Prince, Buffets, and the Royal Class

[stevenr597]

One of the most spectacular areas of the Royal Class are the Horizon Bistro and Horizon Court.  But... people started to have reservations eating in the buffet areas, starting with the Noro Virus, and this is now greatly complicated by the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Will Princess modify or even do away with these buffets?   I believe that RCCL has announced the closing of the traditional buffet.  

 

If so what changes can we expect to see. 

Edited May 19, 2020 by stevenr597
Adding an additional sentence.

[Mike45LC]

I remember one cruise (no idea which line or ship) where norovirus concerns caused the ship to make the buffets non-self-serve.  Instead, ship's personnel dished out your choices from the buffet.  I was not happy with it, but it was supposedly "for the greater good."

 

I know that on Celebrity Edge, some of the buffet stations were not self-serve.  

 

I would not be surprised to see the cruise lines stopping all self-serve aspects of the buffet, at least until a vaccine has become in common usage.  Same thing for the buffets in Vegas casinos.

 

[RosieCanberra]

P&O Australia have a Pantry, fully staffed. No Covid19 cases on any of their ships.

[Cuedon]

1 hour ago, Mike45LC said:

I remember one cruise (no idea which line or ship) where norovirus concerns caused the ship to make the buffets non-self-serve.  Instead, ship's personnel dished out your choices from the buffet.  I was not happy with it, but it was supposedly "for the greater good."

 

 

Princess started doing that in the last few days too (I want to say it started March 10, 2020 on my ship); ironically, the buffets were super crowded at the end, and the MDRs were at less than half capacity at prime time, judging from a glance around the room.

[dog]

hAL served in buffet

[Aus Traveller]

9 hours ago, RosieCanberra said:

P&O Australia have a Pantry, fully staffed. No Covid19 cases on any of their ships.

You beat me to it. I prefer a self-service buffet, but the ones on the P&O ships work well. However, the buffet might not have anything to do with the transmission of COVID. Princess only had it on a few ships. I feel the most likely places for transmission are the elevators and the theatre.

Edited May 20, 2020 by Aus Traveller

[hm9912]

I believe passengers will no longer be allowed to touch food in a future buffet. Food will be served to you .

We usually eat most or all our meals in the dining room.

 

Howard

[dog]

16 minutes ago, hm9912 said:

I believe passengers will no longer be allowed to touch food in a future buffet. Food will be served to you .

We usually eat most or all our meals in the dining room.

 

Howard

I prefer that. 
also in dining room - should do away with menus. . Put online to see 

Edited May 20, 2020 by dog

[Esprit]

We don't cruise for the food on ships so whatever they decide will undoubtedly suit us. Alcohol restrictions however would cause me more concern!

[Potstech]

Put the menus on the Ocean Medallion app and use paper for those who do not want to use a device.

[BarbinMich]

6 hours ago, dog said:

hAL served in buffet

I think they always do.  Our last cruise was on the Zuiderdam so I don't know about the older ships.  Older Princess ships also served the hot foods (or main course items) in the buffet.  We've been on the Royal P twice and I did not like the "wide-open" serve yourself buffets as I always found the food less than hot/warm, compared to that on the older ships.

[Cruise Raider]

I much prefer to be served, whether it be in the International Cafe, Alfredos pizza, the Trident Grill / Salty Dog or in the MDR and specialty restaurants....and yes, even in the buffet area.  At least those employees that serve the food have to undergo protocols related to food safety that some passengers don't abide by, either out of ignorance, bad manners or sheer refusal.  I actually think this will be a change for the better ... we'll see how long it lasts.