10 Things NOT to Do at the Cruise Ship Buffet

Cruise dining is one of the best parts of going on a cruise. However, many cruise passengers have a love/hate relationship with the cruise ship buffet! Here are some cruise buffet mistakes to avoid, as well as the cruise etiquette rules you should know.

These cruise tips for the buffet on a cruise will help you to enjoy your cruise dining experience & all the cruise food your cruise ship has to offer! Whether you're going on a cruise for the first time, or it's been a while & you're wondering about changes on cruises, this video will help!

In this video we go over what not to do on a cruise at the buffet, as well as some things you should know about cruise dining on embarkation day, food allergies, cruise ship etiquette & more.

RESOURCES I RECOMMEND

🛳 THE ULTIMATE CRUISE PLANNER 🛳

______
Please note that this video is not sponsored. The links in this description are affiliate links, meaning that I will make a commission on purchases you make through my links, at no extra cost to you.

As Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

CRUISE ESSENTIALS

Luggage tag holders:

*What I have: Carry-on Textured Luggage 21", 24" Textured Luggage checked bag

______
FTC LEGAL DISCLOSURE - Some links found in the description box of my videos are affiliate links, meaning that I will make a commission on purchases you make through my links, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services that I personally like and trust.
______

Please note that I am unable to give personal cruise and travel advice. If you leave a comment I try my best to answer.

ABOUT ME
Hi! I'm Ilana! I live in Montreal, Canada with my husband Frank. We can often be found dreaming about and planning future cruises, ideally to hot and sunny destinations! I believe in having fun, being kind and that you are never too old, or too young, to live the life of your dreams!

Please note that I do not sell cruises on Life Well Cruised. This and all other videos are for entertainment purposes only. I share my own opinions, personal experiences and information with other cruise travellers, which I hope can be helpful. Please contact your travel agent or the cruise line directly for advice and any information specific to your booking.
Some of the video footage used in this video courtesy of RCCL

Music Credit: Surf Time by Lux-InspiraMusicMusic

[pattymc]

Had this experience at the table in the buffet on our last cruise. Hubby and I were at a table for four. Beside the empty seats of our table was another table where four people sat down. There was a short space between the tables. A woman immediately reached over and took the cutlery from one of the empty seats at our table. She didn’t bother asking if there would be people joining us who would use the cutlery. She didn’t want to have to take five steps to get her own or, God forbid, wait a few minutes for a waiter to bring her some. We found that annoying but ignored it since we knew no one would be using it at our table. It was what she did next that really got under my skin. We had finished our meals and were enjoying a cup of coffee. They had finished eating and the woman stacked all their plates up and reached over and put their dirty dishes on our table. I couldn’t believe my eyes! She didn’t want the dirty dishes under hers nose but was only too happy to put them under ours. Rude, disgusting behaviour. We just got up and left. I wanted to tell her how rude and inappropriate her actions were but I couldn’t be bothered. She had obviously been raised by wolves and if she hadn’t learned proper manners by her age, she wasn’t going to learn anything I had to teach her. I hope she is reading this post and blushing.

[jeannietarrance]

The problem I've seen at the buffet is adults letting very young children be unsupervised. They may spill, be unsanitary, and interrupt the flow of the entire buffet area. I guess this is hand-in-hand with adults not adequately supervising their children on a cruise.

[susandodd]

Do not eat items while standing at the buffet, even if you put it on your plate first. It is not a grazing bar. Get your food, get out of the way, go sit down. Use your utensils and serviette/napkin.

[ecas]

I'm a big fan of grabbing food (especially breakfast) at the buffet and then taking it back to my room to enjoy it on the balcony. As long as it isn't a SUPER windy day, it's a wonderful way to enjoy your breakfast with a view and no need to endlessly search for a table, plus you can have a peaceful conversation or sit in silence to start your day.

[suewolf]

We do eat at the buffet. Not every meal but some meals.. The one thing we do is we walk the entire Buffet before we even pick up our plate. Looking everything over before you start adding food items to your plate is the best way to know ahead of time what you would like to eat and or try.

[mr.itchywrath]

Kinda bummed that some people have to be reminded not to dip their fingers in communal sauce bowls :(

[KanaTron]

My Mom and I were alone, two empty chairs.. we noticed a lady looking for a seat. We offered her one of ours. She was a solo cruiser from Indiana. Turns out, she was also staying across the hall from our stateroom. It was nice getting to know other passengers. She was super friendly. Funny thing, I don't think we saw her (again) but maybe once.

[retiredinnameonly]

I love to go up early. grab my coffee and perhaps some pastries and sit on my balcony as the sun comes up.

[barbaralazier]

On my latest cruise I saw a passenger dip his finger into a sauce to see how it tasted. Gross! He then carried on down the line. I told a nearby server who immediately removed the sauce. Since our cruise had Covid spreading after the second day ship’s wait staff began to serve all of us with the utensils being out of touch for us to use. I felt so much better. 😊

[yvonnemcnaughton]

Totally agree checking out the buffet options before starting a plate. When trying a dish new to me I only get a small amount, sometimes just a tablespoon! I really don't like to waste food.

[chezellis]

The one place where the buffet outshines all the other dining venues is the made to order omelet station at breakfast. I like mine to be piping hot and sometimes the MDR or even the suite restaurant, the omelet sits a bit before being served and gets lukewarm. There's nothing better to start a day than a piping hot omelet made right there for you in the buffet.

[thomaslarson]

When I was on Norwegian Jewel in May, each lunch at the buffet seemed to have a theme. One day it was Asian food, then the next it was German. I thought it was kinda neat. That black forest cake was to die for.

[Next_Cruise_Please]

I would rather the crew serve at the buffet all the time. How clean are all of guests' hands?

[christianoliver]

Yes check out the options.
Take a 'lap' around the buffet before you decide.
Please don't bring used or dirty plates to the buffet to put more food on.
People do this for a good reason as they think it'll be one less plate someone has to wash but it's not good to do.

[lifeisgood]

I took me years of cruising to learn to avoid the buffet on embarkation day because it's just pure chaos. It's hard to find seats, long lines to get food, people dragging their carry on suitcases everywhere and running into you or over your feet and they don't know where they are going. These days I only go the main dining room or 24/7 snack bar for lunch.

[bigale]

I always tell any first time Cruisers to watch as many videos Llana has made that they can. She has helped me many times with her advice.

[pierrefireball]

Years ago, my brother and I took a Carnival inaugural Cruise in the Baltic Sea. It was amazing, we did not have a single problem, this was a 21-day cruise. One of the many times we ate at our dinner table one guest at our table was eating some delicious ribs, and she told us guys you must try this, well our amazing hostess heard her, and we were already halfway eating but then she came over she said she would be back soon with a surprise. Well, she brought me and my brother half a serving each of those delicious riibs. It does pay back a lot when you are always kind and appreciate who is your hostess or whomever is looking after you. One of the guest's younger kids was sick one night she had her phone and she left before her meal was over, well our hostess made sure she had a meal sent to her cabin while looking at her sick son. Now that was amazing, and of course, at the end of the cruise, everyone was extremely pleased with our hostess.

[kathrynjajich]

As an RN, I would also add that after sitting down, pulling your chair in, use hand sanitizer on your utensil handles and glass, then again on your hands, then eat & enjoy!

[frenchhens]

One thing about buffets (and maybe this doesn't apply to cruise lines) is they put the most expensive dishes at the back of the serving area. I do a quick look at that section first. I look from out of the line, then I go back and start the line like a good little passenger -- I know what to save room for!

Another thing: I have only one useful hand, so carrying is an issue. You can use a tray that fits your walker. Or use a basket with a flat bottom, it keeps the plates from spilling. You can find collapsible baskets online so it's easier to pack.

[Pirategirlnightwish]

Something that goes along with etiquette and hygiene is watching your kids carefully in the buffet. My 4 year old has a habit of touching food with her hands, so that’s something for parents to consider too. We’ll be having a talk with her about not touching everything before we embark.