Cruise Talk: Buffets on board

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Topic: Buffets on board

WhiteStar
First Class Passenger
Member # 2740

posted 08-20-2002 10:48 AM

Do any cruise lines offer a buffet for dinner? They all have them for breakfast and lunch but you must go to a dining room for dinner. Many people like the dining experience but I have to believe some folks would just rather go through a buffet line for almost every meal.

Posts: 668 | From: Minnesota | Registered: Jan 2002 | IP: Logged

Dolphins
First Class Passenger
Member # 2043

posted 08-20-2002 10:59 AM

The Lido buffet on Holland America is now available for dinner on some nights on most of their ships.

Posts: 324 | From: Commack, New York | Registered: May 2001 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 08-20-2002 11:13 AM

I think I'm right in saying that most new ships and many older ones do have an 'alternative' informal buffet for evening meal. It can make a nice change!

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 08-20-2002 12:41 PM

Dolphins is correct, however I believe it is every night except the last one and on all the ships. You order your entree, but the salad, soup, and dessert are on the buffet table. You can dress casually here, but again, no jeans. Don't know about shorts.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Amerikanis
First Class Passenger
Member # 1835

posted 08-20-2002 01:27 PM

I wear, what i want, including Jeans in the Dining Room (and T-Shirts).

It is my Holiday, and i never accept any Order from People, who earn MY MONEY.

So, they can give an Suggestion, and i will follow this Suggestion or not...

...but i will never accept Order.

Posts: 1034 | From: Gutach, Black Forest, Germany | Registered: Mar 2001 | IP: Logged

RuthPerk
First Class Passenger
Member # 1609

posted 08-20-2002 02:00 PM

Amerikanis,

Do you happen to have one of the t-shirts that looks like a tuxedo jacket? My husband and I have joked about how more comfortable oneof those would be compared to a real tuxedo.

Posts: 329 | From: Victor, NY, USA | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

Amerikanis
First Class Passenger
Member # 1835

posted 08-20-2002 02:37 PM

No, i have none.
T-shirt is not for Gala-Buffet or for Captains Dinner, for these Events i wear an formal Dress.

But on other Evenings, formal, leger or what else, i wear what i want.

Posts: 1034 | From: Gutach, Black Forest, Germany | Registered: Mar 2001 | IP: Logged

Dolphins
First Class Passenger
Member # 2043

posted 08-20-2002 08:24 PM

I would like to remind Amerikanis that some cruise lines will not allow passengers in tee-shirts to have dinner in the dining and most passengers will support them. Hopefully, he will continue to patronize more "tolerant" cruise lines that will accept his arrogance.

Posts: 324 | From: Commack, New York | Registered: May 2001 | IP: Logged

colt
First Class Passenger
Member # 1215

posted 08-21-2002 12:46 PM

quote:
Originally posted by WhiteStar:
Do any cruise lines offer a buffet for dinner?

The QE2 has a dinner buffet in the Lido.

Posts: 293 | From: Lisbon, Maryland, USA | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

Nanatravel
Just Boarded
Member # 3287

posted 08-21-2002 03:08 PM

Princess offers 24hr. dining with the buffet open. An entre' may be ordered at specific "dinner time" hours with the buffet available for the other courses. However, this line has done away with the traditional midnight buffet because of this feature.

Posts: 4 | From: work | Registered: Aug 2002 | IP: Logged

Steve Read (sread)
First Class Passenger
Member # 788

posted 08-21-2002 08:44 PM

Welcome aboard, nanatravel.

Personally, I've never understood the point of the midnight buffet. I'd much rather they put their efforts into the main dinner. If anyone's hungry at midnight they can always grab a sandwich!

I'm with Dolphins on the dress code. T-shirts are for the deck, not the dining room.

Posts: 926 | From: Locksbottom, Kent, England | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

gaynorsinclair
First Class Passenger
Member # 3301

posted 08-24-2002 06:38 PM

On the caronia with Cunard there is an informal buffet every night which is always very good and a pleasant change from dressing up for dinner.

Posts: 14 | From: UK | Registered: Aug 2002 | IP: Logged

lougee1043
First Class Passenger
Member # 3303

posted 08-26-2002 01:15 PM

midnite buffet on the hal ships is generally at 11 or 11:30 pm

Posts: 33 | From: oregon | Registered: Aug 2002 | IP: Logged

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 08-27-2002 05:35 PM

On my first cruise, I wanted to see what the midnight buffet was all about. It was on the Norway in the Windward dining room. We went a couple of minutes before midnight and tons of people were gathered around the entrance waiting for it to open. It reminded me of a herd of cattle. They rushed in and hit the tables. Some of these people had their plates piled sky high. I found it hard to believe that so many people could be that hungry.

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 08-27-2002 06:44 PM

quote:
Originally posted by gizmo:
On my first cruise, I wanted to see what the midnight buffet was all about...... reminded me of a herd of cattle... I found it hard to believe that so many people could be that hungry.

I'm with you all the way - early in our cruising days we went along for the 'photo-op' and maybe a cup of coffee - no way could we have eaten another meal considering we prefer 2nd seating. Really can't relate to people who obviously believe 'we'vepaid for it, so we're entitled to it' - even if it makes them sick. Confess to wishing for a rough sea when I see some of their piled high plates!

The Midnight Buffet, as a special event, is part of what is now called 'traditional cruising" - one every night is unnecessary......better the cruise Line should serve real baked Alaska' on the second to last night - todays gooey stuff bears no resemblance to the real thing - I personally could do without it.

Happy cruisin'

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Steve Read (sread)
First Class Passenger
Member # 788

posted 08-27-2002 08:37 PM

Gaynorsinclair: Welcome to the board! Nice to see another Brit joining the crew.
Steve

Posts: 926 | From: Locksbottom, Kent, England | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 08-27-2002 08:55 PM

Another memory of that first cruise was the Chocolate Buffet. Back then the Norway had it in the afternoon! It was not in either of the dining rooms but on the International deck. The entire length of the ship had all those wonderfull chocolate goodies. My problem was I am not a big eater at lunch, so when the chocolate showed up I was hungry. I got so wired! This was the first and only cruise that we had first seating, needless to say I could not eat dinner.

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

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