The Do’s and Don’ts of cruise ship buffet’s

 

We’ve all been there, patiently waiting in the que for the gentleman in front to pick which dessert his going to go for and silently thinking ‘don’t you dare touch that last piece of chocolate gateaux I’ve got my eye on’.

Yes, it’s the joys of the buffet restaurants on-board your cruise holiday.

This can be a place of dreams where offerings of culinary delights from around the world can be found around every corner but it can also be the place of nightmares where for some all manners and good sense of mind fly out of the window.

Maybe hunger gets the better of us and we let our stomachs make the decisions rather then our minds, I don’t know,  but what I do know is that some of the rudest people of I’ve ever encountered are in these buffet restaurants.

If you want to stay calm and just have a nice relaxing cruise then here’s some handy tips to guide you though the pitfalls of the buffet and all that goes on there !!

Personal space – Please, Please, Please give me SOME SPACE !!! My biggest bug bear is when the person behind you is so close you can literally feel their breath on your neck. I need my little area around me and space to feel comfortable while making my food choices otherwise I can feel pressurised into making the wrong decision (Heaven forbid). A good gap in between is just fine and keeps everyone happy.

Touching – Please don’t pick up a bread roll and then put it back. I’m sure we’ve all washed our hands and are nice and clean but there’s always one rogue and I really would prefer to keep my roll to myself.

Patience……but don’t dilly dally – There is a fine balance here. Please be patient in the buffet, don’t que jump and duck in front of others it’s not on when we all have to wait. Having said this if it takes you at least five minutes to decide how you like your eggs cooked maybe step out a line and have a little think to keep the ques moving.

Don’t be too Greedy – Now we all get excited when we hit the Buffet and your head can spin by all that wonderful choice. If you see people with plates piled high of a real mixture most of us think that’s a bit over the top. You can always go back for seconds if needs be and I can’t bear to see plates of wasted food left on tables. Pace yourself and remember you have plenty of time to try a bit of everything at some point on your cruise.

Running Children – If you’ve negotiated your way round the Buffet and are heading back to the safety of your seat you may find a few flying obstacles In your way. By that I mean children that come running straight towards you and having to swerve to avoid spilling a plate full of Pasta on their little heads. If little ones stay with an adult and that way they can make their choices in a calm fashion without any collisions.

Be friendly – Now I know my first point was give me some space but that’s just a que thing. At peak times in the Buffet restaurant it can be a nightmare trying to find a spare table and you can be left wondering around feeling like a wolly, desperate for someone to leave. If you are that couple sat alone on an eight-seater table please make eye contact and smile with other cruisers. Its so nice to be offered a seat and you never know you could end up meeting some life long friends over lunch.

These are just some tips on cruise Buffet etiquette and I’m sure we could all add something to the list that would make the whole experience a happy and pleasant one for all cruisers onboard.

Happy Cruising.


About Me

I have been working in the Travel Industry for 16 years and originally started out in Business travel. After doing this for a while I was given an opportunity to move into the cruising industry and haven't looked back since. I thoroughly enjoy my job and can't think of anything…

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