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Last week, Royal Caribbean’s CEO, Michael Bayley, admitted that traditional buffets will be gone when the cruise line starts sailing again. Since cruise ships are known for their buffets, this news is quite shocking to some experienced cruisers.
Most hotels at the moment have also closed their breakfast buffets in favor of to-go meals. Whether these changes are temporary or permanent remains to be seen.
As a family traveling with kids, I’ve never been a huge fan of buffet dining.
Why I Never Loved Buffets
Before I had kids, I was never a huge fan of buffets to begin with. Growing up, my parents loved buffets. There was a buffet restaurant we went to many times when I was a kid. My parents likely thought it was a good value because it was cheap and we could eat a ton of food.
But meals at a buffet always felt weird to me. Eating a taco and lasagna on the same plate during the same meal grossed me out. I don’t like mixing my food genres. The only type of buffet where food mixing is ok is a breakfast buffet, because in my mind all of those foods are fairly similar.
Fast forward to having three kids, and then buffets really started to get difficult. After we got a table, my husband would escort one or two of our kids to get their stuff at the buffet. And yes, it was necessary to escort them because if not, they would either touch the food inappropriately and/or drop food off their plates.
I would wait at the table with our 3rd kid, they would come back and we would trade off. Once we got all three kids their buffet food, my husband and I would take turns watching the kids and getting our food. By the time we got our food, the kids would be done with their food and want to go back for more. And then the cycle would repeat two or three times.
Buffet meals with our kids were never relaxing or enjoyable. We were rarely all at the table at the same time.
Many of our buffet meals were character meals at Disney World. That adds a whole other level of stress. We had to keep an eye on the characters and make sure we weren’t at the buffet when they came around.
But As Kids Get Older….
I realize that many of the logistical problems with buffets are just when kids are younger. As they get older and more independent, buffets get easier.
Last year, when I sailed on Anthem of the Seas with my kids, I didn’t hate the buffet as much as usual. My boys were completely self-sufficient, and my 8-year-old daughter was mostly on her own (although she did drop some food). So, it took us less time to get through. I also appreciated that the buffet was well-organized and labeled, which made it easier for me to make a meal out of food in the same genre.
And, my tween and teen boys with their never-ending appetites took full advantage of the buffet with second and third helpings. If you have a teen boy, you know how they can eat endlessly.
Bottom Line
I’m not devastated that buffets are going away since I disliked them prior to the pandemic. I do wonder if they won’t ever make a comeback due to hygiene concerns. I just hope that whatever replaces buffets takes less time than the formal restaurants on cruise ships.
Are you a fan of buffets, or are you glad to see them go away?
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Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
Picky eaters hate all food, so you can’t trust their opinion. Buffets have a place and time if the price is right. Woe unto those who scrutinize the eating habits of others.
Having your chosen dish brought to you personally is often a real treat. Next best is picking up exactly what you want.
So true, Bill!
Very interesting…in that long drawn out scientist voice (I can’t remember his name).
I remember I looooved buffets, especially old country buffet and golden corral. But I horrible experience ruined them forever!! Too many small children with no adult supervision. Thank you for being a responsible parent! I definitely won’t miss buffets at home, but can’t appreciate what no buffet will mean for my next cruise…a horrible experience in the making.
Yes, more sanitary methods are needed, but so are ways to process 2K-plus passengers
during meal times. As it is now, you may still wait in line for food with buffets, so I can’t even imagine the logistics for food without them. One possible answer could be how Picadilly Restaurants work, like a school cafeteria – a served buffet for the most part, with wrapped items also available.
Food for thought…pun intended 🙂
@E Marie Butler I think turning the buffets into a cafeteria is a good idea, at least for speed of getting people through.
When I clicked the link I was expecting an article about the removal of buffets, how these were going to be “replaced”, if it would be a temporary or a permanent measure, and what was the “prognosis” of this action. What I certainly did not expect was a blow-by-blow recount of the writer’s woes at mealtime with her kids, which I don’t believe warrants a whole article. There are a myriad of vacation choices that don’t entail buffet eating, and even in cruises there are restaurants for those of us who don’t like buffets. So, the author choosing a buffet throughout many of her family vacations and then complaining about it leaves me befuddled.
Btw, the same plate for different foods? Not unless one voluntarily puts in their plate a taco and a lasagna together. The plate should be left at the table and not be used to “refill”.
@ElenaC Thanks for your comment. This blog is called Miles for FAMILY for a reason. Many of our posts focus on traveling with kids. If our content does not suit you, you are certainly not obligated to read it. At this point, nobody knows the exact future of buffets. At many family destinations, it’s hard to avoid them. Have a great day!
I would think they would have a plexiglass up and have someone serving you
@Boonie That seems like a logical change, but the Royal Caribbean CEO said it will be “more akin to a restaurant”. I wouldn’t mind seeing themed fast food areas that you could pre-order from on the app.
I’d love it if I never saw another buffet full of mangled cold food and congealed hot food. But I’m sure that once the virus is a memory, they will come back.
@NB I understand! I feel like the buffets on cruises are better than on many land restaurants, though. I’m not sure about them coming back, or if they do come back I think it will take a few years.
Once this virus is settled the buffets will return. They are very effective at serving a lot of people very quickly which is helpful for cruise ships.
On vacation, or particularly on cruises anyway, I don’t love them or hate them. On the plus side it’s an easy way to get a quick bite to eat. Downside, the food quality tends to be lower. For breakfast though? I prefer it. It makes it easier to get going in the morning.
Generally speaking though, I don’t go to buffets at home. The food quality isn’t up to par and the “all you can eat” selling point is lost on me. I can only eat so much and gorging yourself is very unhealthy.
@project You’re right, they are quick. And that’s another reason why my kids like them on a cruise. On DCL, the main dining rooms take about 90 minutes or more for dinner. When the kids are itching to start another activity, that’s a long time.