Will self-serve be gone from the buffet due to virus experience?

[Etta1213]

Do you think, when we get back to cruising, that the Windjammer will have staff serving all foods?

[Newleno]

1 minute ago, Etta1213 said:

Do you think, when we get back to cruising, that the Windjammer will have staff serving all foods?

I have been on a ship with the noro and the crew served most of the food.  My last cruise on feb 15 majesty, some horrible displays of passengers not paying attention and not caring about sanitary conditions, especially how rcl set up the desserts, people were licking fingers after trying to get cake, then going to other food stations.  I was almost going to write a letter but figured it would be a waste of time.

[Jam0610]

I would think we will see sanitation and food handling changed, for the better. Guests and children touching food can't be allowed. 

[critterchick]

I hope so. I've seen too many people do disgusting things to want to go to the buffet unless there is no other option (fortunately usually only happens when the ship is in port).

[Nextcruise42]

Works for me!!

[lovemylab]

I hope so!  Like others, I've seen a lot of bad behaviour at the buffet.  People licking their fingers and then grabbing the serving utensils, grabbing food with their bare hands, using one pair of tongs for multiple items (hope nobody has food allergies), etc.

 

The cruise industry is going to have an uphill battle when this is over so I fully expect you will see several changes, with the self serve buffets being a big one.

 

[cruiseguy1016]

I'm thinking it will take waaay too for the staff to serve the passengers. The lines to get food will be atrocious. We were on Freedom two weeks ago. They changed out the serving utensils every 15 minutes or so. I know that doesn't completely solve the problem bit it certainly helps.

[fsjosh]

The lines have been hit by noro multiple times and never went to permanently removing self-serve. They might enact that short term, but not long term. 

[matj2000]

There is not enough staff to be dishing out all the buffet food.

 

I just got off the NCL Getaway on its final voyage  less than 2 weeks ago.

 

They did the Noro protocol..  

 

The staff serving food & drinks were pulled from  all areas of the ship including:  Youth program, GS, Shops, Casino, Entertainment, Shore excursion sales,  and even a few people from below deck wearing the white coveralls.

 

This will not fly on a week - week schedule...

[LuCruise]

I hope so too. Would rather wear my patience hat and wait a little longer for food than add risk of getting sick.

[RoyalC]

In the good old days this was always the protocol, but more out of class than disease prevention.

[LilBlackDress]

From what I have read, the 3/13 sailing of Serenade, the staff was serving all the food in WJ

[time4u2go]

No.

[cb at sea]

I would be more than happy to have buffets done away with altogether....not a fan!

 

[TwoMisfits]

Just now, cb at sea said:

I would be more than happy to have buffets done away with altogether....not a fan!

 

 

I think they will be...I expect more a "food court" concept to replace the buffet concept...and for there to be a stronger emphasis on seated dining again...

[HBE4]

 

No matter which way they go, I think I might be avoiding WJ for the next.....forever. 

[davekathy]

18 minutes ago, cb at sea said:

I would be more than happy to have buffets done away with altogether....not a fan!

 

We aren't either. We elect not to go to them. On land and cruises. Nothing to do with COVID-19 for us or other people.  Doesn't mean others shouldn't have the option if they like the buffets. 

Edited March 28, 2020 by davekathy

[SG65CB]

My favorite part of the Windjammer (and really any buffet) is when people put the tongs back into the serving tray and the handle of the tongs is touching the food. 

 

There should really be a dish to hold the tongs in front of each serving tray so that the tongs don't rest on top of the food.

 

 

[bearette]

Maybe in the gbeginning, but too many people, so $$$, required. This will only happen as needed on noro - or similiar infected cruises.

[Ocean Boy]

56 minutes ago, TwoMisfits said:

 

I think they will be...I expect more a "food court" concept to replace the buffet concept...and for there to be a stronger emphasis on seated dining again...

Year after year I find the Windjammer becoming more crowded in the evening. Though you may prefer the traditional way of dining clearly many people don't... including me.

[Ocean Boy]

1 hour ago, cb at sea said:

I would be more than happy to have buffets done away with altogether....not a fan!

 

So the people who do enjoy the Windjammer can do without because it is of no use to you.🙄 No one is forcing you to eat in there. I have no use for the MDR but I respect that other people do.

[SteadyBetty]

I am not a fan of buffets of any kind, land or sea.  Some folks out there aren't as sanitary as others.  And all it takes is one person . . .

[Ocean Boy]

Instead of having staff serve the food it would take many less stationed around the Windjammer observing. Nothing wrong with them confronting someone who just has to lick their fingers or touch the food inappropriately.

[TwoMisfits]

34 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

Year after year I find the Windjammer becoming more crowded in the evening. Though you may prefer the traditional way of dining clearly many people don't... including me.

 

There will still be "grab and go" dining, but it will be food court like - go up and have a person serve you a burger, salad, chicken sandwich, soup, etc...like hitting the mall.  You never serve yourself, and you go up and wait at each restaurant at the food court...

[Newleno]

7 minutes ago, TwoMisfits said:

 

There will still be "grab and go" dining, but it will be food court like - go up and have a person serve you a burger, salad, chicken sandwich, soup, etc...like hitting the mall.  You never serve yourself, and you go up and wait at each restaurant at the food court...

oh man just think about it, if we could get popeyes chicken and mcdonalds 24/7, my kind of cruise!!!