Covid and Buffet Self Service

[klaw0306]

We were on a Cruise a few years back when Nova virus broke out and the buffet went from self service to food being served by the crew.

 

We're going on the Britannia in a few weeks and I read on TripAdvisor that Covid restrictions are in place, obviously, but does that mean food in the buffet is being served by the crew?

[LifeonMars]

On Iona it is self serv. also trays available 😳

Edited February 18, 2022 by LifeonMars

[purplesea]

4 minutes ago, LifeonMars said:

On Iona it is self serv. also trays available 😳

It was the same when were on her mid January.

[Dobbers]

I hope they have someone on guard for the bread roll feelers, always been a pet hate of mine.

[Bazrat]

Britannia was self service in October when we was on her

 

[majortom10]

Funny how Customer Service at P&O responded to a question on their Faceache page only the other day about service in buffet and they said that there was no self service in any of the buffets on all ships currently sailing. Nice to see they have their fingers on the pulse.

[AndyMichelle]

2 hours ago, majortom10 said:

 Nice to see they have their fingers on the pulse.

Better than fingers on the buns... 😊

[pennib]

No self service in the buffet on Azura at Christmas but the staff gave you tons on your plates. Of course now in the middle of feb things might have changed with easing of restrictions.

[klaw0306]

On 2/18/2022 at 10:16 AM, Dobbers said:

I hope they have someone on guard for the bread roll feelers, always been a pet hate of mine.

Mine too, also, filling the plate up with more than they can possibly eat then throwing most of it away.

[davecttr]

IMO the buffet along with the casino and anything else that makes germ transfer by touch easier needs some serious thought. I was happy that Iona's buffet last August had the plates made up by the crew. I only used it once in the evening but took a very early breakfast in the morning.  The pre packed sandwiches are dodgy too with people examining every pack. I like the Quays where you don't get to paw the food as it is plated for you.

[Selbourne]

We only use the buffet as an absolute last resort. I plate up meals every day at home and whilst on holiday I prefer to be waited on! I can’t say that I’ve noticed the bread roll feelers, but two other hygiene aspects have always put me off. Firstly, you’d be amazed how many people go to the loo and don’t wash their hands. I have followed several people out of loos who have headed straight into the buffet, also bypassing any hygiene stations. Secondly, I have seen numerous people getting food spills on their fingers whilst serving, lick the food spill off their fingers and then picking up the communal serving tongs again 🤢 I don’t think that it’s entirely without coincidence that we have been on cruises where there have been Norovirus outbreaks and, touch wood, we have never succumbed ourselves. 

[Gizmo19]

1 hour ago, davecttr said:

IMO the buffet along with the casino and anything else that makes germ transfer by touch easier needs some serious thought. I was happy that Iona's buffet last August had the plates made up by the crew. I only used it once in the evening but took a very early breakfast in the morning.  The pre packed sandwiches are dodgy too with people examining every pack. I like the Quays where you don't get to paw the food as it is plated for you.

I agree. I have also noticed lengthy queues building up around the hot food counter at the buffet at lunch and dinner. We have also been in those queues. As I recall, in December 21 there must have been 10 people queueing at any one time and 2/3 staff serving. So you get 3 layers of people. The staff serving, the people queueing and the general movement of people walking behind the queue getting to their tables and moving between food counters. Add the potential lack of basic hygiene on top. 

I think on balance, the MDR may offer a safer option. 

 

Novovirus. Yes, I picked that nasty up at a hotel in Marsa Alam Egypt in 2010. I was very careful what I ate, but, a rice based meal one night was my undoing.  I avoided the meats thinking it would be safer, not realising that cooked rice could also prove a problem based on how it is chilled and reheated.

 

[Francisdrake]

Definitely self service on Iona at the minute as I only came off the ship yesterday.   The biggest queues tended to be late in the breakfast period during the days at sea.

[Fionboard]

I hate buffets and avoid as much as possible. Do not do breakfast and eat lunch and dinner in MDR. However good tip is to use fork or spoon to pick up food and avoid those tongs!!

[jands57]

Got off the Azura Saturday and you were served everything including the drinks where sometimes there were long queues

[Rob DJ]

On 2/18/2022 at 10:16 AM, Dobbers said:

I hope they have someone on guard for the bread roll feelers, always been a pet hate of mine.

The bread roll feelers are by far the worst - but the sausage surveyors and the egg examiners come a close second and third at breakfast time.