Going on a cruise and wanting to know the ins and outs of a cruise ship buffet? Look no further! This post will answer all of your questions!
If you’re going on your first cruise it is common to have tons of questions about how things are done on a cruise ship vacation.
The buffet on a cruise ship is a frequent stop for any cruisers, most of the time multiple times a day.
From questions like what options will the cruise ship buffet offer to eat, where will I sit, or can I take food out of the buffet? This post will answer all of them and more making you a pro of the buffet before you even step foot on your cruise!
This post is all about cruise ship buffets.
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Commonly Asked Questions
Do they still have buffets on cruise ships?
Yes! A buffet is still offered on most cruise lines.
One that does not have a typical “buffet” is Virgin Voyagers but they do still have a galley.
The difference on their line is you will put in an order with the server from all of the food stations and they will bring it to you instead of walking around and serving yourself like most cruise lines.
What is a cruise ship buffet?
The buffet on a cruise ship is a casual dining venue with lots of different food stations for your to pick and choose from. You can take as much or as little as you want.
The buffet is normally located on the same deck as the pool but some lines also have multiple buffets per ship (more common on some MSC ships).
The buffet offers breakfast, lunch and dinner selections. Some will also be open for late night snacks.
The layout of buffets varies depending on your ship and cruise line. Some will be a mirror image meaning they will have the same selections on each side of the buffet.
Others might have different options the entire way around so you’ll need to do a lap before choosing to make sure you don’t miss something great!
Is the buffet included in the cost of my cruise?
Yes! The buffet is a complimentary venue on your cruise ship. Usually cruises will have at least 2 venues that are included in the cost of your cruise. The buffet and the main dining room.
These are available to you no matter what type of room you booked and are still available to you even if you booked speciality dining.
Several cruise lines will also offer a couple other complimentary venues such as cafes, a seperate pizza parlor, burgers, hot dogs, etc.
At the bare minimum however, you will always have the buffet as an option.
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What is typically offered in the buffet?
The buffet has a wide variety of food options, making it a convenient choice of dining venue for those who might be picky eaters, like to try a little of everythingn (me) or have dietary restrictions.
The food in the buffet will have some items that will be there every day and others that will change day to day.
Some cruise lines will also have a theme for their dinner selection like Italian, Indian, American night and more.
Breakfast is the meal you will most likely see the same offerings every day but this could still vary slightly.
You’ll have things like fruit, an assortment of breads, yogurt, cereal, different types of eggs, meats and more.
For lunch and dinner you’ll have traditional options like burgers and pizza, (although pizza might be in a different food venue depending on the ship) a salad station, a pasta station, lots of international options, a sandwhich building station and more.
They will also have tons of desserts to choose from!
Can you take food out of the buffet?
Yes! You are always allowed to take food out the buffet.
A lot of people like to go to the buffet during breakfast hours, grab a cup of coffee, a small plate of food like muffins and fruit then go back to their room to enjoy the food on their balcony.
You can do this at any point though. If you’d like to take food back to your room, on the pool deck, or are just grabbing a slice of pizza to walk around the ship with!
You can also take things to go from the main dining room!
If you have decided to have a sit down meal in the main dining room and would like to take an extra entree to go or maybe you’re too full after your appetizer and main but want a dessert for later. Just ask the staff and they will bring you a cover for your plate to take back to your room!
Just know if you’re taking food back that usually staterooms will not have microwaves so you will not be able to heat your food back up if that matters to you.
Is there a limit on the amount of food/plates I can get or how often I can go?
No! That’s the beauty of a buffet! You can eat as much as you want, grab as many plates as you want, and eat in the venue as often as you want. (As long as they are open)
If you would like to eat all of your meals in the buffet and skip the other venues all together there is nothing stopping you and that is actually a common choice among cruisers.
Some like to do this because they have small children and the main dining room is too long of a time commitment for them. Others prefer the variety offered in the buffet compared to the set menu in the dining room.
Do I serve myself or are there waiters?
You will serve yourself in a buffet on a cruise ship. This is the most common.
There was a time shortly post covid where cruise lines had servers behind the different food stations and were the only ones who would touch the serving utensils. This is no longer the case however (on most lines).
There are also waiters walking around the buffet. They will ask you what you would like to drink and also will clean up the tables after you’re finished.
You are able to get your own drink most of the time or grab one out of a stack if they have some already done for you.
What drinks are typically available?
Drinks in the buffet are complimentary (unless they are from the bar which you can order from using your drink package or pay for individually).
Common options you will see are:
-Water
-Juice
-Tea
-Lemonade
-Coffee
-Milk
Is the buffet open 24/7?
There are lines that have buffets 24/7. However, most will be open for the majority of the day with short breaks in-between.
The buffet on some ships is also the place to go for a late night snack as only one option is usually open.
Even if you don’t want to eat but are looking for a complimentary drink and the buffet is open you can walk right in, grab your drink and be on your way. Or if you’d like to enjoy your drink at a table you can still sit down even if that’s all you’re going to have.
Where should I sit?
You will find your own table on a cruise ship. During prime hours this might take a few minutes or be difficult to find a table, especially if you have a large party.
You might have to walk around the entire buffet a time or two to find an open table.
Some ships also have outdoor buffet seating that you can take advantage of. I personally LOVE this option if it is shaded. It’s a great way to enjoy your breakfast while looking at the beautiful ocean.
If you cannot find a table or have mobility issues you can always ask a crew member for help.
If you need a high chair your ship might have them available. Ask a crew member for assistance in locating one.
Is there a dress code for the buffet?
Yes, BUT it is way less strict than the other dining venues on the ship.
Unlike other places you are allowed to wear shorts, flip flops and swim suit cover ups in the buffet. Casual dress is the standard.
They do ask that you always have a shirt and shoes on if you’re going to be eating. If you’ve been swimming as well they would prefer your dry off before walking into the buffet.
What do I do if I have food allergies?
I HIGHLY suggest emailing guest services beforehand to make sure you will always have options to eat on the cruise. That will be the best way to become aware of what you can and can’t have on your vacation.
I have even heard of some lines going above and beyond and having a chef walk around with some cruisers with specific allergies pointing out what is safe for them to eat.
Can someone help me in the buffet if I need it due to mobilty?
Yes! If you are unable to move around to the different food stations on your own or would just like help in general a crew member will be able to help you make your selections.
This is something I would email guest services about in advance to make your vacation more seamless but you don’t have to.
This post was all about cruise ship buffets.
