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

wineforhealth · 01-30-2009, 08:58 PM

This should be a tough one to answer

Mine is the dinnig room why follow the crowds when can get waited on and meet new people

CHEERS

sue miller · 01-30-2009, 09:07 PM

LOl I say buffet, I like the choices to get exactly what I want

cruisin' chick · 01-31-2009, 01:36 AM

It's a personal decision. Also depends on the ship/cruiseline. Some people don't want to even try the buffet, some rather use the buffet for many of their meals.

On our last cruise, we didn't use the dining room for breakfast or lunch, but eat 14 nights out of 15 in the dining room for dinner. For some lunches, we had chicken sandwiches from the grill by the pool, and the rest of the time went to the buffet.

*Lars* · 01-31-2009, 04:33 AM

Sometimes dining room for lunch but most of the time we eat in the buffet restaurant.
However, now that I am on a low salt diet I think it might be difficult to eat in the buffet restaurant and will probably go to the dining room.

Char · 01-31-2009, 08:53 AM

Actually, we use the buffet for breakfast and lunch because we can pick and choose the least processed items for a low salt menu. The dining room hasn't had low salt offerings on the menu....only low fat. Of course, dinner is available for low/no salt preparation if you order the night before.

*Lars* · 01-31-2009, 09:57 AM

>Thanks Char,

Interesting

I thought it would be the other way around.
From what I have seen from the dishes offered at the buffet they all look like they contain lots of salt. As if I chose from the menu in the dining room I could have the food prepared with no or artificial salt.
On the dinner menu they have a low sodium option I belive!

nealberk · 01-31-2009, 02:04 PM

What is interesting is that HAL has all but done away with the buffet at dinner. They have the regular dinner menu and still seat you but it is very informal. You can still get burgers and pizza but I think it really limits your choices.

Char · 01-31-2009, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Lars*

>Thanks Char,

Interesting

I thought it would be the other way around.
From what I have seen from the dishes offered at the buffet they all look like they contain lots of salt. As if I chose from the menu in the dining room I could have the food prepared with no or artificial salt.
On the dinner menu they have a low sodium option I belive!

Lars, there is no lower sodium option on the dinner menu. They have a healthy choice type of thing and it gives the fat & carbs & calories but, so far, does NOT tell you the sodium content. It would be nice if they added that info. The waiter will bring you the next night's menu and you choose what you want to be prepared salt free. It has to be done in advance.

As far as I know, there is no option for special preparation of meals at lunch time. Perhaps it could be done in advance, but we never tried.

If you are planning to choose the hot dishes that are pre-prepared in the buffet, then you will be loading your plate with salt! Also the prepared salads have huge amounts of salt. Fruit, salads that you make yourself (watch the dressing...it is loaded with salt) the meat at the carvery (except the ham) are all good choices. Cheese has about 170 mg per ounce (some is higher..this is average) so you can have a bit of cheese. Bread is loaded with salt! Cookies have a lot of salt, too! Forget the muffins and croissants.

For breakfast Bob will have made to order eggs (no salt there) 1 piece of whole grain toast, and fruit. Or sometimes he will have cereal & milk with fruit. Look at the sodium content on the cereal boxes...some are very high.

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.

wineforhealth · 01-31-2009, 02:49 PM

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

nealberk · 01-31-2009, 02:56 PM

Usually we try to eat suppers in the main dining room for the organization and the style. Lunches and breakfast are always at the buffet since we are running around and do not want a fixed schedule. Love the choices at breakfast and I can always customize what I get.