Buffet at dinner on NCL? Who has done?

[The Mister]

There's a related thread in the RCI subsection, but our next cruise is NCL, so I thought I'd ask here.

 

Who here has eaten at the NCL buffet for dinner? How much, if at all, does it differ from the selections at lunch? Do they put out some of the dinner selections available in the MDR?

 

As we're sailing on the Jewel, we'll be more interested in answers from those of you who have done this on Jewel class ships. However, I'm sure others will benefit from hearing about dinner-time buffets on NCL's other class ships as well.

 

Also, I know that the new menus and dining options are being rolled out across the fleet, so some of the information will be old. It would be nice to see responses from those who have sailed recently, but feel free to offer your opinion regardless. :)

 

We're asking because we have two very active kids, one of whom is special needs and won't sit at an MDR table for an hour and a half regardless, so we are making sure we understand our options.

 

Thank you!

Edited September 12, 2014 by The Mister

[rhinomike]

The buffet is fine for dinner. They usually have a carving station.

 

Some people prefer the buffet. We like to sit down for an hour and be served. It's more of an event. But in your situation I think the buffet is perfect. You will enjoy it.

[Solararc]

Have been on two (2) cruises with NCL and have never sat in the MDR yet, buffet was just what the doctor ordered for the DW and I, lots of selection, that differs from lunch plus a few repeats such as the bread and salads, may be a bit packed at times but it's great for in and out dining

 

 

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[buckirj1]

I have. I figure eating dinner at the buffet is one more component of the beauty of freestyle. There's a decent choice, the place is less frantic than at breakfast and lunch, and sometimes you just want something simple, where you can get in and out and get on with your evening.

[kba1988]

We were on the Jewel in 2012, and enjoyed the buffet for almost every meal. Dinner was pretty good with large, and different, selections each nite. You just might enjoy it too.:)

[deschoolie]

agree with the others. Have on occasion had dinner in the buffet; no fuss no muss. Selections are different from lunch. And extra benefit for you with two active kids is the extra variety (everyone will be able to find something that interests them) and also the ability to get items like pizza. Something for everyone, and no hour wasted waiting on your food order....

[HokiePoq]

I would do the same in your situation. Just too long on any line for MDR service and kids (at least mine, lol). Food is fine. You will probably miss some of the best selections from the MDR but you will always have an acceptable meal.

[Magickpyggie]

We are sailing on the Jewel on the 25th, maybe you could check out O'Sheehans too, might be easier and quicker than the MDR.

 

John and Joan

 

 

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[The Mister]

Thanks for the replies thus far. :) Yes, interestingly we're thinking of doing the "upside down" thing and being served for breakfast and/or lunch some days and buffet for dinner. That way we can avoid the biggest crowds.

 

As for the above comments about O'Sheehan's, yes, definitely. Our Jewel cabin is very close to O'S on Deck 8. Depending on the nightly specials that they've recently rolled out, I can see my DS9 really enjoying that on some nights, particularly fried chicken night. As long as it's not too disturbing for the other diners who may catch a glimpse of an uncoordinated autistic kid devouring drumsticks with chicken grease up to his elbows. At least it'll a short walk back to our shower from there. ;) "Don't touch ANYTHING 'til we get back, OK?"

 

He also loves sushi (as does the rest of the family), so we're determined to do the sushi bar at least once.

[roger001]

We buffet frequently. The Jewel has a good one.

[kcwingwalker]

Buffet on the Jewel is very good and great for families. I also noticed that La Cucina (Italian specialty) is low key, wonderful service and definitely kid friendly. The cost for adults is $15.00 per person and kids eat free from the childrens menu. The rib eye IMO is as good Cagney's.

[jaja]

The buffet is a fine alternative for you....! I think the food and variety is actually pretty good..:)

(and I have been known to have early dinner in the MDR and sneak up to buffet for a little snack or dessert:D)

[MagnoliaBlossom]

We have cruised the Jewel three times plus a few other Jewel class sailings. The buffet in the evening is fine. Different from the lunch buffet with selections from the MDR offerings. Additionally, you have the dessert crepe station and the chilled soup at the buffet, which is not offered in the MDR. Evenings are less hectic than other times of day so it is easier to browse the buffet and linger over dinner. I think it would suit a young family just fine. We are old farts and we do it a time or two each cruise when we have had a long day ashore and just don't feel like dressing, or when the menu just doesn't hold anything interesting. Shortly after lunch closes, the dinner menu will be posted, so it makes it easier to decide where to go. Gotta love freestyle!

[lolavix]

We've only been on the Dawn, but it has a separate "kids cafe" in the buffet area with lower tables and chairs. There is kid-friendly food at their height level as well. My kids loved eating there.

[soaringfalcon]

Thanks for the replies thus far. :) Yes, interestingly we're thinking of doing the "upside down" thing and being served for breakfast and/or lunch some days and buffet for dinner. That way we can avoid the biggest crowds.

 

As for the above comments about O'Sheehan's, yes, definitely. Our Jewel cabin is very close to O'S on Deck 8. Depending on the nightly specials that they've recently rolled out, I can see my DS9 really enjoying that on some nights, particularly fried chicken night. As long as it's not too disturbing for the other diners who may catch a glimpse of an uncoordinated autistic kid devouring drumsticks with chicken grease up to his elbows. At least it'll a short walk back to our shower from there. ;) "Don't touch ANYTHING 'til we get back, OK?"

 

He also loves sushi (as does the rest of the family), so we're determined to do the sushi bar at least once.

 

No one will care. No worries at all. Let him enjoy himself!

 

The buffet is just fine for dinner, especially with kids. You can get in and out and on to your next adventure. They have excellent ethnic selections every night.

[russianmom]

When we were on Jewel in Feb the F&B Director was German. They had a German night in the buffet one night. It was fabulous!

[jaja]

Forgot to say before.....It is also a great way for children (and adults) to try new things....

(I was introduced to Indian food at the buffet!)

[mitsugirly]

We do the buffet on all of our NCL cruises with no problem. It's normal for us. We usually only go to the MDR for 2 of our dinners (and then maybe a specialty restaurant for another). But, we have always found something good to eat there. They always seem to switch things up and you can always rely on some of your favorites to still be there as well. There's always something for everyone.

 

They did switch up the "lobster night", which is usually the first full sea day on the ship. It use to be done in the MDR and now they do it in the buffet. :)

 

They also have different nights, like Mexican nights and so on at the buffet.

 

They usually also have the chocolate buffet night once during the cruise as well. There's a lot going on in the buffet...it can't be too bad. :D

[lisakoivu]

Unless they've changed it, the Jewel has one of the nicest and easiest to navigate buffets in the fleet, not to mention the great outdoors. Our first cruise was Jewel, with kids, and we only ate in buffet. It is easy to navigate with lots of great food. You will be totally fine. Love your idea about going to dining room for breakfast to change it up, although on our last cruise on breakaway we found breakfast service excruciatingly slow - we got the idea that breakfast time was training time and a lot of inexperienced staff. Give it a try, you can always walk out if your kids get restless and go to the buffet anyway, but I thought I would throw that out there, and remember my experience is only one person's experience on one ship, so take it with a grain of salt.

[rajones007]

I like the buffet on all the ships I've been on. There's always something I like.

 

I've said this before, and I'll say it again...The best prime rib I've ever had (and I've had a lot over my lifetime) was from the buffet in the Epic. We were just wandering the ship one night, seen the 7pm show, played a bit at the casino, and whatever. It was around 9.30pm perhaps, so we thought we'd stop in the buffet for a bit to eat before going back to the cabin for the night.

 

Well howdy do! There was nice little chunk of cow up there on the carving station. It was straight ahead, just as you walk in, immediately to the left of the bar. How could I, a dedicated carnivore, just walk by and not sample that glorious beast? Answer: I cannot. I wouldn't be able to live with myself.

 

So I asked the attendant for a nice slab of that.

 

It was melt in your mouth good. Honestly. It was the best I've ever had. Maybe I timed it just right and got it right when the tastiest most tender portion was ready to sliced off. I don't know. All I know is I just had to have more.

 

But when I went back the attendant had removed it and was cleaning the carving station. She was gone. :(

 

This was my reaction (and my wife's too, right at the end):

 

 

(direct youtube embedding doesn't appear to work any more.)

 

EDIT. to answer the OP's question. Yes, we sometimes go to the buffet for dinner. We prefer the specialty restaurants over anything else, but we will never hesitate to go to the buffet for dinner if we're in the mood for something quick and decent.

Edited September 13, 2014 by rajones007

[coka]

I like the buffet on all the ships I've been on. There's always something I like. I've said this before, and I'll say it again...The best prime rib I've ever had (and I've had a lot over my lifetime)....

 

Ahhhhhhhhh, same with me. I once had buffet prime rib as the appetizer...sat at a table near the carving station to eat it, witnessed another one come out so I had a slice from that one for the entree! When finished, another one came out to the carving station, so guess what I had for dessert...!:D

 

coka

[landlady1952]

Can't speak to the Jewel but on Breakaway we ate at Buffet all the time. Great choices.

[drvalo]

I would also suggest that you speak to the maitre'd (perhaps when it's not so busy)in the less formal dining and explain your situation, especially if there is someting on the evening menu you don't want to miss. You may be able to have them reserve an out of the way table for you and allow you to preorder some or all of you dinner to limit the waiting. I have found the staff on most ships to be most accommodating about such things if they are able and know about it. On a different NCL ship we actually found the evening main dining room maitre'd supervising the buffet one day for lunch. We were able to have a nice conversation with him and he had time to speak with us. Doesn't hurt to ask.

[Lavaine]

As long as it's not too disturbing for the other diners who may catch a glimpse of an uncoordinated autistic kid devouring drumsticks with chicken grease up to his elbows.

As long as your son doesn't mind the 40-something 2 tables over with a beer in one hand, devouring chicken drumsticks with the other (and likely making a mess of the table in the process). Sounds like we'd get along just fine! Enjoy your cruise.

[Hikini]

We just came off the Jewel today (*sad*) and even though we didn't eat an evening meal in the buffet, my DH would always want to pass through there after we had our meal elsewhere. So, naturally, he (who has 2 hollow legs) would have to get a plate and sample different things.

 

The food in there was always good to excellent, the selection was huge and everything was always very presentable.

 

My biggest gripe with the buffet is that it is always hard to find a table. The second biggest gripe is people who do not watch where they are going and criss-cross every which direction, or who are walking in front of you and then stop suddenly, causing you to nearly rear-end them with your plate of food, or cup of coffee or your ice cream cone, etc.