New Year's Day Brunch

[Keith1010]

I posted this on my live thread but thought I would start a separate thread to make it easier for people to eventually search this topic.

 

For those of you who have asked whether or not Crystal would have a Grand Gala Buffet or a special Brunch this is very similar to what used to be done in the Crystal Plaza. A little less variety and in Market Place but the food looked great and it was very well done.

 

Cheers,

Keith

 

 

[travelberlin]

Is this just for New Years or will we have the brunch in each sailing ? We used to love the brunch …

Ivi

[Keith1010]

1 hour ago, travelberlin said:

Is this just for New Years or will we have the brunch in each sailing ? We used to love the brunch …

Ivi

Ivi, for the last several years of old Crystal they had them on Holidays Cruises and the long voyages so not something you'll see often.  

 

Keith

[vistaman]

It was related  to the number of seadays during the past : 4 seadays 

I disagreed on that policy as during some very expensive cruises  ( a Black Sea before ... )  and a Norwegian cruise with 3 seadays it was not organised 

Exception made  for the holidays cruise, in general Caribbean cruise were not the most expensive ones and nearly all those cruises had 4 seadays and then the brunch or buffet was organised ...

 

[History&Wine]

Buffets...ugh.  Just a personal opinion....

[LoveBora]

5 hours ago, History&Wine said:

Buffets...ugh.  Just a personal opinion....

I agree with you. We were recently on a Regent cruise; and two days after a Grand Buffet norovirus was going around the ship. It got so bad that dining tables were no longer set until we were seated. Fortunately, we had avoided the buffet, as well as the virus. 

[LewiLewi]

18 hours ago, LoveBora said:

I agree with you. We were recently on a Regent cruise; and two days after a Grand Buffet norovirus was going around the ship. It got so bad that dining tables were no longer set until we were seated. Fortunately, we had avoided the buffet, as well as the virus. 

We were recently on Regent’s Explorer and the Grand Buffet was a highlight. No problems with Norovirus before or after the buffet on our 19 day cruise to Japan. We love buffets.

[bitob]

Just now, LewiLewi said:

We were recently on Regent’s Explorer and the Grand Buffet was a highlight. No problems with Norovirus before or after the buffet on our 19 day cruise to Japan. We love buffets.

Same on Grandeur. Twice

fabulous spread. No illness

[Shorex]

Obviously, the risk of Norovirus increases when numerous people touch items such as serving utensils. All it takes is one person who has not sufficiently washed/sanitized their hands, and the virus spreads quickly. Anecdotal reports are just that, anecdotal.

 

FWIW, I enjoy the beautiful display of a Grand Buffet, and I enjoy partaking. However, I am aware of the risk. On some occasions, on any open buffet anywhere, the virus can be contracted and spread.

[Keith1010]

Many of us thought Market Place makes a lot of sense. First it was a subset of items from the Grand Buffets. Second it should mean a lot less wasted food. And finally, by avoiding so many people so close to one another it helps to minimize the spread of germs and other things as mentioned.

 

We don't go to Market Place anymore but that has nothing to do with Market Place. However, for years when we went for lunch we would go when it opened just to minimize all of the guests handling utensils, accidentally placing the utensils in the bowls and accidentally touching food.  

 

It was lovely to see Market Place set up on New Year's and I know it was very much appreciated by the guests who ate there who I spoke with.

 

Keith

[Cancun01]

We disembarked the Serenity on Dec. 23.  The Bistro did not have self-service during that cruise which pleased us.  After seeing  some passengers’ habits at the portion of the Trident Grill that is self-serve I was disappointed to read that the Bistro was self-serve on the Holiday Cruise.   The good news is with self-serve no will know that I take 2 Portuguese tarts! 

[LoveBora]

At least The Bistro and Marketplace have sneeze guards. Not the best prevention of illness but better than nothing.