Changes in buffet hours - when did this happen?

[Cruising Lynne]

1 minute ago, LloydJr said:

Have we determined that they have shortened breakfast hours?  I thought this was a specific case where the hours were shifted earlier due to an early port arrival.  5:30 - 9:30 or 6:30 - 10:30 (typical) is still a full four hours.

I think they have. I would like to see more recent dailies to be sure. On ships with a two sided buffet, breakfast should stay open almost until lunch time. We have gotten up late before and selected a few small breakfast items to eat while we waited for lunch to start. 

[omahabob]

9 minutes ago, LloydJr said:

Have we determined that they have shortened breakfast hours?  I thought this was a specific case where the hours were shifted earlier due to an early port arrival.  5:30 - 9:30 or 6:30 - 10:30 (typical) is still a full four hours.

 

Forget it. They're rolling.

[UKstages]

6 hours ago, www3traveler said:

Next time you are onboard a ship go to "The How To Run A Floatin Hotel" and ask your question.

many thanks, but i didn’t have a question… it was a retort to point out the irrelevance and straw man nature of a previous post. and I have indeed been to the “floating hotel” presentation on several ships. thanks again.

Edited July 6, 2023 by UKstages

[AKR2011]

I think a lot of this comes down to food waste. Breakfast dies down after 9:30 anyway, so I would imagine that a lot of food goes uneaten and has to be thrown out. It also takes time to clean up and set up lunch as well. The same goes for at night. That being said, I wish they would consider late night snacks at The Great Outdoors or that small buffet by the pool deck bar. I remember years ago they had small bites like nachos or fruit fondue out there, and that was a nice touch. For those that want a quick snack, it would be a great grab and go option that would keep The Garden Cafe from needing a late night cleaning and not leave as much food waste.

[LoungerOnBalcony55]

That sucks. Late night snacks in the Garden Cafe rocked. 

[LloydJr]

1 hour ago, AKR2011 said:

I think a lot of this comes down to food waste. Breakfast dies down after 9:30 anyway, so I would imagine that a lot of food goes uneaten and has to be thrown out. It also takes time to clean up and set up lunch as well. The same goes for at night.

 

See, that's the great thing about the bars.  Nothing ever goes to waste (unless somebody spills their drink...I've done stupid things but nothing THAT stupid).

[weisla]

I’m on the Joy this week and some form of breakfast is served from 5:30am - 11:00am.

The buffet breakfast turnover is happening at 10:30. 
Dinner however is done by 9:30. Then only late night in the local or room service. My son has made several last minute buffet runs to get one last ice cream cone before 9:30. We left Food Republic mid-meal when service was a bit slow, legged it up to the buffet for ice cream, and then back down to FR so my husband & I could finish our final plates 😂

 

[PegNRay]

NCL could switch the buffet to snacks between 9:30 and 11pm. Things like ice cream, pizza, cake or my favorite crepes. Those wanting something more substantial could head to O’Sheehans.

[LoungerOnBalcony55]

17 minutes ago, PegNRay said:

NCL could switch the buffet to snacks between 9:30 and 11pm. Things like ice cream, pizza, cake or my favorite crepes. Those wanting something more substantial could head to O’Sheehans.

That's what they used to do. Pizza, hot dogs, maybe a leftover dish or two from dinner, some cakes and cookies, etc. It was really great. 

[PegNRay]

2 minutes ago, LoungerOnBalcony55 said:

That's what they used to do. Pizza, hot dogs, maybe a leftover dish or two from dinner, some cakes and cookies, etc. It was really great. 

I never went to the buffet after dinner. I guess you have explained why my now grown teenagers made it their gathering place in the evenings.

[SeekingKillerWhales!]

I'm an early rising (generally around 6am), but can't handle food until about 9am. Often 10am. I also stop eating on cruises at 7pm, whereas I know people who start dinner at 10pm. Other people are also early risers, but late eaters. 

 

There are a variety of preferred eating times, same as not everyone eats the same food. I don't understand the people who think only their opinion and preference matter, and screw everyone who doesn't agree with them. This all goes back to customer service/value of the product, and the more NCL cuts corners an provides less and less for a higher cost, the more people will migrate to other cruise lines. It's very easy to compare the dallies of NCL and Princess and decide which is more interested in you being able to do what you want when you want to. And without large crowds all fighting for scraps the last 30 minutes of breakfast. 

 

No one should have to eat breakfast at 7am because that is your preference, same as no one should be forced to wait until 9:30am to eat because that is my preference. 

Edited July 7, 2023 by SeekingKillerWhales!

[omahabob]

I got up at 8 AM this morning (plumber was coming). It's now after 9 PM and I still haven't eaten anything today. That's not how I usually am. I'm just on a diet so I can look gorgeous in case any of you see me on a cruise ship. 😆

 

See? I said I was flexible.

[SeekingKillerWhales!]

22 minutes ago, omahabob said:

I got up at 8 AM this morning (plumber was coming). It's now after 9 PM and I still haven't eaten anything today. That's not how I usually am. I'm just on a diet so I can look gorgeous in case any of you see me on a cruise ship. 😆

 

See? I said I was flexible.

Gotta keep that Speedo bod!

[SeekingKillerWhales!]

Grr, so I edited too long and it would not actually keep my edits. So just a new post to agree with weisla about real time buffet hours. Seas2mountains has a great review about the spirit and on the June 29th Daily, it shows the buffet from 7am to 11am. So chocolate croissant for all!

[MacGuffin3]

30 minutes ago, omahabob said:

I got up at 8 AM this morning (plumber was coming).

If your water's running, you can't be picky. Plumbers have the absolute power to control our lives!

[omahabob]

Nah, we've just had difficulty getting the hot water to work correctly. After three months, they appear to have finally figured it out.

[omahabob]

17 minutes ago, SeekingKillerWhales! said:

Gotta keep that Speedo bod!

 

You do NOT want to see me in a Speedo! For that matter, neither do I.

[MacGuffin3]

6 minutes ago, omahabob said:

You do NOT want to see me in a Speedo!

I'd wake up at 6am if you promised to wear it to the breakfast buffet.

[insidecabin]

10 hours ago, MacGuffin3 said:

I do not understand this philosophy at all.  You have already spent thousands of dollars on the food that's included and it's all you can eat.  You can only eat so much and are wasting that money you already spent if you spend more on food.

I used to be a paid so won't pay more.

 

We now budget for alternative dining to enhance our cruise experiences

 

NCL thats free at sea dinner, some times add the 2 pro ones, latitude dinners and potentially some PAYG like add sushi to the free Asian or a lunch if open, on Dawn we will probably do Los Lobos PAYG one night.

 

Paying extra to eat in my cabin is not enhancing the experience.

 

The cruise fare portion on our current trip is under $40pppd

Room service would be a 25% uplift.

 

Total with taxes and FAS under $65pppd with $10pppd OBC.

 

No need to be paying $1000s for a cruise.

 

 

[insidecabin]

9 hours ago, AKR2011 said:

I think a lot of this comes down to food waste. Breakfast dies down after 9:30 anyway, so I would imagine that a lot of food goes uneaten and has to be thrown out. It also takes time to clean up and set up lunch as well. The same goes for at night. That being said, I wish they would consider late night snacks at The Great Outdoors or that small buffet by the pool deck bar. I remember years ago they had small bites like nachos or fruit fondue out there, and that was a nice touch. For those that want a quick snack, it would be a great grab and go option that would keep The Garden Cafe from needing a late night cleaning and not leave as much food waste.

Even the small ships like Dawn have duplicate stations open for the busy times.

As demand drops you shut a section and reduce the refills.

 

Most of the food is pre prepared anyway and stored in the cold/hot spaces, longer opening is likely to reduce waste.

Only fresh for breakfast is the egg station if you turn up at opening time much of the food that's out has been sitting for 20mins.

i notice some items are now topped up rather than replacement meaning some of the food will be out on the counter for the full session.

 

Today our port call was cancelled,

At 9:45 both the buffet and O'Sheehans are rammed if they had closed the buffet as scheduled 9:30 there would have been chaos.

 

Outdoor options are not reliable places to fill gaps as weather dependent.

Bimini grill on the Dawn has not opened on the current cruise.

Topsiders is down as early riser(6-7am), the day I checked it was shut.

 

Remember a few years back NCL went to late night snacks in casino and lounge(s).

Don't see that option now

[insidecabin]

11 hours ago, GORDONCHICK said:

We sailed MSC Seaside.  It was okay but we found the buffet severely lacking in food options.

Virtuosa is geared to UK market, all the breakfast stuff we needed was there, not all edible, they can't cook black pudding.

 

The European selections were also good.

plenty of choices.

 

There may have been some American staples missing but we would not notice.

 

Lunch and dinner were also adiquate a few UK dishes good curry options and regular change of the carvery more white meat than red we see on US ships.

 

 

[MiniJeffrey]

Hate it how they keep raising prices but bit by bit are reducing the services.

• no more turn down of the cabins
• Buffet opening hours
• Less champagne/whiskey available
• ...

 

Not the way to go, NCL!

[ggTexasGal]

8 hours ago, PegNRay said:

NCL could switch the buffet to snacks between 9:30 and 11pm. Things like ice cream, pizza, cake or my favorite crepes. Those wanting something more substantial could head to O’Sheehans.

Unfortunately, scooped ice cream, and crepes, each require a dedicated service person, which is a part of what NCL is trying to reduce.

[dexddd]

It is really a blessing in disguise.  Sailed Escape summer 2018 and went to late night buffet.  It was port side in the front.  Maybe 1/32 of serving area.  Hot dogs, small sandwiches with more bread than ingredients, desserts same.  Trip or two before on other ships same.  They gave up on the late night buffet years ago.

[JanetAtSea]

Original poster here - appreciate all the input.  Rolling breakfast can be irritating but can deal with.

My big issue was getting out of Choir of Man at 10:45 and wanting a very quick snack.  Instead of running to the buffet, grabbing a slice of pizza or fries or whatever, you have to go to O’sheehans which is obviously SLAMMED,  Other issue is I drink more on a cruise and need some food to go with it!