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New Cruisers Tip #3: Buffets
By Dave | June 5, 2008
(Before I start, I want to apologize for not getting the second post in yesterday as I promised. I got caught up in some other stuff and never got a chance to post.)
As I mentioned in my first new cruisers tip article, there’s a lot of free (included) food on a cruise. What I didn’t mention though, was how to take advantage of that fact and get the most food you can. Today I will be focusing on buffets in particular, as I have some hints to getting the most out of the buffets.
Let’s assume the ship is at sea, so there’s a full house. Let’s also assume the buffet opens for lunch at 12 noon. Okay, so what should you do so you won’t have to wait in those rediculous lines? You have two options. First, you can wait until the initial rush dies down. This will usually mean getting to the buffet around 1:00 to 1:30 in the afternoon. For me, that’s too long to wait. I’m usually hungry by then and will have eaten anyway. If this is the case for you, you shouldn’t do this, as you might lose your appetite. As a result, you won’t get the full buffet experience. If you ate a late breakfast, say, 10:30, then this might actually be a worthwhile option because it gives you a good three hours in between breakfast (brunch) and lunch.
The second option, which I prefer, is to get to the buffet 10-15 minutes before opening. So if the buffet opens at noon, get to the buffet around 11:45. Choose a table right near the start of the buffet so you can get in line right as they begin opening the buffet. This will eliminate the dreaded waiting-in-line factor. If you want to be the absolute first in line, then instead of waiting at a table, wait in line. Just keep in mind that they’ll usually keep the plates covered until they’re ready to start serving. I usually don’t do this because I want to give the workers their space, giving them room to set up. However, I do see other people do this. So it isn’t totally out of the question.
Anyway, before the buffet opens, I suggest you take a quick walk-around and see what will be served. The food itself might be covered, but the labels should be out. It’s best to plan what you will be getting so you don’t hold up those behind you.
When the buffet opens, and you’re near the front of the line, it’s time to sample everything you have selected. Just small samples. Taste everything to make sure you like it before you go back up for a full platter of something. If you see a lot of things you like, this will probably be a plateful anyway. After you have sampled, go back and take more of what you like.
On a related note, if you’re one of the first to board, and you like deli, I suggest going there right away. Many people don’t realise there’s a station that makes fresh, hot/cold, made-to-order deli sandwiches. This is usually the first station I’ll go to upon boarding. Once people see these sandwiches, the line will get very long. And since everything is freshly prepared, the line can move slowly. So my hint to those first-time cruisers: if you want a great deli sandwich, go to the deli as soon as you board (assuming you’re not toward the end of the boarding line) so you won’t have to wait in this line. This might also be the same for the pizza and the grille, but I usually don’t go to those places for lunch.
Oh yeah, another hidden secret: the fish and chips. On the ships I’ve been on (Carnival again, sorry for those who cruise other lines), the fish & chips is located above the buffet area. There’s very rarely any line there, as not many people even go up there. They have good seafood salads, other seafood items, and of course, fish and chips.
That’s my tip for today. I hope you new cruisers find this useful! Let me know. If there’s anything else you’d like tips on, please comment and I will give you some insight in future posts.
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Topics: Tips for New Cruisers | 3 Comments »