Cruise dining etiquette /choices.

[cruisewidower, pontefract]

Do you have a routine around your onboard behaviour ? When we enter the buffet dining area we have an arrangement. Most buffet areas consist of a long narrow area with a walkway down the centre. One side enjoys a window side position and is probably the most popular. As we enter May(my wife) will say to me ," I'll get the teas while you find a table". I then begin my stroll down the walkway looking for a suitable seating opportunity. This is where the beauty contest happens and I need to" read the room". Most of the tables will be for 4 so where/how people are sitting is key!
If people are occupying 2 seats diagonally then that is a clear signal that you are not welcome to join them. The ideal table will be a window table with any occupants sitting opposite each other next to the window.....if they are occupying the seats and leaving the window seats vacant that's probably saying "you are not invited". Hopefully during my patrol I may catch a smile or a positive signal which will elicit a polite "Do you mind if we join you" from me in time for May's arrival with tea. I love chatting with fellow cruisers and my biggest disappointment is after sitting down after successful selection, the original couple have finished their breakfast and up and off immediately Do you have any secret signal surrounding your onboard behaviour?

[mike, lanarkshire]

That’ll be subject to change later this year when cruising commences again 🤞. No more buffets, seating areas will be far more controlled / restrictive. Reading the room will no longer apply. Social distancing will dictate everything on board I’m afraid.

[lucy, sutton]

That’ll be subject to change later this year when cruising commences again 🤞. No more buffets, seating areas will be far more controlled / restrictive. Reading the room will no longer apply. Social distancing will dictate everything on board I’m afraid.

I don't think social distancing will be forever once the vaccinations have been done. Otherwise, you can wave goodbye to the cruise industry as operating at half capacity will not be financially viable- that is if they can attract customers to the current way of socialising.

[Mason, Altrincham]

Here’s hoping that with mass vaccination the world will get back to some kind of normal so we can go on the great buffet table hunt again one day. By the way, Celebrity buffets are the best we’ve encountered at sea.

Take care and stay well. Helen🥗🍕🌮🥙🌭🍨 🍦🍮🍓🍉

[Fred Bloggs, Tyne and Wear]

That's a wish for us all Helen. I do like the Celebrity buffet, I remember the fabulous exotic fruit section on Solstice when we left Bali. The chefs were cutting them for us and great at explaining what the fruits were. It was the topic of conversation with a group of us who used to meet after the being to the theatre. Turned out the main restaurant didn't serve the exotic fruits!

My favourite buffet is on Oceania ships, WOW it's fabulous. It's the only place I can't resist the puddings! One night the head chef of the Terrace buffet restaurant came out and sat down to chat with us. He asked for feedback about our meals. As a non meat eater I had so much choice I said the menu was unbelievable but I really fancied a curry. I asked did they do curries and he said they had one on the previous lunchtime but we had been off the ship so missed it. He said he would put a veggie curry on the next evening for me & he did. Delicious!!!! He then sat and chatted about his family and how he had previously ran a restaurant in Sri Lanka but due to the terrible tsunami he had to give it up and go to sea, a really lovely chap. I hope he got back home to run a new restaurant as he missed his Parents, wife & little boy so much.

Wonderful memories and if we can get back to cruising I'm going to get my husband to fork out to go back on an Oceania cruise.