The cruise buffet is one of the most popular restaurants on any ship. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it is the go-to spot for cruisers looking for fast service and variety.
Generally speaking, the buffet offers something for everyone — from health-conscious travelers to picky eaters and indulgent foodies. However, before you start loading up your plate, you must understand the basic etiquette that keeps the buffet from turning into a rowdy free-for-all.
In this article, we'll go over 7 rules that every cruiser should know before entering the buffet.
Wash your hands
First, you should wash your hands before entering the buffet. With hundreds, if not thousands, of other cruisers passing through the buffet and using the same serving utensils, germs can quickly spread if proper hygiene isn't taken seriously.
Today, most cruise ships feature dedicated hand-washing stations located just outside or immediately inside the buffet entrance. In fact, Royal Caribbean's "Washy Washy" mascot has gone viral, encouraging everyone to wash their hands before enjoying the yummy food.
At a minimum, you should sanitize your hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizer. This extra step takes just a few seconds and will help protect not only you, but your fellow passengers and the hardworking crew members around the vessel.
Evaluate your options before piling your plate
With seemingly endless options, from daily chef specials to indulgent desserts and more, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the food in the buffet — and want to try a little bit of everything.
However, before you start loading up your plate, take a quick walk around the buffet to see everything that is available. You may find that you prefer something further down the line, rather than one of the first or second options. This also helps prevent food waste, as you aren't loading your plate up with food you might not actually eat.
By taking the time to scope out the available options, you can make more thoughtful decisions about what you're eating. You don't want to get any dirty looks because you're one of the cruisers walking around with a mountain of food on your plate!
It's okay to return for seconds
On a similar note, returning for seconds (or even thirds) is encouraged. As such, you should not feel pressured to grab everything in one visit.
Start with one plate of food, then, if you are still hungry, you can return and try something new, or load up with one of your favorite dishes.
By focusing on smaller portions, you can sample more and enjoy the buffet experience, rather than filling up on the first plate and potentially wasting food.
Use the serving utensils provided for each dish
Make sure that when you are serving yourself, you're using the correct utensil — and avoid grabbing items with your bare hands. This also means not using forks, spoons, or knives that are pre-wrapped in napkins for personal use.
Every tong, spoon, and ladle is strategically placed to keep the food sanitary and prevent cross-contamination. If a utensil is accidentally dropped, alert a crew member so it can be replaced. You don't want to be responsible for spreading allergens such as nuts, shellfish, dairy, gluten, or soy.
You can also tell a crew member if you think one station needs cleaning up. For example, if someone accidentally drops a glob of mashed potatoes or spaghetti sauce, pointing out the mess to a crew member ensures that it will be promptly cleaned up.
Don't cut in line
Crowds are common on cruise ships — whether you're lounging on the pool deck, disembarking, or trying to fuel up for the day's activities.
As one of the complimentary restaurants on the ship, the cruise buffet is a popular spot and can get busy during peak dining times. However, it's important to wait your turn in line and avoid cutting off other hungry passengers.
Cutting in line is rude and can create further congestion and frustration for other guests. If you aren't sure whether someone is waiting, it does not hurt to politely ask!
Avoid swimwear and other inappropriate clothing
While most cruise ships maintain a casual atmosphere, that doesn't mean you can dress however you'd like. There are dress codes in place, and wearing swimwear, wet clothing, bare feet, or overly revealing outfits is inappropriate for the buffet.
Instead, make sure you are properly covered up and not tracking water through the buffet. Slick floors can quickly turn into hazardous areas, especially when people are carrying hot plates of food and beverages.
When in doubt, ask about food for dietary restrictions
Finally, alert the cruise line of your dietary restrictions as soon as possible. Sometimes, there will be 45 to 90 days' advance notice for food requests, so planning ahead is key for the best dining experience at sea.
Generally speaking, the cruise buffet will have options for vegetarians, vegans, lactose-free, and gluten-free travelers. However, if you need a more specific accommodation, it's best to notify the cruise line before embarking.
When at the buffet, you can request that a supervisor follow you around to help identify which dishes are safe for consumption or food that hasn't been on display, if you want to be extra careful. This will ensure that you can confidently enjoy the ship's buffet.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
In addition to writing for Cruise.Blog, Elizabeth has bylines in Business Insider, Royal Caribbean Blog, and Cruiseshipfood.com.
