Midnight Buffets....a thing of the past?!?!

[luvstocruz62]

Hello everyone, I am a newbie to the "boards" and I just love this site!! Loads of info on everything imaginable!! Quick question, does any cruise line still do the midnight buffets every night? I know that Carnival does but was just curious if the other lines do as well. Is this becoming a thing of the past? Also, does anyone know if Carnival is the only cruise line that offers pizza 24/7. Thanks for the help!! cm

[bUU]

From what I've read, RCI does just one each 7-night cruise. Also, from what I've read, RCI offers 24/7 room service (though I'm not sure what's on the menu).

[noodle]

We were on the Pride in February. While they did have a "midnight buffet" every night, it really wasn't the extravagant buffet you would think of...just a late night availability of some food items. We only went once and had a late night snack because we were usually still full from our late seating dinner. It was just a taco/burrito and other munchies set out on a small buffet and some desserts. Nothing fancy.

 

One time during the week they have a grand gala midnight buffet where they have all the extravagant displays. I think it was on Friday night.

 

There is food available at all times. Even after the lunch buffet was taken down, you can still get burgers, hot dogs, french fries, veggie burgers by the pool until early evening, and there is always the 24 hour pizza and room service.

[mountainmare]

We were on the Rotterdam for a 10 day cruise last Feb. I noticed that they listed a different theme food for late night bites, but couldn't seem to find them. Realize that late every night I would go up to the Lido for a cup of coffee. On the LAST NIGHT of the cruise as I was getting my coffee I noticed a fellow traveler with a plate laden down with goodies. "Where did you find that?" I asked. Imagine my shock as she explained that every night around the corner they set out a late night buffet!!

My advice, follow your nose early in the cruise.

[TinaLee]

Princess has done away with them completely. On RCI they had waiters coming around in the common rooms (bars, casino) with little plates of appetizers at around midnight (if I remember correctly) and that was kind of fun!

 

TinaLee

[BrodyBarb]

Does Destiny have a midnight buffet - the one where people take photos before? If so, which night?

[luvstocruz62]

Typically, the most lavish midnight buffet is held on the last formal night of the cruise (on a 7 day cruise). It generally opens 30 minutes or so early for pictures only, then everyone is welcome to go and stuff themselves. If this is a 3 or 4 day cruise I don't know about the midnight buffets and how or if they are set up. I have not cruised on the Destiny but I have several other Carnival ships and I am sure it would be the same as other Carnival ships.:rolleyes:

[Scully's Mom]

We went on the Mercury in 2003 and they had one gala midnight buffet although I heard that it was smaller than in the past. Still it was an incredible sight to see and take photos of. I had the most delicious chocolate cake there, too.

[CruiseDiva1]

Hello everyone, I am a newbie to the "boards" and I just love this site!! Loads of info on everything imaginable!! Quick question, does any cruise line still do the midnight buffets every night? I know that Carnival does but was just curious if the other lines do as well. Is this becoming a thing of the past? Also, does anyone know if Carnival is the only cruise line that offers pizza 24/7. Thanks for the help!! cm

 

Hi everyone......In April we sailed on the Norwegian Dawn the (Freak Wave Cruise). NCL no longer has midnight buffets on their ships but they do have a wonderful Chocolate Buffet on the first sea day usually a Monday. You can go in to take pictures 30 minutes before it opens. They have the most wonderful chocolates treats and the best chocolate displays. Check It Out..............

[Cotton]

Looking at a copy of the Capers from a November cruise on the Sensation:

 

This was the second night onboard - formal night:

 

Festivale Grand Gala Buffet

Our chefs have prepared an incomparable array of food sculptures, ice carvings, and treats for your enjoyment in the Fantasy Dining Room:

11:30pm - 12:15am - Photo taking only.

12:30am - 1:30am - Enjoy our lavish buffet!

(The other nights, there were late-nite buffets on Lido Deck from 11pm-1am. I remember that it was a MX buffet the night we sailed from Cozumel.)

[digital_curator]

On the Navigator of the Seas (RCI) in January, there were 2 midnight buffets- one casual on Caribbean night on deck and a formal one in the dining room.

 

The Caribbean themed one featured ribs and other "picniky" fare, yummy desserts, and a beautiful display of carved fruit. I also liked the special drinks served in pineapples (for a charge of course).

 

The formal buffet was beautiful- ice and butter sculptures, beautiful chocolate concoctions, and there was lots of food- chocolate covered strawberries, shrimp, etc.

 

I was still too full from our late seating dinner to really enjoy either. Late night appetizers were also passed from midnight to 1 am in the casino and boleros and schooner bars.

 

The wine bar offered fruit and cheese plates from 5-8:30 pm.

 

The Promenade Cafe offered pizza (pepperoni and plain cheese), sandwiches, fruit and a variety of desserts 24 hours a day.

 

Between this and the extensive 24 hour room service menu, you were never without food!

 

Hope this helps.

 

Cheers,

[Once Upon A Time]

On a recent cruise Celebrity offered late nite bites every night in the various night clubs and a Gala Theme buffet (HUGE) outside by the pool one night plus the Gala Formal Midnight Buffet in the dining room on another night. They were as wonderful as any I've seen in the past, with live music, ice sculptures, fantastic desserts and lots of beautifully prepared dishes....and it tasted good too!

[Starspangle1]

Carnivale is the only line that still has midnight buffets & 24 hour pizza and calzones.

[mmsalmon1987]

We were on the Sovereign of the Seas about three years ago, they offered a midnight chocolate buffet only. A few years before that they still offered the nightly midnight buffet. Of course the Windjammer was open late, but it wasn't what we expected.

[sillylizzie]

I was actually shocked that when we went on the Carnival Victory in April of 2004 that there was no midnight buffet. It was one of the things I was most looking forward to!

[Cotton]

Lizzie, surely you just missed seeing the buffet announced in the Capers...? In all their printed brochures and booklets, Carnival stresses two things - Lobster on every cruise, and the Gala Midnight Buffet.

[sillylizzie]

I thought so too at first, but there were 10 of us all looking forward to it and none of us saw it. I didn't think too much of it and assumed that the buffets were ship specific (it was my first cruise).

When I got home I learned that it was one of their big things, on EVERY cruise.

Needless to say I went through my Capers to make sure I hadn't missed it and then called asking about it. I seriously thought I was going crazy.

I ended up calling Carnival, because everyone was convinced we missed it. Lo and behold, the ship didn't have one. They gave some assinine reason over the phone and mailed out a $50 Carnival coupon.

Regardless, I am looking forward to the buffet in our November cruise. :)

[Cotton]

Lizzie, thx for coming back to explain. That really, really surprises me! Well - You'll enjoy it twice as much on your next cruise!:D

[sillylizzie]

No problem. I get that a lot when I mention that there was no buffet on our cruise!

And I am def. looking forward to the Royal Carib. buffet on the AOS in August!

:)