People letting their children who are don’t understand a buffet go up and serve themselves. I think it is a really good idea to show them how to serve themselves politely before letting them run and grab stuff without tongs etc
Sorry but adults are the worst!!!! I just got off symphony of the sea and adults packing there plate to the top like the food is going to end!!! It’s pretty sad how people just waste food!!!! This is another reason I will not be on another cruise…
Children don't understand that those public tongs are packed full of bacteria, so right after grabbing more food, they eat with their infected hands and spread bacteria everywhere they touch. People don't want to be bothered with common sense precautions while they're on vacation, so they do whatever their selfish natural habits dictate. They're in the mindset of "I'm on vacation, I just want to let everything go, and not worry about a thing." Then the next day they're in their stateroom barfing uncontrollably from a Noro outbreak. The worst part about that is they won't admit it's all due to *their own negligence.*
I always take an empty Spectacles case up with me & put it on a table of my choice, then I go & get a drink & put it at the side of my Spectacles Case, THEN I go & get my meal.
Lately there almost always seems to be that one jerk at a buffet that wants to boss people around they don't even know by saying stupid things like "tasting food and putting it back if you don't like it is unacceptable behavior, or you shouldn't be picking up food with your hands in the first place." 🥴 🤡 🤤
@@Shadowman-1960 Decorum around food / food service area is expected, no one should be TASTING FOOD & PUTTING IT BACK or PICKING UP FOOD WITH BARE HANDS.....you shouldn't need someone to have to point this out to you.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE. The people who do this are N-A-S-T-Y. Even if you do this at home, you are N-A-S-T-Y. Common sense should tell people that sanitation is the key to staying healthy. I just don’t get it. You are among people who you don’t know and you don’t know who has what type of contagion they harbor. People, get clean.🧼
Saw a kid knock a plate right out of this elderly woman's hand and her parents gave her a bad look and didn't offer help! Glad several of us helped her. 2016 so guess things still the same with kids on the rampage.
Our Kids are a REFLECTION of Ourselves.. we HAVE 4 Boys 2 Marines [ CAREER ] I Fire Fighter Parametric and the Baby is a LT. in the County Police ... Me 30 Yrs. FIR FIGHTER Retired ..Mom Optical Tec. 26Yrs
Kids have taken over RCL, and the cruise line does nothing to control the kids reaching into the food line and handling many choices before their choice.
I have been on several cruises and enjoyed every one. I don’t remember ever having any problems, everything you said is common sense, just be considerate of others is all I have to say.
I am a super picky eater. My first pass is taking single mouthful amounts of what I think looks good. My plate looks like a painters palette. Then I go back for the things I liked. I have been to too many buffets if I have a system!
@@laughinlori6893 I do the same thing as you. 1 spoonful of every item that I might like. Then 2nd & 3rd round for the things that I really like, usually meat dishes, & some veggies. Never eat any sweet.
I would add that it is important to move along while you are at the station. Too many people stand at the station staring at the foods trying to decide what to eat. Once you are at the station, get your food and move along!
I agree, but you gotta have a resolution for those who are indecisive about what to eat. The reason they haven't grabbed anything and moved along yet is BECAUSE they don't know what they want to grab. Might I suggest one of the points he already made in this video, and that's tour the buffet before grabbing a plate.
That pisses me off, and I usually wind up saying something rude like, *"Do you not realize there are about 500 other people inside this space who would like a chance to eat today? So would you mind moving along?"* I don't care if they get upset and yell at me. People tend to forget to think of others' needs when they're on vacation. It's ALLLLL about them.
I recently completed my first cruise on Harmony of the Seas. Great time. I was guilty of and regretted not seeing everything available first. I would just get a plate right away and when my friend came back to the table with something different I would say I wish I had seen that. Patience is the key.
Here's another good tip I learned myself. If you plan on getting an omelet, plus things from the actual buffet, get your omelet first. Usually, the omelet is steaming hot and the food in the buffet line is not steaming hot. By the time you get your omelet, then you get your food from the buffet line, the omelet has cooled down nicely for you to eat. If you get your buffet food first and then your omelet, the buffet food has likely cooled down too much.
I was just on a cruise and a Family thought that leaving a half a glass of orange juice on the table held the table for them. When another couple came to the table they sat down thinking that those people had left and started eating. When the family came back they were giving the couple a hard time for taking the table. To be honest I really didn’t feel bad for the family that left orange juice on the table, that’s not the way you hold the table, you have to leave a human being behind to hold the table, not juice!
I placed my coffee on my table with my wife there holding the table yet an older guy came walking by grabbed my coffee and commenced to drinking it. He never broke his stride just grabbed my coffee and kept going 😂.
Something he forgot to mention, do not linger, once you're done eating. Especially if you're part of a large group. Please leave, nothing is more frustrating than having to find a seat and then seeing a group of people with finished plates the entire time you're there.
JH-lw1fz......On a cruise you are on holiday.I will eat & use a table for as long as I like.I refuse to pig it down like you are expected to in a US eatery.Also NOBODY gets a tip so there is no reason to turn over the occupancy rate on a cruise buffet. The whole reason for a cruise is to slow down & relax
@@PhilipShand I am specifically talking about people who are not eating and also not moving. The cruise I was just on staff were asking people to leave about 20 min after eating. The fun thing I did notice is the people who linger at the buffet, complain about the lack of available seats at the pool.
@@JH-lw1fz The staff would hear some language in return.When I'm on holiday & paid ridiculous money I decide when & how long I socialise.It'my holiday,bought & paid for.Or is that just me.I will not spend many thousands to then be treated like I'm in Maccas or Disney,neither of which I frequent at any time.
I love ating in the Windjammer. My tip for going there is to get a couple of those wrapped eating utensils, along with a glass of water, tea, or other drink and find a table, as you said, before getting food. I also second browsing the food stations before selecting what you want to eat. One thing that peeves me in the windjammer is people who chose to make a salad for lunch. dinner and spend five minutes picking through the salad bowl to get that perfect (to them) piece of lettuce or carrot, etc for their salad, meanwhile holding up the line.
We always go pick a table and one person stays put to anchor it while the others go get their food. When the 1st comes back, they relieve the 1st so that the original table holder can go grab food. Bonus tip - take drink orders for everyone at the table so if a server comes over, you can ask for the drinks to be brought over vs. everyone trying to juggle food and drinks getting to the table.
Was just on Quantum of the Seas recently for an Alaskan cruise, had one cruise employee who was outside the Windjammer singing little made up songs about hand washing.. it was funny/great!
good solid common sense advice. creates a pleasant environment for yourself and everyone else. also be respectful and polite to the staff at the buffet
Key tip: Filipinos make up the large majority of staff on cruise ships. Learning to say "thank you" in Filipino might get you some extra special service and treatment as it really thrills them that you are making that effort. It's simple. It is "salamat", which is pronounced "sah -- la - mot". You'll receive a big smile, and maybe just a nudge up in service.
Haha it’s by chance that’s the only word in Tagalog I know, but after realizing how much of the staff was Filipino, I started using it pretty regularly and it was usually very much appreciated and just made for a fun conversation or moment to connect.
They could be from another Asian country, then you'd be guilty of segragating people purely by how they appear. I worked in a Hilton where they employed Thai chefs for the Sushi Bar as their wages are less than the Japanese, and most locals never even realised the difference.
@@melaniegrace7707 Well, then you are lucky to be informed of their nationality before you meet them. I have not experienced nationality identification by badge or tag with the service staff in hotels. Maybe on ships it's different or it's a new thing. I wonder how they'd label me if if I worked for them coming from Northern Ireland where it's menacing to ask about nationality? 🤔 I don't think I'd like to be labelled like a New Zealand lamb or a Scottish piece of beef. 🙃
@@melaniegrace7707 I'm understanding that, but I haven't come across it in my 30 years in the service industry. I don't see what a person's nationality has to do with getting served a meal.
Just did a cruise on the Adventure, and we saw a guy drop the food tong on the floor and then pick it up and put it back on the food. We always grab a couple of paper towels at the washing station to grab food tongs with and then also hand sanitize at the table with a small bottle we carry with us at all times. After catching Covid on the Mariner last August, we don't take any chances anymore.
One good Idea is scope out the buffet while looking for a seat. You can accomplish 2 things at the same time. Maybe you'll find an area of the buffet that is not open for serving and there may be more seating options there but have to walk a little further to the open sections of the buffet.
Remember hearing about the cruise ship that had an epidemic of C.Diff and wondered if it was spread by passengers at the buffet not washing their hands.
We went on the Allure of the Seas and an unattended child put his whole hand in the eggs. I was grossed out. People let their kids run free at the buffet, and it needs to stop!
Yes, and letting them go up there unattended then cough and sneeze on the food. How about having to stand there and watch kids literally eat directly off of the buffet!!!!!!
30 years ago at a buffet I saw a toddler stick his gross hand in the Mac n cheese. I haven't eaten at a buffet since. Love cruising. We eat at restaurants or get room service. We do not visit the buffet.
Its not food its toxic poison processed food. Watch the Avg obese cruise traveler and look at what they eat to get obese, processed flours, sugar, bread, contaminated non organic meats , dairy. Watch the Obese cows at Costco. They buy processed packaged toxic food, sugar fake fruit juices, , donuts?? LOL< Hillarious
@@doubledrats235 My parents grew up during The Great Depression. For me growing up, that was one of the meal table rules. Throwing food away was unacceptable.
Really appreciated the Gluten Free Station for breakfast at the WindJammer on Symphony, we were able to order GF pancakes and french toast along with omelets and other breakfasty things without fear of cross contact
A simple, easily implemented courtesy...it'll never work, lol. Might I suggest that we take moment, after filling our plate(s), but before digging in, that we revisit the handwashing/sanitizer station and ensure our mitts are completely proofed against other's, less than hygienic, discourteous actions. Remember, it only takes one to contaminate a serving spoon.
That is why I am very sad that cruise lines have gone back to self serve, as opposed to you telling the staff behind the food stations what you require. It was much more civilised, less contamination as the staff all wore disposable gloves and knew how to best serve. A lot of cruisers know how to eat, but not how to serve themselves without annihilating the whole dish.
They used to have good buffets prior to revamping the menus. The last cruise I did on Royal (Harmony of the Seas), the Windjammer was completely awful. I heard nothing but complaints about the food on that cruise the entire week. Seemed like all 6500 of us were disgusted by the food. Even Sorento's was not good, and I used to love them.
Thank you for qualifying the "don't break in line" rule. Of course, don't be rude and prioritize yourself over others. But if you can grab (with the tongs of course) a specific item without slowing down others, then please just do it. It will ultimately speed up the whole process for everyone.
As someone with allergies, its nice to be reassured im not being a nussiance when I ask about them as in the past you often feel awkward about asking for allergens as some places have brushed it off and not taken them seriously😢
@@openmythirdeye I didn't even watch the video was I was on the cruise. I wanted to comment on one of their videos saying how much I appreciate them making videos about cruises when I was on my cruise
Multiple RC cruises. My complaint in the windjammer, especially breakfast, is when you’re finished eating, move on. Many sit and talk for hours as many of us are looking for a place to sit and eat but can’t find a vacant table. There’s plenty of other places to sit and talk.
That reminds me of people who bump into friends and relations in the supermarket then just stop in the middle of the aisle and start yapping - blocking the thoroughfare and making it difficult for others to get past. Sometimes there's upwards of 5 people standing there just having a social gathering. Strangely, many people think this is ok.
@@sw6188 I agree. However I don’t think people do this intentionally. They are just in their own world and don’t realize there are other people around.
*I **_always_** start at the end of any buffet. I walk toward the beginning of the line, checking all the offerings. This way I can choose what I want without getting too much of the less desirable options. AND grab all the greasy serving utensils with a napkin so I can keep my hands clean.*
Another tip is to work buffets backwards, as the better food is always at the rear and the cheaper bread/salad items tend to be up front -- which there hoping you'll fill up on and save them money.
I mentioned this on another blog. I hate when people stand in front of you and discuss for many minutes, and carry on a conversation with a friend about the cruise or "What do you think I should have, Perry?" Look everything over and decide what you want ahead of time, before getting into discussions at the line in the buffet, get your food and get out of the way, so someone else can get theirs...!
Please get the foid for your child. The Windammer is not the time to teach your 5 year old to be independent at the bar or have your 3 year old carry their own plate spilling it all over themselves and the floor.
Make sure you recognize crew members at the buffet. One passenger made a bad mistake when she assumed that my wife, dressed in a white blouse and dark slacks, was a crew member. She had an overloaded tray and approached my wife, telling her to take her tray to a table. Being Dutch and rather direct, my wife replied that the other passenger had way too much food on her tray and that she should take it to her table herself. The passenger asked to see my wife's name tag and was rather mortified to be told that she was not a crew member, but a fellow passenger. She scuttled off to her table with her overloaded tray and we descended to the main dining room for dinner.
0:30 *Here’s a BIG Do-and-Don’t. DON’T put utensils at the beginning of the buffet with plates. Guest will have to hold them for no reason while they browse. DO put utensils at the END of the line so they can be picked up conveniently while walking away.*
Got a pocket? I slip my wrapped utensils into a shirt pocket. Places that don’t have them already wrapped and- I wrap them. Of course, most of my shirts have pockets. Or they go into my pants pocket, I don’t care.
I have people cut in line in front of me all the time XD Bu if I could give 1 advice. I would say this. It's crowded, and that's a given. But please, PLEASE, don't just stop in the middle of a path and just talk to someone or something. Or if you're walking slow, make sure people have enough room to go around you. It just makes the buffet more of a mess of people coming and going. Same goes with the tables, people are coming and going here and there as well, pull in your chairs or push them in when you are done.
I'm hungry, and waiting in line anyway, I might as well work my way around three times and grabbing food for each plate, as opposed to four times perusing the options.
My first cruise a week ago. It was good for the most part. I didn't see why people would pile their plates so high and just waste it. You can always go back.
That's why my mother sometimes gets mad at me when I come back with a little bit on my plate. I don't like wasting food at the buffet/salad bar so I always eat in small courses. By the time I'm full, there's always only one small bite left. I've seen pleeeenty of customers leave behind full plates and that includes entire families. We're talking 5-7 people leaving behind full plates after they're done eating.
Great video - as always! Just noticed that the volume was very low - - had to increase my speakers - - not sure if anyone else noticed that on this particular video!
You forgot..Do Not leave Children under 8 unattended at Any Buffet station!! If they don't prepare their own plate of food at home, that doesn't suddenly change now that you're on Vacation!! Parents kill me ...they know at home they won't let their kid pour himself a glass of milk for fear he'll make a mess..but now you're gonna let him attempt to make a plate a spaghetti by himself at the Buffet!?(I struggle with the tongs to pick up pasta, but you expect a 2nd grader to have no issues?!?) Noodles and marinara Everywhere!! I have no problem parent-shaming. It's not the kid's fault. "Oh sweetie, you're up here..ALL BY YOURSELF?!? Where's your Mommy and Daddy??" I make sure to get them a helping of whatever they were in line for...and then send them right back to their parents to Finish the job of fixing their plate of food like they are supposed to do in the 1st place...🍽🍝
My recommendation for avoiding lines in the buffet, especially on a ship where it is duel sided ( like the radieance) if a station has a large group on one side it is possible that the same food is on the other side with no line up
They do it intentionally so they can get that specific item when they reach the end of the buffet. I really think they should be banned for a year for putting people's health at risk and that also goes for lazy "parents" who let their kids do that.
Most restaurants have enough seats for the capacity they serve, and you only run out of seats when people hold seats for the up-to-10 minutes while they are getting food.
If you have children with you at the buffet, please, please, please supervise them. I've seen kids running i to people, nearly knocking people over, cutting in lines, and grabbing food with their hands. Without adult supervision, kids will do this.
Are you kidding me…. I have seen adults use their hands and “unintentionally” elbow check people. Especially if it’s shrimp, crab legs, or a prime rib craving station.
Yes, I agree about jumping the line. The issue frequently is that the line doesn't move in just direction. This can result in jumping the line without realizing that you have jumped the line. More direction singage at the buffet please.
Like # 3 I didn’t realize on my first cruise 🚢 that the Windjammer Buffett wasn’t part of the main dining. I thought the set seating time was for Windjammer.
This goes for all buffets not just on a cruise. A line is formed for a reason, please get in line and wait don't just jump in at what ever food you see . I see this alot with Europeans at all inclusive resorts.
Nice video, should be required viewing prior to boarding your cruise ship. One big no no is the taking a whole container of food to bring back to your table. Also only take what you are going to eat. There is a big problem with some people that think that this will be their last meal so they will empty a container of food to bring to their table, then they only eat a piece or two, while the people behind them have to wait for a crew member to cook and bring out more food.
Smaller plates is the key, I find. There's an _All you can eat_ restaurant near me that (Quite rightly) charges diners for greed waste. They don't mind if you've clearly been sensible and left only a couple of small items on your last plate when you've become full, but more than that and it's an extra £15 on the bill! 👍
Theres something we all need to know.. If you want to keep that healthy glow! Remind your friends in courteous terms to spread the word and not the germs! WASH YOUR HANDS! Its the right thing to do.. Its easy when you only have to.. WASH YOU HANDS and keep them clean oh yeh.. hey hey WASH YOUR HANDS! But if you find your not feeling well.. Like too many trips around the carousel..Call the doctor, thats what you do.. The doc will take good care of you and youll feel better too.. WASH YOUR HANDS and make your mother proud and maybe you can join the popular crowd.. WASH YOUR HANDS! like 50 times a day Oh yeh.. hey hey WASH YOUR HANDS! WASH YOUR HANDS!
This is very good the rules should apply to land base buffet too. Additionally don't mix your cold and hot items on the same plate. Ladies please don't comb or shake your hair at the table, go to the rest room to do that. For everybody do not take off any articles of clothing at the table, step away from the table to do that.
When I was in the Navy they would do made to order omelets and that made breakfast my favorite meal. I'm going on a Carnival cruise in January and looking forward to their omelet bar. ;)
I wish buffets had "social seating" sections or something. Like a small section with tables that seat 4 or more people, but the expectation is that other guests may join your table if there are free seats. you could also put cards on the larger table that guests can display signaling that they are willing to accept random dining partners. A lot of the time I notice that couples are seating themselves at tables that can accommodate 4 people, meaning that 2 full seats are just being left empty because nobody wants to be rude and intrude. A simple solution would just be to have MORE 2 person seating options, of course... but I think it would be a great opportunity to allow for some early natural socialization. Especially for first time cruisers or more introverted people who might have trouble approaching people. Many of my best cruise friendships started in the main dining room at our table, and I think the ultra-casual atmosphere of the windjammer would be a great place for the same kind of blind socialization. Of course families and groups can still take all 4 seats. it's not reserved or anything. But it would just be a more efficient use of seating
I’ve always wondered how royal handles everybody touching the same serving tongs. It only takes one person to not wash their hands and touch the serving tongs and then it’s like everyone didn’t wash their hands.
So maybe you should wash or sanitize your own hands before you eat? Remember the days when people just took care of themselves? How do you open doors or press buttons on the ship?
I ALWAYS use my hand sanitizer once I sit down with my plate BEFORE I toych/eat anything even though I just washed my hands because of everyone else using those serving utensils😬
If you're an evening main dining room user you'll recognize the same service staff at the buffets taking care of customers. Try to remember you servers' names (they make a habit of remembering yours, so it seems only fair) and greet them with a smile and their name when you recognize them. Cruise line staff work hard and they deserve kindness.
I don’t eat where food is served buffet style because of the following. I’ve seen people sneeze over buffets, grab food with their hands, allow children to handle food.
Same here! I also don't buy those unwrapped bread and breakfast products in supermarkets. Watching people squeezing bread rolls with their hands to find the freshest is enough to put any sensible person off buying them.
interestingly, I never save a seat and imo this should only be done by an actual person that is part of a group. I've never considered plopping my stuff down at some table and using it to hold my table. Not sure I agree with this practice except for when there are many tables available, but perhaps there is a particular one that you like.
Say like it's a food you like and you think you're going to eat a lot still grab a small amount because sometimes the food you like wasn't prepared how you like it or was just not prepared well
Do not eat so much food, just because it is "complimentary". Looking around a "typical" Buffet Restaurant is an unnerving experience, because of all of the (young) overweight/obese people in sight and those going back for a full plate of "seconds" at Breakfast !!I. I travelled on and enjoyed a 19 day Royal Caribbean Trans-Pacific cruise and lost 0.5 kg in weight - because I ate "healthily". Mainly Fruit at Breakfast Soup only at Lunch and a simple Main Meal - with one desert - at night. I am an active 88 year old !!! 77 kg, 1.82 m - BMI 23.2
my big complaint is people standing at the stations go comatose trying to decide which type of bread to pick - you have 4 options pick one and move on....another are the lane blockers - they just loaded up two plates and take one step and just stand there with their plate held out and one can get by
Glad you mentioned about _Not_ reusing the plate! Granted the last buffet I went to was pre-pandemic, but having been bought up with a strong sense not to be _wasteful_ that's been my default behavior for the whole of my life! 😳 Also: Thinking of another comment here about people standing trying to decide _what_ to eat and holding up the line; Is it acceptable to walk past the queue to see what's on offer first and making your choices _before_ joining the queue? 😇
@@susanmcintyre5377 In the UK either is regarded acceptable unless signage states otherwise. Overall plate reuse is viewed OK _provided_ you're adept at serving new helpings onto your plate whilst avoid cross-contamination i.e. by pouring or dropping the food a short distance onto your plate from the spoon or tongs. 👍
I did that on my first cruise and reused the same plate thinking I would save the crew washing up my dishes. But then I learnt off cruising videos not to do that and grab a new plate each time so lesson learnt :)
Honestly I wish they would make it mandatory for people to wash their hands at buffets, but theres lots of people who will use the bathroom and not wahs thier hands.
OMG on Wonder right now and that exact thing happened. Took breakfast items and then found what I really wanted-Eggs Benedict. And I'm not new to cruising. Oh well still have a few days left.
I witnessed a middle aged woman licking the little pouring spout on the top of various sauces, to what I assumed, to taste-test the contents. It was disgusting. Fortunately, I don't use bottled sauces to flavor my food. I reported it to a worker but he looked at me like a dear in the headlights. I never trusted the buffet again other than the omelet station. This was 3 years ago and it still makes me ill. There are some nasty and despicable people on those cruise ships. The staff who are working who have no training nor authority to address these issues are not responsible because, I assume, they can't verbally communicate or assist in these matters. I don't blame them. Supervision or leadership is nowhere to be found on some of these ships. Even that's understandable because they would be overwhelmed with numerous behavioral issues. We've been cruising for many years and I'm a retired US Navy veteran, served on 4 combat ships, 15 years combined sea duty, and all of my ships could be considered hospital operating rooms compared to some of these dining experiences on a cruise ship.
DO NOT use your personal fork even if you have not used it yet. I think people do this so they don't touch the tongs or serving spoons. They cross contaminte food from station to station. Well if the last thing you touch had pineapple I will get a very bad allergic reaction. After picking your foods and touching the tongs, sanitize or wash agin.
Respectfully, I totally disagree with your first recommendation. Especially at busy times holding a table before getting food makes that table unavailable to people with food looking for a table. In some, or many, cases by the time one gets their food, another party could have sat and eaten. I’ve run into this issue more at Disney Parks than on my two cruises (on NCL and Disney, not Royal Caribbean). I find it very rude to hold a table in a busy area when not eating.
Interesting take, I can appreciate having a catch up session without eating is rude to hold the table. Just off my first cruise and in the morning we’d find a table first as was always busy for breakfast and then my wife will go get something and then I’d go when she’s back or place my bag/drink bottle at the table to show it’s occupied.
