Do they still have buffet on cruise ships?

The Self-Serve Cruise Buffet Is Back, On Many Major Mainstream Cruise Lines. When cruising returned post-pandemic in June 2021, the future of the beloved self-serve cruise ship buffet quickly became an unknown. Well, it's now spring 2022 -- and they're back, baby.



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To the delight of many passengers (or to the chagrin of those watching their waistlines), cruises offer no shortage of nibbles at all hours of the day. Although cruise midnight buffets are nearly extinct, several lines still offer a spread of snacks that are available into the wee hours of the morning.

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Royal Caribbean International no longer offers the traditional midnight buffet where guests parade through the dining room, take pictures, then eat, on a regular fleet-wide basis.

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Unfortunately, the midnight buffet was fairly wasteful for cruise lines when most of the food was uneaten. Additionally, the crew members would spend a significant amount of time setting up the displays and taking them down each night.

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It's tradition for many cruisers to eat in the main dining room on the first night of the cruise. You're still getting the lay of the land, and if you've selected assigned-seating dining, you're eager to meet your waiters.

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Yes, because no one checks your bags when you leave... only when you return. So IF you take something off, just be sure to throw away anything you don't eat (that isn't pre-packaged).

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Located in the multi-level Royal Promenade at the heart of our ships – and the best spot for people-watching – Café Promenade serves coffee, snacks, pastries, and sandwiches around the clock. Open 24 hours a day, it's perfect for satisfying your late-night cravings.

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Available across the Royal Caribbean fleet, Windjammer is the cruise line's main self-serve buffet offering. Additional buffet-style options vary by ship, an example is Solarium Bistro or Park Cafe. Find a Cruise.

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All Royal Caribbean cruise fares include most meals and snacks onboard your ship and at any private destination you visit (such as Labadee or CocoCay). This means there will be ample opportunity to enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks without additional cost.

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Cruise ships are good at making food available 24/7, so if you're hungry, there's usually no one to blame but yourself. The main dining room usually has set meal times, but sections of the buffet will always be open, and you'll usually be able to find a diner, cafe, or pizza shop that's open at all hours.

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Cruises are often known for decadence when it comes to food – it's available all day, every day, in unlimited portions, and it's certainly not all healthy. That said, it is possible to eat healthy while on a cruise ship – while still enjoying yourself, too!

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The main eating area and the buffet are free to use. You can find the hours that each restaurant will be open the following day in your daily planner, which is delivered to your stateroom every evening. You can take food from the buffet back to your room if you'd rather eat away from the crowds.

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The easiest way for ships to do this is to liquefy the leftover food in an industrial grinder. The food is blended with water until it's a smooth mixture and then either disposed of in port, incinerated, or pumped out to sea when the ship is deep water and away from the coastlines. Simple as that.

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Can You Take Sandwiches Off the Cruise Ship in a Plastic Bag? Sandwiches with fresh meat should not be taken off the cruise ship if the cruise port of call has a law against bringing fresh meat products into the country. Most countries do, so it's best not to risk it.

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Shelf-stable snacks like chips, pretzels, protein bars or any other items packaged in sealed wrappers are permitted on every major cruise line. Just stick with store-bought goodies including candy, savory snacks, cookies or granola bars instead of whipping up a batch of homemade muffins or sandwiches to bring with you.

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No cruise line charges for pizza at this time, though some cruise lines do have fees for pizza that may be ordered through room service or otherwise delivered to guests. When picked up at casual dining venues, pizza is always free.

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Feeding Yourself on Debarkation Day Even though you're leaving the ship, you're still entitled to breakfast onboard. These are your options: Eat in a Dining Room You'll be assigned to the same dining room you had dinner in on the last night of your cruise.

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Dinner or “smart casual” attire If you're having dinner in the main restaurant or any meal at one of the specialty restaurants, you'll follow a “smart casual” dress code on most nights. This means long pants, jeans, a dress or skirt, a stylish top, or a button-down.

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