Will the buffet disappear with new changes ?

[soloadventurer]

Given cruising will never be the same i wonder will the buffet disappear all together - given social distancing & the touching of utensils?

 

I can see it being replaced by anytime Sit down lunch or Fast food service stations

[Ocean Boy]

If it does then I am gone too. No way I am ever returning to eating in the MDR.

[Roger88]

They cannot get rid of the buffet entirely cause there are many passengers on a budget  and in general people consume a lot of food and the cruisers cannot allow that many ala carte places for all of them. Buffets will be around.. but maybe a bit later. People will cautiously enter such places

[cruiseguy1016]

It won't go away. It's the easiest and fastest way to feed a lot of people in the same time period. I don't think they will move to having staff serve your food either. That will require a lot more payroll. We were on Freedom last month and they changed out the utensils every 20 minutes or so. I know that doesn't solve all of the problems but it's a big step in the right direction.

[Lady Hudson]

I would like to see the buffets changed in some way  to make them safer.  Too many people with disgusting habits.  And how can everyone touching the same serving spoons be safe?  Probably would also see less Noro too if something changes.

 

in the past few years we have avoided the Windjammer “like the plague”.  Once the Chops luncheon opened on boarding day we opted for that.  Tried to wait for Park Cafe on Grandeur to open on port days or other venues on Anthem for lunch.  Otherwise MDR.  At the least there needs to be servers at each station.  IMHO.  Katherine

[molly361]

Are the buffets going away

Are the muster drills going to be done different

Are the silent parties going away

is the Quest going away

Are the MDR tables going to be spaced further apart

Are the elevators going to be capacity controlled

Are the parties in the promenade going away

Are the -------------------------

[goldfish65]

I am a newbie but maybe they can insist you wash your hands before proceeding to the buffet.

[Ocean Boy]

1 minute ago, goldfish65 said:

I am a newbie but maybe they can insist you wash your hands before proceeding to the buffet.

They already do that for the most part.

[Ocean Boy]

My observation is that the Windjammer is becoming more and more popular. Years ago when we started eating dinner in there it was very quiet and peaceful. Now many evenings it is almost as busy as lunch time.

[Ourusualbeach]

8 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

My observation is that the Windjammer is becoming more and more popular. Years ago when we started eating dinner in there it was very quiet and peaceful. Now many evenings it is almost as busy as lunch time.

Too many people finding out about a great secret.

[LXA350]

27 minutes ago, cruiseguy1016 said:

It won't go away. It's the easiest and fastest way to feed a lot of people in the same time period. I don't think they will move to having staff serve your food either. That will require a lot more payroll. We were on Freedom last month and they changed out the utensils every 20 minutes or so. I know that doesn't solve all of the problems but it's a big step in the right direction.

 

Changing the utensils every 20 minutes when Windjammer is crowded is as effective when not changing them at all.  The most effective way will be staff serving the food, even if it will involved staff from other departments such as Casino, onboard shops, entertainers etc to help out during peak times and keep staff costs simmilar. In addition the amount of people at Windjammer needs to be limited to avoid too big crowds. Not ideal, but to offer a increased capacity one additional level of the MDR can be setup with a Windjammer concept having the same options for the busy times during breakfast and lunch. If maximum capacity is reached in both venues, then bad luck and people need to leave the area receiving a ticket number and wait for public anouncement before heading back to the designated venue.

[Hogbay]

1 hour ago, LXA350 said:

 

Changing the utensils every 20 minutes when Windjammer is crowded is as effective when not changing them at all.  The most effective way will be staff serving the food, even if it will involved staff from other departments such as Casino, onboard shops, entertainers etc to help out during peak times and keep staff costs simmilar. In addition the amount of people at Windjammer needs to be limited to avoid too big crowds. Not ideal, but to offer a increased capacity one additional level of the MDR can be setup with a Windjammer concept having the same options for the busy times during breakfast and lunch. If maximum capacity is reached in both venues, then bad luck and people need to leave the area receiving a ticket number and wait for public anouncement before heading back to the designated venue.

That's a great idea to get the Casino staff serving , ya tap the counter if you want another scoop ,wave your hand when you got enough and Dubbel down if you want two plate's 🤣🤣.

Casino staff should also do the lifeboat's too then only the winners survive and the looser's go down with the ship....

[ToroAzul]

1 hour ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Too many people finding out about a great secret.

 

When the MDR turned into buffet quality that is not as fresh and takes 3 times as long to dine, people started eating more in the Jammer of Wind

 

Edited April 19, 2020 by ToroAzul

[soloadventurer]

Maybe the Windjammer for Diamond members and above lol 😂 

[maria1122]

I think it is an excellent idea for staff to serve the food at the buffet tables.  I have seen too many adults and children eating off their plates with their fingers and then go to another station and use the utensils.  
 

[spunks]

a few years ago on a crossing on The Vision, they had tubs of lobster, self serve, all you wanted  on a formal night. Funny thing is, they did not serve lobster in the MDR at all....

 

Doug

[caribbeanboy]

I haven't been to the Mdr for the last 10 years at least.  On sea days I sometimes go for lunch if there is something special (Royal Caribbean & NCL) that day. 

[eby]

They should insist that people leave when finished ,not spend the afternoon playing cards.

[Mapleleafforever]

2 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

My observation is that the Windjammer is becoming more and more popular. Years ago when we started eating dinner in there it was very quiet and peaceful. Now many evenings it is almost as busy as lunch time.

Ours too. With a toddler and infant we don't have the 2.5 hours needed for a sit down dinner and we feel the MDR food has gone way downhill anyway. 

[IrieBajan54]

3 hours ago, goldfish65 said:

I am a newbie but maybe they can insist you wash your hands before proceeding to the buffet.

'

I have seen people who have food hanging over the lip of their plate, use an index to swipe in back in. Then lick their finger. Plus some start sampling what is on their plate as they move through a line or from station to station. So the initial washing when entering the buffet is negated.

[LMaxwell]

I would like to see a "Food Hall" style with different ethnic sections. 

Or possibly pre-plated/served small courses and if you want to, sit down menu service from to order proteins off of.  Like a more upscale buffet.  

 

Certainly do-able on small to midsize ships but the WJ has always been a problem on Oasis class and changes to service style would likely require changes in its infrastructure

[cruise wizard]

Maybe the Jammer will just have boxed lunches - choice of selection A, B, C or D - comes with a salad, sandwich, cookie and with plastic utensils and a napkin. Head out on deck for your picnic lunch - maybe snag a spot in Central Park............and no ants!!!

[LMaxwell]

This might be a crazy idea...but to take strain off the WJ I wouldn't be surprised if we see pool side burger place, complimentary, just like every other cruise line has.  There's only so much space and so many hours in the day, so they have to create more spaces for people to be at.  

 

At this point I wouldn't be surprised to see the return of staggered seatings in the MDR for breakfast and lunch and not just "Open seating"

[eric1e]

Bionic Windjammer.

[lenquixote66]

5 hours ago, soloadventurer said:

Given cruising will never be the same i wonder will the buffet disappear all together - given social distancing & the touching of utensils?

 

I can see it being replaced by anytime Sit down lunch or Fast food service stations

I would love to see Buffets disappear but it will never happen.My first cruise was on a Cunard ship and there was only a dining room .It was great.