Midnight buffet on the newer ships?

[NoLifeDGenerate]

I was reading the Editor's reviews on the Regal Princess vs the older Ruby Princess. Everything mentioned on the Regal Princess closes at 11/midnight, whereas the Ruby has Café Caribe open 12am to 4am. I don't get it. Do the new ships seriously not offer anything late at night, or did the editor leave something out? I looked on the Princess site too and didn't see anything. I'm on the wait list for a cabin on the Ruby later this month (Alaska), but I figured if I don't get that I might go to the Caribbean later this year on one of the newer ships. I like the idea of the Pizzeria I see offered on the newer ships, and they apparently have bigger screens for Movies Under the Stars.

[Astro Flyer]

Princess buffets close at 11 PM (some at midnight) and reopen at 6 AM (5 AM for continental breakfast) but the International Café and room service are available 24 hours a day. So Princess buffets are available longer than many other cruise lines & not aware of any midnight buffets in decades.

Edited August 9, 2015 by Astro Flyer

[fishywood]

That description you quoted is woefully out of date. Late night bistro was discontinued on all Princess ships and replaced by the International Cafe staying open 24 hours a good four or five years ago.

[Astro Flyer]

Well, the NCL one I was on had a buffet going until at least 12:30am or 1:30. I know Carnival used to do something similar. Seems odd Princess doesn't.

Within the past couple of years Princess realized it was a waste of resources & food to keep the buffet open 24 hours a day. If room service & the International Café isn't enough for you & is a dealbreaker then try NCL or Carnival instead.

 

It's your prerogative to believe that old review and to ignore the experience of others who are trying to answer your questions. Things change and reading reviews are not always current information. :rolleyes:

[waltd]

Nope no more midnight buffets. They've been gone for years. Better fill up earlier or try the International Café if the ship has one. I can only imagine how much food was wasted with those buffets. And lets face it Princess has an older crowd then Carnival or NCL so not a lot of people up after midnight that I've seen.

[ar1950]

Midnight buffet on the newer ships?

 

Something that is from a different era. The only time in the last 15 years that we have even seen a midnight buffet was on our 2000 Carnival cruise. Even then, it was nothing like what I saw on the Emerald Seas back in the day (1978).:cool:

Edited August 9, 2015 by ar1950

[Thrak]

Personally, I am glad they don't waste all that food. I've been up and wandering on Princess ships after midnight and, other than a few people in Skywalker's, the ship is deserted. Most passengers are in bed by midnight. I can see keeping a venue open late on a line where younger people are the norm but, on Princess, it just seems like it would be a huge waste of food.

 

IC is plenty for late night snacking and, while the room service menu is woefully limited, it seems to suffice for the needs of the passengers who choose Princess.

 

I remember reading about the extravagant midnight buffet on ships but then again people used to "see the ship off" from the pier and passengers would throw a ton of polluting confetti from the ship. Times have changed. Not all changes are for the better but not all are for the worse.

[Nezmo]

I remember the days. Extravagant chocolate carvings, etc. Even back then it seemed like a waste and more just a photo op.

 

I don't think anyone is going to starve on a ship even today.

[Colo Cruiser]

We loved the Bistro on Princess when they had it.

 

Nothing like a nice NY steak at 2:30 in the morning. :)

[satxdiver]

Most if not all the ships have a pizzeria on the Lido deck and the newer ones (royal and regal) along with some others have a pizzeria down on the lower decks. The pizzeria on the Lido deck closes at 11 PM as does the grill nearby. After that time pizza can be ordered from room service for $3 while other room service food is free anytime.

 

Midnight buffets were a waste of time and food as was the chocolate displays. They will not be missed. The late night HC (buffet) offerings was mainly leftovers from the earlier time. The IC has a much better offering late night.

[tinkr2]

Midnight buffets were a waste of time and food as was the chocolate displays. They will not be missed. The late night HC (buffet) offerings was mainly leftovers from the earlier time. The IC has a much better offering late night.

 

They are super missed by many. I loved all the chocolate and fancy carvings and a chance to eat again.

[Colo Cruiser]

Went to many a midnight buffet and yes they are missed. :(

[sfaaa]

Too crazy. How can anyone fall asleep with a big bloated stomach at midnight?

[Astro Flyer]

Went to many a midnight buffet and yes they are missed. :(

When they had the midnight buffets we had late seating for dinner & it was not easy to eat again at the midnight buffet which I seem to recall many times was at 11:30. :p

[Colo Cruiser]

When they had the midnight buffets we had late seating for dinner & it was not easy to eat again at the midnight buffet which I seem to recall many times was at 11:30. :p

 

 

I always found a way. :D We had late seating too.

Edited August 9, 2015 by Colo Cruiser

[Nezmo]

Too crazy. How can anyone fall asleep with a big bloated stomach at midnight?

So it's no surprise why they went away right? No doubt some enjoyed but man, all I could do was look, and I love to eat.

[Colo Cruiser]

Too crazy. How can anyone fall asleep with a big bloated stomach at midnight?

 

 

Just stay up. :p

[shredie]

Personally, I am glad they don't waste all that food. I've been up and wandering on Princess ships after midnight and, other than a few people in Skywalker's, the ship is deserted. Most passengers are in bed by midnight.

 

Did you ever stop to consider maybe the ship is empty and they all went to bed because there was no midnight buffet? :);):D

[fishywood]

Just stay up. :p

 

Which prompts this chicken-and-egg question:

 

Did the midnight buffet (or similar late-night indulgences) disappear because fewer people are wandering the ship in the wee hours--or are fewer people up that late in the disco/bars/casino because the midnight buffets have disappeared :confused:

[Thrak]

Did you ever stop to consider maybe the ship is empty and they all went to bed because there was no midnight buffet? :);):D

Yes, but I decided the real reason is that we are mostly old and tired. ;)

[Nezmo]

I have to at least recharge and get ready for breakfast.

[tinkr2]

Which prompts this chicken-and-egg question:

 

Did the midnight buffet (or similar late-night indulgences) disappear because fewer people are wandering the ship in the wee hours--or are fewer people up that late in the disco/bars/casino because the midnight buffets have disappeared :confused:

 

If there is nothing to do,we go to bed.

And i am with the rest, we always do late seating and still managed those midnight buffets:eek::p:p

[sfaaa]

Now I know why they sell Pepto-Bismol at gift shop on Deck 6.

Edited August 9, 2015 by sfaaa

[Pam in CA]

The International Cafe isn't something to sneeze at, particularly if you're looking for dessert late at night. There's plenty to tempt you.

 

As for the buffet, follow the money. It's not a "chicken and egg" situation. The all night buffet used a lot of ship resources, wasted a lot of food, and relatively few people used it. Staff was left standing around for hours doing little or nothing. Since the closing of the buffet overnight, Princess implemented set tables and tableside service in the buffet the entire time it's open. IMHO, I'd much rather have tableside service and set tables. On other lines, I find myself running around looking for silverware, iced tea, etc. while my food gets cold.

Edited August 9, 2015 by Pam in CA

[jollyjones]

On other lines, I find myself running around looking for silverware, iced tea, etc. while my food gets cold.

 

Pam, I'm really surprised at you! I cruise solo as you frequently do, and I worked out ages ago that the most efficient system in the HC is to first find a table, 'stake it out' with my book, silverware and water glass, then go get my food.