Cruise Passenger readers always have plenty to say about what’s going on in Australian cruise, and in the broader cruise community. In Your Say, Cruise Passenger looks at the issues our readers are writing to us about on our blogs, posts and newsletters.
Cruising and a buffet have long gone hand in hand. But when the pandemic rolled around, some felt that it could signal the death of the buffet.
All cruise lines have enacted strict protocols and have staff waiting at the entrance of the dining area, armed with spray and hand sanitiser. But while the crew can only do so much, stories have come out about poor hygiene practices by other passengers.
There’s nothing worse than seeing someone skip out on washing their hands or coughing while at the buffet, and many feel that this type of behaviour has ruined buffet’s on cruise ships.
A Reddit thread discussed these practices, with many cruisers sharing their opinions.
One user wrote: “Maybe unpopular but I kinda get why some cruise lines were experimenting with staff serving buffet food after Covid, because some of the stuff I’ve seen people do at cruise buffets is insane. People touching food then changing their mind, kids grabbing stuff with their bare hands, some guy coughing directly at the salad bar like he was trying to season it.”
Another user added: “I’ll never understand how you can walk past a hand washing station, sanitiser, and a chipper staff member with a tambourine singing ‘“’wash your hands’” and still not wash your hands! Even when I was just going in for juice or my own ice cream cone. I still had to touch the dispensing button/knob. It’s no issue to take 20 seconds while you’re on vacation to make the world a little bit cleaner.”
Several cruisers highlight Holland America’s buffet system.
“Staff-served is the way. HAL mostly does that now, and it is so much better. We were on Princess recently, and compliance at the hand-washing stations was around two per cent. These gross people then touch the same utensils you do, and sometimes they touch the food directly. Itʻs very nasty. I have no tolerance for the “I prefer to serve myself” crowd, as too many cruise people are absolute slobs.”
Another added: “HAL still serves you for the most part – I definitely prefer it that way.”
Others feel that buffet behaviour has always been poor, but people are more aware of hygiene now.
“Some people have always been pigs at buffets as far as I can remember. The only difference now is that more people have a heightened awareness of who these pigs are after Covid and all the Norovirus outbreaks.”
Other shared what can only be described as horror stories.
“I still remember the guy who was thoughtful enough to was his hands entering the buffet but as he was walking to the buffet he gave a massive wet sneeze into his hands… looked at it… and wiped it in his shirt and proceeded to use the serving tongs. Since then I realised I need to wash my hands walking into the buffet and again after I’ve finished scooping my food. Everyone touches those tongs/spoons.”
In terms of advice, some cruisers mentioned the advantages of going to the buffet outside of peak dining hours.
“Try to go during “off hours”. It’s kind of annoying because sometimes you are just hungry, but it makes the experience tolerable. Meaning, during embarkation day, avoid at all costs. During lunch or dinner peak hours.
“I personally never find buffets on a cruise enjoyable. Mostly due to the crowds and food. Many ships now offer a sit down breakfast or lunch. Or a quick bite service with sandwiches and other filling items. So I kind of go out of my way to those places. Those daily itenary sheets or the TV lists all the options, what time they operate, and what they serve.”
Other cruisers avoid the buffet alltogether.
“I avoid the buffet like the plague. Even if they don’t directly touch the food, I’ve seen far too many people leave the bathroom without washing, and then walk directly to the buffet. Those horrible hands are then touching the utensils which then I would touch. People suck sometimes.”
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