Late Night Buffet?? Do you care About It?

[sail7seas]

For the first time in our memory on an HAL cruise, there was no Late Night Buffet every night on Ryndam. Many nights they had the usual Buffet listed in the daily program but on at least 3 or 4 nights, they had what they called "Light Bites" passed around in all Lounges. Stewards had trays of nibbles they passed around in lieu of the late night buffet.

We had no interest in either so it doesn't matter in the least to us. We have not been to a late night buffet in years except to very occassionally pass through and pick up a cup of coffee----we did that maybe three times in the last 3 years.

Do many people even go to the Buffets? It must be a terrible waste of food and the effort to prepare and display it and then to serve and clean up the mess?

Do you care if they discontinue it?

[aaerobear]

If I was ever up that late (few and far between) and I wandered through the buffet area, there was so much food and no people.

Ed

[Jemima]

We've never been to the late night buffets so wouldn't notice if they were discontinued. On cruises we go to bed early and are up early.

[SDHALFAN]

In the last 20 years I have been to the Midnight Buffet once - and that was to check out the Chocolate (or was it Dessert?) Extravaganza. I only went to see what it looked like, and it was very impressive but I was so full from dinner that I couldn't even think about actually eating anything.

It seems such a waste of time and effort and I doubt that it would be missed by most people.

[babyher]

Our last cruise was in November on Carnival, and though they did have a buffett every night, it was not that nig a deal. Cold cuts and a variety of breads and some salads and a few desserts. They may have had the grill going for hot dogs and hamburgers (can't recall for sure though).

Of course they always had the 24 hour pizza and that is always a big hit. But if all the late night buffets on all ships are heading in that direction. I could do without them.

As long as you can get a cup of coffee/tea or a soft drink. I would be happy :)

[bellebaby]

As we usually have the late seating for dinner, we have little, if any, interest in eating again.

Enough is enough...... or in this case, too much!

B

[JLC@SD]

We always have late sitting, so by the time the midnight buffet comes around we are only a couple of hours from the dinner feast, and we are not hungry.

[cusyl]

We never go, it's just too much food....if someone is starving aren't the pizza places open all night?

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I have to admit other than attending just a few Dessert Extravaganza buffets, we have never gone to eat the midnight buffet. I don't even like the Dessert one to be then. I really prefer it to be held like High Tea in the afternoon.

[yiddishkopf]

I agree with the many others -- we wouldn't miss it. We enjoy dining at a late seating and who needs to eat and hour and a half later? I have gone a few times to check out the chocolate buffet, but have rarely eaten anything -- I just like to see how things are presented and garnished.

In the days that I really cooked, I occasionally entertained at a dessert open house and I was well known for my many varieties of cheesecakes, but now I occasionally broil a steak or stick a lean cuisine into the microwave!

[Pincus]

In more than 300 days of cruising with HAL, I have never attended a midnight buffet.

I certainly wouldn't miss it. Might be a good place to cut costs, and even improve crew morale with an extra hour of sleep.

Pincus

[Southbound]

As many of you long-time cruisers have probably noticed, over the years the late-night buffets have been substantially, albeit gradually, downsized. We've always preferred the early dinner seating and, after the show and post-dinner drinks in one of the lounges, would visit the buffet for a small snack and/or dessert and decaf coffee before retiring for the night. We would see pax piling their plates and then, after a few bites of this and that, leave most of the food they had taken. We would always comment to each other about the extraordinary amount of wasted food resulting from this behavior. The attitude of "It's there, we paid for it," was obvious.

After post-dinner/show drinks in the Crow's Nest, we'll visit the Lido buffet for some cheese and crackers to take back to the cabin for munching while watching a bit of TV. If it happens to be the evening dessert extravaganza, we'll sit and have something with a decaf coffee. But as for serving up ourselves another "meal," no way, Jose. The elastic waistband can handle just so much.:D

[twinkletoes4445]

By that time of the night, we have eaten all we're going to eat for the day. We've only cruised one other time, and on that cruise, we didn't make it to any of the midnight (or late night) buffets.

[Krazy Kruizers]

It has been many, many years since we went to a midnight buffet. We don't eat that late at home, so why should we on a cruise?

They could discontinue it and it wouldn't bother us.

[sail7seas]

It seems to be unanimous.......

Not surprisingly, IMO.

The days of people wanting to stuff all that food into themselves seem to be over.

It seems few of us will miss that buffet if they discontinue it.


I

[Krazy Kruizers]

"Lite Bites" - another new concept.

Not that we would be having any of those that late in the evening, but I am curious as to what is served. The same thing that they serve for appetizers at cocktail time?

[RevNeal]

It depends. By-and-large I don't pay the Late Night Buffet much mind, especially so given that I usually eat at 8 or 8:30 pm. Nevertheless, I do usually go up once or twice on a cruise -- not counting the Desert Extravaganza -- if only to see what they have on the menu. If it looks interesting, I *might* taste a bit; but, usually, no. A few times I've gone up with various ship's staff members and eaten with them ... cruise staff, casino staff, shop's staff, etc. I tend to make friends easily among the crew and, sometimes (especially if I'm chaplain aboard), they enjoy the company. One of the most hilarious evenings was the night I went up to the Buffet with DJ Jazzy Jeff and a few casino dealers and we ended up trading jokes for most of their meal. I had coffee and a small dessert, but Jeff ate a meal fit for 3 while "holding court" the whole time. ;) I had a ball.

[Krazy Kruizers]

"Lite Bites" - another new concept.

Not that we would be having any of those that late in the evening, but I am curious as to what is served. The same thing that they serve for appetizers at cocktail time?

[jhannah]

No midnight buffet for us. Way too late to eat. Attending the Dessert Extravaganza is just to see and photograph the beautiful creations. It would not affect my enjoyment at all if they simply did away with the late night buffet.

[kryos]

Each night on my Amsterdam cruise this past January, they would have a theme buffet in the Lido at around 11:30 p.m. The couple of nights that I happened to be up there late ... for my before bedtime cigarette and cup of java ... it looked like all that food was sitting out there with very, very few people partaking. What a waste.

If I were in charge ... :) ... I would have a small dessert buffet set up late, and bag the full-blown one. With the exception of the Dessert Extravaganza, I never saw more than a few people up there on any night at the late night buffet. 11:30 is waaayyyy too late for me ... and I think for most people.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[SDHALFAN]

Okay - I agree with S7S in that the vote seems unanimous, at least amongst CC posters, that the Late Night/Midnight Buffet has become a Dinosaur and it's time has come and gone. Let it die a peaceful death (thereby saving HAL, and hopefully us, some dollars:D ).

Rita (Kryos) does have a good point though: for those who just have to have another "snack" before retiring for the night - why not just offer a very small dessert buffet instead of the full blown affair?

I honestly cannot imagine anyone being hungry enough to scarf down food after 11:00 p.m., but if indeed there are such people then there is always the 24-hour a day room service, and since it's HAL then the room service always comes "with a smile":) .

[sail7seas]

[quote=revneal One of the most hilarious evenings was the night I went up to the Buffet with DJ Jazzy Jeff and a few casino dealers and we ended up trading jokes for most of their meal. I had coffee and a small dessert, but Jeff ate a meal fit for 3 while "holding court" the whole time. ;) I had a ball.[/quote]

Any time that Jazzy Jeff is present, there are loads of laughs and always a good time.

You must have enjoyed seeing him in February on Noordam? He's great, isn't he???!!!! :)

[Cruising Jake]

Twenty years ago when we started cruising we always went to the midnight buffet. But we only took a bit of dessert and an iced tea. We are at an early seating, watched the show and actually took a nap before the buffet. We have not been to a midnight buffet in over 15 years though. I would not miss it and would really like the idea that food was being saved. If anything a bit of dessert might be welcome now since we do eat at the later seating anymore.

[HalFan]

We have never gone to the late buffet (except for the Chocolate/Dessert Extravaganza) because we always have late dinner. When we were on the Ryndam in March, they passed the lite bites on formal evenings instead of having the buffet, and it was noted in the daily program.
We did meet someone at breakfast in the dining room one morning who always has early dinner specifically so he can go to the late buffet and chow down!
I vote for bringing back the old Chocolate Extravaganza - it's now called the Dessert Extravaganza and is not nearly as extensive or as high quality or chocolatey as in previous years.:(

[arzz]

I, too, do not remember the last time that I actually attended a buffet except for accompanying some friends who wished to see the late night dessert buffet. I do, however, appreciate the ability to grab a finger sandwich or something else that is savory maybe once a cruise if I stay up late and get a bit nibbly. It seems a huge effort to call room service for a tiny snack and so easy if there is something small to be grabbed on my own. I would hate to see all late night food disappear -- but an extravagant buffet, not really necessary for me.

[the2ofus]

On our cruise in 1993 we would go every night just to check out the theme foods for the evening. Usually ended up with ice cream and a couple of cookies with our late night decaf coffee. Since then, we have rarely attended the midnight buffet and usually had just coffee or cookies and ice cream if we did. I understand that the crew and performers do need a full meal during their shift, but doubt a large number of pax actually partake.

If I am hungry late, it is just as easy to call for cheese & crackers or cookies along with a pot of tea in my cabin. Plus, there is always the fruit bowl to provide a snack.

I don't even really need a big dessert extravaganza any more, but it is fun to see how creative the culinary artists are.

[kakalina]

The only time we were up for the late buffet was to take pix of the dessert extravaganza. We are the early to bed early to rise types so we are rarely up. In fact, when we took pix of the dessert night we set our alarm to wake us up to go see it ( it was our first cruise).

[Bill S]

We would not miss it either! If eliminating late night buffets saves other amenities, we won't object

[Bucky3]

WE never partake of the midnight buffet - DH goes to bed at 10 just like at home. When our daughter cruises with us, she and I usually visit the casino - love those penny machines - and after our pennies are gone, we like to go up to the lido area for a light snack, piece of pizza, or something like that. We never would have another plate full after dinner. No midnight buffet would be fine with me.

[bepsf]

I think I've seen the late night buffet on HAL only once - I'm usually busy doing other things (like crawling into my comfy bed!) We just stood there and watched: it just seemed obscene observing all these morbidly obese people gleefully loading up their plates with pre-Diabetic abandon...

I've never been a fan of Melon Carving and Eiffel Towers made of Cheese either - seems like such wastefulness when food isn't served and eaten.

Sign me up for the little bites or nibblies similar to what's served during High Tea or in the Neptune. Something light and yummy - not too spicy and won't cause heartburn. Mmmmm - what I wouldn't give for a couple Chocolate-dipped, Creme-filled Pastry Puffs right about now...
...with a Decaf Cappuccino
;)

[StanandJim]

- not too spicy and won't cause heartburn..... ...with a Decaf Cappuccino
;)

Dear Delicate Flower.....er.....Brian-

Perhaps, if you overindulge in midnight spiciness (of a culinary nature) or caffeine, you could stumble back to your cabin for an hour of relaxation with your "tub overflow thingy"! ;)


BTW, What is up with the '07 reunion cruise?? One needs time to get ones truss in order!

I'm simply dieing for a smart cocktail.

Jim

[RevNeal]

You must have enjoyed seeing him in February on Noordam? He's great, isn't he???!!!!

Oh, absolutely. ABSOLUTELY. :D

[gizmo]

For the first time in our memory on an HAL cruise, there was no Late Night Buffet every night on Ryndam. Many nights they had the usual Buffet listed in the daily program but on at least 3 or 4 nights, they had what they called "Light Bites" passed around in all Lounges. Stewards had trays of nibbles they passed around in lieu of the late night buffet.


Do you care if they discontinue it?

I love this idea of "Light Bites". :)

A long time ago they did this on the Norway. I can't rememer if they still had a midnight buffet but they came around to the lounges and casino with trays of food. I believe X does this also. I am very glad to hear Hal may be doing this.

Once on the Ryndam I recall them doing this in the Crows Nest. That was the only time I saw it on Hal. That was maybe 9 or 10 years ago.

I really don't care about the midnight buffet. I would vote to drop it and go with the Light Bites. ;)

[Willsot]

My wife and I likewise have no interest in late-night buffets (do any actually occur at midnight anymore?). We always choose the 8:00 or 8:30 p.m. seating for dinner so have no need.

I would prefer that HAL put the same resources into say, the Explorations Library/Cafe to make the speciality coffees complimentary. Maybe throw in some chocolate-covered strawberries!

[herb]

When we first started cruising, the late night buffet was exciting.... not anymore.

Unfortunately many of the things offered by cruises, such as professional photos, ice carving demonstrations, galley tours, napkin folding demonstrations,port lectures, etc. are things that we looked forward to doing when we were "newbies" to cruising, but now we just pass on these things and just relax :)

[Stevesan]

Princess has the "light bites" concept. The buffet, Horizon Court, is open 24 hours. Late night, 11PM - 4AM, the buffet is lightly staffed with snack type offerings.
This works out well for late night partiers who like to dance and whoop it up a bit, and thus work up a bit of an appetite in the midnight hours. That may not be necessary on HAL.;)

[mountainmare]

The one time we had early seating because we were traveling with people who had to eat early I used the late buffet often. We eat late every night and I just wasn't hungry at 6pm, but by 11 I was starving.

I always go up at around midnight for some coffee or hot chocolate and if there is something light take it back to the balcony to enjoy in the moonlight.
The way I look at it is that it is part of tradition that we are so fond of. New cruisers have heard stories of the midnight buffet--its part of cruising. I'm on vacation, I don't need to be in bed by 10 or up at 6AM.

[elmorejj]

When we first cruised in 1982 I wouldn`t have missed a midnight buffet for the world! But that was in the days when we closed down the discos and clubs! In fact our first cruise was on the old Carnivale and they had the midnight buffets and then at 2.30am had more food stations around the ships........serving omelets, crepes etc. Now, I never go to the buffets late at night, but might be interested in a few nibbles in the lounges late at night.........jean:cool:

[Joanandjoe]

We. too, are early birds. However, on our one of our two HAL cruises (possibly Rotterdam in 2002), they had an Asian buffet after the crew show. The food was great, and we had eaten a light supper to leave room for it. We'll go for Indonesian food any time, any place, even if it means going to sleep early, then setting an alarm for when the Nasi Goreng, gado-gado salad with peanut butter dressing, and satays (meat-on-a-stick) are served.

For regular food, we'll pass on the buffets, even the dessert one.

[Randyk47]

We're by no means early birds. If we're in our cabin by 11 PM then one of us is not feeling well or we've got a really early excursion the next morning. I know we've closed way, way more lounges than we've made visits to the late night buffet. I think the fact we eat at the 8 PM dinner seating certainly has an impact on that. After two or three we have also stopped going to the dessert extravaganza.....been there, done that. Seems to me that the wait staff in the dining room used to push the dessert show more than they do now or, maybe, I just don't pay much attention to it. Can't say it was always this way.....first couple of cruises we were in the "we paid for it, we're going to do it/try it/eat it" mode. :o

[gizmo]

Elmorejj,

You reminded me of our first cruise. It was on the Norway. We had early seating and decided to go see what the Midnight buffet was all about.

LOL, You would have thought these people hadn't eaten in 24 hours. The were lined up outside the dining room and it was a real mob scene. I am being kind when I say "lined up". I couldn't believe the amount of food that was laid out. Ice carvings, and all kinds of food. It was a real feast. These people attacked it like it was going to be their last meal. :D

[Krazy Kruizers]

All right HAL - are you listening???

It seems that the majority of the people here say: "do away with the midnight buffet".

Waste of time, food, and money.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Over the last couple of years I have talked to a couple of people who have gone to the midnight buffets, and they have told me that many of the items that aren't eaten there are served the next day at lunch.

Can anyone confirm or deny that?

[bluegrass grannie]

I've been "lurking" but not posting for awhile, but this caught my attention. I have to say that eating at midnight has no appeal to me but having heard about these extravaganzas for years, I had to see what all the fuss was about.

On the X Infinity to Hawaii in 2004, the Midnight Buffet was totally awesome. Pax lined up for over an hour waiting--not to eat, necessarily, but to take photos. It was announced that at midnight, pax could walk through the buffet area to take their photos, then exit the dining room--no eating until all photos had been taken. If you wanted to eat, you had to get back in line.

It really was spectacular to see--ice carvings of all kinds, every kind of food carved into animals, flowers, statues, buildings etc. It was a complete buffet with meats, cheeses, veggies, fruit etc. I had never seen anything like it. Our assistant maitre d" had let us into the dining room early as a favor (I guess because she liked our table) and it was really fun to watch everyone walk through and comment on it. We never did eat anything but it surely was fun to see and those who have seen our photos comment more on that buffet than on the sights in Hawaii!!

We stayed up to see the Chocolate Dessert Extravaganza on the Ryndam this past February, but it didn't compare in any way to that X experience.

I'm glad to have seen one such spectacular Midnight Buffet, but think such things over tax the crew and certainly are wasteful when most of the food isn't eaten. Do you think they really do serve the food the next day?

By the way, Sail--nice photos of you and DH in the online Mariner magazine.;)

[elmorejj]

Gizmo, that scene sounds exactly like what we saw on the Carnivale!!:cool:

[elmorejj]

KK, can`t confirm it but it would not surprise me, I have managed or supervized many food facilities in my time as I owned a catering co. and you never waste food! someone is going to get it either as is or gussied up in some way, if not the pax then certainly the crew..........jean:cool:

[michmike]

[QUOTE=bepsf][FONT="Garamond"][SIZE="4"]I think I've seen the late night buffet on HAL only once - I'm usually busy doing other things (like crawling into my comfy bed!) We just stood there and watched: it just seemed obscene observing all these morbidly obese people gleefully loading up their plates with pre-Diabetic abandon...

Brian - Certainly nothing judgemental is THOSE comments eh?? Seems kind of surprising considering.....

[gizmo]

Anyone remember that gigantic chocolate dragon they had on the Veendam for that chocolate night ? It was Nov/Dec 2001.

[Scrumpy]

We have never been to the midnight buffet and wouldn't miss it. We went to the Chocolate Extravaganza and were actually disappointed. I think Choco-holic DH and his Choco-holic Mum had something, but I don't remember having anything myself. I admit I am a poor eater and a cruise is about the only time I get two or three "real" meals a day, but I think they might save a lot of money eliminating or severely curtailling midnight buffets. We walked through the area a few times and saw only a few people. They looked pretty dedicated to eating, but lighter options would serve them well, too.

[gizmo]

Scrumpy,

Why were you disappointed ?

I just thought of something. ;) By any chance have you only cruised on a Vista ship ? If so, that might be the answer. I have seen magnificent displays on the other ships.

[Scrumpy]

Scrumpy,

Why were you disappointed ?

I just thought of something. ;) By any chance have you only cruised on a Vista ship ? If so, that might be the answer. I have seen magnificent displays on the other ships.

No, we were on Maasdam when we went to the Chocolate Extravaganza. I remember it looked pretty, but there weren't a lot of edible choices. Visually, it was extremely appealing. I don't remember if we went to the one on Zuiderdam, which I guess was a "Dessert Extravaganza"??? We have some nice photos of the spread on Maasdam. I guess I expected every possible chocolate delight and since DH and MIL are so into chocolate, we all had expectations that were too high. I'm sure it was quite good and people enjoyed it.

[Scrumpy]

Oh - I have a photo of a chocolate dragon from Maasdam. Just read that in your post. Yes, it was very cool!

[SANDY BEACH]

We went on our first cruise to take pictures. As far as the food, it was beautiful but no desire to eat at that hour. It felt like we had just finished dinner. Too, too, too much food.

[Flyingfish]

NO, I don't care if they do away with the late night buffet. The last thing I want to do is eat anything after dinner. Ugh.

[Curly57]

Hi,
Our first cruise is coming up in 33 days (Westerdam to Seattle). We are looking forward to a lot of things on this cruise to Alaska and one of them is looking at the Midnight buffet /Dessert Extravaganza.

I hate for food to get wasted at home and am OK with HAL doing away with the buffet if it is truly going to waste, BUT we are looking forward to the clever, artistic creations and ice sculptures. Other newbies might want to experience it once or twice just for the sheer magnificence.

-Sue

[Celestia]

Sorry to break up your perfect score BUT I would miss the midnight buffet IMMENSELY if it were discontinued (yes, it would make me look at other cruise lines, which I realize would make some of you happy as all get out!).

We eat at early sitting due to my companions' preference (which I do not share but do go along with) and by the late hours I am in need of an additional snack as I eat lightly at dinner, it being much too early for a full meal for me.

As I have so far found HAL Room Service to be nasty, and cold when it finally arrives (plus you are stuck waiting in your cabin for it, and my roommate is often in bed asleep so it would be an intrusion), I rely on the Late Buffet for my evening meal.

I would not like to eat 'bites' in a lounge, the lounges are usually nasty with smoke (yes, there's non-smoking section, but unless it is actually walled off, I can still smell and taste it and would not want to consume food in the same room).

So here's a vote for keeping the Midnight Buffet.

C

[Aussie Gal]

We have never been to the late night buffet for two reasons. The first is that we always have either of the two late seatings at dinner and therefore are not hungry and the second is that after a full day on board ship we are exhausted around 11pm and just want to go to sleep.

When we were a lot younger we went on one of the P&O liners. Around 10pm each night they served silver service coffee or tea in one of the lounges together with lovely bite size sandwiches and small cakes. They were delicious and we do enjoy that supper. I think we were on a 7pm dinner which meant we could partake of the delicious supper.

Jennie

[ejbmorr]

The Midnight Buffet is beautiful to look at, but I always feel sad when the attending chefs are pleading with folks to try a bit of this and that. There are so many gorgeous desserts and very few of them are eaten. Hopefully that is what is offered in the dessert section of the Lido the next day. I think it is a waste of their efforts to be up at midnight for this presentation and then on the job in the morning for their regular duties.
I think I remember a time when there were not so many shore excursions and activities on board. The Midnight Buffet was an exciting event then.

[RustaRoo]

I have sailed exclusively HAL and would not miss it in the least. Have never partaken.

[the2ofus]

Celestia, your post sounds as though you think you are unwelcome on this board. I am sure that is not the case. Each of us is a participant, and although we may not always agree, we are free to have, and express, our opinions.

Although many of us may not find the late night buffet to be essential to our enjoyment of the cruise, I can't see HAL doing away with it. The staff still has to have a dinner meal on their shift. The Lido is where that meal is served. I can't see HAL making the Lido off limits to pax during that meal time, so the food is there for anyone who wants to partake. No one is twisting our arms to go there.

[nobbync]

I also enjoy the late night buffet on some nights. When I am by myself I don't care too much for breakfast. I plan to go on Oosterdam in the fall and if I can get the early seating for dinner I plan to sleep late daily and eat my meals at lunch, early dinner and midnight buffet. Then I'll have a nice walk on deck and enjoy the stars and hopefully moon before heading off to a nice sleep....

I am also a bit surprised at a couple of the comments made on here "judging" people because they are overweight.

Nobby

[elmorejj]

Light bites served in the lounges has been mentioned in a few of these posts, but no one has described them, . I would love to know what they serve.......any comments?.........jean:cool:

[MikeT718]

I also enjoy the late night buffet on some nights. When I am by myself I don't care too much for breakfast. I plan to go on Oosterdam in the fall and if I can get the early seating for dinner I plan to sleep late daily and eat my meals at lunch, early dinner and midnight buffet. Then I'll have a nice walk on deck and enjoy the stars and hopefully moon before heading off to a nice sleep....

I am also a bit surprised at a couple of the comments made on here "judging" people because they are overweight.

Nobby

Sorry to say but we just got off the O'Dam and the only late night thing they did was one night at 10:15 was a Chocolate Extravaganza. Now I could be wrong and I am sure those who were on this cruise with me will correct me

[nobbync]

Sorry to say but we just got off the O'Dam and the only late night thing they did was one night at 10:15 was a Chocolate Extravaganza. Now I could be wrong and I am sure those who were on this cruise with me will correct me



When I went last year they had the late night buffet every night at 11:30. It was not anything special but they still had food. Many of the crew eat then and it was not crowded but people were there. They also have pizza till late every night. I hope they didn't stop this but I had friends that were just on the O'Dam and they said it was still there. As others pointed out I'm sure it'll never go away because some of the staff eat there at that time.

Nobby

[bruce-r]

Do many people even go to the Buffets? Neither Princess or RCI have them.


Do you care if they discontinue it? I'd actually be happy to see them end. I would prefer that HAL spend the money to provide a little wider range of menu choices for the main meals.

[gizmo]

Light bites served in the lounges has been mentioned in a few of these posts, but no one has described them, . I would love to know what they serve.......any comments?.........jean:cool:

I am curious also. What did they serve ?

That one time 9 or 10 years ago, we had small sandwichs in the Crows Nest but I don't think that had anything to do with Lite Bites.