From Mr Bayley - NO buffet

[danv3]

If RCI wants to address this virus, the way to do it isn't to close buffets on cruise ships.  It's to stop cruising.

 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-covid-spreads.html

 

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.
• These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
• COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.

 

The virus does not spread easily in other ways

COVID-19 is a new disease and we are still learning about how it spreads. It may be possible for COVID-19 to spread in other ways, but these are not thought to be the main ways the virus spreads.

• From touching surfaces or objects. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes. This is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads, but we are still learning more about this virus

 

 

[Iamcruzin]

6 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

How many sailings till you reach "monk status"?

Only one completed sailing assuming you can make through without jumping overboard.    

[LXA350]

15 hours ago, BillyBouy said:

This is a thoroughly entertaining thread for sure, read the WHOLE thing.
Folks posting about how they don't like buffets. I'd expect they don't go to the buffet anyway.
Yup, lot of chance of cross-contamination in a buffet. And on every handrail, every wall, every chair, every elevator, basically, every hard surface on the ship. Narrow corridors, I could go on and on.
Casinos? Social distancing problem, shut 'em down. The main theater? same, shut it down. The Pool? Same, shut it down.
Just sit in your cabin and eat MREs, lol!
I'm sure the occupancy on the ships, especially the newer ones, are built around moving large amounts of folks through the buffets. Close down the buffet, no way the MDR's are capable of handling the massive increase of guests (keeping social distancing in mind), there just ain't enough square feet.
Just my observations and opinion.

 

It's also vvery sadly entertaining to see how important the buffet for some people is. It's a thing for the past and new concepts will need to be developed to make a coulinary experience outside ofthe MDR efficient to serve a high number of passengers in a relatively fast time without a buffet we know from our past cruises.

 

The needed distance cannot be kept at a buffet to the food or by using the tongs, hence all the examples raised with MDR, the Casion etc they are different. It's up to each one of us to grab our face, put a finger into our moth or whatever after grabing a handrail, touching a button in a elevator etc. However at the buffet it's just to many people to control the hygine both by ourselves or the cruiseline.

 

If new concepts will be developed to also spread the crowds throughout the ship than at one given point at the same venue it's a great new experience for each one of us. It really seems that the buffet lovers here are just worried not to get enough calories anymore, don't worry a cruisehip will never run out of food.

[Paulette3028]

On 5/15/2020 at 11:35 PM, legaljen1969 said:

No doubt with that much space to fill, they will find a way to put in more "specialty" dining or other ",pay to play" options.  What a great excuse. 

 

You can read some of the previous posts and putting in more 'specialty' or 'pay to play' options necessarily won't give them more revenue, which is your implication.   The specialty restaurants onboard now for an extra fee, don't get close to 50% full even with 30% discounts.  

[Milwaukee Eight]

Just now, Paulette3028 said:

You can read some of the previous posts and putting in more 'specialty' or 'pay to play' options necessarily won't give them more revenue, which is your implication.   The specialty restaurants onboard now for an extra fee, don't get close to 50% full even with 30% discounts.  

Maybe if they advertise Specialty Restaurants as COVID19 free?

[goldfish65]

9 minutes ago, LXA350 said:

 It really seems that the buffet lovers here are just worried not to get enough calories anymore, don't worry a cruisehip will never run out of food.

 

You certainly make broad and unflattering assumptions about your fellow cruisers.

[LXA350]

2 minutes ago, goldfish65 said:

 

You certainly make broad and unflattering assumptions about your fellow cruisers.

 

I just do not understand why then is this buffet story so important to quite a number of posters here. The idea to try a nuber o different things at one venue, this is a great thing given the selection allows it which always depended from ship to ship. But the whole rush and crowds really made this place not apealing at all. Everyone of us should look rather look forward to something new which will make the experience much more pleasant. RCL is not dumb, they know that the whole buffet thing at least the offering is important to many and I am sure they are working hard to come up with a concept all of us can live with, even if it might not be ideal at the begining and will need to be fine tuned something to look forard to can be expected here.

[Ocean Boy]

27 minutes ago, LXA350 said:

 

It's also vvery sadly entertaining to see how important the buffet for some people is.

 

It really seems that the buffet lovers here are just worried not to get enough calories anymore, don't worry a cruisehip will never run out of food.

The only thing that I find sadly entertaining on these boards are your posts.

[LXA350]

5 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

The only thing that I find sadly entertaining on these boards are your posts.

 

Even that it's admited I am still happy with posting my "critical" posts, because even if it will not be admited the ones who read it and to whom my comments apply, it maybe does give them some food for thought

[Milwaukee Eight]

Just now, LXA350 said:

it maybe does give them some food for thought

I don’t think that’s something we enjoy about the WJ. 

[Ocean Boy]

1 minute ago, LXA350 said:

 

Even that it's admited I am still happy with posting my "critical" posts, because even if it will not be admited the ones who read it and to whom my comments apply, it maybe does give them some food for thought

Your assumptions that people who like buffets have no other experiences and need to broaden their horizons is what is sad. Have you ever considered that after years of experimenting some people have a very good idea of what their preferences are?

[Iamcruzin]

33 minutes ago, LXA350 said:

 

I just do not understand why then is this buffet story so important to quite a number of posters here. 

I don't use the buffet but it's important to me because if it wasn't for the buffet then thousands more would be stampeding to the the MDR where I eat breakfast and dinner. 

[Ocean Boy]

12 minutes ago, Iamcruzin said:

I don't use the buffet but it's important to me because if it wasn't for the buffet then thousands more would be stampeding to the the MDR where I eat breakfast and dinner. 

The very same reason why the MDR is important to me.... in reverse!☺

[Newleno]

2 hours ago, badvector said:

There's been a lot of talk here but in my opinion nobody has really captured the biggest loss in all of this.  BACON.  You heard me, good old grease dripping, mouth watering, B A C O N.  Sure I can get it at the MDR or via room service; but what are we talking about? Maybe 4 strips?  Come on man, really?  My poor waiter would lose 10 pounds making trips back to the kitchen for refills.  Nothing screams enjoyment on a cruise like sitting at a table just outside the WJ with the warm sea breeze blowing through your hair and a plate stacked full of crispy, smoky pork deliciousness.  Now if you'll excuse me I have to go take my cholesterol medication and check my blood pressure. 

 

 

this guy gets it!  Seriously, aside from being on the water, unlimited bacon is what cruising is all about.

[Newleno]

1 hour ago, LXA350 said:

 

It's also very sadly entertaining to see how important the buffet for some people is. It's a thing for the past It really seems that the buffet lovers here are just worried not to get enough calories anymore, don't worry a cruisehip will never run out of food.

Your  bigoted narrow point of view has been totally unmasked, it is refreshing that someone has the confidence to express themselves completely.  To lack the capacity of understanding to see that to some it is about choice not quantity truly is astonishing.  However some like quantity and a slogan of one  the great gastronomic delight  establishments of all time sais: "you can have it your way"

Edited May 17, 2020 by Newleno

[LXA350]

24 minutes ago, Iamcruzin said:

I don't use the buffet but it's important to me because if it wasn't for the buffet then thousands more would be stampeding to the the MDR where I eat breakfast and dinner. 

 

Something the cruislines didn't want to deal with in the past as the classif buffet did the job to feed many cruiser quickly. Now they have no other choice and they will find a concept that will work for everyone. The last thing they want is many unhappy cruisers because they need to stand in line everyday to get into the MDR or to another venue. I just wouln't be to suprised that for breakfast and lunch the MDR will need to play a moresignificant role; already operating at full capacity is something that will help to feed more simultaniously.

[LXA350]

11 minutes ago, Newleno said:

this guy gets it!  Seriously, aside from being on the water, unlimited bacon is what cruising is all about.

 

3 minutes ago, Newleno said:

Your  bigoted narrow point of view has been totally unmasked, it is refreshing that someone has the confidence to express themselves completely.

 

I guess  I am not wrong with what I said when I see how the disgusting bacon is so important to you... well I do hope you are not eating as much of it in your daily life as it seems on a cruise; heart attack or stroke is otherwise around the corner.

[zekekelso]

4 hours ago, badvector said:

There's been a lot of talk here but in my opinion nobody has really captured the biggest loss in all of this.  BACON.  You heard me, good old grease dripping, mouth watering, B A C O N.  Sure I can get it at the MDR or via room service; but what are we talking about? Maybe 4 strips?  Come on man, really? 

 

Simply explain what you want...

[zekekelso]

3 hours ago, LXA350 said:

It really seems that the buffet lovers here are just worried not to get enough calories anymore, don't worry a cruisehip will never run out of food.

 

Have you considered you may have that exactly backwards. One of the advantages of the windjammer is that you can get *a little* of this and *a little* of that?

[Shaylans]

4 hours ago, badvector said:

There's been a lot of talk here but in my opinion nobody has really captured the biggest loss in all of this.  BACON.  You heard me, good old grease dripping, mouth watering, B A C O N.  Sure I can get it at the MDR or via room service; but what are we talking about? Maybe 4 strips?  Come on man, really?  My poor waiter would lose 10 pounds making trips back to the kitchen for refills.  Nothing screams enjoyment on a cruise like sitting at a table just outside the WJ with the warm sea breeze blowing through your hair and a plate stacked full of crispy, smoky pork deliciousness.  Now if you'll excuse me I have to go take my cholesterol medication and check my blood pressure. 

 

 

 

Seconding this. The copious amount of bacon the buffet allows for is awesome. Does that make me a pig (haha, pig, get it)? Maybe. But I personally really enjoy the wide variety the Windjammer offers and how you can get as much or as little of exactly what you want. As a picky eater that's a pretty big deal for me. Plus there's something to be said for the spontaneity, sometimes you just want to grab a quick bite to eat, especially for breakfast on a port day, rather than trying to sit down in the MDR. 

 

However, I totally get why they'd opt to step back from the classic buffet setup for a while. If they did something along the lines of what other people have been suggesting, sort of a cafeteria style system where you just point out what you want and it gets served to you, I'd be perfectly fine with that.

[badvector]

1 hour ago, LXA350 said:

 

 

I guess  I am not wrong with what I said when I see how the disgusting bacon is so important to you... well I do hope you are not eating as much of it in your daily life as it seems on a cruise; heart attack or stroke is otherwise around the corner.

 

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Just whoa.  I'm cool with the insinuation that I'm just a bottomless pit of caloric consumption but when you start throwing around disrespect towards bacon; well then you, good sir or madam, have crossed a line that there is no return from.

[Lionesss]

I will admit I have not read through this whole thread, just started on this page, and yup, great reading material with many good views on the subject.

 

I am not one for figuring out the plot, or solving a puzzle, but, I wonder if they would just make the WJ a cafeteria style venue, where you go in line, social distancing of course wait your turn, tell them what you want as you pass down the line, like

" I'll have 25 strips of bacon and go lightly on the egg" and they put it on your plate and hand it to you.

 

I myself would say may I please have a bottle of ketchup with 99 french fries.   (as long as the ketchup is not next to the bananas).  Sorry, could not resist.

 

Just saying.

 

Keeps everyone happy.

[LXA350]

1 hour ago, badvector said:

 

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Just whoa.  I'm cool with the insinuation that I'm just a bottomless pit of caloric consumption but when you start throwing around disrespect towards bacon; well then you, good sir or madam, have crossed a line that there is no return from.

 

I have respect for the bacon, that's why don't eat them all, let some survive 😉

1 hour ago, zekekelso said:

 

Have you considered you may have that exactly backwards. One of the advantages of the windjammer is that you can get *a little* of this and *a little* of that?

 

But if you will not have the self service / need to order each item you still have the chance to ry everything however it will prevent you from eating to much of it or from food wasting by having to much on the plate and not being able to finish it. The fun about the Windjammer experience should be to try many things, but if the way you will get to the variety changes is not a bad thing it will upgrade the whole experience as it will be more civilized.

[MrCruzdoggie]

Maybe the end of food hogs that eat 12 pounds of food and eat 6 ounces, the cost saving could be huge.

[zonacruiser25]

Just put Noro Virus routines on steroids.  Personally, I love the salads!