tipsygirl Posted June 15, 2017 #1 Share Posted June 15, 2017 i just talked with friends who have recently returned from their first sailing on Oceania, I think it was the Regatta (??). They commented, positively that in the buffet line you could not serve yourself. Is this true on the Riviera? It would be a plus for me as I am on a gluten free diet and would be able to ask the necessary questions and not just guess or assume. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted June 15, 2017 #2 Share Posted June 15, 2017 All Oceania ships have no self serve buffets If you are GF speak to the Chef not just the servers they may or may not know if the item was prepared in a separate area Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Classiccruiser777 Posted June 15, 2017 #3 Share Posted June 15, 2017 It would be a plus for me as I am on a gluten free diet and would be able to ask the necessary questions and not just guess or assume. Im GF as well. I suggest contacting Oceania and your TA in advance to notify them of your dietary restrictions. You will receive menus in advance and they will make your selections using GF ingredients. Also, in the buffet, I have often asked if the gravies were GF. When told no the chef offered to have some made. O is that service oriented. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JVNYC Posted June 15, 2017 #4 Share Posted June 15, 2017 Not self service is one of the things I like most about Oceania's buffets!! It's great not to have to worry about people coughing on their hands and then touching serving utensils. I think this makes Oceania more luxurious and upscale! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Caroldoll Posted June 15, 2017 #5 Share Posted June 15, 2017 I agree with JVNC on the serving of buffets. It is much cleaner. We just took my DIL on Oceania. She told them she was GF and they treated her very well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatbush Flyer Posted June 15, 2017 #6 Share Posted June 15, 2017 It's always smile-inducing to hear onlookers in the Terrace Grill politely speak in unison to someone reaching for something like the sushi or a serving utensil: "no no no no (with or without finger wagging)." Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arima22 Posted June 16, 2017 #7 Share Posted June 16, 2017 Or the newcomers looking so perplexed asking "where do I get a plate?" Or reaching under the protective glass to get a plate off the server's supply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Harters Posted June 16, 2017 #8 Share Posted June 16, 2017 with or without finger wagging). Anyone who wags a finger at me, for whatever reason, is going to get a short response using words which my mother would definitely have disapproved of. By the by, I was perplexed by the thread - I've never come across a buffet before that was not self-serve. So, I'm glad I've read it, as it means a fellow passenger is not going to be on the receiving end of one of my short responses. And where do you actually get a plate? Are they not stacked at one end of the buffet, as in every other place I've been to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted June 16, 2017 #9 Share Posted June 16, 2017 And where do you actually get a plate? Are they not stacked at one end of the buffet, as in every other place I've been to? The servers have them & will hand them to you when you have gotten your selection of items prevents cross contamination passing the plate back & forth (passenger to server to passenger ) It all works out in the end Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Harters Posted June 16, 2017 #10 Share Posted June 16, 2017 Thanks LHT. So that presumably means there's a serving station where the server will put everything I want on the plate? Rather than the usual self-serve long section where there's, say, proteins at one end and then you pass along the various vegetables, etc? If so, that sounds a much better system - buffet queues can get silly while people differ about deciding what they want, while your lunch is getting cold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted June 16, 2017 #11 Share Posted June 16, 2017 Thanks LHT. So that presumably means there's a serving station where the server will put everything I want on the plate? Rather than the usual self-serve long section where there's, say, proteins at one end and then you pass along the various vegetables, etc? If so, that sounds a much better system - buffet queues can get silly while people differ about deciding what they want, while your lunch is getting cold. There are different stations but you will get a clean dish/plate if you go to another area Salads/cold meats in the centre island, grill items on one side, other hot dishes on the other side some photos of Riviera http://www.cruisecritic.com/photos/ships/riviera-607/terrace-cafe-311054/terrace-cafe--v14124900/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Harters Posted June 16, 2017 #12 Share Posted June 16, 2017 That's helpful. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZjohn Posted June 16, 2017 #13 Share Posted June 16, 2017 Interesting. My first thought was this could help (not eliminate) the norovirus being spread around the ship;) Cheers, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janecambridge Posted June 16, 2017 #14 Share Posted June 16, 2017 With the Oceania system,the plates always look appealing as no one uses the same spoon for different salads etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy The Wanderer Posted June 16, 2017 #15 Share Posted June 16, 2017 My only problem with this process was getting exactly what I wanted in a green salad was tedious and time-consuming. I understand why they do it, so I guess it's a small price to pay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susiesan Posted June 16, 2017 #16 Share Posted June 16, 2017 There are different stations but you will get a clean dish/plate if you go to another area Salads/cold meats in the centre island, grill items on one side, other hot dishes on the other side some photos of Riviera http://www.cruisecritic.com/photos/ships/riviera-607/terrace-cafe-311054/terrace-cafe--v14124900/ So you could end up with 4-5 plates at a time for one meal? Hope the tables are extra big to hold multiple plates at one time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatbush Flyer Posted June 16, 2017 #17 Share Posted June 16, 2017 So you could end up with 4-5 plates at a time for one meal? Hope the tables are extra big to hold multiple plates at one time! No. You can ask server to place whatever you desire onto the plate you already have. You can also have someone carry your plate(s) to your table. The Terrace Grill personnel are well-trained and ultra-cautious regarding food safety and avoidance of cross contamination. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susiesan Posted June 16, 2017 #18 Share Posted June 16, 2017 No. You can ask server to place whatever you desire onto the plate you already have. You can also have someone carry your plate(s) to your table. The Terrace Grill personnel are well-trained and ultra-cautious regarding food safety and avoidance of cross contamination. Sent from my iPhone using Forums That's not what was reported above by LHT28. So I can carry my plate of cold salads to the hot dish station and have them add the hot stuff to the plate I started? I won't need to have someone carry my plate for me unless there end up being too many to carry myself. I take it there are no trays to put the plates on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Classiccruiser777 Posted June 16, 2017 #19 Share Posted June 16, 2017 No trays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkieMarkNYC Posted June 16, 2017 #20 Share Posted June 16, 2017 Really, it's just a buffet. I wouldn't overthink it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted June 16, 2017 #21 Share Posted June 16, 2017 That's not what was reported above by LHT28. So I can carry my plate of cold salads to the hot dish station and have them add the hot stuff to the plate I started? I won't need to have someone carry my plate for me unless there end up being too many to carry myself. I take it there are no trays to put the plates on. Are you being facetious ? You have sailed on Oceania before so you know how it works Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatbush Flyer Posted June 16, 2017 #22 Share Posted June 16, 2017 That's not what was reported above by LHT28. So I can carry my plate of cold salads to the hot dish station and have them add the hot stuff to the plate I started? I won't need to have someone carry my plate for me unless there end up being too many to carry myself. I take it there are no trays to put the plates on. Yes you can. Whether the server takes your plate (to add stuff) or serves directly to it depends on what is being served. O's Terrace Grill is a class operation - not a cafeteria. No trays. And, for anyone whose prior cruise experience is on lines that are self-serve: You are in for a far different (and far better) experience. As for servers carrying your plates, don't say no just yet. In really rough seas, you'll see a lot of that. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyRollock Posted June 16, 2017 #23 Share Posted June 16, 2017 We are experienced cruisers (Seabourn, Regent) and because of timing/itinerary are taking our first O cruise next year so this sub- forum is very useful. It's true that every line has its own personality and way of doing things but nothing I've read about O has scared us off yet! I like the "assisted buffet" idea which makes perfect sense based on some of the appalling habits of fellow diners I've seen elsewhere! But I will probably politely decline having my plate carried to the table for me - it's one of my pet hates and I have no idea why. It just makes me cringe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare RachelG Posted June 17, 2017 #24 Share Posted June 17, 2017 Really do not like Oceania's buffet . Much prefer Regent. I like to pick the amount of each item that I out on my plate. Very annoying to try to explain to a server, whose first language is not English, that I want lots of spinach and other greens, just a few tomatoes, etc etc, and a drizzle of dressing. I could do it much easier myself. Not a germaphobe. I am a medical doctor who never ever gets sick because I have been exposed to everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulchili Posted June 17, 2017 #25 Share Posted June 17, 2017 Really do not like Oceania's buffet . Much prefer Regent. I like to pick the amount of each item that I out on my plate. Very annoying to try to explain to a server, whose first language is not English, that I want lots of spinach and other greens, just a few tomatoes, etc etc, and a drizzle of dressing. I could do it much easier myself. Not a germaphobe. I am a medical doctor who never ever gets sick because I have been exposed to everything. The problem is that this is an "all or nothing" situation - either everyone can serve themselves or nobody. Of those two choices I prefer the latter as not everyone is like you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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