nice, it really was a waste and I would rather see them spend the money in other places

[cjm06]

thanks I will keep an eye out in the campus I will enjoy taking pitchers but my husband is a chocolate addict so he should enjoy the food:D

[shofer]

DH & I always went to the Midnight Buffet just for pictures, having late seating we were always too full to eat anything else. Except on one cruise where we boarded in San Juan and had open seating for dinner so we ate much earlier.

 

After the last show and the casino, I suggested we just go upstairs just to "see" it. It was Italian night and with a few whiffs of garlic, the next thing we knew, we were standing in line with a plate in our hands! This was the one and only time we "snacked" at the Midnight Buffet.

 

Sue

[Richjoxyz]

On Holland America they serve the midnight buffet at 4:00 PM!:D