Chocolate buffet

[pugaddict]

I hope I don't sound spoiled, but our first 2 cruises we stayed in mini- suites and this time we splurged for an AB penthouse. Every other time we sailed, the night of the chocolate buffet there we lines a mile long. Seeing that we do have a butler, would one of his services we could use would be to brings us some samples from the buffet back to our room? We would love not having to wait forever. Thanks.

[STAM]

I don't know the answer to your question, but I found the lines moved rather quickly. The staff controlled the lines by allowing groups to head to the buffet at one time. The staff had paper plates for those who wanted to take their leftover chocolate back to their rooms. The buffet was so beautiful with ice and chocolate sculptures and worth seeing. It was fun to be part of the experience even if it was crowded.

[lambs2]

Ask your butler if you can get an early viewing of the Chocolate Buffet. Not sure that will make you first in line for the goodies though, but perhaps your butler can get you the items you describe after you see the "sneak: preview. At least you can ask .

[NJ Johnny]

The Chocolate Buffet is not anywhere as nice on the Dawn as it was on the Spirit. Last year the Spirit had it set up in the MDR (Windows). It was an elegant display, beautiful ice carvings, and many, many chocolate castles, moldings and beautiful looking chocolate deserts. There was live music, piano player, and although it was crowded the lines kept moving and there was always a place to sit down and enjoy. The Dawn had it set up in the Buffet and it was a madhouse. No beautiful displays, no white linen cloths, no ambiance at all. They should either set it up at the Venetian to keep it on par with the Spirit, or cancel it completely. Of course, I don't know what the other NCL ships do, maybe the Spirit was the exception.

[watchdiva]

The concierge will arrange for all his/her suite pax to meet at a designated spot before the choco buffet opens. You're then escorted into the area and IIRC we had a good 15 minutes to take pix, get goodies, etc before the main doors were opened for business.

 

The day of the buffet, if you don't get a letter in your suite from your concierge about arrangements, call him/her and find out where to meet for pre-entry.

[suzyed]

The concierge will arrange for all his/her suite pax to meet at a designated spot before the choco buffet opens. You're then escorted into the area and IIRC we had a good 15 minutes to take pix, get goodies, etc before the main doors were opened for business.

 

The day of the buffet, if you don't get a letter in your suite from your concierge about arrangements, call him/her and find out where to meet for pre-entry.

Yup, Simone did that for us last year on the Star!

 

This year we didn't get the letter...I didn't think to call and ask though, I wish we had. I don't like to be pushy or ask for special favors....somewhere on here someone said they thought the early entry was just for higher end suites(we were in an AE both times), so we thought Simone was just being extra nice taking us in early last year....

we just didn't attend since I don't like waiting on long long lines.:(

[2Cruise4Ever]

We sailed the Dawn last month in an AB. And, our concierge allowed us (and others) to go into the chocoholic buffet before it opened to the rest of the passengers. We picked what we wanted and took it back to the cabin.

[terrymtex01]

Yup, Simone did that for us last year on the Star!

 

This year we didn't get the letter...I didn't think to call and ask though, I wish we had. I don't like to be pushy or ask for special favors....somewhere on here someone said they thought the early entry was just for higher end suites(we were in an AE both times), so we thought Simone was just being extra nice taking us in early last year....

we just didn't attend since I don't like waiting on long long lines.:(

 

Not for sure why you didn't get it because four NCL cruises so far, all in suites, three being AE's and we got the invite for all four cruises. Can you believe we have yet to attend? I'm not really a chocolate fan so maybe that is why. Doug likes it some what, but doesn't usually have cravings for it, except maybe his chocolate milk which he loves.

[Don Haynes]

Its been my experience that people line up a half hour before the buffet opens. No wonder there is a long line, almost everyone is in it. Lately, I wait around 45 minutes to an hour after the buffet opens and have found the line much shorter. They never run out of chocolate....

[GORDONCHICK]

I hope I don't sound spoiled, but our first 2 cruises we stayed in mini- suites and this time we splurged for an AB penthouse. Every other time we sailed, the night of the chocolate buffet there we lines a mile long. Seeing that we do have a butler, would one of his services we could use would be to brings us some samples from the buffet back to our room? We would love not having to wait forever. Thanks.

 

I would think that it would be nearly impossible for a butler to know what you would want to sample. But I also think that you will get VIP entry into the chocolate buffet early, though we were told it was for pictures. But you're already in there when they open the doors to everyone else, so you would have your pick.

 

I'm not a late-night eater of anything, especially chocolate, but I certainly go for the photo ops!

[DMH15]

Terry- I know what you mean. All that chocolate looks great, just usually doesn't taste as wonderful.

 

Unfortunately, I'd rather have chips, guacamole & salsa OR real French fries and ranch dressings over sweets any day of the week.

 

Hi Doug too!

[DMH15]

We were in an AC on the Sun on February. The wonderful Karin Goedecke (concierge) asked us if we were going and we said no. Changed our mind and she apologized that she couldn't get us in on late notice before the long line. We were fine with that, as we hadn't planned to stay up that late. There were hoardes of people in line. I am claustrophobic and hate lines and my mom has trouble walking, so we stood off to the side to let the crowd go, rather than get right in the mix. Then miraculously, they opened two sets of doors at the same time, one where the line was and one right by us! You should have seen the looks on our faces! It was like we had ESP! We were actually the first ones in. We had a good laugh over that one! Especially the next morning when we saw Karin in Il Adagio at breakfast.

 

My mom really loved this little nut crusted brownie bar. She brought some back to the Suite and kept them in the fridge as her treat stash.

[cfc525]

The Chocolate Buffet is not anywhere as nice on the Dawn as it was on the Spirit. Last year the Spirit had it set up in the MDR (Windows). It was an elegant display, beautiful ice carvings, and many, many chocolate castles, moldings and beautiful looking chocolate deserts. There was live music, piano player, and although it was crowded the lines kept moving and there was always a place to sit down and enjoy. The Dawn had it set up in the Buffet and it was a madhouse. No beautiful displays, no white linen cloths, no ambiance at all. They should either set it up at the Venetian to keep it on par with the Spirit, or cancel it completely. Of course, I don't know what the other NCL ships do, maybe the Spirit was the exception.

 

That is so true, about no ambiance at all. In past cruises the choc buffet was set up in one of the MDR with beautiful skirted tables all the way down. Not set up in a stainless steel station cafeteria style. Plus most of it looked better than it actually tasted. I can go to an all you can eat buffet at home any time where the food is served from a stainless steel station and get several choc items there too. I agree with doing away with it or present it a better way.

[NJ Johnny]

Does anyone know if any of the other NCL ships have the Chocolate Buffet set up in their Main Dining Rooms?

[scchasgal]

Does anyone know if any of the other NCL ships have the Chocolate Buffet set up in their Main Dining Rooms?

 

I know the Majesty does it in the MDR.

[sillysailor 1955]

The Chocolate Buffet is not anywhere as nice on the Dawn as it was on the Spirit. Last year the Spirit had it set up in the MDR (Windows). It was an elegant display, beautiful ice carvings, and many, many chocolate castles, moldings and beautiful looking chocolate deserts. There was live music, piano player, and although it was crowded the lines kept moving and there was always a place to sit down and enjoy. The Dawn had it set up in the Buffet and it was a madhouse. No beautiful displays, no white linen cloths, no ambiance at all. They should either set it up at the Venetian to keep it on par with the Spirit, or cancel it completely. Of course, I don't know what the other NCL ships do, maybe the Spirit was the exception.

'

 

Last December on the Jade they had chocolate buffet set up in the BUFFET - what a shame as it is a nice display (have seen it on the Dawn and Spirit as well) It really should be displayed in a nicer place than the buffett. As for actually eating it - NO THANKS it really doesn't taste that good:(

[njhorseman]

'

 

Last December on the Jade they had chocolate buffet set up in the BUFFET - what a shame as it is a nice display (have seen it on the Dawn and Spirit as well) It really should be displayed in a nicer place than the buffett. As for actually eating it - NO THANKS it really doesn't taste that good:(

 

Inquiring minds want to know how you know it doesn't taste that good if you don't eat it? :D

[sillysailor 1955]

Inquiring minds want to know how you know it doesn't taste that good if you don't eat it? :D

 

Ok you caught me I did of course have to sample it (for the next several days as it appeared on the menu in one way or another for the remainder of the cruise):D

[DMH15]

It was in the MDR Four Seasons on the Sun. Very nice ambience.

[suzyed]

Its been my experience that people line up a half hour before the buffet opens. No wonder there is a long line, almost everyone is in it. Lately, I wait around 45 minutes to an hour after the buffet opens and have found the line much shorter. They never run out of chocolate....

Good idea! ;)

[suzyed]

Terry- I know what you mean. All that chocolate looks great, just usually doesn't taste as wonderful.

 

Unfortunately, I'd rather have chips, guacamole & salsa OR real French fries and ranch dressings over sweets any day of the week.

 

Hi Doug too!

Ditto on that! I like the "salty stuff" too!

 

When we went last year, most of the chocolate was just ok....althought the chocolate fountain was pretty good! We like to go mostly just to take pictures of the amazing designs!

[suzyed]

Does anyone know if any of the other NCL ships have the Chocolate Buffet set up in their Main Dining Rooms?

They did last year on the Star...but this year we didn't go, so I am not sure.

[Dr. Jack Daniels]

All that chocolate looks great, just usually doesn't taste as wonderful.

 

I feel the same way about the chocolate buffet on the Carnival ships. It seems it's more about quantity than quality.

 

I was hoping NCL would be different.

 

DJD

[terrymtex01]

Terry- I know what you mean. All that chocolate looks great, just usually doesn't taste as wonderful.

 

Unfortunately, I'd rather have chips, guacamole & salsa OR real French fries and ranch dressings over sweets any day of the week.

 

Hi Doug too!

 

Ditto on that! I like the "salty stuff" too!

 

When we went last year, most of the chocolate was just ok....althought the chocolate fountain was pretty good! We like to go mostly just to take pictures of the amazing designs!

 

You guys.. LOL..we have got to cruise together some day.. Trust me.. if they had a "salty" buffet one night I would make sure I was at the front of that line. I will eat chocolate if it is with something. ie. chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate covered pecans, peanuts,etc etc...but it is the strawberry or the nuts I want and just accept the chocolate is with it. LOL.

[snorklinbarb]

When I first saw the choc. buffet set up in the Garden Cafe, I did inquire why it was no longer in the main DR (this was either Pearl or Gem).

 

From what I understood, it was done for health code reasons.

 

But some are reporting recent choc. buffets from the Sun and Majesty in the DR.:confused: