Buffet line or Dining @ lunch - Page 2 - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

Char · 01-31-2009, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wineforhealth

The line and circling people drive me up the wall at the buffets

When I can almost get the same thing at lunch in the dining room I think that's great.

I guess this question also should be changed by the cruise destination. If its warm out you may want to take your buffet food out to the pool and not change your attire.

CHEERS

Yes, we found the Princess buffet lines to be longer than other cruise lines. I think it's the way the buffets are set up. Royal Caribbean has perfected the buffet area on some of their newer ships with various free standing islands. Very little waiting in line.

nealberk · 01-31-2009, 03:09 PM

I would love to try RC for that very reason. Celebrity while spectacular in most ways, seems to have not thought out the buffet lines very well. There are always cluster spots and it is not easy to move around.

sue miller · 01-31-2009, 03:34 PM

Most buffets are only during certain hours, but on Princess they are 24/7. Like restaurants there are busy times, on Princess you can pick a time to eat that is earlier or later than those busy times. Love it

lindaann · 01-31-2009, 03:49 PM

I prefer the dining room. Nobody serves me at home so why should I wait on myself. I also travel alone and by eating in the dining room I am seated with others for company. At the buffet unless it is really crowded it is awkward to ask strangers if you can sit with them because they look over at the empty tables and wonder why you're getting so chummy.
Char - on the QM2 you can request the menus for the next day and work with the staff on choosing low-salt, etc. meals to fit your diet. I have a friend who chooses her lunch the day before and then feels comfortable eating the right foods.

Char · 01-31-2009, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindaann

I prefer the dining room. Nobody serves me at home so why should I wait on myself. I also travel alone and by eating in the dining room I am seated with others for company. At the buffet unless it is really crowded it is awkward to ask strangers if you can sit with them because they look over at the empty tables and wonder why you're getting so chummy.
Char - on the QM2 you can request the menus for the next day and work with the staff on choosing low-salt, etc. meals to fit your diet. I have a friend who chooses her lunch the day before and then feels comfortable eating the right foods.

That's good to know! Thanks.

I think I will check this out in April on our Celebrity transatlantic cruise to see how accommodating they will be for lunch. It's not too difficult for us to make the better choices in the buffet, but eating in the dining room for lunch would be a nice change.

*Lars* · 01-31-2009, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Char

Lars, there is no lower sodium option on the dinner menu..
We are amazed at what they can prepare for dinner that tastes really good without all the salt. Especially the soups. Soups are notoriously high in salt, but Bob has gotten some delicious hot soups without salt. Cold soups are very low in salt anyway, except for the gazpacho.
You can have a very enjoyable eating experience if you forget all the old foods you used to eat and try new things. Nothing will ever tase like those long remembered favorites, but you can have fun figuring out what your new favorites will be.

Char, thank you for your advice

There are a lot of other herbs and spices to flavor the food then salt. Look at the Asian cuisine. They use so many interesting and tasty spices. I use that a lot now when I cook. Everyone are so used to put salt on everything. There is simply no need to. Now I dont like the taste of salt anymore and it is so much fun trying out new flavors

CaliTraveler77 · 02-03-2009, 02:49 PM

It's funny, we actually realized at the end of our cruise last Feb that we never had breakfast or lunch in the dining room, and had totally planned to do so. Maybe in April lol

luckybluesman · 02-03-2009, 04:55 PM

Planning is great, but breaking the plans can be even better. My plans never work out.

CaliTraveler77 · 02-04-2009, 01:19 PM

Truer words were never spoken... I think this time I'll plan not to make any plans

MilliesMom · 03-30-2009, 02:57 AM

For breakfast and lunch, we actually do a mix of buffet and MDR. We liked the breakfast in the main dining room and it was far less crowded. Lunch depended on the menu offered in the MDR, sometimes there wasn't anything that really caught our attention. Dinner always the MDR and the speciality restaurant once during the week.

I have food allergies ... breakfast not an issue, lunch normally not an issue, but dinner can be a real problem, so by chosing the main dining room I have someone who is aware of my allergies and works with me to get the right items that I can eat. Typically they have me order from the menu the night before. Kind of funny to order when you are already full for the next night, but it works well. Both Princess and Carnival have done this. Not sure how RCCL handles it, I've already notified them via e-mail about the allergies. I'm sure it will be similar to the others. Our first 2 cruises with RCCL, I never said anything. Have learned that is NOT a good idea. So now we always notify them about my allergies. I take a printed card that I also give the waiter and head waiter with my table # etc. Then there is no misunderstanding on the foods I am allergic too.