What constitutes a "good" breakfast buffet?

[Rumncoke]

I just thought I'd throw this out...

 

Nearly every review I read describes the breakfast buffet as okay, so-so, bad or even horrible.

 

I've cruised a fair amount, and have always been pleased with the breakfast buffet, especially when there's an eggs-made-to-order station. I prefer the new "station" buffets over the older buffet lines, for sure.

 

The variety is amazing IMO. I think they do a good job multi-culturally. There are just some things that aren't conducive to a buffet situation, like eggs benedict.

 

So, realistically, what's missing in a breakfast buffet that would cause someone to call it just okay to horrible? What are you used to for breakfast that you can't get at a cruiseship buffet?

 

Curious.

[trish1c]

A good breakfast buffet

 

has hot, not just warm, food;

 

has food that is not overcooked from being under heat lamps too long;

 

has a variety (they usually do a good job here);

 

has big juice glasses, not thimbles;

 

has fresh fruit, kept away from the heat lamps;

 

has crisp bacon that is not swimming in a container of fat;

 

has a variety of pastry.

[Markandrews]

For me, Granola cereal and scambled eggs that are done and at least look real.

[TrinaLC]

fresh to order (omelettes etc) without a huge line

 

bagels and lox

 

good pastries, including croissants

 

nicely done bacon, link sausage

 

high quality fruit, esp. canteloupe and berries

[Cuizer2]

A good breakfast buffet

 

has hot, not just warm, food;

 

has food that is not overcooked from being under heat lamps too long;

 

has a variety (they usually do a good job here);

 

has big juice glasses, not thimbles;

 

has fresh fruit, kept away from the heat lamps;

 

has crisp bacon that is not swimming in a container of fat;

 

has a variety of pastry.

 

This list is good except you forgot the most important item. The food has to taste good! :)

[Stillfloatin']

Variety, hot food, short lines, waffle and egg stations, fresh fruit, crisp bacon, properly cooked hash browns, variety of bagels, cold juice and milk and LARGE glasses. A tray to carry it on is a plus.

 

The Jewel covers most of the above so it gets my vote for best ship buffet breakfast so far.

[Planer's Edge]

 

high quality fruit, esp. canteloupe and berries

 

 

 

...but not canned. :D

 

PE<---just couldn't resist that one, sorry...:rolleyes:

[ladysadie]

On vacation smoked salmon each morning is a MUST!!!:) :) :)

[jeannep]

Hot cereal. I never eat it at home but it always tastes soooooo delicious on a cruise. Now that I think about it, all food just seems to taste better when I am on a ship.

 

Ok Now I am really getting hungry!!!!!

 

Jeanne

[Steamboatin]

Grits.

 

Found only one cruise line that serves them. Had them on the Illinois River and on other rivers while aboard the Delta Queen Steamboat Company's boats.

[Seago2]

20+ kinds of Danish.

 

Authentic oatmeal with raisins and raw sugar.

[Tatka]

Omelletes made to the order with different ingridients like salmon, onion, green onion, ham, cheese, mushrooms, tomatoes e.t.c.

 

Fresh juice ( preferably 5-6 or more kinds)

 

Different kinds of cold meats and cheeses

 

I try not to eat bacon, sausages or hash brown... but sometimes I do. I really hated kind of H/B they used on RCCL, it was the same frozen kind I buy for my son for use in situations of absolute emergency.

 

Oh... and the best buffets are the ones without huge lines!

[CruisinMatt]

A variety of pastries

Yogourt with fresh berries

fresh bagels

[smarterman64]

is a champagne brunch buffet too much to ask for :D

[Ask4Jay]

How about a good selection of sliced breads: white, wheat, whole grain, multi grain, rye, whole rye, linseed bread - and a good toaster close by.

[beepers40]

Peet's coffee

[Hikini]

Everyone here has given good answers. I have to say that all three of the NCL ships we've been on have had breakfast buffets that we were very pleased with. I prefer dining in the main dining room for eggs benedict though.

 

But, to make the buffets even better, I would have to add a nice, chewy, warm cinnamon roll dripping with gooey frosting!:p

 

I love cruising!

 

Hikini:D

[Barb Nahoumi]

Large glasses of fresh juice

omlets with smoked salmon

bagels & cream cheese---light

for those who want it.

fresh fruits

Coffee which tastes like dunkin's

[legalcruiser]

The Carnival Glory served great grits a few years back - mix in some bacon, cheese and butter and yum!

[mousey]

Really good iced cold Pepsi (Coke is fine)! I like my caffiene cold! Real butter! Cocoa Cocoa Krespies and chocolate milkfor my son (hey he's on vacation). Italian Cold Cuts and Fresh hard roles for the hubby. I know - we're weird!

[Seago2]

Oh yeah! How could I forget to mention GOOD COFFEE!!!?

 

Good coffee. Brewed, not reconstituted like Camp Takodah Bug Juice. Strong.

 

Fruit

Good Bagels, Cream Cheese, Lox

 

I am not a fan of omelet stations. I hate waiting in line. I also don't like the mini cubes of ham.

[johnjrval424]

Eggs made to order (including omelettes and scrambled)

 

Bacon (microwaved, not deep fried as has become the custom)

 

Link Sausage (not shriveled from being kept warm too long)

 

Hash Browns (sliced potatoes, please! Not chunks and NOT with green and/or red peppers - shredded will substitute just fine for the sliced)

 

Fresh Fruit (fresh fruit salad is perfect)

 

Croissants (minis - not full size)

 

Belgian Waffles (a must!)

 

Bread Varieties (for toast)

 

Can't think of anything else right now that would be a necessity. And no - just in case you are wondering - I DON'T eat all of this in one sitting- I just like having it to choose from! ;)

[Wendy-Europe]

Hi,

 

you make me happy, if I can get Kaiser Rolls and different kind of bread (whole rye with crust and so on).

 

Ok - I am german and I love dark brown bread...

 

But I also love pancakes and eggs (sunny side up and soft)

 

And I will die for eggs benedict!

 

Wendy

[pool girl]

I good buffet breakfast for me would be granola and yogurt also fresh fruit. Also anything I don't have to prepare myself is a good meal. :)

[BishCruiser]

Um... what are grits?