Get rid of the buffets already!...

[klfhngr]

Obviously the buffet quality sucks on most cruise lines, so much food and money is wasted, flu's, noro, etc. shared with everyone!

 

Isn't it time for the buffets to go away and have smaller eateries (food courts)? So much space is wasted in the buffet area! More free food options, smaller portions=saved money by the cruise lines.

 

IDK, it's been on my mind and wondering if I'm the only one that feels this way!

Edited February 14, 2020 by klfhngr
typo

[GLCM GUY]

• We are just off the Panorama and found that the buffet lay out handled the crowds very well and the variety and quality of the meals excellent.

[klfhngr]

17 minutes ago, GLCM GUY said:

• We are just off the Panorama and found that the buffet lay out handled the crowds very well and the variety and quality of the meals excellent.

I'll be on her in April.... Can't wait!

[teknoge3k]

While we never eat at the buffet (MDR for breakfast and dinner, Guy's or BBQ or somewhere for lunch), I know some people enjoy it. I will say it's nice to swing by at night and grab a salad or something. Something to munch on.

[tallnthensome]

I doubt many people want smaller portions of anything on a cruise 

[klfhngr]

1 minute ago, tallnthensome said:

I doubt many people want smaller portions of anything on a cruise 

They could always go back and forth to the 'food court'..... Let employees serve it to prevent waste and sickness. Make a few stops before you grab your table, lol! 

[brookeq]

I rarely eat at the buffet.  maybe a salad and I like to get some varieties of cut cheese.  But that is it. On all of our cruises there is always a line at the buffet so people must like them.  I keep thinking of trying royal or other lines but would miss all of the lunch options that aren't a buffet.  🙂

[d9704011]

44 minutes ago, klfhngr said:

Obviously the buffet quality sucks on most cruise lines,

Fallacy of presupposition....

 

I usually like the buffet choices on the ships I’ve been on.

[cruizergal70]

I eat most of my meals at the buffet. For me, the MDR is too slow, loud, and I'm not someone who needs to be waited on. The buffet is the shortest path between me and the food.

 

I will go to the seaday brunch. 

[marshhawk]

On our last cruise, we had the BEST Elderberry cake from the buffet.  Now that my doc has made me swear off sugar, I will hold out for the next 4 months on dessert, just to get healthy enough to get another slice.

 

I have no problems with the buffet, just the size of the plate.  If you get a plate that big, then most folks feel they have to fill it.  If they filled it with small amounts of lots of things, then they might eat it-I just remember that the big plates replaced trays-and who wants to eat a tray full of food?

[klfhngr]

10 minutes ago, d9704011 said:

Fallacy of presupposition....

 

I usually like the buffet choices on the ships I’ve been on.

IMHO,  I should've stated. But I do read the reviews, and many are expressing how bad the buffet food has gotten. So I'm right 😉

[klfhngr]

3 minutes ago, marshhawk said:

On our last cruise, we had the BEST Elderberry cake from the buffet.  Now that my doc has made me swear off sugar, I will hold out for the next 4 months on dessert, just to get healthy enough to get another slice.

 

I have no problems with the buffet, just the size of the plate.  If you get a plate that big, then most folks feel they have to fill it.  If they filled it with small amounts of lots of things, then they might eat it-I just remember that the big plates replaced trays-and who wants to eat a tray full of food?

Great idea! How many times have you walked by an empty table only to see plates of half eaten food! Smaller plates=smaller servings=less waste!

[cruizergal70]

14 minutes ago, marshhawk said:

On our last cruise, we had the BEST Elderberry cake from the buffet.  Now that my doc has made me swear off sugar, I will hold out for the next 4 months on dessert, just to get healthy enough to get another slice.

 

I have no problems with the buffet, just the size of the plate.  If you get a plate that big, then most folks feel they have to fill it.  If they filled it with small amounts of lots of things, then they might eat it-I just remember that the big plates replaced trays-and who wants to eat a tray full of food?

The plates are large to allow space between items while needing only one plate. Protein separate from starch from veg from bread.

[sanger727]

I eat a salad every day for lunch at home. That’s my favorite thing at the lunch buffet on the ship.. I doubt a salad station would make it to a food court where there is less space. 

[Jasonsterling]

I think you have some valid points about waste especially but I do like the buffet area for lunch and yes a food court could, kinda, work but I'm guessing a lot of people like myself like visiting different stations and mix/matching between them- somehow I see that as taking a lot more time in a food court set up.  

[marshhawk]

The Horizon has a salad bar setup in the Serenity area, cant wait.  My plate is 2/3 salad, one third protein.  I love salad!

 

Space between items?  My mama said it all goes in the same place.  LOL

[tandemcruzr]

1 minute ago, marshhawk said:

My mama said it all goes in the same place.  LOL

Same here.  🙂

 

[soonernstlouis]

@klfhngr

 

I think you missed the boat on this one.  Carnival is moving to bigger and bigger ships that hold more pax.  While the buffet seating may not usually fill 100%, the line process for the buffet is very efficient compared to say Guys Burgers.  And the food stations on the newer ships appear to be an improvement over the single stations.

[lazydayz]

I consider it a successful cruise if I have not eaten any meal at the buffet.  All that food makes me full just by looking at it.  

 

 

[4jaynki]

With the exception of Guys, we only eat in the MDR. Just our personal preference. 

[d9704011]

52 minutes ago, klfhngr said:

IMHO,  I should've stated. But I do read the reviews, and many are expressing how bad the buffet food has gotten. So I'm right 😉

Well, pretty tough to argue with that line of analysis and since you’re the OP, I’ll defer.

 

[jperry2011]

Horrible idea.

 

Buffets are quick and easy.

Getting rid of them would double your wait time for food.

If you dont want to get buffet food go to a restaurant onboard.

Edited February 15, 2020 by jperry2011

[jimbo5544]

Its an option That many enjoy (for us just breakfast and lunch) and options are a good thing.  Personally I am surprised how many people eat dinner in Lido.    

Edited February 15, 2020 by jimbo5544

[TNcruising02]

I eat at the buffet at least once a day on every cruise.  After 15 cruises, I've never gotten sick.  I wash my hands after handling the utensils or use hand sanitizer and think that's the key.  Anyway, the buffet food is hit or miss.  As far as dinner buffets, I think Royal does it well with a great variety.  I always fill half of my plate with a salad when I eat at the buffet for lunch or dinner.  There is definitely more food waste at buffets.

I do really like the new buffet setup on the Panorama and wish they would do that in all of Carnival's ships.  It's set up in stations and so much easier to get something without waiting in long lines.  I think it would be disappointing if the cruise lines did away with buffets, although a food court sounds appealing.

[Essiesmom]

Interestingly, I just read a review on the AIDA board and those ships do not have an MDR.  They have up to five buffets, although it seems they all serve the same things...  My favorite buffets are on the S class of Celebrity.  EM