Lunch on Embarkation Day

[E-500]

Sailing Eclipse in November in a 1C class veranda. First time on X. What are the lunch venue options on embarkation day? On other lines that we have sailed the MDR is open from 12-1:30 for guests, it appears that privilege is only available to CC stateroom passengers on X. If we want to avoid the crowds in the buffet are there other places to get a bite to eat? Burgers, pizza or salads would be fine.

 

Thanks in advance for your responses.

[jelayne]

In addition to the buffet the Aqua Spa cafe & Mast Grill are open.

 

We normally don't arrive at the port until about 12:30. The cabins are normally available between 1-1.30. So by the time we check in and board the ship we can drop our carry-ons in the cabin & head to the buffet-which is no longer crowded because all the folks who have been sitting there since 11 are now in their cabins😀.

[E-500]

In addition to the buffet the Aqua Spa cafe & Mast Grill are open.

 

We normally don't arrive at the port until about 12:30. The cabins are normally available between 1-1.30. So by the time we check in and board the ship we can drop our carry-ons in the cabin & head to the buffet-which is no longer crowded because all the folks who have been sitting there since 11 are now in their cabins😀.

 

Jelayne, thank you for your quick response. I assumed the Aqua Spa Café was only available to Aqua stateroom class guests. Is this a service restaurant and what type of cuisine do they offer? The timing you note for arriving on the ship may work well for us and the buffet may not be issue after all. I assume (I need to be careful here) the Mast Grill is outside and offers burgers, hot dogs, etc.? Any place to get Mexican or pizza during this time?

 

Again thank you for bringing a nugget into the fold.

[varoo]

The Aqua Spa Café is available to everyone.

They have recently started calling it the Spa Cafe (dropping the Aqua) because the name confused so many people.

 

They offer a limited selection of light and healthy foods, which you may consider quite good, or not, depending on your taste preferences.

Some of the items there have an extra charge, but others don't.

 

Yes, the grill with the hotdogs and hamburgers is outside.

 

(In our family, the women may head for the spa cafe while the men head for the grill.) :D

 

There is a pizza station inside the buffet area, where they have several different kinds of pizzas. They will cook one to order for you if you are willing to wait.

 

There is also Cafe al Bacio where all the baked goods are free, but they charge for the beverages (unless you have a beverage package).

You can order anything there "to go" if you wish.

 

Like Jelayne, we dislike lines and crowds and having to sit around waiting for boarding to begin.

 

Whenever possible, we prefer to board later in the day, after the mad rush is over and the lines are non-existent or very short.

Edited July 4, 2017 by varoo

[BridgeMates]

In addition to the buffet the Aqua Spa cafe & Mast Grill are open.

 

We normally don't arrive at the port until about 12:30. The cabins are normally available between 1-1.30. So by the time we check in and board the ship we can drop our carry-ons in the cabin & head to the buffet-which is no longer crowded because all the folks who have been sitting there since 11 are now in their cabins😀.

 

Just what I wanted to know. We like boarding a little later and avoiding the rush to get on. Thanks.

[helen haywood]

There is also a Mexican and Asian station at the buffet. We always find a spot with a great view and chill out till the cabins are ready announcement. The Buffet magically clears out immediately.