Get rid of the buffets already!...

[UnorigionalName]

2 hours 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.

 

For a second i thought you said the quality of the measles...

[ozzie0075]

To cut down on the spread of viruses they should all just do what Holland does. The staff serves at the buffet so you don't have everyone on the cruise touching all the serving spoons and tongs. 

 

[coevan]

1 hour ago, 4jaynki said:

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

 

 

you seriously eat only burgers for 7 days a week for lunch?

[Saint Greg]

The buffet keeps a lot of people out of the places I want to eat.

[Saint Greg]

9 minutes ago, coevan said:

 

 

you seriously eat only burgers for 7 days a week for lunch?

They could eat in port....and brunch on sea days.

[coevan]

could, but I'm asking them. 

[matymil]

You have a lot of valid points but as you can see from the results of your poll, there would a riot if they did away with the buffet. I could personally take it or leave it for lunch/dinner but I always either do the buffet or blue iguana for breakfast.

[chefchick]

I believe this is exactly what Virgin Cruises is doing.  All food court type stations, and specialty type restaurants... no buffet and I think no MDR if I read correctly.

 

To the OP, you might want to check them out?...at least they are trying something different.

[Cinnamon2]

I personally do not like to eat at the buffet.  However, would not like them eliminated because they have their following and less crowds where I want to be.  I wish the MDR was open for lunch.  I prefer smaller portions and being served while on vacation.

[crzndeb]

1 hour ago, jimbo5544 said:

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.    

You seem to mention in buffet threads that this surprises you. One size does not fit all. For me personally, I have been cruising since 1980, (shoutout to Sitmar), and enjoyed the MDR with friends and family in my early cruising years.. Since I started cruising solo in 2010, and certain anxieties have come to a forefront as I’ve gotten older, I prefer alternate dining locations. I did recently eat in the MDR on the Splendor TP on one night with friends, and I could hardly wait to get out. The wait and the noise got to be after about a 1/2 hour. I wasted food there. This is something I do not like to do. I realize not everybody is like me, but I like controlled portions, and I find a spoonful of this or that is enough for me in the buffet. I like to sample a little of several things.

 

I realize I may be different than some people who like the total MDR experience, but I know I’m not alone, and I’m thankful for the options.

 

[TNcruising02]

6 minutes ago, crzndeb said:

You seem to mention in buffet threads that this surprises you. One size does not fit all. For me personally, I have been cruising since 1980, (shoutout to Sitmar), and enjoyed the MDR with friends and family in my early cruising years.. Since I started cruising solo in 2010, and certain anxieties have come to a forefront as I’ve gotten older, I prefer alternate dining locations. I did recently eat in the MDR on the Splendor TP on one night with friends, and I could hardly wait to get out. The wait and the noise got to be after about a 1/2 hour. I wasted food there. This is something I do not like to do. I realize not everybody is like me, but I like controlled portions, and I find a spoonful of this or that is enough for me in the buffet. I like to sample a little of several things.

 

I realize I may be different than some people who like the total MDR experience, but I know I’m not alone, and I’m thankful for the options.

 

I get it.  My husband and I don't like wasting an hour to 1 1/2 hours on a meal when we can be doing other things.  We would rather be at the comedy shows or even listening to music somewhere on the ship.

[jimbo5544]

15 minutes ago, crzndeb said:

You seem to mention in buffet threads that this surprises you. One size does not fit all. For me personally, I have been cruising since 1980, (shoutout to Sitmar), and enjoyed the MDR with friends and family in my early cruising years.. Since I started cruising solo in 2010, and certain anxieties have come to a forefront as I’ve gotten older, I prefer alternate dining locations. I did recently eat in the MDR on the Splendor TP on one night with friends, and I could hardly wait to get out. The wait and the noise got to be after about a 1/2 hour. I wasted food there. This is something I do not like to do. I realize not everybody is like me, but I like controlled portions, and I find a spoonful of this or that is enough for me in the buffet. I like to sample a little of several things.

 

I realize I may be different than some people who like the total MDR experience, but I know I’m not alone, and I’m thankful for the options.

 

Which is why I said options were good.  A 23 day cruise without a mdr would drive me crazy but that is me.   The reason it surprises me is that the majority thinks of the mdr experience as part of the cruise experience.  In days past, lido was close to empty during mdr times.  Not so anymore, for a variety of reasons.  All are good.  

Edited February 15, 2020 by jimbo5544

[capriccio]

I voted no because even though we very seldom eat a meal in the buffet (we will stop and bring munchies back to our cabin), it is obvious that many cruisers enjoy the buffet.  I am sure cruise lines know exactly the breakdown of how many meals are eaten in the MDR, specialty restaurants, and the buffet.  If they got rid of the buffet, in addition to disappointing many cruisers, they would have to add MDRs which require more staff not to mention design changes/updates to their ships.  That's not going to happen.

[clo]

Has Oceania been mentioned here? When on the ship we ate every breakfast and lunch and over half our dinners (the others at specialties) at the Terrace Cafe which is a buffet. You don't touch the food; it's served from the other side of the glass, on a normal sized plate, and they always offer to carry it to your table. How about cooked to order lobster tails, shrimp, lamb chops. 

[Nic6318]

5 hours 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 😉

 

Hi

 

I think you are trying to fix something that's not necessarily broken. 

 

If you don't like the buffets, there are many other options. Now, when it comes to finding ways to save money, I am sure all the cruise lines actually have people that they pay (money) to come up with ideas. Maybe nobody has thought of this before. Who, knows. 😃 You could try sending a nice letter. 

 

As far as illness. I don't know. I do know that as soon as I get out of bed in the morning, especially if I choose to travel in close (enough) quarters with a few thousand strangers, almost anything can happen. 

[ldubs]

We would never dine at the buffet.  We eat breakfast, lunch, dinner only at the MDR.  We only go to buffet for our pre-breakfast, 3 pm feeding, 2nd dinner, and the late night pizza snack.  😉

[clo]

9 minutes ago, ldubs said:

We would never dine at the buffet.  We eat breakfast, lunch, dinner only at the MDR.  We only go to buffet for our pre-breakfast, 3 pm feeding, 2nd dinner, and the late night pizza snack.  😉

Is there a particular line that you cruise on?

[ldubs]

4 minutes ago, clo said:

Is there a particular line that you cruise on?

 

Yep, the buffet line.  😀

 

Seriously we usually cruise on either Celebrity or RCI these days.  Have done a lot in the past on Princess but not for a few years.   When just Mrs Ldubs and I are on a cruise ship without the family group, it is common for us eat in the buffet instead of the MDR for breakfast and lunch.  Frequently eat dinners there too. 

 

Anyway, I hope you realize my post was in jest!

[clo]

4 minutes ago, ldubs said:

Anyway, I hope you realize my post was in jest!

Thanks, kiddo. I didn't realize that but should have.

[travkesa]

6 hours ago, ozzie0075 said:

To cut down on the spread of viruses they should all just do what Holland does. The staff serves at the buffet so you don't have everyone on the cruise touching all the serving spoons and tongs. 

 

Agreed! I didn't mind it on HAL at all, it would make sense for the other ships to do the same.

[John Bull]

6 hours ago, Essiesmom said:

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

 

For a few years P and O had a couple of ships, marketed separately as Ocean Village,  “cruises for people who don’t do cruises” aimed at a new generation of cruisers, those who don’t like the formality associated with traditional old-style cruising for the wealthy.

It only offered only buffets, but very very good buffets, plus deck barbeques.

Very informal ships. Only operated for a few years, which is a shame - I could never understand why they weren’t used for P and O Australia, surely a nationality which thrives on informality.

 

We do prefer the restaurant atmosphere of the MDR for dinner, but on port days the buffet is quick and easy for breakfast before going ashore.

And families with young kids find them ideal.

 

More and more package-holiday land hotels are offering buffet, and usually ONLY buffet. Quick and easy and laid- back for the guest, and keeps the wages bill down.

I don’t see ships moving away from including a buffet - way too popular

 

Just MHO as always

 

JB 🙂

[John Bull]

6 hours ago, ozzie0075 said:

To cut down on the spread of viruses they should all just do what Holland does. The staff serves at the buffet so you don't have everyone on the cruise touching all the serving spoons and tongs. 

 

 

Most Noro is brought aboard by passengers and it has only a short incubation period, just a couple of days. We,ve been on ships where buffet food is served by staff for the first couple of days, then all being well it’s a free-for-all.

i see that as the best compromise 🙂

 

JB 🙂

[DirtyDawg]

11 hours 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 😉

 

Where's your sense of adventure? Buffets are just like any other amusement on a cruise ship, like the casino. What are the odds getting Noro in here today? Has the person in front of you fondled the food with their grubby hands.... again?  Then, when the five pounds of bacon are finally piled on the plate, let's spin the 'finding a table' roulette game wheel. What's not to love about buffets? 😉

 

And besides, if folks want to 'throw the dice'  in the buffets it leaves more room in the MDR and specialty restaurants for me. 😁

[Joebucks]

I'm not a big fan of the buffet, but I think the whole anti-buffet topic is annoyingly overplayed. Few care how "refined your pallet" is. Not everyone wants to spend through the nose to eat fine dining. To many people, it is acceptable food, quickly, and in the portion of your choosing. No need to get dressed up. No need to dedicate hours to one event. The choice is why cruising is great.

 

I hit it the most during breakfast if I want some sides. There is nothing wrong with the stuff I grab there. Many people couldn't comprehend that stuff served in the MDR and buffet are made the same way.

 

I absolutely LOVE lunch on Carnival. It is probably my favorite meal of the day. Burgers, Tacos, Sandwiches, BBQ. All done very well and easier to eat on the Lido deck in the sun. Glad to see that being mirrored with breakfast too. I'll usually hit the MDR for dinner or maybe a brunch. It's a solid meal and we generally go for the experience at dinner.

[K32682]

I won't eat at buffets on land but on a cruise they fill a roll when I want something quick and convenient particularly on port days.  I'm not one to linger over breakfast so a buffet works for me.