Over 4,800 People Viewed Guy's Burger's, But ????

[MAGNUM PI]

I started the thread, inquiring about Guy's Burgers. There was an awesome response, with many offering their opinions, and I greatly appreciate your imput.

 

I have not cruised with Carnival, in many years. Have a Magic cruise booked.

 

During my recent thread, some comments were made, that people "avoided" the buffet-due to the quality of food. And seeked other dining options.

 

Now my question is: Is the buffet on Carnival (Magic),

Going to be that unappealing?

 

*** I realize that discussion of food is subjective. But I have read very few comments on any thread, praising the buffet offerings.

 

I have taken seven cruises, on three different cruise lines, and found the buffets adequate. Always a variety of options. I have not cruised in last three years.

 

***** For the veteran cruisers out there, has the buffet quality declined over the years? Number of options decreased? Or is it because of all the newer dining options, that cause the buffet's appeal to diminish?

[LaCal]

Id say the buffet is adequate and some things good and others ehhh

 

You won't starve and the great thing is if you try a bite of something and don't like it there's plenty of other choices....lotta times they'll have a few items that are the same as being served in the dining room.....also have never went wrong with the carving stations....meats were hot n cooked well

[AngAndBoys]

You are right, food is subjective. Having been on 20 CCL cruises since 2003, I think I can say that quality and choices have gone down...but not by a lot, really. I eat buffet a lot because I have no patience for 1.5 hour dinners. I am of the school that finds this need to eat 3 or more times daily to be a rather inconvenient nuisance. So, buffet survival 101.

 

Some buffet recommendations: rice, if it involves rice, try it, they usually do well. Also pasta dishes are mostly edible. Don't touch the beef or pork. Don't say I didn't warn you. And no, I'm not Muslim, just don't enjoy tough fatty meat. I'm not a fan of chicken so, no experience there. The fish tends to be salty but is n ot bad. If they don't have tartar sauce out, ask for it. I like most of the soups, but the navy bean is icky. Love the cream of mushroom! I don't waste stomach space on vegetables of any kind, so can't comment, except tomatoes, eat those for vitamin c so you don't get sick. And Cole slaw, it's ok to eat because they've doused it in so much mayo and spices that it no longer tastes like vegetables. Dessert is hit and miss but the tiramisu is awesome and they sometimes have this chocolate fudge layer cake that is fabulous.

 

I'm a pretty picky eater, but I don't starve. I try a few bites of each thing first, then go back and load up on whatever appeals. For me, it's usually just one or 2 things. Sometimes it's just a bowl of rice and gravy, some fruit, some cheese, but that's my emergency rations if I hate everything. Anyway, you won't starve, and may even really like some of it. I do.

[Raxter54]

I prefer the layout of the Windjammer Cafe on Royal Caribbean ships to the layout of the buffet on Carnival- expect longer waiting in the traditional cafeteria lines. But Carnival does offer more options for buffet - Burrito Bar, Tandoori, Mongolian Wok, etc. Found the food not much different in taste in either buffet.

 

 

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[Yellowbird75]

In our experience, the buffet is a 4/10. EXCEPT on Caribbean day. They have delicious jerk chicken and coconut bread. I am always so shocked that it's the same buffet that serves sub-par food most of the time. The salad bar is good and the deli is delicious. The desserts always look pretty but I never like them. We go to the MDR for all brunches, dinners and use the buffet/side restaurants for lunches.

 

You are completely right though, food is incredibly subjective.

[k2excursion]

15 cruises from 2003-2014, and I would say that the buffet is just as good or better than those first 2 cruises on the tiny Celebration. The addition of the extra eating options has made the buffet seem to be less appealing, when it actually isn't. I also love the setup that most Carnival ships have: not using separate stations. For me, I usually want a little bit of everything, especially at lunch. I prefer the one big line to be able to get it all, instead of having wander the entire lido deck, going through 4 separate lines (like it was on Miracle). That wandering & multiple lines took longer than the one big line. But for someone who wants just 1 thing, that one big line isn't good.

 

It is possible that the quality of the buffet food has declined over the years, and I just haven't noticed. Maybe because I have been willing to try some new things as my cruises have gone along, and have discovered more stuff that I like because of it. I don't eat much fish at home, but I eat plenty on the cruise, in the buffet & in the dining room, and I always enjoy it. I think that they have a good variety of foods for lunch at the buffet. There's always more that I want to try than what I can eat. But the buffet at breakfast isn't the best. There's not much there that I get, but I do enjoy their made-to-order omelets. I very rarely eat dinner at the buffet.

Edited February 25, 2016 by k2excursion

[klfrodo]

I have never in my life, anywhere in the world, found a buffett anything more than "adequate".

[mrneil001]

If you've been to Vegas, the buffet on board will be on par with mid quality vegas buffets. Good enough for people not to complain about, not great enough to rave about.

[Trumpster]

I have never in my life, anywhere in the world, found a buffett anything more than "adequate".

 

 

THIS!

 

 

You will eat and not go hungry. It will get the job done for filling the tummy.

 

 

We avoid buffet's both on land and sea. On the Breeze only once in a while for breakfast (and even then Blue Iguana would be the first choice) and once in a while the kids (and they don't care)

 

Never have done a buffet for lunch or dinner, on any ship, on any line.

 

And on Magic way to many free better lunches.

 

Tandoor which was mentioned above (not really part of the buffet) is a favorite for lunch. Kids loved the pasta bar at Cucina and the Pizza. Seaside BBQ if you don't mind waiting a bit.

 

Heck I'd rather pay for the Sushi or the Red Frog Pub wings than do the buffet.

[RuthlessBoss]

There is no reason for people to compare the buffet to other dining venues. The buffet foods are based on cooking one item in volume while other places are individual choices. Personally, I don't enjoy waiting at a dining venue all the time. I think some people like the buffet but don't admit it because the next person comes here and as much as says we are crazy.

[lizardhowson]

I know you specifically asked about the buffet, but I believe your opinion of the food served on a cruise will absolutely be influenced by your home dining experience.

 

If you eat out often at "better to upscale restaurants that serve great food", you will find all food on a cruise (buffets, dining room and speciality offerings - don't mean the steakhouse) to be average.

 

If you home dining experience is limited, then you will find the food on the cruise to be a treat.

[Tapi]

I now avoid the buffet after 2 bouts with food poisoning, both times after eating at the buffet, first time aboard the Carnival Dream. There's just too much food exposed for extended periods of times with too many hands from people with dubious hygiene practices touching it.

 

I know I sound like a germaphobe which I'm not, but after getting sick twice, I've become more hyper-vigilant about what I eat on cruise ships and about people's behavior near the buffet. I've even noticed people exit a bathroom stall in the public bathroom and walk right up to the buffet, without washing hands or sanitizing, and start touching every serving utensil and grabbing food items with their bare hands, completely unfazed. With over 3,000 passengers onboard, you know that there's more than one idiot exposing his fellow passengers to their (no pun intended) "crappy" habits. [emoji87]

 

With all of that said, I've consider the food at the buffet average at best, not only on Carnival but on every cruise line I've ever been on. Its not a place to enjoy delicious food, but a place to eat as fast as you can or to eat as much as you can, with quality and taste being secondary in importance. Personally, I'm grateful for newer alternative quick dining options for two reasons. First, you're bound to find more innovative and unique offerings, and second, the mass food handling is greatly minimized.

Edited February 25, 2016 by Tapi

[Micahs Grandad]

We think there are lots of choices and many of them are rather good.

[Trumpster]

I now avoid the buffet after 2 bouts with food poisoning, both times after eating at the buffet, first time aboard the Carnival Dream. There's just too much food exposed for extended periods of times with too many hands from people with dubious hygiene practices touching it.

 

I know I sound like a germaphobe which I'm not, but after getting sick twice, I've become more hyper-vigilant about what I eat on cruise ships and about people's behavior near the buffet. I've even noticed people exit a bathroom stall in the public bathroom and walk right up to the buffet, without washing hands or sanitizing, and start touching every serving utensil and grabbing food items with their bare hands, completely unfazed. With over 3,000 passengers onboard, you know that there's more than one idiot exposing his fellow passengers to their (no pun intended) "crappy" habits. [emoji87]

 

With all of that said, I've consider the food at the buffet average at best, not only on Carnival but on every cruise line I've ever been on. Its not a place to enjoy delicious food, but a place to eat as fast as you can or to eat as much as you can, with quality and taste being secondary in importance. Personally, I'm grateful for newer alternative quick dining options for two reasons. First, you're bound to find more innovative and unique offerings, and second, the mass food handling is greatly minimized.

 

Yep!

 

Not much to add but YEP!

[smyliecruising]

I absolutely love carnival but I find buffet food to be about like the food at the Golden Corral and I don't really love that. It is ok and I can find something but I would rather eat at one of the smaller venues like the pizza, cantina, etc.

Edited February 25, 2016 by smyliecruising

[ShakyBeef]

I now avoid the buffet after 2 bouts with food poisoning, both times after eating at the buffet, first time aboard the Carnival Dream. There's just too much food exposed for extended periods of times with too many hands from people with dubious hygiene practices touching it.

 

I know I sound like a germaphobe which I'm not, but after getting sick twice, I've become more hyper-vigilant about what I eat on cruise ships and about people's behavior near the buffet. I've even noticed people exit a bathroom stall in the public bathroom and walk right up to the buffet, without washing hands or sanitizing, and start touching every serving utensil and grabbing food items with their bare hands, completely unfazed. With over 3,000 passengers onboard, you know that there's more than one idiot exposing his fellow passengers to their (no pun intended) "crappy" habits. [emoji87]

 

With all of that said, I've consider the food at the buffet average at best, not only on Carnival but on every cruise line I've ever been on. Its not a place to enjoy delicious food, but a place to eat as fast as you can or to eat as much as you can, with quality and taste being secondary in importance. Personally, I'm grateful for newer alternative quick dining options for two reasons. First, you're bound to find more innovative and unique offerings, and second, the mass food handling is greatly minimized.

 

Yep!

 

Not much to add but YEP!

 

I'll add my yep.

 

I have seen so many really disgusting things done at buffets, including the straight-from-toilet-stall-to-serving-utensils behaviour that Tapi mentioned. Some people are pigs and I refuse to eat from their communal trough.:mad:

[Havingfun2010]

If you like Golden Corral, than you will like the buffet.

[Trumpster]

If you like Golden Corral, than you will like the buffet.

 

Not a rousing endorsement! :D

[A&Jfamily]

While I haven't been on the Magic I have been on quite a few ships, and I have found the food to be comparable across the Carnival Fleet; sure, one night something might be a tad better or worse than others but nothing of major note.

 

I find the buffet to be quite acceptable and feel the best way to approach it is to make first round with small nibbles of anything that looks good that I am not familiar with. Sit, do a taste test, and then return for what I want for lunch. Sometimes that means a mix of a burger and some sides or salads from the buffet. Surprisingly, I find the fish on the buffet is often great - and that is not a food I associate with buffet!

 

I think that one reason people aren't glowing about the lunch buffet is they "glow" about the other offerings, with burgers, pizza and subs being standard favorites across the board. Also, look at the american palate - what do countless numbers chose for lunch everyday - burgers, pizza and subs. The buffet items (except comfort kitchen) are often themed like French, Italian etc. which is less common. But then when you throw in the mix some of the mexican, asian and seafood options available depending upon the ship, you could spend each day eating in one of these non-buffet venues and never have the same thing twice and not experience the buffet either.

 

If you tried to eat everything on a Carnival ship you would gain 500 lbs in a week. Go, sample and enjoy!

[cruiselovin'momma]

The Lido buffet is OK, not great, but not the worst either.

My husband and I ate in the DR every night, and, with all the other choices for lunch, I only ate from the buffet once. But, I'm not really a buffet lover even on land so......

My kids (20,19,12) ate from the buffet more often, and, they liked it well enough. But, they would also usually get a Guy's burger before 6 then just eat the buffet later if they got hungry. Or, get pizza or something from the deli. So they actually probably didn't eat from it that often either.

We're also sailing on the Magic for the first time at the end of April. I'm really looking forward to the additional lunch options she has as opposed to the Sunshine (Tandoori, BBQ, etc). With those added choices, I can't imagine having to eat at the buffet at all if I don't want to.

[cruzeluver]

I have never in my life, anywhere in the world, found a buffett anything more than "adequate".

 

 

This.

 

I will take fresh, made-to-order food any day over food that has been sitting a warming pan. Having said that, Carnival's buffets from my experience are no worse than any others.

[Billfrompa]

I have never in my life, anywhere in the world, found a buffett anything more than "adequate".

 

Have you been to the buffet at Bellagio in Las Vegas? Happy cruising! Bill.

[MAGNUM PI]

I promise my next thread will NOT be about food. I started the Guy's Burgers thread, and this one about the buffet. I have learned a lot!

 

I will say that personal hygiene IS a big concern, at any public venue. Or should I say...lack of it.

 

Being that I am a male, I notice the vast majority of men do NOT bother to wash their hands, after using a rest room, where ever I am it. So a buffet dining experience, you do have to consider this factor, unfortunately.

 

Niro virus on ships? How do you think it is transmitted?

Exactly.

 

One area that is vulnerable to poor hygiene habits is a casino. Slot machines require finger contact with buttons on the machines. How many hygiene lacking people, have directly physically touched those same surfaces? Just say'n.

 

After my two threads, I don't want to dwell on food/dining, thank you. The cruise experience involves so much more.

 

Thanks to everyone for their sincere imput. I have a good idea what to expect, on my Magic cruise.

Edited February 25, 2016 by MAGNUM PI

[Trumpster]

The Lido buffet is OK' date=' not great, but not the worst either.

My husband and I ate in the DR every night, and, with all the other choices for lunch, I only ate from the buffet once. But, I'm not really a buffet lover even on land so......

My kids (20,19,12) ate from the buffet more often, and, they liked it well enough. But, they would also usually get a Guy's burger before 6 then just eat the buffet later if they got hungry. Or, get pizza or something from the deli. So they actually probably didn't eat from it that often either.

We're also sailing on the Magic for the first time at the end of April. I'm really looking forward to the additional lunch options she has as opposed to the Sunshine (Tandoori, BBQ, etc). With those added choices, I can't imagine having to eat at the buffet at all if I don't want to.[/quote']

 

Yep! Not much to add but YEP!

On the same cruise.

No real need for the buffet unless you want it.

 

I'll mostly pass

[jimbo5544]

Not a rousing endorsement! :D

 

Actually, that is the least intrusive post he has made about a Carnival ship, must have been tired.....