Celebrity Newbie with an odd question?

[kingsrx]

I have been reading (could also be read as becoming OC about) all the info on the boards.

 

Through this board I have found the links to many pictures from Celebrity and I must say I can't wait.

 

I am puzzled though, there are these awesome pictures of the Grand Buffet or Le Grand Buffet, and I want to know what/when/where that is? If for no other reason than to take the pictures, it looks like a sight to be seen and not missed!

 

Any insight is appreciated.:rolleyes:

[buzzandjulie]

On most cruise ships the buffet pictures are taken before the passenger indulge

[kingsrx]

So is the Grand Buffet just the normal buffet or is it something different?

 

:confused:

 

I hate not having a clue!

[RodPat]

The Grand Buffet is usually 2 nights before disembarking. It is the last formal night. It opens for picture taking about a half hour before it opens for eating at about midnight.. The lines are long to take pics and then you get on line again to eat, but well worth it. Really is something to see. Pat

[MSBYRDY]

The Grand Buffet is normally on the last formal night. They will allow you in early (usually 11:45 pm I believe) just for photo's, then it is open for indulging. It is a sight to be seen. Enjoy.

Marilyn

[motherchic]

it is special. It is on the last formal evening. Passangers are invited to see it and take pictures, after a certain amount of time for viewing and pictures everyone is invited to partake.

as wonderful as it is I have yet to eat any of it. We dine at the late seating and we are just too full for even a nibble. Artistically it is well worth seeing ( and i am sure eating also )

You will absolutley enjoy it !!

[Andy]

Hi Everyone !

 

If you have never seen this before, DO NOT miss it. It is truly amazing just how much effort is put into this... from the preparation and display of the food, to how the Dining Room is converted for this event... all in roughly 90 minutes (from the end of late seating dinner).

 

We also usually take late seating, and are so full from dinner, that we do not eat the food, but it is well worth seeing, and taking some wonderful photos !

 

To all of the Crew that makes this wonderful event happen, a very special thank you !

[thomasale]

This is usually one of the highlights of our cruise. It is also the most photographed on our trip. The thing that amazes me is it is done towards the end of the cruise when you would think the crew would be exhausted. They really do put on a tremendous effort for our enjoyment...and do it with a smile.

[hajekfam]

Celebrity only has two midnight buffets on a 7 night cruise, 4 on a 14 night. The Grand buffet is on the last formal night as stated above. The other buffet(s) are held earlier in the week on 7 day cruise or sporadically throughout the 14 day. The theme of the other buffet(s) could be fruit and sherbert or tex-mex held poolside, chocolate held in the Cova cafe, tapas in one of the lounges for example. Other nights Celebrity has Gourmet Bites where waiters pass around appetizers and small pastries in the lounges and casino. Really nice as the food comes to you and you don't have to stop your evening activities.

[98Charlie]

This is usually one of the highlights of our cruise. It is also the most photographed on our trip. The thing that amazes me is it is done towards the end of the cruise when you would think the crew would be exhausted. They really do put on a tremendous effort for our enjoyment...and do it with a smile.

 

The grand buffet is held towards the end of the cruise because it takes so many man hours to prepare it (which does account for their exhaustion:) ).

 

The ice, veggie and fruit carvers are working during the days before to create those fantastic works of art and I'm sure the bakers are doing the same.

 

Holding the grand buffet near the end of a cruise makes perfect dollars and cents sense as well. If the grand buffet was held near the beginning of the cruise pax would literally pig out. Towards the end of cruise most pax bellies are so full they generally eat lighter at the buffet.:)

 

Dianne

[shofer]

I remember when Celebrity still had the every night themed buffet. We have never eaten at one except one time when we boarded in San Juan and had open seating dinner about 6:30. I persuaded my husband just to go have a look at it and it was Italian night. One whiff of all that garlic and the next thing I knew, we were standing in line with a plate in our hands! I think we settled for some tiramisu and coffee but it certainly pulled us in.

 

After that, we have always had late seating dinner and I couldn't even choke down a cookie when they had the late night deck party with ice cream and pastries. There was a midnight chocolate party on our Hawaii cruise and we did go up for the party band but as appetizing as the selections were not even a piece of fruit could cross my lips so close to finishing dinner.

 

The Grand Buffet has been scaled back some in the 13 years we have sailed with Celebrity but I have some great photos to jog my memory. I remember seeing lobster on that buffet in the past, but don't recall seeeing any the last time we cruised this past January.

[kingsrx]

Thanks for clearing that up!

 

I am glad I won't miss it!!!

 

And my weight watcher's mind is glad that there is only a few night buffets I might wonder into!