cruise lines with buffets

Buffet breakdown: Which cruise lines have self-serve buffets, and which ones don't?

It's time to pick up the tongs. Nearly a year since big-ship cruising restarted for U.S. passengers, a few things have changed with regard to onboard protocols — capacity is increasing , social distancing is practically nonexistent and masks are optional . But perhaps none of the changes is as disturbing to me as the return of self-service buffets, with six of the industry's eight major lines allowing passengers to, once again, serve themselves.

Don't get me wrong, I love a good buffet setup. What I don't love, however, is the blatant disregard of buffet etiquette by some passengers. I've seen people sneeze and then touch the communal serving utensils without washing up or — worse — simply forgo said utensils and grab food with their bare hands . Gross!

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That's why I was so excited when, as an initial COVID-19 precaution, several cruise lines decided to make their buffets crew-served. Sure, it takes additional staff, and it can be annoying when someone else is in charge of your portions. But it's more sanitary — since some viruses (though not COVID-19) spread via contaminated surfaces — and it also helps to control waste. You can always go back for seconds (or thirds or fourths) if you want more.

But now that protocols are being relaxed, several lines have reverted to self-service. Others never offered a different option in the first place. Here, I'll run down a list of brands that have the serving spoons on the passengers' side of the sneeze guards, as well as the ones that are still holding out.

Carnival Cruise Line

Unlike several other cruise lines, Carnival 's buffets were always of the self-serve variety , even immediately after the line's July 2021 post-shutdown restart. Passengers on all Carnival vessels are able to serve themselves in the onboard buffets.

"Because the crew are all vaccinated, and because 95% of guests are [vaccinated] as well, and after all the professional advice we have taken, the buffets … are going to be exactly as they were, meaning you will serve yourself," Carnival brand ambassador John Heald said of the decision in a June 2021 Facebook post.

Celebrity Cruises

Along with sister brand Royal Caribbean, Celebrity was one of the first lines to say it would temporarily scrap self-service buffets. But the move might not be so temporary after all.

"For the foreseeable future, our buffets will be crew-served and not self-serve," the line told The Points Guy.

Disney Cruise Line

When Disney first brought its ships back into service, it employed crew-served buffets to help minimize the risk of germ spread. Effective April 1, 2022, its vessels' buffets are back to being self-serve.

Holland America Line

Because of its slightly older clientele, Holland America has always been cautious when it comes to buffets. Even before "coronavirus" became a household word, cruise lines had to contend with norovirus.

HAL ships switched to crew-served buffets several years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, partially in an effort to combat potential outbreaks of norovirus, which is easily spread via contaminated surfaces. The line continues to employ the practice on all of its vessels.

"We made the switch to align with premium [cruising] and our goals for service," a representative from the line told TPG.

MSC Cruises

The first mainstream cruise line to restart operations with Mediterranean voyages in December of 2021, MSC Cruises initially began sailings with crew-served buffets. Effective April 1, 2022, it is back to allowing passengers to serve themselves.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian has been one of the most stringent cruise lines in terms of COVID-19 precautions. In the beginning, it was the first — and one of the only — lines to require full vaccination for all passengers, as well as crew members. That has since been relaxed.

As part of NCL's initial return to service, the line had the crew serve cruisers at its buffets, but it has since reverted to self-serve.

Princess Cruises

Princess ' cruise ships currently allow for self-service, with passengers able to pick up their own plates and utensils and scoop their own fare in most areas at the onboard buffets. Some stations are still served by crew members, however.

Royal Caribbean International

As one of the trailblazers in the crew-served buffet arena, Royal Caribbean required passengers to ask the crew for what they wanted when the line's sailings first returned in 2021. Starting April 2, 2022, the brand brought back self-service and issued the following statement:

"Royal Caribbean International will bring back self-service dining in ... the Windjammer Marketplace, Solarium Bistro and at private destinations. Grab-and-go dishes and single-serving portions will continue as a permanent offering."

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CRUISE DINING & FOOD

Palate pleasing culinary crusade.

If you’re craving delicious food, we have an entire fleet filled with foodie favorites.

Indulge in an authentic taste of Italy with homemade pastas and Old World-inspired entrees at the newly reimagined Giovanni’s℠ Italian Kitchen. Set out on an epicurean adventure east with exotic Asian flavors and tasty teppanyaki prepared tableside at Izumi. Savor captivating and creative culinary delights designed to spirit you away with every bite at Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine. Or taste your way around the world with global goodness served buffet-style at the Windjammer. From top-notch free cruise dining included in your fare, to specialty cruise restaurants that dish up plenty of delicious flavor, we go bolder than any other cruise line when it comes to the best food onboard. 

DINING OPTIONS FOR EVERY DAY AND NIGHT

When you cruise with us, the dining options are as diverse as the flavors you’ll find on each menu. From casual bites to elevated dinner and cocktail spots that raise the bar, you’ll find something onboard for every craving and occasion during your cruise.

CASUAL DINING

Great flavor doesn’t need to come with lots of fuss. Enjoy grab-and-go goodness and amazing eats at casual, laid-back dining options — like the complimentary Windjammer, El Loco Fresh℠, Café Promenade, Dog House, and Sorrento’s Pizza.

SPECIALTY DINING

Dial up dinner at upscale specialty cruise restaurants like Chops Grille℠ and Giovanni’s℠ Italian Kitchen, go all out on an exclusive culinary journey at Chef’s Table, or savor global flavors one complimentary course at a time in the Main Dining Room.

No matter what you’re in the mood for — and when — room service onboard our cruise ships delivers all your favorite cruise foods right to your stateroom, from juicy burgers, fresh salads and tasty sandwiches, to breakfast in bed with a couple of refreshing mimosas.

BARS & LOUNGES

If you’re craving cocktails, we offer amazing bars onboard our cruises where the vibe is always right and the drinks are always delicious. Like R Bar, known for its classic cocktails and retro vibes, or Boleros, where every sip comes paired with live salsa beats.

DINING PACKAGES

BEVERAGE PACKAGES

TOP-RATED RESTAURANTS

Each cruise ship in our fleet is home to world class dining options that will take you from Tuscany to Tokyo — and plenty of culinary capitals in between. From fresh-caught fish and New England style dishes at Hooked Seafood℠, to izakaya-style appetizers at Izumi and Old-World flavors at Giovanni’s℠ Italian Kitchen, these are the top-rated restaurants onboard. 

ITALIAN KITCHEN

Chop's Grille

150 CENTRAL PARK

Hooked Seafood

Main Dining Room

Jamie's Italian

ALL INCLUDED COMPLIMENTARY DINING 

MINI BITES      

El Loco Fresh

Splashaway Café

Solarium Bistro Restaurant

Café Promenade

Sorrento's Pizza

Coastal Kitchen

The Café @ Two70

Vitality Café

Surfside Eatery & Surfside Bites

OUR UNIQUE SPECIALTY DINING VENUES 

Chef's Table     

Café Latte-tudes

Samba Grill

Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen 

Portside BBQ

Johnny Rockets

Fish & Ships

Chops Grille

Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver

Room Service

La Patisserie

Cupcake Cupboard

Sugar Beach

Sichuan Red

Giovanni's Table

Johnny Rockets Express

Coffee & Tea Shop

Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar

150 Central Park

Izumi Hibachi & Sushi

The Mason Jar

DIG INTO LATE-NIGHT BITES

Nightlife is a big part of any cruise vacation, and we offer endless ways to play after dark no matter which ship you’re sailing on. Once you’ve worked up an appetite on the dance floor, satisfy your cravings with delicious bites available late at night. Like cheesy, oven-baked perfection by the slice at Sorrento’s Pizza, and shareable apps, sandwiches, and sweet treats at the always-buzzing Café Promenade, stocked 24-7 with snacks that hit the spot.

After a night living it up on deck, there’s nothing more satisfying than a great slice of pizza — and Sorrento’s serves up the best at sea even after all the bars have closed. If you’re a traditionalist, go for a slice of classic cheese or Margherita. Or mix things up with a specialty pie, like the bacon and BBQ-infused Caribbean Dream.

CAFÉ PROMENADE

Café Promenade is open around the clock, which means you can enjoy shareable apps and savory snacks that hit the spot as late as you like. From fried artichoke and perfectly cooked meatballs to spicy marinated cheese and decadent desserts, there’s no curfew for your cravings at this free hotspot.

SIPS THAT RAISE THE BAR 

Schooner Bar  

Trellis Bar 

Playmakers℠ Bar & Arcade 

The Lime and Coconut

North Star Bar 

Diamond Lounge 

Rising Tide Bar 

Solarium Bar 

Suite Lounge 

Pool Bar & Sand Bar 

Sunshine Bar 

Viking Crown Lounge

English Pub

Wipe Out Bar

The Bamboo Room

Cantina Fresca℠

The Lemon Post℠ Bar

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Everything you need to know about cruise dining onboard.

Great flavor isn’t the only thing that has we earned a reputation as one of the best cruise lines for delicious food. It’s also the incredible diversity of dining options you’ll find on every ship. Whether you’re looking to level up your night out with elevated cuisine and white tablecloth service at Chops Grille℠ or Chef’s Table, help yourself to fresh global flavors and tranquil vibes at the Solarium Bistro, or kick back poolside with casual, no-frills noshing at El Loco Fresh℠ and Windjammer, the options to satisfy your cravings are endless. You can even treat yourself to breakfast in bed or a date night dinner in with delicious dishes delivered straight to your stateroom by our staff via room service. For additional information please see our  FAQ  section.

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KIDS CHOICE A SWEET SURPRISE

Treat your sweet tooth to every candy under the sun — plus a few sugarcoated surprises. Sugar Beach℠ is stocked to max candy capacity with more than 200 tantalizing confections and all kinds of creamy, dreamy ice cream flavors. From epic sundaes piled high with all your favorite toppings, to fluffy freshly baked cupcakes you can decorate yourself, Sugar Beach℠ is hands-down the sweetest spot at sea.

Portside BBQ℠    

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Deliciousness with a Side of Sea Breeze.

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CRUISE SHIP DINING

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Enjoy a four-course meal and a great bottle of wine. Or grab a burger hot off the grill. Dress up. Dress down. Sit with your friends or make new ones. Dine inside or Oceanside along The Waterfront. Only Norwegian offers the freedom and flexibility of Freestyle Dining, which means no fixed dining times or pre-assigned seating. So follow your mood, not a timetable .

Enjoy a Wide Variety of COMPLIMENTARY DINING

All of our ships offer beautifully crafted menus in up to three Main Dining Rooms, a Buffet and a variety of casual eateries. With our chef's original dishes made with the finest ingredients, your dining can be as fine or as fun as you want.

Main Dining Rooms

Choose from up to three main dining rooms serving a wide variety of delicious cuisine. Enjoy specially curated modern and classic dishes made with the freshest ingredients.

Beyond Buffets

Our quintessential buffet is a crowd favourite for a reason. Available during breakfast, lunch and dinner, feel free to enjoy our meat carving station, made-to-order omelettes, pasta and more. Best part, it's complimentary.

24 Hour Eatery

Classic pub fare offered in a relaxed atmosphere. With popular dishes like the Reuben Sandwich and Fish n' Chips, this eatery has all your favourite comfort foods!

Indulge in Norwegian Exclusive SPECIALITY DINING

When you want a unique culinary experience, our speciality restaurants offer a variety of tastes for every palate. Now through The Norwegian Edge we are bringing an even higher standard of excellence to our dining with upgraded menus and new exciting venues. Whether you're indulging in succulent meats at Moderno Churrascaria, savouring French cuisine in Le Bistro, or enjoying fresh Mexican flavours at Los Lobos, you'll be sure to discover menus as fresh as the ingredients and cuisine that looks almost too good to eat.

• Brazilian Steakhouse
• Global Cuisine

Dig into some authentic Texas BBQ at Q Texas Smokehouse. All our smoked meats are infused with delicious flavours and come with all the traditional sides.

Our authentic Brazilian steakhouse is a must. Start with an impressive salad bar, but save room for skewers of slow-roasted meats carved tableside by our Pasadores.

A contemporary take on classic French cuisine. Surround yourself in chic décor and rich fare plates. Perfect for a romantic night out for the deux of you.

This delicious Asian-Latin fusion cuisine served tapas style is perfect for sharing. Food Republic is open for lunch on sea days and dinner nightly.

Dine on Italian classics prepared using the finest ingredients at La Cucina. Or explore a new wave of flavour with a fresh take on old-world fare at Onda by Scarpetta.

Gather around a shared table as a skillful chef perfectly prepares steak, chicken and seafood on a large steel grill at Teppanyaki. In the mood for sushi? Pull up a chair at any one of our sushi bars for some traditional Japanese fare, including Nama, our new contemporary sushi house offering upscale sushi and sashimi prepared by master chefs.

Bienvenido a Los Lobos, a premium Mexican restaurant celebrating traditional flavours with a modern twist. Chefs serve up new favourites like Carne Asada marinated in guajillo chiles and tequila or Tres Leches Cake with Coconut Cream.

Indulge in our newest seafood concept, Palomar, featuring flavourful Mediterranean inspired dishes and an exclusive eco-friendly wine list. Dive into an ocean of flavour with other incredible seafood options like Ocean Blue, Bayamo and The Raw Bar, serving some of the finest and freshest ingredients at sea with perfectly paired wine selections and cocktails.

Enjoy a taste of Spain's cuisine at this lively tapas bar. Sip on delicious sangria as you savour an array of small plates, like Manchego Cheese and Iberico Ham, or Cod Croquettes and Garlic Shrimp.

An American-style steakhouse where succulent choice cuts of Angus beef are incredibly flavourful and perfectly prepared. Make sure to order our famous Parmesan truffle fries.

Experience the all-new Sukhothai. Relish a stylish and warm atmosphere as the aroma of authentic Thai cuisine gently trails through the lush dining room.

Indulge your sweet tooth with decadent treats such as French macarons, chocolate bonbons and gourmet cupcakes at Coco's, Dolce Gelato, or The Bake Shop.

See What We Offer for FAMILY DINING

Freestyle Dining provides dining choices that satisfy even the pickiest eater in the family. Grab a burger hot off the grill or sit down for a four-course meal. Dress up. Dress down. You'll find more dining options than days of your cruise, and you're free to enjoy them all on your own timetable .

Things to Know:

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BEST SHORE EXCURSIONS FOR FOODIES

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5 Best Cruise Ship Buffets

By Christina Janansky, Associate Producer

Cruise ship buffets — you either love the smorgasbord of all-you-can-eat fare and the uber-casual setting, or you hate the crowds, queues and food that’s sat out a bit too long. Whether you’re a fan or not, you have to admit that some cruise lines have put more effort into their pool deck dining venues than others. Our favorite buffets stand out from the rest with countless cuisine options, pleasant dining areas, helpful staff and a navigable layout, often with separate self-service stations. Feast your eyes on the five best cruise ship buffets you’ll find at sea.

Terrace Cafe

Cruise Line: Oceania Cruises

Why We Love It: Oceania’s Terrace Cafe is likely the best cruise ship buffet we’ve seen at sea. This well-stocked and varied venue is arranged in stations to avoid the typical buffet congestion, and has food comparable to an upscale classy cafe. The service is great, too; the wait staff will load up your tray for you, and the chefs will cook food to order in full view of passengers. Even better, Oceania hosts different themed lunches and dinners every day, with fresh seafood, a carving station and an impressive salad island. Plus, who could resist the homemade ice cream that changes daily?

Horizon Court

Cruise Line: Princess Cruises

Why We Love It: Princess Cruises’ Horizon Court offers a diverse selection of cuisines, meals and snacks, including the Horizon Bistro Pastry shop, which serves freshly baked waffles, pastries and sweets daily. Breakfast choices are standard with the buffet’s “Grab & Go” station, and live stations during lunch and dinner offer a rotisserie, a Japanese hibachi grill and build-your-own tacos. There is also a special buffet area designated for kids, and nifty hand-washing stations located throughout the venue.

Oceanview Cafe

Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruises

Why We Love It: The Oceanview Cafe onboard Celebrity’s Solstice- and Millennium-class ships boasts some of the best international food at sea. This spacious buffet utilizes islands and active stations to serve a variety of cuisines, including stir-fry, sushi, pasta and pizza. It also has an exceptional salad bar, meat-carving station and dessert station. On some Celebrity ships with a high volume of Brits, there’s even a British “comfort-food” area with different teas and fish and chips.

Lido Marketplace

Cruise Line: Carnival Cruise Line

Why We Love It: The Lido Marketplace is the primary dining option onboard Carnival’s newest ships, such as Carnival Breeze and the recently refurbished Carnival Sunshine. The buffet, which offers both indoor and outdoor seating, has a ton of separate food stations, such as the Pizzeria and Grille, the Burrito Bar, the Mongolian Wok, Indian Tandoori and the Grand Buffet, which has a wide selection of meat and vegetarian options. Specialty drinks, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks are available from the bar menu, and the pizzeria is open 24/7.

Windows Cafe

Cruise Line: Azamara Club Cruises

Why We Love It: Located onthe pool deck, Azamara’s Windows Cafe is the main casual eatery onboard Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest. Apart from an impressive selection at the salad bar, the meat-carving stations and a dessert display, Windows Cafe is most notable for its themed dinners, which vary from night to night. Azamara dresses up the space with tablecloths, wines and live entertainment and serves a variety of international cuisines, such as Italian, Greek, Indian and Asian. While Windows Cafe is a self-service buffet, dining staff members are always around to help serve passengers and to fill drink orders of any kind.

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The 8 Best All-You-Can-Eat Cruise Ship Buffets

By Hayden Field

Cruise ship cuisine has seen a major upgrade in recent years – esteemed chefs craft select menus three months in advance, buffets offer options like fresh seafood and homemade ice cream, and there is even waiter service at buffets on some ships. As career foodies and Instagram hashtags become more the norm, cruise ships are revealing fancy dining rooms and more all-you-can-eat options than ever before.

As cruise ships try to cater to customers who don’t want to keep signing bills once on board, all-inclusive buffets are on the rise. Don’t forget, though, that there are unofficial rules for cruise ship buffet etiquette – like stay in line, don’t mess up the traffic flow, and use a new plate each time.

In order to assemble our list, we built a short-list from existing rankings, considering oceanic cruises only, and then judged them according to food selection, décor, and hours of operation. When you’re considering your next trip with a seaward view, take these smorgasbords into account.

#8. Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Photo Modified: Flickr / Gary Bembridge / CC BY 4.0

La Veranda is a breakfast and lunch buffet onboard select ships, offering global cuisine. Dine indoors or with an ocean view or out on the shaded veranda. The buffet includes a pizzeria. (La Veranda transforms into an upscale Italian restaurant for dinner.)

#7. Seabourn Cruise Line

This luxury cruise line’s buffet option for select ships is called the Colonnade , offering ocean views, indoor and outdoor seating, and buffets for breakfast and lunch. For dinner, the restaurant serves regionally themed table-service dinners with menu options such as pan-seared grouper and caramelized guava cheesecake.

Related: Envelope Please … the Best Cruise Lines of 2015

#6. Carnival Cruise Lines

Photo Modified: Flickr / Kim / CC BY-SA 4.0

Sit indoors or outdoors at Lido Restaurant , a seafaring buffet with options such as a salad bar, deli, and Asian food. It’s open for lunch and dinner and is included in the ticket price for all Carnival ships. An added plus: the pizza station and soft serve and frozen yogurt stations are available 24/7.

#5. Royal Caribbean International

Photo Modified: Flickr / Quinn Dombrowski / CC BY-SA 4.0

The Windjammer Café is an all-day buffet onboard select Royal Caribbean ships. The eatery offers made-to-order omelettes, pastas, salads, soups, sandwiches, and a carving station.

#4. Norwegian Cruise Line

Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line / Facebook

The Garden Café is the buffet on board most Norwegian Cruise Line ships, and it serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner alongside floor-to-ceiling windows. Popular choices include a pasta station, a carving station, and made-to-order omelettes and waffles.

#3. Oceania Cruises

Photo Modified: Flickr / Ralph Grizzle / CC BY-SA 4.0

The Terrace Café serves three meals a day complete with indoor and outdoor dining. Lunch options with international inspiration include bouillabaisse and homemade vegetarian spring rolls. The dinner menu offers choices like fresh hand-cut sushi and made-to-order lobster tails and lamb chops.

#2. Azamara Club Cruises

Photo Modified: Flickr / Chris Owen / CC BY 4.0

Azamara’s answer for snacks and casual cuisine, the Windows Café is part of an all-inclusive dining experience onboard select ships. The buffet’s choices change daily, but some examples are fresh sushi, fish, pastas, desserts, and a carving station. The Café also offers Indian, Spanish, Italian, Mexican, and other global cuisine.

#1. Celebrity Cruises

Photo Modified: Flickr / Heather Cowper / CC BY 4.0

Celebrity Cruises modeled their Oceanview Café after an international marketplace, complete with a variety of cuisine options inspired by the world’s countries. The buffet is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late at night, and options include pizza, sushi, stir-fry, and made-to-order pasta.

More from The Daily Meal:

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The 25 Best Cheeseburgers in America

12 Deceptively Delicious Dishes From Around the World

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Cruise Ship Buffets: What to Know From a Veteran Cruiser

When it comes to eating on a cruise ship, there are tons of restaurants, but without a doubt the spot where you’ll eat the most meals is the ship’s buffet. We estimate you’ll eat here at least once a day during the cruise.

This spot is a staple no matter which cruise line you sail or which ship you choose. (The one exception is Virgin Voyages, which doesn’t have a buffet .) Yet for the amount of meals that you eat here, it’s actually discussed relatively little.

As cruise veterans that have been on dozens of trips, we’ve eaten countless meals in the ship’s buffet. From what’s served to etiquette, we have everything you need to know.

The Basics of a Cruise Ship Buffet

First things first, there are some basics of what to know about the buffet onboard. You can think of the restaurant as a “catch all” spot. It serves every meal — breakfast, lunch, and dinner — each day of the cruise. So no matter what you want to eat, the buffet is always an option.

Just like a buffet on land, there isn’t sit-down waiter service. Instead, you simply walk into the restaurant, grab a plate, browse the buffet options, and get what you want. Seating is open and you just sit at an open table. If you want more to eat, just leave your plate on your table and go grab a clean one. There is staff roaming the area to clear plates and clean tables.

When you’re done, there is no check to settle or tip to leave. You simply get up and walk out and get back to the fun.

What Hours Is the Buffet Open?

While the buffet serves every meal during the day, it’s not open 24 hours. Typically there are three different opening times (one for each meal). In between, the restaurant closes for an hour or two to prepare for the next mealtime.

Often the buffet opens around 6:00 a.m. for breakfast until about 10:00 a.m., opens again at 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. for lunch, and then 5:00 p.m. for dinner. The dinner hours typically end around 10 p.m. 

You are free to visit anytime during these hours. Unlike the dining room, there are are no set dining times and there’s no “checking in” for a table either. Simply show up when you’re hungry.

What’s Sort of Food Is Served?

It might be easier to explain what’s not served in the cruise’s buffet. First, the buffet will vary in size with the size of the ship. Larger ships will have more stations that serve more options while smaller ships are more limited.

There is basic fare like burgers, dogs, pizza, salad bar, and desserts that are always on the buffet. But then there are a number of dishes that rotate out nightly. Often there are themed nights such as Italian or Indian where many dishes of a specific style are offered. So no, you aren’t going to be stuck eating hot dogs and hamburgers! We’ve noticed that higher-end lines tend to have more elevated fare, such as the lobster night when we sailed Celebrity. 

Breakfast is classic American breakfast fare from pancakes and waffles to bacon, sausage, fruit, cereal, and more. Omelet stations are also a staple.

What’s the Dress Code in the Buffet?

Despite taking a lot of cruises, which almost always have formal nights , we personally like to keep things more casual. That’s where the buffet dress code is nice.

First, there is a dress code, but it’s so minor that you likely won’t even notice. As long as you are covered up beyond a swimsuit, then you’re good to go. Entering shirtless or in a swimsuit without a wrap is frowned upon (and rarely happens). Beyond that, there isn’t’ a dress code.

Feel free to wear whatever makes you comfortable as the buffet is always casual — even if it’s formal night in the main dining room. Shirts, shorts, hats, and flip-flops are all allowed.

Do I Tip in the Buffet?

Customarily when you leave a restaurant — even a buffet — you leave a couple of bucks on the table. That’s not the case on a cruise ship.

You’ll pay a daily gratuity charge (usually around $15-18 per person, per day) when you cruise. This covers people like the room steward that keeps the cabin clean, dining room staff, and yes, the crew in the buffet that cleans the tables and clears plates.

That means whenever you dine in the buffet, the tip is already taken care of with this daily charge. You simply get up and leave when you’re done.

Is the Buffet Food Good?

We’ve sailed a lot of cruises and eaten at the buffet on every one of them. That means we have a unique perspective on the food across lines.

In our experience, we find the buffet to be hit and miss and definitely prefer to eat other spots on the ship.

Breakfast we find to be very good. Frankly, the basic staples are hard to get wrong and whether you want an omelet, pancakes, cereal, fruit, French toast, or any other classic breakfast dish, you’ll find it available.

We also find desserts are usually pretty good, with lots of variety offered. So you don’t have to choose between chocolate cake or lemon bars, you can have both. (Portions are usually small, which makes grabbing 2-3 items ideal anyway.)

In general, however, the lunch and dinner fare is mediocre to us. Some dishes can be fantastic, but overall the quality seems lower than other restaurants around the ship. When you’re feeding literally thousands of passengers a wide variety of dishes, it’s not surprising that quality suffers.

That’s not to say it’s bad. It’s just not anything we think most people would get excited about. We don’t mind eating there occasionally, but after a few trips find ourselves wanting something different.

And one thing to note is that we’ve tried buffets across all the major lines. Some may be better than others, but in general we actually find the quality similar.

Tips, Etiquette, & Things to Know

Overall, the buffet is pretty self-explanatory. Go in when you’re hungry, pick what looks tasty, and find a seat. Still, there are some things that are helpful to know…

Be Sure to Cover Up: For 99.9% of people, the dress code is no issue — it’s basically wear what you want. However, we have seen people entering the buffet in swimsuits only. You always want to be fully clothed and not only in a bathing suit, which means a shirt for guys and a coverup for ladies.

Great Views… But Prime Seating Goes Fast: One nice thing about the buffet is that it almost always has some of the best views on the ship. That’s because it’s located on a top deck and takes up a whole section of the ship so there is seating next to windows looking out over the water. The views are great, but these seats also go first, so don’t be surprised if there isn’t one available.

Overeager Cleaners: If you get up to go get dessert or a second serving, don’t be surprised if your table is cleared by the time you return. The cleaning staff usually gets to tables quickly. It’s great when you want to clear dishes, but can be a pain if everyone at the table gets up at the same time and comes back to find that it’s been turned over and new people are now sitting there. If you can avoid leaving a table empty, it’s a good idea.

Don’t Touch the Food: There are two types of food on the buffet — items that are plated already (so you just grab and go) and those that you serve with tongs or a serving spoon. Either way, you should never touch anything on the buffet with your bare hands.

Clean Your Hands When Entering: Any buffet you enter will have a stand dispensing hand sanitizer, a hand-washing station, or both. There is usually a crew member encouraging you to wash up. At the buffet, you’re sharing space — and serving utensils — with a lot of people. Cleaning your hands is a common courtesy to help you from getting sick.

More on Cruise Dining:

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10 Best Cruise Ship Buffets

Quality, quantity, variety — that’s why passengers love cruise ship buffets, where they can have their cake (and their pasta, burgers, stir fry and pizza) and eat as much of it as they want, too. Here are 10 impressive options to try.

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Save time, avoid mistakes and get your best value using our knowledge, skills and contacts to create your perfect cruise or tour vacation, my six must-try ocean and river cruise ship buffets.

Updated: May 23

Cruise ship buffets offer convenience and culinary diversity. From familiar comfort foods to exotic delicacies, buffets provide an array of tempting options that cater to every palate . Whether you’re most comfortable sticking with what you know, adventurous about trying new foods, or have food sensitivities, buffets are great opportunities.

And they’re free since the cost of the buffets is included in your cruise fare!

It's rare to find an ocean cruise ship without a main buffet restaurant, and many riverboat cruises also feature buffet areas.

Now, let's jump into my “top six” cruise ship buffets, each deserving of recognition. Each has its reasons for being a standout. They aren’t in any particular order.

Top Six Ocean and River Cruise Ship Buffets

1. Royal Caribbean International's Symphony of the Seas Windjammer Cafe, port side. 2. Royal Caribbean International's Harmony of the Seas Windjammer Cafe, hightop counter seating. 3. Royal Caribbean International's Oasis of the Seas Windjammer Cafe, sample lunch. 4. Royal Caribbean International's Oasis of the Seas Windjammer Cafe, seating.

Royal Caribbean International's Windjammer Cafe / Windjammer Marketplace

Royal Caribbean's buffet, known as both Windjammer Café and Windjammer Marketplace, is a culinary harbor offering a ton of food options ranging from American favorites to exotic options found around the world with examples of cuisines including Indonesian, Tex-Mex, and French. Entrees, salads, vegetables, side dishes, and desserts are arranged on islands or rows within the buffet area.  

Windjammer's extensive offerings cater to diverse tastes to satisfy picky eaters and food-adventurous guests who want to gastronomically travel the world without stepping foot off the ship. Over the years, Windjammer has introduced me to many new foods that I’ve come to love. The diversity works well for those with specific dietary requirements like vegetarian, allergy, or gluten-free, with attentive staff readily available for guidance or consultations with the chef.

During peak hours, the strategic layout of food stations proves invaluable in efficiently managing crowds. While both starboard (right) and port (left) sides as you enter the room offer nearly identical food stations, only one side may operate during off-peak hours.  There is mostly sufficient seating, with the exception of the highest peak breakfast times, especially on port days, and the highest peak time of lunch on at-sea days. Seating is along the perimeter Windjammer with a lot of spots along the windows using tables, partial booths, and high-top counters on some ships. Some of Royal Caribbean’s ships have additional outdoor extensions available behind Windjammer. If your ship doesn’t offer that, you can take your food out to the tables or lounges on the deck by the pool.

1. Celebrity Beyond's Oceanview Cafe is a gluten-free food station. 2. Celebrity Cruises' pizza is a hit. 3. Celebrity Cruises' Millennium and Summit Oceanview Cafe. 4. Celebrity Cruises' Edge and Apex outdoor seating of Oceanview Cafe. 5. Celebrity Cruises' Beyond, sample yummy lunch desserts in Oceanview Cafe. 6. Celebrity Cruises' breakfast with Bloody Mary and mimosa.

Celebrity Cruises' Oceanview Cafe

Celebrity Cruises’ Oceanview Café spans its entire fleet except for its three Galapagos Islands ships. Like the previously listed line, nearly identical food stations are on both sides toward the room’s center while seating is along the outer parts of the room. Some ships offer outdoor extensions to Oceanview Café, but if you prefer eating al fresco and there is none on your ship, feel free to take your meal out to the deck seating around the pool. Depending on the ship, indoor seating consists of tables, some partial booths, and possibly a hightop counter.

Celebrity’s cuisine is also globally inspired. Some dishes are consistent day-to-day, and others change, providing plenty of variety for diners who stick with familiar favorites, those who seek new experiences, and those who must adhere  to dietary restrictions. The cruise line is known for accommodating guests with dietary needs and preferences.

While Celebrity offers plenty of indulgent options, it also has many lighter options. During my most recent Celebrity Cruises voyage aboard Celebrity Beyond with a lifelong school companion, we were especially wowed by the array and quality of breads and desserts. Thank goodness we had some great healthy options, too, to help offset those carbs!

1. Princess Cruises' World Fresh Cafe, staff assists with food concerns. 2. Princess Crusies' World Fresh Cafe on a Royal-Class ship. 3. Princess Cruises' World Fresh Cafe, finishing your meal with some sweets. 4. Princess Cruises' Worldwide Fresh Cafe, fresh meat carving option.

Princess Cruises' World Fresh Market

The World Fresh Market buffet, specifically on Princess Cruises’ six Royal-Class ships- Discovery Princess, Majestic Princess, Enchanted Princess, Royal Princess, Regal Princess, and Sky Princess is set up differently than on their older ships. These food stations are set up similarly to the islands and rows as the two previous cruise lines and offer a much better traffic flow than what guests experience on Princess’ other older ships. With many more dining options, guests are enjoying expanded menus from the U.S. and around the world.

The venue is bright and airy and offers tables and partial booths with ample seating except at the highest of peak times. If you prefer outdoor seating, take your meal out the door to the tables and chairs on deck.

World Fresh Market also offers various international food themes and gives you a great opportunity to try items you’d normally not cook or order when dining at home. As mentioned, there’s a lot of variety to suit most tastes and the quality is good. Though I tend to use buffets more for breakfasts and lunches, I did go to it for a dinner on my last Princess cruise for a more low-key meal and was happy with my choice. In fact, I chatted with a few guests who said they preferred the buffet over the main dining room! While I don’t think that’s true for the majority of guests, it does speak to the quality of the buffet at dinner.

1. Oceania Cruises' Oceania Marina, Terrace Care has table umbrellas so you can enjoy the day without too much sun. 2. Oceania Cruises' Oceania Marina, enjoying a romantic al fresco dinner during sunset. 3. Oceania Cruises' Terrace Cafe, upscale buffet on a premium cruise line. 4. Oceania Cruises' Ocean Sirina, indoor seating by the window with great views.

Oceania Cruises’ Terrace Café

Oceania Cruises’ Terrace Café offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet experiences. The menu features foods similar to those on other lines’ buffets but with upscale options at a higher level.

Terrace Café offers both indoor and outdoor seating in the back of the ship . Past the doors of Terrace Café is a true extension of the restaurant, which is beautifully set up for alfresco dining. Part of the area immediately outside the doors is covered to enjoy despite rain or too much sun. Beyond that the edge of the ship is completely open to enjoy the sun and stars above, but has patio-type umbrellas on the tables if you need protection from the elements. It's a beautiful space and offers breathtaking views off the aft of the ship, including the relaxing wake when the ship is sailing.

Can you imagine the sunrises and sunsets as you eat breakfast and dinner? Whether you choose to eat inside in a temperature-controlled environment or outside, the ambiance will only enhance your meal.  

And those meals--- There’s a buffet breakfast plus a Full American / European breakfast menu. Lunch and dinner include a buffet plus a menu with tantalizing options representative of where the ship is sailing. Here are sample lunch and dinner menus. The combination of the food options and venue put this Terrace Café on this list.

The first four buffets are dedicated buffet restaurants. These last two spots on my top buffets are not designated venues, but they are no less worthy of being on this "Top 6" list and I'll explain why .

1. Viking River Cruises, friends who travel together every year or two know that lunch out on the deck together means friendships, good food, beer & wine, and incredible views. See that castle at the top of the hill? 2. Viking River Cruises' Aquaviet Terrace, dinner at dusk. 3. Viking River Cruises' Aquavit Terrace includes sofas to enjoy while nibbling on a buffet snack, having a drink, chatting with a friend, or reading. 4. Viking River Cruises, view of sunset off the back of the ship in the Aquavit Terrace. 5. Viking River Cruises, leisurely breakfast from the buffet at breakfast in the Aquavit Terrace.

Viking River Cruises longships' Aquavit Terrace

Viking River Cruises longships, along with Viking Prestige and Viking Legend, feature the Aquavit Terrace. Pronounced "aqua-VEET,” this is a versatile café offering buffet and off-menu options.

This space doubles as a venue for events like port excursion talks or leisurely drinks with stunning views. In fact, in addition to dining tables, the spot also has pillow-covered sofas for reading, sipping your favorite beverage, or chatting with friends. Aquavit Terrace made my list because of the fabulous indoor/outdoor venue at the bow (front) of the ship and its design.

Glass windbreakers encircling the outer deck shield guests from wind without obstructing the breathtaking 180-degree views. Retractable glass doors can seamlessly merge indoor and outdoor areas, inviting guests to enjoy al fresco dining on pleasant days. Aquavit Terrace's panoramic views and thoughtful design make it a standout area to hang out for both meals and drinks.

So, how about the food? There can be variations in what's offered between the ships and the day’s itinerary on the style, but there is a cold buffet and hot foods menu for breakfast and generally a buffet and menu at lunch. Dinner is often a scaled-down version of the main dining room’s dinner, and salads and appetizers could be on the buffet.

1. MSC Yacht Club Pool Grill offers buffet breakfasts and lunches, rolls and salad bar. 2. MSC Yacht Club Pool Grill lunch, pick your protein to have freshly grilled to your preference. 3. MSC Yacht Club Pool Grill has some already grilled meats, seafoods and veggies ready for a quick pick.

MSC's Yacht Club Pool Grill

MSC’s Yacht Club has a secret, not a secret buffet. The Yacht Club is an exclusive area at the top front of select MSC Cruises ships. It’s an exclusive experience, a private area for Yacht Club guests. The Yacht Club offers Le Muse, an included specialty restaurant, “light bites” and snacks in Top Sail Lounge. I also enjoy going to some of the optional specialty restaurants and the ship’s main buffet. But there’s another food option for Yacht Club guests.

It’s the MSC Yacht Club Grill up at the private pool and sundeck area. I know… “grill.” You’re probably thinking that I’m talking about hotdogs and ‘burgers. But this grill also offers so much more. How about a buffet lunch offering all kinds of salad fixings, breads, desserts, and grilled-to-perfection veggies and proteins like grilled fish, lamb chops, chicken, and shrimp? I haven’t gotten to it, but I hear that the buffet breakfast is also wonderful. What a great chance to not give up sunbathing, the pool or whirlpools when you can have a grilled buffet breakfast or lunch in one of the lounge chairs or at a table.  Or, as we did, just choose to enjoy lunch al fresco with great grilled food?!

Don’t knock the buffets on these ships. They’re not all about convenience or, notoriously, gluttony. They can also be about great food, relaxing spaces, wonderful views, options and opportunities, and great spots on the ship.

Happy Traveling!

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Buffet breakdown: Which cruise lines have self-serve buffets, and which ones don’t?

It’s time to pick up the tongs. Nearly a year since big-ship cruising restarted for U.S. passengers, a few things have changed with regard to onboard protocols — capacity is increasing , social distancing is practically nonexistent and masks are optional . But perhaps none of the changes is as disturbing to me as the return of self-service buffets, with six of the industry’s eight major lines allowing passengers to, once again, serve themselves. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good buffet setup. What I don’t love, however, […]

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The Truth About Cruise Ship Buffets

Cruises are an increasingly popular vacation option for many people (or at least they were before 2020). More than 25 million passengers hit the high seas every year, and the industry has been valued at $150 billion. There are a lot of reasons to love cruises: the exotic destinations, the open seas and fresh air, all the new people to meet, the poolside drinks, the list goes on. 

For many, dining is a major part of the cruise ship experience . Sure there's the fine dining room and the specialty restaurants that vary from ship to ship. And then there's the beloved cruise ship buffet, which has become one of the most ubiquitous parts of cruising at this point. But there are some things you need to know before the next time you set sail, and we've rounded up all the good, bad, and ugly details. Keep scrolling for the truth about cruise ship buffets.

Cruise ship buffets pump out a ton of food

Most cruise ship buffets are whipping up food for every meal of the day, plus any craving you may get in between (any time is meal time on a cruise ship, right?). According to the experts at Cruise Critic , you'll usually find an array of different options and cuisines throughout the day, from salad and sandwiches to pastries, pizza and pasta, plus various international offerings depending on the ship's destination.

And since anyone can visit the cruise ship buffet, the kitchen has to be prepared for everyone. The average cruise ship holds somewhere between three to six thousand  passengers , traveling anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. That's a whole lot of food to serve. The numbers paint a staggering picture. For example, Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas reportedly goes through some 60,000 eggs in a week, 20,000 pounds of potatoes, nearly 10,000 pounds of chicken, and 700 pounds of ice cream.

Cruise ship buffets are not diet friendly

The cruise ship buffet may be easy on the eyes, with its lavish, well-lit culinary displays, but it may not be easy on your waistline. It's reportedly estimated that the average cruise ship passenger will gain a pound a day while at sea. It's easy to do with so much food available to you at all times onboard the ship. And research already shows that buffets can lead people to eat more than normal. Another study found that some people are more likely to use larger plates at buffets and ultimately overeat. This is part of the reason Eat This, Not Tha!  calls the cruise ship buffet a straight-up fat trail.

For some, it's all part of the cruising experience. According to  Cruise Bulletin , some experienced cruisers will bring two sets of clothes on longer voyages ... with the second set being bigger or baggier to accommodate for all those trips to the buffet. So don't be surprised if you see more sweats pants in the buffet line towards the end of your next trip.

Some of the cruise ship buffet food may not be very fresh

While it may seem exciting to have so many culinary options available to you all day every day at the cruise ship buffet, unfortunately, that means that some of the food isn't going to be all that fresh. For the sake of efficiency, most food is made in bulk and some of it hours in advance to prepare to feed so many mouths at once. Furthermore, food at the buffet itself may have been sitting out for hours depending on what you grab and what time you go. 

Pizza , in particular, is the one food item you can usually depend on being available nearly around the clock on a cruise ship. But some  suggest those slices could be hours, if not days, old before you get your hands on them. But if the pizza options at the buffet do have that "congealed-cheese look," Cruise Critic and others suggest just asking the kitchen to make you a new pie. Because everyone deserves fresh pizza.

The cruise ship buffet sushi could very well make you sick

A definite no-go at the buffet according to almost every source is sushi . Sushi often contains raw fish , which can make people sick if not prepared and served properly. Mass producing sushi to feed crowds of cruise ship passengers can potentially increase those risks. The last thing you want is food sickness on top of seasickness. 

According to the  FDA , serving sushi safely involves proper sanitation measures when handling the fish, and making sure it's kept at a certain temperature to maintain freshness and prevent bacteria from forming. However, that can be harder to regulate on a cruise ship where kitchens are constantly churning out tons of different foods in close proximity, and then potentially leaving it on a buffet display for hours before a passenger picks it up. When it comes to sushi in particular, it's best to leave it at the buffet if you don't know how long it's been sitting out.

The cruise ship buffet scrambled eggs are most likely fake

For breakfast lovers, the cruise ship buffet full of all the pancakes, bacon and eggs you could want may seem like a dream come true. But before you load up on a plate of scrambled eggs , you should know that there's a good chance they could be fake. There are several sources out there that warn that scrambled eggs for the cruise ship buffet are made from powdered or liquid egg product. Doesn't exactly sound like a breakfast of champions. 

This seems to be pretty common across the board, according to several  cruise forums . One couple said they had been on six different ships over the course of two years and had boxed eggs at every single buffet. So what about those  60,000 eggs cruise ships are using? Well, those are going into other dishes and recipes. Your best bet for fresh eggs is to head to the made-to-order omelet station, which can often be found at the breakfast buffet as well.

Cruise ship buffets may not be all that sanitary

This is pretty much true of all buffets , but especially in the close quarters of a cruise ship, not everything is totally sanitary. According to CDC records , dozens of cruise ship kitchens have failed their sanitation inspections. At least one report detailed uncovered spices, bins of fresh food left out with no freshness labels, and a grill that was partially soiled with grease residue. Another reportedly cited actual flies buzzing around some of the food at the buffet, and dirty utensils being mixed with clean ones. Even worse, a lawyer who reps cruise employees told Business Insider that he's seen cases where managers will order crew members to hide dirty dishes and equipment or soiled food from health inspectors. 

Despite what happens back in the kitchen, hungry cruisers at the buffet are also to blame.  Passengers sometimes touch or pick up foods with their hands, move serving tongs out of the plate, and reuse their plates, all of which can help spread germs. The communal condiments are usually pretty unsanitary as well because of the thousands of hands that touch them all day every day.

Cruise ship soft serve machines should be avoided at all costs

It seems that many would agree one of the most unsanitary things of all at the cruise ship buffet is the soft serve ice cream machine . And it makes sense when you think about it. The self-service machine is another one of those communal stations, with levers that people are touching with their hands constantly. And you don't know how clean those hands are. In fact, there's a bigger chance they're probably dirty if people are reaching for an ice cream cone at the end of a meal. 

Another thing to note here is that the soft serve coming out of the machine is likely not even real ice cream. According to some cruise forums, the machines are churning out something that comes from a carton of artificial frozen dessert mix, which has no dairy, but loads of sugar and thickeners.

Cruise ship buffets generate a lot of food waste

When you're making a bunch of food for a buffet, rather than cooking made-to-order meals, you run the risk of food waste , because there's simply no way to exactly predict how much people are going to eat. This is especially true when it comes to cruise ship buffets . The buffets are usually included with the price of a ticket, meaning passengers can eat there whenever they want. But with a formal dining room and several specialty restaurants and food stations all over the ship, passengers have lots of options, and it's hard to know who is going to eat where. 

According to  Waste360 , some studies have shown that up to half of the food served at buffets gets wasted. It's worth noting that some cruise lines operating under Royal Caribbean and Carnival have committed to taking steps to mitigate food waste on ships.

There are unspoken rules of the cruise ship buffet

Before you make your way to the buffet line on your next cruise, you should know that there are some unspoken rules to follow. There may not be signs posted, but there will be sighs and angry glares from other cruisers if you're not mindful of the etiquette to be followed at the buffet. So listen up!

Hungry diners want to keep the line moving at all costs, so don't be the one that holds it up. Move in one direction and don't even think about cutting. When it comes to the made-to-order stations, make sure you know what you want before it's your turn to order. Whatever you do, don't sample things while you're in line. Definitely get a new plate each time you go back for more. Oh, and no doggie bags! When you're on a ship that has food available at almost all hours of the day, there's no need to pack up a bag for the road.

There are so many reasons people love the cruise ship buffet

For all its delights and flaws, there are still so many reasons people love and look forward to the buffet on their cruise ship vacations. For one, you have all the control and flexibility to eat whenever you want as often as you want. Plus you can choose from a wide variety of options to find whatever strikes your fancy, and please everyone else in your group. The self-service, ready to eat options save time, so you can squeeze in more activities (or pool time). The less formal environment also means you can dress super casually, and worry a little less about how quiet the kids are being. 

Keep in mind, because people love the buffet so much, the lines can get long depending on when your craving strikes. Nowadays there is a plethora of guidance out there about how to  avoid the crowds and skip the lines .

Cruise ship buffets have an uncertain future after the COVID-19 pandemic

It's not yet clear exactly what will become of cruise ship buffets in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Buffets in general seem to be disappearing . In a world of social distancing and virus prevention, cruise ships are in a bit of a bind, and indeed there have been several outbreaks of the current virus onboard cruise ships, to the point that the U.S. temporarily banned cruise ship travel. A November 2020 attempt at a COVID-free Caribbean cruise was yet another failure for the industry. 

When things do return to normal, on the high seas and elsewhere, things are sure to look a little bit different. But things don't look good for the future cruise ship buffet, which currently invites everyone to come into close contact with each other, and their food.

In the spring of 2020, Royal Caribbean was  reportedly considering doing away with its buffet altogether, even if only temporarily. Others say the buffet probably won't totally disappear, but major changes will have to happen. At least for now, experts say to expect gloved employees serving all food on the ship.

Should you go to the buffet or the main dining room on a cruise? I tried both.

Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship, Carnival Venezia , marks some culinary firsts for the line. The Venice-inspired ship, which set sail from the U.S. this month, has dining options including Il Viaggio, a new restaurant serving regional Italian fare, and special on-theme menu items at Guy Fieri’s Guy’s Burger Joint.

But for all its new features, the vessel also has some cruise ship staples: a buffet and main dining rooms. Both were included in the price of the voyage but offered different selections and dining experiences. I sampled each of them on a four-day cruise from New York to Bermuda. Here’s how they compared.

Are there still buffets on cruise ships?

Some cruise lines swapped to a crew-served model at their buffets in the wake of COVID-19 – even if temporarily – but Carnival never did.

I started most days during the sailing at Lido Marketplace, the ship’s buffet. The lines were often daunting, and walking around felt like playing dodgeball as my fellow guests and I moved from one food station to another.

But when I visited at dinnertime, there were fewer people. The eatery serves a wide range of cuisine, and as someone who struggles with mealtime indecision, it was hard to pick. As I made my way along one of several counters, I served myself jambalaya and cornmeal-crusted chicken. The jambalaya was well-seasoned and the chicken was crisp. All the food I tried there kept well, even while on display.

There were also deli sandwiches and pour-your-own beer stations.

I went from grabbing a plate to sitting down at a table in about 10 minutes.

The buffet was near the Lido pool, and the atmosphere was casual – many diners had their bathing suits on – but had some striking design flourishes, like faux trees springing from the floor and lanterns hanging from patio umbrellas.

Can you get food anytime on a cruise?

That depends on the cruise line, said Susan Guthrie, a travel agent and owner of Cruisin' with Susan and More, affiliated with Travel with Sparkle. On some lines, the buffet or other venues may be open late or offer room service 24 hours, while others close down in the evening.

"It varies," she said. Cruise lines that cater to an older demographic may also close dining down earlier than those that host late-night parties.

On Venezia, Lido Marketplace had a midnight buffet, and Pizzeria del Capitano was open until 4 a.m., according to the cruise line's app. Carnival also offers 24-hour room service .

Can you eat unlimited food on a cruise buffet?

Cruise ship buffets are generally unlimited, Guthrie said. On Venezia, I may or may not have gone back for seconds.

What type of food is served on a cruise ship?

Cruise lines often serve a range of cuisine on their vessels, and Venezia was no different. While many of the ship's eateries had an Italian focus – like La Strada Grill, which serves Italian street food – there was plenty more to choose from, including steakhouse Fahrenheit 555, Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Teppanyaki, among others.

What is the sit-down restaurant experience like at Carnival Venezia?

While I got my steps in at Lido Marketplace, Canal Grande offered table service in plush chairs. The restaurant is one of Venezia’s two main dining rooms and not-so-subtly highlights the theme of the ship: There is a full-size gondola in the center of its bottom floor, set on a blue platform beneath an arched bridge.

The atmosphere felt elegant but laid-back – the attire was casual the night I went – and our table toward the back of the ship offered a prime view of the vessel’s wake at sunset. I had Your Time Dining, which allowed for open seating during dinner.

The menu featured a mix of cuisine, from a quesadilla to lasagna al forno to an Indian vegetarian dish (the menu changes throughout each cruise, though some items are always on offer). Items that came with a surcharge were clearly marked, and the menu noted a $5 fee if a guest orders a third entree or more, along with an 18% service charge.

I did some tableside world traveling and got a mixed greens salad, sweet and sour shrimp and tiramisu. The fried rice that came with my shrimp entree was a tad overcooked, but I enjoyed the meal otherwise. The presentation was also more sophisticated than the plate I arranged at the buffet – I’m no food stylist.

The waiters were attentive, routinely refilling my water glass before I even realized it was half-empty, and over the course of roughly two hours, I felt pampered in a way I might have expected more from one of the ship’s specialty restaurants.

What food is included on a cruise?: Here's how to take advantage on your next sailing

Is dinner better at the restaurant or the buffet?

At both restaurants, included drink options were limited. There was a station offering drinks such as water, regular coffee and select juices at Lido Marketplace, but guests had to order other beverages separately as part of a drink package (or pay a la carte).

Carnival’s Bottomless Bubbles drink package, which includes soft drinks and juice, starts at $6.95 a day for children and $9.50 a day for adults, according to the line’s website . The Cheers! package, which includes soft drinks and juice along with beer, wine by the glass, cocktails and more, starts at $59.95 per person, per day.

The same inclusions applied at Canal Grande, but guests could order drinks like specialty coffees and other beverages right from their table (and the eatery had an extensive wine list).

Guthrie also noted that guests may find some of the same items in the buffet that are served in the main dining room.

I enjoyed my meals at both restaurants, and without a price tag to think about, the choice on a given night might come down to how much time you have and the atmosphere you're looking for.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

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For Your Eating Pleasure...

There is always a reserved table in the dining room for everyone, but if that is not enough....

Main Restaurants (Dining Rooms)

Ships : ALL Cost: Complimentary with exception of optional Steakhouse Selections $

Guests dining in our two restaurants (one restaurant on Legend, Luminosa, Miracle, Pride and Spirit) will enjoy sit-down service. In addition to the menus below, menus for children are available as well.  Breakfast 

• Breakfast Menu – offered daily on port days
• Brunch Menu - offered daily on sea days

Lunch  (on cruise durations, 9 days or longer; may alternate with sea day brunch)  

• Appetizers, main entrees including a ‘vegetarian’ selection and dessert selections

Dinner 

• Appetizers, soups and salads
• Entrees including 'Emeril Selects', a salad entree, a vegetarian selection, an Indian vegetarian selection, 'Everyday' selection (broiled chicken breast and broiled striploin steak); in addition, each evening the menu will include popular Steakhouse selections
• On all ships (excluding those sailing in Australia), we offer a separate Vegan menu and Gluten-Free menu.
• Dessert selections

Casual Buffet Dinner  Ships : ALL Cost: Complimentary Located in the Lido Marketplace is a dinnertime alternative to the ship's main dining rooms. The attire is casual and the meals are served buffet-style, with an array of pastas, steaks, prime rib, grilled chicken, specialty salads and desserts along with a daily Chef's Special. Open for dinner, 6:00pm-9:30pm.  

Good Eats: Late Night Snacks  Ships : ALL Cost: Complimentary

For a late night snack, Good Eats will offer a variety of snacks such as chicken noodle soup, chips & salsa, Chicago pizza, fried chicken tenders, hot dogs, Italian meatball subs, ham & cheese rolls and cookies. Open late night (hours may vary each cruise due to different factors)

Bonsai Sushi™ Ships : Breeze, Celebration, Dream, Firenze, Horizon, Jubilee, Legend, Mardi Gras, Panorama, Pride, Radiance, Spirit, Sunrise, Sunshine, Venezia, Vista Cost: $ Lunch and Dinner Menu   This full-service sushi restaurant offers a wide variety of Asian-inspired delicacies, including a number of varieties of sushi, sashimi and rolls along with bento boxes and the venue’s own interpretation of a sushi boat – with prices ranging from $1 for appetizer-sized portions to $15 for a sushi ship for two. An 18% service charge will be added to the a la carte selections. The fee does not include any beverage that is normally ordered through bar service such as wine, liquor, soda and bottled water. Open for lunch (on sea days) and dinner until 12:00am. 

Bonsai Sushi™ Express | Sushi at Sea Ships with Bonsai Sushi Express: Elation, Freedom, Luminosa, Miracle, Paradise Ships with Sushi at Sea: Conquest, Glory, Liberty, Valor Cost: $

A casual, stand-alone yet equally tasty offshoot of Bonsai Sushi which is featured on select ships. Bonsai Sushi Express and Sushi at Sea is your grab-and-go sushi source at sea for mouthwatering array of sushi, sashimi, rolls and more — all made fresh and packed up for easy eating anywhere. Open for lunch (on sea days) and dinner. 

Bonsai Teppanyaki™ Ships:  Celebration, Firenze, Horizon, Jubilee, Mardi Gras, Panorama, Venezia Cost: $   Lunch and Dinner Menu  

Bonsai Teppanyaki features authentic delicacies from the Far East prepared by chefs on custom-built stations that form the center of the venue's tables. Four different combination dinners are available, including filet mignon/shrimp, shrimp/spiced grilled chicken, filet mignon/teriyaki salmon and filet mignon/lobster tail. All meals include fried rice and stir-fried vegetables and end with a Chocolate Bento Box with Green Tea Ice Cream. There is a fee of $42 per guest for dinner ($38 for lunch), which includes a starter, entrée and dessert; an 18% service charge will be added. additional gratuities may be extended at the guest's discretion. The fee does not include any beverage that is normally ordered through bar service such as wine, liquor, soda and bottled water. Open for lunch (on sea days) and dinner. Reservations are highly recommended as there is limited seating. Reservations can be requested prior to your cruise on Carnival.com by accessing 'My Cruise Manager'. Reservations can also be made on board and walk-ins are welcome, space permitting. Ji Ji Asian Kitchen® Ships: Horizon, Panorama, Sunshine, Vista Cost: $ Dinner Menu A dining spot inspired by a millennia-old society, Ji Ji Asian Kitchen serves up enticing dishes in an atmospheric space that brings not just good food, but good fortune - a full-service menu features a mix of exotic and familiar dishes designed to challenge and delight your senses including soups, appetizers, noodle and rice dishes, as well as seafood and meat delicacies. There is a fee of $24 per adult and $6 per child 11 and under. The fee includes a starter, entrée, dessert and the wait staffs’ gratuity; additional gratuities may be extended at the guest's discretion. The fee does not include any beverage that is normally ordered through bar service such as wine, liquor, soda and bottled water. Reservations are recommended and can be requested prior to your cruise on Carnival.com by accessing ‘My Cruise Manager’. Reservations can also be made on board and walk-ins are welcome, space permitting. Open for dinner. 

The Steakhouse Ships: Breeze, Celebration, Conquest, Dream, Firenze, Freedom, Glory, Horizon, Jubilee, Legend, Liberty, Luminosa, Magic, Mardi Gras, Miracle, Panorama, Pride, Radiance, Spirit, Splendor, Sunrise, Sunshine, Valor, Venezia, Vista Cost: $      Dinner Menu

With an elegant, but fun-filled, relaxed and somewhat casual atmosphere and a menu that includes steakhouse favorites, the Steakhouse is guaranteed to be a favorite dining spot. There is a fee of $49 per adult and $13 per child, 11 and under (when ordering from the Kids' menu, available upon request). The fee includes a starter, salad, entrée, dessert and the wait staffs’ gratuity; additional gratuities may be extended at the guest's discretion. The fee does not include any beverage that is normally ordered through bar service such as wine, liquor, soda and bottled water. Reservations are recommended and can be requested prior to your cruise on Carnival.com by accessing ‘My Cruise Manager’. Reservations can also be made on board and walk-ins are welcome, space permitting. Open for dinner.

A delicious dinner time option with made-to-order Italian favorites in comfortable, relaxed surroundings. For dinner, there is a fee * of $24 per adult and $6 per child 11 and under (when ordering from the Kids' menu, available upon request). The fee includes a starter, entrée, dessert and the wait staffs’ gratuity; additional gratuities may be extended at the guest's discretion. The fee does not include any beverage that is normally ordered through bar service such as wine, liquor, soda and bottled water. Reservations * are recommended and can be requested prior to your cruise on Carnival.com by accessing ‘My Cruise Manager’. Reservations can also be made on board and walk-ins are welcome, space permitting. Open for dinner; Cucina del Capitano is also open for lunch with a complimentary made-to-order pasta bar. * O n Celebration, Jubilee and Mardi Gras, this venue is an alternative to eating in the Main Restaurant and is inclusive in the cruise fare. Any beverage that is normally ordered through bar service such as wine, liquor, soda and bottled water is additional. Pre-cruise reservations are not available. On the Celebration and Mardi Gras, we have added a charge of $8 per guest (per visit), for guests who dine at Cucina del Capitano more than once. 

Il Viaggio Ship:  Firenze, Venezia Cost:   $ Dinner Menu  

Journey across Italy, immersing yourself in a world of flavors and unparalleled service as you explore and savor the country's unique and traditional specialties. Creatively crafted to offer regional collections across each part of the menu - all note diverse regions of Italy where they are most known. The menu will also feature signature dishes, called “Favorito” entrees. There is a fee of $42 per adult and $10 per child 11 and under (when ordering from the Kids' menu, available upon request). The fee includes a starter, soup or salad, entrée, dessert and the wait staffs’ gratuity; additional gratuities may be extended at the guest's discretion. The fee does not include any beverage that is normally ordered through bar service such as wine, liquor, soda and bottled water. Reservations are recommended and can be requested prior to your cruise on Carnival.com by accessing ‘My Cruise Manager’. Reservations can also be made on board and walk-ins are welcome, space permitting. Open for dinner.

The Carnival Deli  Ships with Carnival Deli:  Breeze, Conquest, Dream, Elation, Firenze, Freedom, Glory, Horizon, Legend, Liberty, Luminosa, Magic, Miracle, Panorama, Paradise, Pride, Radiance, Spirit, Splendor, Sunrise, Sunshine, Valor, Venezia, Vista Cost: Complimentary Lunch and Dinner Menu Hot and cold deli sandwiches piled-high and don’t forget the Kosher pickles. Open for lunch and dinner until 11:00pm.

Piazza Panini ( and deli ) Ship:  Mardi Gras Cost: Complimentary Lunch and Dinner Menu (not available at this time)

Stuffed Italian-style hand-pressed sandwiches and deli favorites such as grilled ham and cheese, hot dogs with fixings and Reuben sandwiches. Open for lunch and dinner until 10:00pm; specialty Italian desserts will be served after 8:00pm.

Deco Deli  Ship:  Celebration Cost: Complimentary Lunch and Dinner Menu (not available at this time)

Deco Deli is more than the classic deli sandwiches, an expanded menu that also highlights Miami staples including the Cubano (pork, ham, swiss cheese and mustard), a croqueta sandwich (ham and cheese croqueta, shaved ham and pickles), and pan con lechon (slow cooked pulled pork, melted onion and mojo sauce) all on Cuban bread. Open for lunch and dinner until 10:00pm.

Beach Buns ( and deli ) Ship:  Jubilee Cost: Complimentary Lunch and Dinner Menu (not available at this time)

Tasty sandwiches and hot dogs with all the fixings. Open for lunch and dinner until 10:00pm

Il Mercato  ( and deli ) Ship:  Firenze Cost: Complimentary Lunch and Dinner Menu (not available at this time)

In addition to standard deli fare like hot dogs and turkey and Swiss sandwiches, this Italian market features faves like sauced-up meatballs, sandwiches with inspiration from Italy and beyond, plus sausages and salads. Open for lunch and dinner until 10:00pm.

Fresh Creations Ships:  Celebration, Firenze, Horizon, Jubilee, Mardi Gras, Panorama, Vista Cost: Complimentary Lunch Menu Salad bar open for lunch at the adult-only, Serenity.

C hibang! ™ Ships: Celebration, Jubilee, Mardi Gras Cost: Complimentary * Lunch and Dinner Menu

Chibang! features two distinctly separate menus, each offering a diverse selection of authentic Chinese and Mexican cuisines allowing guests to craft their perfect meals. Try a little from each side by mixing, matching and sharing in an evening of flavor explorations. Or stop in to Chibang! for a casual lunch that features noodle and burrito bowls based on our favorite ingredients from both of these worlds. * This venue is an alternative to eating in the Main Restaurant and is inclusive in the cruise fare. Any beverage that is normally ordered through bar service such as wine, liquor, soda and bottled water is additional. Pre-cruise reservations are not available. On Celebration and Mardi Gras, we have added a charge of $8 per guest (per visit), for guests who dine at Chibang! more than once. 

BlueIguana Cantina™ Ships:  Breeze, Celebration, Conquest, Dream, Elation, Freedom, Glory, Horizon, Jubilee, Legend, Liberty, Magic, Mardi Gras, Miracle, Panorama, Paradise, Pride, Radiance, Spirit, Sunrise, Sunshine, Valor, Vista Cost: Complimentary Breakfast Menu  and  Lunch Menu The BlueIguana Cantina is a poolside dining destination, open for breakfast and lunch. Hungry guests can watch the tortilla maker create fresh wheat and jalapeño tortillas, then consume freshly made burritos (breakfast burritos in the morning) and tacos with a variety of toppings, fillings and salsas. 

Tacos & Burritos Ships:   Luminosa Cost: Complimentary

A poolside dining venue, open for breakfast and lunch, serving burritos (breakfast burritos in the morning) and tacos with a variety of toppings, fillings and salsas.

Tomodoro Ships:   Firenze,   Venezia Cost: Complimentary

Tomodoro is a poolside dining venue, open for breakfast and lunch, featuring Mexitalian fusion creations with ingredients such as Italian meatballs and Sicilian chicken alongside traditional Mexican tacos and burritos.

Chicken Shack Ships:   Firenze Cost: Complimentary

Featuring crispy chicken sandwiches and fries with a variety of rich sauces and toppings along with tasty sides. Open for lunch.

Guy’s Burger Joint Ships:   ALL ( excluding Luminosa ) Cost: Complimentary Menu

At Guy’s Burger Joint, Carnival and successful restaurateur, cookbook author and television star Guy Fieri have come together to cook up the best burgers at sea, and best of all, they are free! Guests have a choice of delicious fresh-off-the-grill burgers designed by Fieri, or they can make their own at a condiment bar by adding a variety of tasty toppings. Burgers are complemented by hand-cut fries. Guests can drop by this laid-back poolside dining venue modeled after a road-side burger joint off an iconic coastal highway. Open for lunch until 6:00pm. 

Off the Grill Ships:   Luminosa Cost: Complimentary

A poolside dining venue, featuring burgers on garlic butter buns and fries for lunch and early dinner.

Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse Ships:   Breeze, Dream, Magic, Radiance, Sunrise, Vista Cost: Complimentary Lunch Menu Guy Fieri has expanded his seagoing culinary offerings with this complimentary open-air eatery located at the Lanai on the Promenade Deck (Deck 10 on Sunrise). The Smokehouse features Guy’s signature recipes such as pork butt, chicken, Andouille sausage, round of beef and sides such as Mac Daddy Mac n Cheese, potato salad, slaw, collard greens and baked beans. Open for lunch (on sea days). 

Guy's Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse | Brewhouse Ships:  Celebration, Horizon, Jubilee, Mardi Gras, Panorama Cost: $ * Dinner Menu  

Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse, open for dinner til' late every night, offers an à la carte menu featuring barbecue dishes such as brisket custom-smoked for 12 hours, Memphis-style baby back ribs, dry-rubbed and grill-finished chicken, pulled pork, and cedar-smoked salmon. All  items are served with coleslaw, sweet pickles, and golden honey cornbread or Texas toast. Decadent desserts like freshly baked cobbler, piled-high banana cream pie and gooey pecan pie offer a sweet conclusion to a satisfying and memorable meal. An 18% service charge will be added to the a la carte selections. The fee does not include any beverage that is normally ordered through bar service such as wine, liquor, soda and bottled water.  

Open for lunch (on sea days), Guy's Pig & Anchor features a complimentary buffet with Fieri's signature dishes. * On Celebration, Jubilee and Mardi Gras, this venue is an alternative to eating in the Main Restaurant and is inclusive in the cruise fare. Any beverage that is normally ordered through bar service such as wine, liquor, soda and bottled water is additional. Ol' Fashioned BBQ Ships:   Conquest, Freedom, Glory, Liberty, Luminosa, Splendor, Valor  Cost: Complimentary Lunch Menu Located in the Lido Marketplace, this venue offers a mouth-watering array of barbeque favorites, including pork butt, chicken and smoked beef, along with traditional sides such as mac n' cheese, potato salad, scratch made slaw, molasses baked beans, soft buns as well as special sauces - Brown Sugar, Kansas City and Spicy Sriracha BBQ Sauce. Open for lunch (on sea days). 

La Strada Grill Ships:    Firenze, Venezia  Cost: Complimentary

An outdoor grill, open for lunch on sea days, featuring grilled Italian street food and sandwiches, 

Emeril's Bistro  Ship:  Celebration, Jubilee, Mardi Gras Cost: $ Breakfast, Lunch and DInner Menu (Mardi Gras)  

Emeril Lagasse’s first-ever restaurant at sea, features an à la carte menu with his hometown of New Orleans favorites - such as fried oysters, BBQ shrimp, duck & sausage gumbo, po-boys, muffaletta sandwiches, fresh ceviche, jambalaya and for breakfast, choices such as shrimp and grits, breakfast po-boys and bananas foster crepes! Raw bar, incredible desserts and a New Orleans atmosphere round out the experience - prices range from $4 to $7. An 18% service charge will be added to the a la carte selections. The fee does not include any beverage that is normally ordered through bar service such as wine, liquor, soda and bottled water. Open for breakfast, lunch (on sea days) and dinner.  

Rudi's Seagrill™   Ship:  Celebration, Jubilee, Mardi Gras Cost: $ Dinner Menu  

Rudi's Seargrill features next-level seafood selections, showcasing acclaimed culinary artist Rudi Sodamin's innovative artistry and "plates with personalities" where guests can feast their eyes on a new personable presentation every time they dine. The flavorful menu includes crab cake, salt-roasted spot prawns, broiled lobster tail - just to name a few. But the fun doesn't stop there, you will be entertained with several dishes presented as playful "food faces" that will be Instagram-worthy pieces of art. There is a fee of $49 per adult and $13 per child 11 and under (when ordering from the Kids' menu, available upon request). The fee includes a starter, entrée, dessert and the wait staffs’ gratuity; additional gratuities may be extended at the guest's discretion. The fee does not include any beverage that is normally ordered through bar service such as wine, liquor, soda and bottled water. Reservations are recommended and can be requested prior to your cruise on Carnival.com by accessing ‘My Cruise Manager’. Reservations can also be made on board and walk-ins are welcome, space permitting. Open for dinner.

Big Chicken Ships:  Celebration, Jubilee, Mardi Gras, Radiance Cost: Complimentary Breakfast and Lunch Menu  

A seagoing version of a restaurant created by Carnival's Chief Fun Officer, Shaquille O’Neal, Big Chicken features a delectable variety of fried chicken sandwiches and traditional sides such as fries, potato salad and jalapeno slaw. Breakfast is served through the afternoon with options such as chicken and egg biscuits and three-cheese omelets. Open for breakfast and lunch until 5:00pm. 

Seafood Shack™ | Seafood Corner Ships with Seafood Shack:  Conquest, Celebration, Dream, Firenze, Freedom, Glory, Horizon, Jubilee, Liberty, Magic, Mardi Gras, Panorama, Splendor, Sunrise, Valor, Venezia, Vista Ships with Seafood Corner:  Legend, Luminosa, Spirit Cost: $ Lunch and Dinner Menu

A New England-inspired eatery, Seafood Shack is a casual dining venue on the Lido Deck, This seafood-lovers’ paradise will feature a menu full of delicious, fresh favorites including lobster rolls, steamed lobster, fried shrimp, crab cakes, fried clams and more. Prices range from $3 to $16. An 18% service charge will be added to the a la carte selections. The fee does not include any beverage that is normally ordered through bar service such as wine, liquor, soda and bottled water. Open for lunch (on sea days) and dinner until 10:00pm; on Luminosa, open for late lunch and dinner daily, until 9:30pm.

Masala Tiger Ships:   Splendor Cost: Complimentary Lunch Menu  

Cooked in a traditional clay oven, Masala Tiger serves up a wide variety of signature Indian delights that are uniquely spiced as well as an array of vegetarian options made from fresh produce. Open for lunch. 

Street Eats Ships:  Celebration, Jubilee, Mardi Gras Cost: Complimentary

Street Eats is Carnival’s tribute to food trucks, stalls and carts, with three ever-changing open-air stations. Steam Dream, specializes in the steamiest stuff this side of the spa, featuring favorites like bao buns and pot stickers. Mad Sizzle, with the likes of kebab and satay. And Time Fries, which serves up fries loaded up with culinary creations from our chefs, like cheesesteak fries! Open for lunch.

Thing 1 & Thing 2 Birthday Breakfast™ Ships:   ALL Cost: $ Brunch Menu

Sit down to a truly fantastical feast which features fun and unique menus. Bright colors and patterns decorate your table. You’re going to find that special spirit all throughout breakfast, so get ready to celebrate as you enjoy unforgettable interactions with the stars of Dr. Seuss, fun music… and let’s not forget the delicious menu, making this a meal to remember. The unique menu includes ‘Green Eggs and Ham’, brightly colored fruit, gravity-defying pancake stacks, funky French toast, ‘Moose Juice’ ‘n’ ‘Goose Juice’… and much more. Classic  breakfast offerings are available as well. Popular Dr. Seuss characters, Thing 1 and Thing 2 will join guests for fun interactions and one-of-a-kind photo opportunities. 

There is a fee of $15 per adult and $10 per child; children under 2 are complimentary. The fee does not include any beverage that is normally ordered through bar service such as wine, liquor, soda and bottled water; gratuities may be extended at the guest's discretion:  

Reservations are recommended and can be requested prior to your cruise on Carnival.com by accessing ‘My Cruise Manager’. Reservations can also be made on board and walk-ins are welcome, space permitting. The special breakfast will take place typically on one sea day morning, in the main dining room at 8:30am and 9:30am; scheduling is based on itinerary, so once on board, guests will be notified of the day and time the event will occur.   The Chef’s Table Ships: ALL Cost: $ This one-of-a-kind culinary experience includes an exquisite multi-course dinner hosted by one of the line’s master chefs along with a private reception and a personalized tour of the galley. With The Chef’s Table, a select group of 12-16 guests enjoy champagne and hors d’ouevres hosted by the ship’s chef de cuisine. The chef then takes the group on a personalized tour to see the galley in operation, providing participants with a unique perspective on Carnival’s extensive food and beverage operations. The evening concludes with a sumptuous full-service dinner with delicious appetizers, entrees and desserts created by the line’s master chefs. Depending on the vessel, the meal takes place in non-traditional dining venues throughout the ship – the galley, library, conference center, etc. On select ships, there is a dedicated dining room for Chef’s Table with window views into the galley. 

• The reservation fee is $90 per person on the following ships: Carnival Conquest, Carnival Elation, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, Carnival Legend, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Luminosa, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Splendor, Carnival Sunshine and Carnival Valor.
• The reservation fee is $119 per person on the following ships: Carnival Breeze, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Dream, Carnival Firenze, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Magic, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Pride, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Venezia, Carnival Vista and Mardi Gras. 

An 18% service charge will be added. additional gratuities may be extended at the guest's discretion. The fee does not include any beverage that is normally ordered through bar service such as wine, liquor, soda and bottled water. Reservations are highly recommended and can be requested prior to your cruise on Carnival.com by accessing ‘My Cruise Manager’. Reservations can also be made onboard at the Guest Services Desk, space permitting. Children must be at least 12 years of age to participate. Note: Very limited number of guests may participate!  

Coffee Bar    Ships with Promenade Coffee Bar:  Breeze, Conquest, Dream, Legend, Liberty, Magic, Pride, Spirit, Valor Cost: $ Drink Menu and Dessert Menu (not available at this time) A European-style café, featuring specialty coffees and teas, ice cream treats and fabulous pastries for a fee: Specialty Coffee ($1.75-$4.50); Specialty Tea ($1.95); Ice Cream Delights ($2.75-$3.50); Pastries and Cookies ($1.00-$2.00); Milk Shakes ($3.95).  

Javablue™ Cafe Ships:   Celebration, Elation, Firenze, Freedom, Glory, Horizon, Jubilee, Luminosa, Mardi Gras, Miracle, Panorama, Paradise, Radiance, Splendor, Sunrise, Sunshine, Venezia, Vista Cost: $ Dessert Menu Drink Menu (not available at this time) The JavaBlue Café, features fun twists on hot and cold drinks as well as sweet, baked treats. Beverages ($1.95-$5.75) and Sweets ($1.00-$1.95). In addition, Gelato is available on the Firenze and Venezia.

Cherry on Top™ Ships: Breeze, Celebration, Conquest, Dream, Elation, Firenze, Freedom, Glory, Horizon, Jubilee, Legend, Liberty, Luminosa, Magic, Mardi Gras, Miracle, Panorama, Pride, Radiance, Spirit, Splendor, Sunrise, Sunshine, Valor, Venezia, Vista Cost: $ A well-stocked candy-and-more-store; in addition, premium ice cream, made to order is available on the Horizon and and Vista.   Swirls   Ships: ALL Cost: Complimentary Self-serve soft Ice cream and Frozen Yogurt (chocolate, vanilla and strawberry), available 11:00am to midnight in the Lido Marketplace or poolside area.  

Lido Marketplace - 24/7 Beverages   Ships: ALL Cost: Complimentary The following beverages are available in the Lido Marketplace, 24/7: Coffee, Hot Tea, Lemonade and Unsweetened Iced Tea.   Room Service Ships: ALL Cost: $ Breakfast Menu Daytime and Late Night Menu

Room Service is available 24 hours a day with a selection of sandwiches, salads, specialty items and desserts as well as a continental breakfast menu each morning, 6:00am to 10:00am (excluding the last day of the cruise). Charges apply (excluding the Continental Breakfast). Beverages will be charged at regular bar menu prices. Gratuities may be extended upon delivery.   

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Do Cruise Ships Still Have Midnight Buffets?

There’s something sublime about hitting the buffet at midnight on a cruise, but not all cruise ships offer midnight buffets. Midnight buffets have disappeared from many cruise ships for a variety of reasons, with the main reasons being that midnight buffets often wasted food due to being usually lightly attended and cruise ships wanting to prepare for busier meals like breakfast than midnight buffets. Although many cruise ships do not have midnight buffets, many have late night or even 24/7 dining options to serve as alternatives to midnight buffets. From Carnival to Royal Caribbean, keep reading to find out which cruise ships have midnight buffets and late night food options.

Royal Caribbean Midnight Buffet

Sadly, Royal Caribbean does not offer a midnight buffet. The buffet on Royal Caribbean cruise ships, called the Windjammer, is open for breakfast at 7:30 in the morning and stops serving dinner at 9 at night. If there’s something special on the buffet that you’ll want at midnight, you can save a plate in the fridge in your stateroom for later !

Royal Caribbean Midnight Buffet Alternatives

There are other options for midnight snacks on your Royal Caribbean cruise in place of a midnight buffet too. Café Promenade can be a perfect late night dining option with quick snacks like pastries, sandwiches, wraps, and more! Sorrento’s Pizza is another great place to get something to eat at midnight on Royal Caribbean cruise ships. Sometimes a slice of pizza is the perfect answer to a long day of cruising!

Royal Caribbean cruises also offers 24/7 room service rather than a midnight buffet as well. You can order some late night food directly to your stateroom with room service. Room service offers foods off the lunch menu like burgers, hot dogs, pizza, and more between 11 am and 6 a.m. Between 6 am and 11 am, room service offers food off the breakfast menu like pancakes, eggs, and even Bloody Marys! Room service on Royal Caribbean costs $7.95 per delivery and an additional 18% tip.

Carnival Midnight Buffet

Like with many other cruise lines, Carnival does not offer a midnight buffet on any of their cruise ships. The buffets on Carnival Cruise ships start serving breakfast at 7:30 am and stop serving dinner at 9:30 pm. Like with other cruise ships, you can take food from the buffet back to your stateroom to store in the mini fridge for later if you really want something off the buffet at midnight.

Click here to find out if there will be Indian food on your next cruise!

Carnival Midnight Buffet Alternatives

While Carnival does not have a midnight buffet, there are lots of late night and even around the clock options in lieu of a midnight buffet on Carnival. Stop by the Pizzeria at Lido’s Marketplace to satisfy your late night cravings with pizza and ice cream served 24 hours a day. What better combo for a midnight meal on a cruise than pizza and ice cream! You can also stop by the Carnival Deli any time of day for a custom made sandwich. The closest alternative to a midnight buffet on Carnival cruise ships is the late night snacks offered at the Lido Buffet. Grab some complimentary late night snacks from the Lido Buffet between 11:30 pm and 1 am.

Carnival also offers 24/7 room service in place of a midnight buffet. Get your midnight snack delivered directly to your stateroom instead of having to navigate a midnight buffet on your next Carnival cruise! You can order from the room service late night menu between 10 pm and 6 am and get a grilled cheese, BLT, omelette, or even a donut sandwich delivered to your room at any hour! Room service on Carnival cruise ships also offer breakfast between 5 am to 10 am and lunch between 6 am to 10 pm. Prices vary by item for Carnival room service, although there are some complimentary offerings.

Princess Cruise Midnight Buffet

While there may technically be a midnight buffet on your next Princess Cruise, you’ll have to act quick! Princess Cruise buffets start serving breakfast at 5 in the morning and stop serving dinner at exactly midnight. You might be able to say you technically went to a midnight buffet on your next Princess Cruise, but cruise employees will often start packing up the buffet before the exact stroke of midnight.

Interested in fancier meals on your next cruise? Click here!

Princess Cruise Late Night Food Options

In addition to the potential of being able to hit the midnight buffet on your next Princess Cruise, there are also a wide variety of late night options available. Stop by the International Café any time of day to get some quick midnight snacks like sandwiches, soups, and cookies!

Like with other cruise lines, Princess Cruises also offer 24/7 room service in place of a midnight buffet. Unlike other cruise ships, room service on your Princess Cruise does not have a flat service fee, you are charged entirely based on what food items you order. That being said, there are still complimentary choices as well as paid choices on the room service menu. You can view the room service menu and even order directly from the TV in your stateroom!

Disney Cruise Midnight Buffet

While there is no official midnight buffet on Disney Cruises, there is a late night buffet that starts 10:30 pm in the District, the adults only area of the ship. Breakfast on typical Disney Cruise buffets starts at 7:30 am and dinner ends at 8:30 pm. Like with other cruise ships, you can also bring food back from the buffet to your stateroom for later if there’s something on the buffet that you know you’ll want at midnight!

Disney Cruise Midnight Buffet Alternatives

In addition to the late night buffet, there are other late night dining options as alternatives to a midnight buffet on your Disney Cruise. While many of the restaurants on board Disney Cruises are not open until midnight, there are some options that stay open as late at 11 pm. Tow Mater’s Grill is a good spot to grab some late night meals.

Like with many other cruise lines, there is also 24/7 room service on your next Disney Cruise in place of a midnight buffet. You can get food delivered directly to your room at midnight or any other time that you’d like! There is no flat fee for room service on Disney Cruises, but some items do incur an additional cost.

Celebrity Cruise Midnight Buffet

Unfortunately, Celebrity Cruises does not offer an official midnight buffet. Celebrity Cruises has offered midnight buffets in the past but you will not find a midnight buffet on your next Celebrity Cruise. You will have to wait until breakfast to hit the buffet on your Celebrity Cruise! The buffets on your Celebrity Cruise will stop serving dinner at roughly 9:30 pm, but snacks are often left out on the buffet until 1 am.

Celebrity Late Night Food Options

Despite the lack of an official midnight buffet on your next Celebrity Cruise, there are still many options for late night food. Stop by the buffet for an unofficial midnight buffet on your Celebrity Cruise with the ‘Chef Late Night Selections’ offered between 10 pm and 1 am. You can also stop by Café al Bacio & Gelateria on many ships for a late night coffee, pastry, or gelato!

You can also find 24/7 room service on your next Celebrity Cruise in place of a midnight buffet. Get everything from quick snacks like signature soups and salads as well as full meals like seared salmon, rack of lamb, or even frog legs delivered directly to your stateroom at any time! While room service on Celebrity Cruises is typically free of charge, orders made between 11 pm and 6 am do cost a $4.95 fee.

Norwegian Midnight Buffet

Fitting with the other major cruise lines, Norwegian Cruises does not offer a midnight buffet on any of their cruise ships. The buffets on Norwegian Cruise ships start serving breakfast at 7:30 am and stop serving dinner at 9:30 pm.

Norwegian Late Night Food Options

While there is no midnight buffet on your next Norwegian Cruise, there are great options for food in the middle of night. Stop by O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar and Grill for perfect midnight meal options like burgers, reubens, chicken wings, nachos, and more!

Also fitting with other major cruise lines, you can get room service delivered to your stateroom in place of a midnight buffet on your Norwegian Cruise. Get delicious options like a BLT, burger, pizza, or even full meals like grilled salmon, skirt steak, and fish & chips delivered to your stateroom at almost any time of night! Items on the ‘All Day’ menu from room service can be ordered at any time between 10 am and 6:30 am, so make sure you order before 6:30 if you’re pulling an all-nighter! Room service on Norwegian Cruise lines costs a flat fee of $9.95 per order, except when ordering the continental breakfast or coffee in the morning.

We are sad to report that the majority of cruise ships have stopped offering midnight buffets. The large amount of food and work needed for midnight buffets paired with low attendance has resulted in the loss of midnight buffets on most cruise ships. While you most likely won’t be hitting the midnight buffet on your next cruise, almost every cruise offers dining options for midnight snacks and meals. Some notable mentions for great alternatives to midnight buffets on cruise ships include Sorrento’s Pizza on Royal Caribbean, O’Sheehans on Norwegian, and the Pizzeria at Lido Marketplace on Carnival.

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I always book rooms near staircases on cruises. If you pick the right part of the ship, your vacation will be way better.

• Booking a cabin near the stairs provides many added benefits that make my cruise even better. 
• I avoid long elevator lines and can easily move from my cabin to the main deck and back.
• When booking a room near stairs, give yourself a two-floor buffer if you're right below a buffet.

Although I love small cruises , I've recently grown fond of big ships.

And with cruise ships getting bigger to the point where a new world's largest one is crowned almost every year, there are even more rooms to choose from when booking a trip.

It's exciting to see all of the cabin options and upgrades — but when I'm selecting my room on a cruise , I just want to know where the stairs are.

Because I've learned that if my cabin is located near staircases in just the right way, my cruise is way more enjoyable and efficient.

The perks of this placement are so good that I only book cabins near staircases now and will continue to do so for every cruise I take.

Booking a cabin near stairs helps me avoid long elevator lines

My most recent cruise on the Discovery Princess , which has 19 decks, is a great example of how strategic cabin selection can make a trip better.

I stayed on Deck 12, and my cabin was near the aft (rear) of the ship, directly across from an elevator bank and set of stairs.

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Since the larger bank of panoramic elevators is farther along the deck, the aft elevators were used less frequently, and noise was not a problem.

The best part, though, was being near the staircase. Since there was technically no Deck 13, I could climb two flights and be right at Deck 16, Discovery Princess' Lido deck.

The Lido deck has a mix of cabins and public areas, and the aft stairs brought me right next to the large buffet area.

When the buffet was crowded, and elevators were cramped and surrounded by crowds waiting to get on them, I could just quickly pop up and down the staircase.

I added built-in exercise to my daily routine by taking the stairs, too.

The convenience of a cabin near stairs is unmatched

Like most cruisers, I spend the majority of my day away from my cabin, but I also don't want to carry a ton of things around with me.

By having a cabin near a set of stairs that's close to the decks I spend the most time on, it's easy for me to run to my cabin for a book, headphones, or sunscreen.

Not having to rely on elevators for mundane tasks keeps my days quick and efficient, which means I can get back to enjoying my vacation faster.

Just make sure you check the ship's map before you book

This placement can have drawbacks if you don't make sure your cabin isn't directly under a buffet or popular spot. I learned this the hard way on the Celebrity Silhouette when I selected a cabin near the stairs but one floor directly below the buffet.

My location was great until the sounds of staff moving carts and chairs around woke me up in the early morning hours every day. I now look for a two-deck buffer between my cabin and any deck with a buffet area.

It's also important to check which staircases go to which floors. For example, on Discovery Princess, not all staircases go through from Deck 12 all the way to Deck 5, where many activities and dining options are located.

To find your ideal cabin, review the ship's deck plans before you book. They're available on most cruise-line websites, and you can use them to look up staterooms and their locations in relation to stairs and highly trafficked areas.

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The 5 best nyc dinner cruises for food & views.

These dinner cruises provide some of the best views of Manhattan.

The Best NYC Dinner Cruises

Courtesy of La Barca Cantina

When you're strolling the streets of Manhattan, it can be difficult to grasp the magnitude of the city, with its skyscrapers and densely packed landmarks. The solution? A boat ride. A breezy sail in New York Harbor can feature everything from an elegant dinner to a live jazz band to tacos and tequila. Read on to discover the top-rated New York City dinner cruise options as determined by travel expert opinion and recent reviews.

City Cruises New York Bateaux Premier Dinner Cruise

Price: From $144 Duration: 3 hours Standout perk: This all-glass boat delivers panoramic skyline views.

Climbing aboard the Bateaux feels like stepping into a greenhouse, with its glass-enclosed structure and water views in every direction. There are no bad seats on this boat, but as an upgrade you can reserve a window table for the best views of the Hudson River, the East River and the New York Harbor. This cruise is a match for anyone seeking elegance: The tables are covered in crisp white cloths, wine and cocktails are served in sparkling glasses, and a three-course a la carte dinner is served at a relaxed pace (no buffet here).

The Bateaux cruise is an experience to get dressed up for, where the dress code is semi-formal and dinner is accompanied by live music. The sunset can provide the perfect backdrop for pictures, and don't forget to snap a shot of the Statue of Liberty . Children younger than 6 are not permitted on this cruise, so expect a polished, for-adults atmosphere complete with creative cocktails and dancing under the stars. The Bateaux has rightfully earned a reputation for its fresh food; this three-course, plated menu includes several tempting a la carte options from a ravioli starter with crispy pancetta to osso bucco with cauliflower polenta.

Check prices & availability on:

City Cruises New York Signature Dinner Cruise

Price: From $109 Duration: 2.5 hours Standout perk: A live DJ gives this dinner cruise an extra dose of atmosphere.

Looking for a casual night of dining and dancing with the addition of a skyline backdrop? This dinner cruise offers just that. Set sail from Chelsea Piers in a climate-controlled boat along the Hudson and East rivers, admiring New York City landmarks like the Empire State Building . For dinner, indulge in a chef-prepared buffet with a wide range of options from Greek salad to oven-roasted salmon with miso to Caribbean jerk braised pork. If you're bringing a sweet tooth on board, be sure to check out the ample dessert station.

After snapping some pictures on the open-air deck, return to the cabin for cocktails from the cash bar, interactive games and upbeat music from the onboard DJ.

Those traveling with young kids will be pleased to know that infants younger than 3 cruise free – so feel free to bring your little ones along to enjoy the experience with you.

La Barca Cantina

Price: Varies Duration: 2 hours Standout perk: You'll find an extensive tequila and mezcal list on board to accompany the Mexican fare.

One criticism of New York dinner cruises is that they don't offer good value for money, but the "taco boat" challenges that critique with ceviche, tacos, churros, cocktails and skyline views for an affordable price. Climb aboard a yacht at Pier 81 to experience a youthful, modern interpretation of a dinner cruise – think: low lighting, couches for lounging and three bars, complete with Latin pop, salsa and dance music playing in the background. Raise a glass while the yacht sails south on the Hudson River to check out world-famous Manhattan skyline views.

La Barca Cantina also offers a bottomless brunch cruise with a DJ, as well as special events.

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Classic Harbor Line NYC Evening Jazz Cruise

Courtesy of Classic Harbor Line

Price: From $108 Duration: 1.5 hours Standout perk: A jazz trio typically featuring a sax, keyboard and drums plays live on board.

Listen to jazz standards aboard a 1920s-style yacht with this fun sightseeing cruise departing from Pier 62 in Chelsea Piers. Choose between kicking back in the climate-controlled cabin or on the open-air deck throughout this evening cruise, which includes views of Manhattan landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Live music is played outside on the deck or inside the salon, depending on the season (and the boat, Manhattan or Manhattan II).

While this cruise doesn't offer dinner, one complimentary alcoholic beverage is included, and a cash bar offers additional drinks and snacks. Listen to music by Duke Ellington, George Gershwin and more as you sail past the twinkling Manhattan skyline. Those traveling in a group should keep in mind: Tickets are slightly discounted for groups of 4 to 16.

Circle Line New York City Harbor Lights Cruise

Courtesy of Circle Line

Price: From $54 Duration: 2 hours Standout perk: This no-fuss, excellent-value cruise option has drinks and snacks available for purchase on board.

When you're craving panoramic views rather than a three-course meal, choose the Circle Line's Harbor Lights cruise departing from Pier 83. This sightseeing sailing delivers an up-close experience of the Manhattan skyline lights coming to life, while cruising past landmarks including the Brooklyn Bridge and the Chrysler Building . A live guide provides narration and historical context for what you're seeing. As the sun sets behind New Jersey, watch the glow of the sinking sun reflect in the windows of skyscrapers.

Food from the onboard cafe – like salads, sandwiches and snacks – as well as beer, wine and cocktails at the bar are available for purchase. This is an ideal situation for groups with varying levels of hunger and thirst. Sit alfresco in the breeze or indoors in the climate-controlled cabin – it's up to you.

Non-English-speaking guests can download the Circle Line app for narration available in several languages; just be sure to bring your own headset.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Jessica Colley Clarke is a New York-based freelance writer. She loves to take visiting family and friends out on the water in the New York Harbor for a fresh perspective on the Manhattan skyline and beyond.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top New York City Tours
• The Best Hotels in New York City
• The Top Observation Decks in New York City

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Jimmy Buffett’s new Margaritaville cruise ship just arrived in Tampa

T AMPA — Tampa’s newest cruise ship has arrived, coming from the Jimmy Buffett cruise line Margaritaville at Sea. The company’s second ship, The Islander, will begin sailing Friday, June 14, from Port Tampa Bay for four- and seven-day trips to Mexico and Key West.

Themed for the chill Buffett-inspired lifestyle, the Margaritaville cruise line has been offering shorter two-night itineraries to the Bahamas out of Palm Beach. But its new larger ship launching from Tampa will more than double the passenger capacity of the boutique cruise line with 1,105 staterooms, which includes six signature grand suites inspired by some of the late singer’s most iconic songs. Cruises start at $229 to Cozumel and $479 for longer trips that include Belize and Mexico.

It offers a three-story poolside LandShark Bar at Sea, a Play Pad, water slide, casino, spa and pools. Guests will be able to fuel up at the Port of Indecision Buffet, stay in shape at the Fins Up Fitness Center, relax at the 5 O’Clock Somewhere Pool and take a selfie at the Flip Flop Atrium.

Savannah Buffett, eldest daughter of the late singer, songwriter and sailor, will be the ship’s official godmother . She co-authored two children’s books with her father, has hosted radio shows, and was a back-up singer in the 1998 music video “Jamaica Farewell.”

The Tampa cruises will feature mostly four- and five-night western Caribbean itineraries to Cozumel, Key West and the Yucatan town of Progreso.

Earlier this year, the company announced that teachers, first responders and military will be able sail as many times as they like for free with a paying guest. In addition, all passengers sailing in the hero’s stateroom will receive an Express Pass and other benefits as part of the enhanced program. To take advantage of the offer, book online through the link available on Govx.com or at margaritavilleatsea.com/offers/heroessailfree/ .

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