joelheather Posted August 22, 2022 #1 Share Posted August 22, 2022 Looking to avoid the buffet on embarkation day. what are the alternatives. Thanks… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlabs03 Posted August 22, 2022 #2 Share Posted August 22, 2022 MDR (Savor and/or Taste, one or both should be open) and I believe the Local is open. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb and Jack Posted August 22, 2022 #3 Share Posted August 22, 2022 Main dining room will be open for a couple of hours. The local is another option Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ppcox Posted August 22, 2022 #4 Share Posted August 22, 2022 We usually head for the Taste/ Savour and start off with a calm leisurely lunch. Haven’t been to the buffet on the first day since we realised there were other options. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mking8288 Posted August 22, 2022 #5 Share Posted August 22, 2022 Local on the Joy was open for lunch by 11:15 am when we boarded, while crew were doing their job to steer the herd up to the buffet ... Savor or Taste opens at 12 noon for lunch, until 1:30 pm. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egurbi Posted August 23, 2022 #6 Share Posted August 23, 2022 All American Diner also open, usually by 11:30. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted August 23, 2022 #7 Share Posted August 23, 2022 (edited) 5 hours ago, joelheather said: Looking to avoid the buffet on embarkation day. what are the alternatives. Thanks… Times may vary by itinerary Edited August 23, 2022 by BirdTravels 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joelheather Posted August 23, 2022 Author #8 Share Posted August 23, 2022 Great. thank you all for the info. i think the MDR sounds like a good idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaCal Posted August 23, 2022 #9 Share Posted August 23, 2022 We go to the Local 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sailing12Away Posted August 23, 2022 #10 Share Posted August 23, 2022 Planning on sending my folks to the Local for them to grab food. They should arrive at the pier around 12:30ish, so trying to make it to the MDR will be a rush for them to get checked in, on board, muster station out of the way, and then find the dining rooms on their own. We'll be headed to the American diner since we're in Haven, then will go on a scavenger hunt to find my parents after lunch. 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oteixeira Posted August 23, 2022 #11 Share Posted August 23, 2022 When I am non Haven it is absolutely the Local/O'Sheehans (depending on ship) for some nice quick and tasty pub food and a pint. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weltek Posted August 23, 2022 #12 Share Posted August 23, 2022 Just adding that people need to pay attention to the times listed in the daily. Don't wait to long if you want to hit the MDR because it's only open til 1:30 (or whatever time is listed in your daily). I've been cruising for years and still end up being surprised at my limited options when I lunch late. Even the buffet begins to neck down to fewer selection. And afternoon noshing is hard. 3:00 is usually when I'm hungry for a snack, and there are few good options. Pretty much some lame stuff in one area of the buffet, The Local and Observation Lounge (curious to see what they have). Or ice cream. The one time I really value the buffet concept is for an afternoon snack (especially when I'm hanging by the pool), and there's not great snack stuff there in my experience. But it's been a few years. Speaking of...do any NCL ships still do a poolside BBQ for lunch on sea days? Loved the grilled chicken and it's the one time I felt like my burger was fresh! But I think that's a relic of the past. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaCal Posted August 24, 2022 #13 Share Posted August 24, 2022 20 hours ago, weltek said: Just adding that people need to pay attention to the times listed in the daily. Don't wait to long if you want to hit the MDR because it's only open til 1:30 (or whatever time is listed in your daily). I've been cruising for years and still end up being surprised at my limited options when I lunch late. Even the buffet begins to neck down to fewer selection. And afternoon noshing is hard. 3:00 is usually when I'm hungry for a snack, and there are few good options. Pretty much some lame stuff in one area of the buffet, The Local and Observation Lounge (curious to see what they have). Or ice cream. The one time I really value the buffet concept is for an afternoon snack (especially when I'm hanging by the pool), and there's not great snack stuff there in my experience. But it's been a few years. Speaking of...do any NCL ships still do a poolside BBQ for lunch on sea days? Loved the grilled chicken and it's the one time I felt like my burger was fresh! But I think that's a relic of the past. Haven’t seen the poolside BBQ in Years. Use to love it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjkacmom Posted August 24, 2022 #14 Share Posted August 24, 2022 21 hours ago, weltek said: Just adding that people need to pay attention to the times listed in the daily. Don't wait to long if you want to hit the MDR because it's only open til 1:30 (or whatever time is listed in your daily). I've been cruising for years and still end up being surprised at my limited options when I lunch late. Even the buffet begins to neck down to fewer selection. And afternoon noshing is hard. 3:00 is usually when I'm hungry for a snack, and there are few good options. Pretty much some lame stuff in one area of the buffet, The Local and Observation Lounge (curious to see what they have). Or ice cream. The one time I really value the buffet concept is for an afternoon snack (especially when I'm hanging by the pool), and there's not great snack stuff there in my experience. But it's been a few years. Speaking of...do any NCL ships still do a poolside BBQ for lunch on sea days? Loved the grilled chicken and it's the one time I felt like my burger was fresh! But I think that's a relic of the past. Our last cruise was several years ago on the Gem and they had it (and on previous cruises on spirit and Jewel), I don’t think the newer ships ever had it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodholme Cruiser Posted August 26, 2022 #15 Share Posted August 26, 2022 We are in Haven. Does the Haven dining room serve lunch on embarkation day? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vacation44 Posted August 26, 2022 #16 Share Posted August 26, 2022 When we sailed on the Joy this past February as a Haven guest, we ate lunch the American Diner. Next week, we will back to our usual lunch at Local/O'Sheehans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKstages Posted August 26, 2022 #17 Share Posted August 26, 2022 5 hours ago, Woodholme Cruiser said: We are in Haven. Does the Haven dining room serve lunch on embarkation day? yes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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