Are the NCL buffets really as dirty and crowded as people claim?

[buckirj1]

Never dirty, rarely crowded. If the buffet was crowded, I just ate somewhere else, or waited awhile. I always managed to find a place to sit sooner or later; you may have a different experience if you travel in a group. You might want to consider splitting up if you can.

[SFO-F/A]

Dirty????? Never!

 

Crowded, yes at times.

 

Depending on the passengers on the ship, some can be quite RUDE.

Some cultures find it ok to push you aside, and grab what they want.

 

Interesting, different cultures, different ideas as to what is common in one country isn't acceptable in another.

 

Another learning curve for us.

[Azure Moon]

I have never seen a dirty NCL buffet - ever, and we eat breakfast there every day.

 

Sure, the buffet can get extremely crowded at times in the morning. It's easy for members of families and/or groups to trickle in as they're ready to eat and meet up, that's what we've done in addition to simply preferring to eat breakfast there rather than the main dining room.

 

Tables may occasionally have dishes sit on them for a short time, but usually they are bussed immediately. Many a time we've had friendly personnel stop by and ask if they can take away empty bowls, plates, and cups.

 

We love NCL's buffets and look forward to the great food, excellent selection, friendly staff, hearing people talk about activities they're going to do, even some of the hustle and bustle gets me energized for the day to begin.

 

I've been to a couple of casino buffets. I don't think NCL's buffets compare...NCL's buffets were far superior in quality of food, variety of food, ambiance of food serving areas and seating areas.

 

I thought I saw you mention maybe rethinking and going on Carnival. I like NCL's buffets better than Carnival's buffets. NCL has less greasy food, a nicer selection of foods - in my opinion, and the action stations seem to make a for a faster process of getting to food and moving on.

 

Remember, you don't have to eat in the buffet if you don't like it after trying it, you can choose to eat in the main dining room, get room service, or go to the Blue Lagoon (free restaurant) instead :cool: .

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[NMLady]

We booked our first cruise about a month ago, and we're very excited. I spend at least a few hours every week reading reviews of our ship, and trying to find other information/tips about our cruise. The one thing I see a lot of is people complaining that the buffet is always crowed, with too few seats, and dirty plates everywhere. Although I don't plan to eat at the buffet all the time, I'm sure there will be times when it will be nice just to grab a plate, and get a quick bite to eat. So I guess my question is this, are the buffets really that bad or are they comparable to the average casino buffet? I'm hoping these negative reviews are from people who are use to sit down dinners, and aren't familiar with buffets. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

I have never seen a dirty NCL buffet and I eat most breakfasts, all lunches, and some dinners in the buffet. I don't know which NCL ship you are on and some buffets are more crowded than others. One problem is that people think they have to stay in line from beginning to end so even if they aren't having eggs made to order, or Caesar salad made to order, they stay in those lines. Instead, they should walk around the foods they are not going to take and go on to another.

Also, people don't realize that if the tables are filled they can take their plates elsewhere. On ships that have Great Outdoors, that is a nice place to eat. So are the tables out by the pool.

 

So, even though it might be true that the buffet is crowded, there are means to avoid the crowding.

[Tralynn]

Although the buffet was quite crowded during peak dining times, it was never ever dirty or understocked.

[LynneL]

Thanks for the replies! Kind of what I thought at first, but then I started to picture a large room with flies and food all over the place, lol.

 

If a cruise ship ever got even near that point it wouldn't be sailing. The Center for Disease Control takes ship sanitation very seriously. Ships have unannounced inspections 2x a year and any infraction has them lose points. These ratings are available to the general public. While it does apply to the kitchen & the CDC aren't there when passengers are eating at tables, dirty conditions that would have flies breeding wouldn't be tolerated.

 

Could there be a time when dishes from a previous passenger are on a table waiting to be picked up when you want to sit down, sure. However when I was on the Star last week I placed my full plate of food under my lounge chair & went to get a beverage only to come back & see my food gone. That was with my kids still sitting there! Staff swooped in & removed it unseen - lol. I'd rather that though than plates sitting around.

 

My personal opionin is overall a cruise ship will hands down be cleaner than any restaurant on land.

[Chesneygirl]

Crowded? I would say yes - but mostly during peak times.

Dirty?? Absolutely not!!

 

We just got back from our cruise on the Dawn and the buffet was ALWAYS being cleaned. Even as passengers would spill or drop things - there was always someone there to clean up.

 

The other big thing is EVERYWHERE we went there was an NCL employee with a some disinfectant sanitizer for people to clean their hands with. Even while docked in Bermuda just getting on and off the ship they would make us do it. But especially in the buffet area..there was no getting away from it.

 

The Dawn was VERY CLEAN.

[alwayscruizin]

crowded? At times but tollerable. It's a buffet after all!

Never dirty. Given the folks that they turn through they do a great job!

Washy Washy - Smiley Smiley - All day long.....

[che5904]

The one thing I see a lot of is people complaining that the buffet is always crowed, with too few seats, and dirty plates everywhere.

 

OP think about your question logically. If the buffet was dirty, it probably wouldn't be crowded. So chances are you don't have both.

 

Crowded? Yes at times, you have 2000+ passengers traveling on a ship. If everyone were to try and eat lunch at noonish in the buffet, again chances are there is not going to be enough room for all. Just like casino buffets on a day there is a special draw or something at a casino, try and get a seat at the buffet at noonish.

 

Worse comes to worse, grab you filled plate and take it elsewhere to eat. Some ships have a dinner only restaurant that they will allow people to take plates in at breakfast and lunch to eat. Go out and sit at the pool side tables and enjoy the view (thats what we do), take it back to your cabin. Lots of options for a crowded buffet.

[chill6x6]

We booked our first cruise about a month ago, and we're very excited. I spend at least a few hours every week reading reviews of our ship, and trying to find other information/tips about our cruise. The one thing I see a lot of is people complaining that the buffet is always crowed, with too few seats, and dirty plates everywhere. Although I don't plan to eat at the buffet all the time, I'm sure there will be times when it will be nice just to grab a plate, and get a quick bite to eat. So I guess my question is this, are the buffets really that bad or are they comparable to the average casino buffet? I'm hoping these negative reviews are from people who are use to sit down dinners, and aren't familiar with buffets. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

With one NCL cruise under my belt...the buffet area on the Spirit out of NO was the best I have experienced while on a cruise. In fact we rarely saw tables that hadn't been cleaned....especially when compared to the buffet area on CCL.

[NCruiser2012]

The only problem we had with the buffet on the Epic was losing people in our party. I would suggest setting a general meeting area before getting your food. It would get crowded in the morning, but there were always seats.

 

We found the buffet clean and nicely done.

 

I saw something while eating at the buffet that really impressed me. A lady in a wheelchair was seated for breakfast while her daughter got her a plate of food. While she was waiting, one of the servers offered to get her a cup of coffee. Before filling her cup with coffee, he put hot water in it for a moment to warm it up. I don't think anyone but me saw this. What a thoughtful man!

[Vyhanek]

not dirty. But there are some very annoying things. Like they no longer have trays to carry your plates and drinks and multiple dishes. So you will end up making 3 or 4 trips back to the buffet to get the items you want for your lunch. This is where the problem with the over-zealous employees trying to clean tables, if you leave your lunch for a minute to go get something you couldn't carry (because you aren't allowed a tray)., you will come back and your whole lunch will be gone. So be very sure that you and your table mates aren't up getting what you need at the same time. This makes your meal less fun because you end up eating in shifts.

 

It is loud, it is high school cafeteria'ish. The food is actually pretty good for buffet food. The variety is good. But, you have to like buffet food. I've been to college, I lived in the dorms, I've eaten about all the buffet food that I can personally tolerate. But if you still do buffets it isn't that bad. It's definitely not dirty!

[davesgirl51]

The buffets aren't dirty.

Some of the patrons could...errrrrr....,ummmm,....have better hygienic habits. Which isn't exclusive to pax on a NCL ship.

 

Hoorah ! Nailed. :eek:

[NLH Arizona]

On my first cruise on NCL which was this year, I was totally surprised how crowded the buffett was. Unless you got there right when they opened or really late, there was usually not a table to be had. The good news, I didn't notice the buffett being dirty.

[johnmpcny]

Get your food and go sit by the pool, or walk to the stern and you will find the great outdoors, about 95% of what is served on the main is on the great outdoors buffet. You can sit and eat there also.

 

I have taken the food just about anyplace and eat it. Makes the walk a bit longer to refill but hey with all your eating a walk is not a bad thing... One thing we love is a afternoon snack by the bar on the pool deck of pizza and pretzel knots - mmm this is the buffet's pizza get it as comes out, add some red pepper flacks and presto you have nice hot and crispy pizza and cold one from the bar.

 

We use the buffet to fill in and lunch if the BBQ on the deck is not going on. That BBQ is some of the best foods on the ship, eat there when you can. The rest of time it is the MDR for breakfast and dinner. Order 2 or 3 apps. as they are often the best. Love the poached eggs, best advice order things cooked the way you like, then they have to make it fresh, you wait a bit longer but worth it. Enjoy the extra soup or other starter as your order is made for you. Some will tell you the eggs Benedict on the buffet is disgusting, not so when ordered off the MDR menu.

 

Food quality on the buffet is fair to good with few things outstanding if you catch it right as it comes out. I compare it to on the low end Bob's big boy/Pondrosa level and Applebees/Chilies on the best. Crowed at rush times yes- But never dirty, not all.

[kerrytens]

Albeit, I have only sailed NCL once (on Epic), that ship had by far the least crowded buffet of any ship I've sailed on. I am not a buffet type person at all but this one actually had me somewhat enjoying the experience:D I can't say the same for Carnival or Princess (lines, lines and more lines).

 

None have ever been dirty though, except for the odd table full of dirty dishes that was generally swept away quickly.

 

OP, have a great cruise!

[DevCruise]

Some will tell you the eggs Benedict on the buffet is disgusting, not so when ordered off the MDR menu.

 

I had the eggs Benedict on the PoA and loved them. Are they as fresh as something cooked just for you and brought out right after the chef finished with them? No. However, I didn't have any problems with them.

 

To the OP....I think you'll find that most of the people complaining about the buffets on the ship are people who don't like buffets in the first place.

[debris]

I wouldnt say the buffets are dirty,but some of the habits of the guests leave a lot to be desired,like the lady I saw licking a spoodle in a vat of porridge and put it back in the pot, like those who walk straight past the washy washy and sanitising pods.

[glorialagos]

We booked our first cruise about a month ago, and we're very excited. I spend at least a few hours every week reading reviews of our ship, and trying to find other information/tips about our cruise. The one thing I see a lot of is people complaining that the buffet is always crowed, with too few seats, and dirty plates everywhere. Although I don't plan to eat at the buffet all the time, I'm sure there will be times when it will be nice just to grab a plate, and get a quick bite to eat. So I guess my question is this, are the buffets really that bad or are they comparable to the average casino buffet? I'm hoping these negative reviews are from people who are use to sit down dinners, and aren't familiar with buffets. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

No. Compared to another very popular "value" line, NCL buffets are GREAT!! They are much less crowded, set up very well, and have such friendly "happy, happy" workers.

 

The back deck (not sure they have this on all ships) is a wonderful alternative to the indoor seating/buffet - fewer selections on the buffet but you can always go inside also.

 

NCL buffets are AWESOME!! Love the cooking by the pool days also!

[johnsak123]

Dirty can be a matter of opinion. Yes the buffet can be crowded, especially on emabarkation and disembarkation day. But other than that I have always found the buffet a great choice to have a lovely meal. Food was excellent, the staff friendly and it was always spotless. Some people are just never satisfied.

[dublell]

 

To the OP....I think you'll find that most of the people complaining about the buffets on the ship are people who don't like buffets in the first place.

 

You might be right, but I think they're actually people who like to complain about everything in the first place. There are always a lot of them on board any ship and on Cruise Critic.

OP, don't worry about any of this. You'll find plenty of great places to eat, even if you choose the buffet. And, as everyone has said, the buffet will be clean. NCL has the best buffets of any line I've been on. Have a great cruise!

[poffles]

My family loved the buffet on the Pearl, yes busier some times than others but always found a table. We even ate most dinners there by choice. We loved taking our food out to the aft and be outside. Wish I was there right now.

 

Having said that, we hated the buffet on Carnival Victory, it was very poorly laid out almost like cafeteria and the food selection was just awful. And forget trying to get a quick breakfast there anywhere near peak time, the lineup was so long it was awful. We got to the point where we were ordering muffins from room service because it was just too painful to tackle the lines. Never ever ever seen that on the Pearl and we ate there at all different times of the day every day. The mini stations on the Pearl were awesome and the Jewel would have the same layout.

 

Have no fear, if you aren't a 'hater' of buffets you will find it to be quite good and not be dirty as people say (unless you hit a bad day).

 

Have a good trip.

[auntierobin]

I agree with everyone else, the buffet is not dirty at all. If you find it crowded you can always go to the buffet in the Great Outdoors, which is a mini version of the main buffet. Likewise if there is no seating, besides the Italian restaurant, you can also go out and sit in the Great Outdoors.

 

This is one our favorite outdoor public spaces on the ships that have them. It offers wonderful views, is seldom crowded, it is partially undercover in case of rain.

[Shelli]

I've been on 16 cruises on various cruise lines... and the buffet on the Jewel stands out as the very best! Never felt overcrowded, and the stations are well laid out. *Loved* the Great Outdoors-- just the best!

[nunz12]

I have cruised with NCL twice and just booked my 3rd for October. Crowded buffets, yes but not dirty. Pick your times and you should be fine.

We booked our first cruise about a month ago, and we're very excited. I spend at least a few hours every week reading reviews of our ship, and trying to find other information/tips about our cruise. The one thing I see a lot of is people complaining that the buffet is always crowed, with too few seats, and dirty plates everywhere. Although I don't plan to eat at the buffet all the time, I'm sure there will be times when it will be nice just to grab a plate, and get a quick bite to eat. So I guess my question is this, are the buffets really that bad or are they comparable to the average casino buffet? I'm hoping these negative reviews are from people who are use to sit down dinners, and aren't familiar with buffets. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!