RE:Zuiderdam & crew eating at the Lido buffet

[KruzNutty]

I sailed the Zuiderdam in July (Western Caribbean) and really liked the ship. I've sailed five other times (all on different cruise lines) and this was my first on HAL. I was a little surprised when I saw crew members eating at the Lido buffet. It wasn't like it was all the crew members, but what seemed to be officers, ladies from the Spa, and who only knows where else.

 

I just found this a little surprising because I've never seen this on other cruise lines. Part of me was a little angry because I'm the paying guest and I didn't appreciate waiting in already long lines and then having to wait behind the ship's crew members. Aren't they supposed to have their own cafeteria's??

 

It really wasn't a big deal, but I would like to know what everybody else thinks about this that have sailed HAL. I haven't seen anything else about this on the boards so maybe I'm the only one that cares?!

 

Thanks.

[jstducky]

i too have seen this on my past 2 HAL sailings. but for me it didn't really matter as i never experienced having to wait in lines that were very long at all for food. and i noticed that most of the crew that eats in the lido are spa ladies, officers, entertainers and the casino staff. i guess i just didn't really care and it didn't make a difference to me.

 

but i did wonder why some of them got to eat with the pax and others didn't. oh well.

[Jacqueline]

I have always seen the dancers, officers, cruise staff dine in these areas. I dont think there is anything unusual about it. We had an entertainer at our table once for the whole week on the Celebrity Constellation.

[doone]

I believe this is the norm on HAL ships, I have seen it on all my HAL cruises. It didn't bother me. There is also a time set aside for Staff Dinner, where you will find most of them eating in the Lido and the buffet lines will be closed to passengers. The ones you see eating with you may be the ones who couldn't make the designated times earlier.

[ekerr19]

It doesn't bother me at all... :)

[ryansmemom]

I have been sailing on HAL since 1995. The Lido has always been a dining venue for Officers and Staff during breakfast and lunch.

 

I have seen Officers including the Captain dining there. The salon ladies and shop personnel usually occupy tables near the salad bar on ships I've sailed on. I've always seen this as a generous gesture on the part of the Officers, especially the Captain as they are open to mingling with passengers although most people are sensitive to their need for a quiet meal. It is nice to see them out and among passengers.

 

The Officers and Staff also have their own dinner buffet in the evening in the Lido. This was their evening meal area before HAL opened it to passengers.

 

Linda

[taszmom]

This is not unusual for any cruise line. The staff that directly deals with the passengers have meals in the buffet. But you won't see kitchen, wait or maintenance staff.

[Jewelfine]

I have always seen the staff as you described in the buffett restaurants on all the ships I have been on - They are ususally friendly and are willing to chat with you if you want to

 

in fact one of the dancers and another crew member were having dinner in Chops on the Brilliance of the seas when I was on it

 

didn't bother us

[GrammyPL]

A couple of times when we have eaten the first night in the Pinnacle, the Captain and other Officers have been eating in there also. It never bothers us. Penny

[dakrewser]

It really wasn't a big deal, but I would like to know what everybody else thinks about this that have sailed HAL. I haven't seen anything else about this on the boards so maybe I'm the only one that cares?!

Quite possibly, but I want to know more about these "long lines". That's something I've never encountered on a HAL cruise! Now a Carnival cruise, that's a different story.....

[superstein61]

This is not unusual for any cruise line. The staff that directly deals with the passengers have meals in the buffet. But you won't see kitchen, wait or maintenance staff.

Ummm - not quite - one of the chef's from the Pinnacle was eating breakfast one morning in the Lido - he would be part of the kitchen.

 

Didn't really bother me - actually, he was a funny fellow - he was ahead of me in line and told me he would tell me what was safe to eat and what I should avoid - LOL - and he did

[Esme]

I believe this is the norm on HAL ships, I have seen it on all my HAL cruises. It didn't bother me. There is also a time set aside for Staff Dinner, where you will find most of them eating in the Lido and the buffet lines will be closed to passengers. The ones you see eating with you may be the ones who couldn't make the designated times earlier.

 

You are probably talking about dinner in the Lido. The port side of the Lido is set aside in the evening for Officers, Spa personnel, dancers, Casino and other staff and the Starboard side for passengers. It has always been this way on HAL since we started cruising back in the early '80's.

 

I see nothing wrong with it. It's the norm on HAL. During breakfast and lunch they wait in line along with everyone else.

 

No, KruzNutty - they don't have their own cafeteria.

[sheldrvrT6A]

Well I guess we could all look at it like restaurants where truck drivers eat are supposed to be the best. If the crew is eating there then it must be ok.

We seen it on the O last month and did not even give it a second glance.

Have fun!

Jerry

[jazzsea]

The officers have always had the buffet dinner in the Lido. It is only recently (the last three or four years) that the Lido was open to passengers for dinner.

 

I remember using their buffet line a couple of times when I was escorting groups and needed to grab dinner on the run. Using the Lido was approved for me by the Hotel Manager.

[cactuslady]

Gee, those of us who hang around in the dining room are generally thrilled when we are offered the chance to dine with an officer or staff member.

[lipoppop]

We once ran out of shrimp on the passenger side of the Lido and I snuck around to the crew's side for some. They were very nice and didn't say anything about me being there. :cool:

 

There was a difference. In the passenger side the shrimp were in glass goblets. The crew served themselves from a large bowl. :o

[tomc]

I was in the Lido for, I think, the late-night buffet. One of the entertainers was behind me. There was no line, as I recall. I was poking along and she seemed to be in a hurry. I said, "You can go around me; I'm holding you up." She said, "We can't go around passengers." I realized she really had to be somewhere and I didn't, so I said, "You're in luck, as I'm done," and moved away to a nearby table, only to move back when she was safely down the row and wouldn't get called on it.

 

I've no problem with staff and crew being in line with us, as long as it's not twenty staff in front of ten pax.

[TedC]

If it's not good enough for the officers it's not good enough for me! So I'm glad to see them eating heartily.

[HeatherInFlorida]

We've sailed on several different cruiselines and staff, crew members and officers have always dined in the Lido for breakfast and lunch. I, too, have always enjoyed it when we've gotten a chance to sit and talk with them about life at sea. I'm surprised KruzNutty has never noticed it before because I think it's pretty much across the board.

[sail7seas]

I love that the Officers eat in Lido when they choose. I'd like it alot less if they were never out and about and we had no chance to interact with them as is the case on other cruiselines we've sailed.

 

 

As to the Spa folks/Casino/Photographers.....I don't care either way. The Spa ladies are sometimes a "pain" but I have a bias against them as a whole anyway. ;)

 

As to lines in Lido on Zuiderdam......In four cruises, we Never encountered anything more than three people ahead of us at any of the stations. The new Lido design on the Vista is terrific IMO. No lines.

 

I WANT the Officers around Lido. I like it alot. Of course, there is crew mess.

[anngie]

I have seen staff members dining on the Lido deck on HAL and other cruise lines too. I never even gave it a 2nd thought. Why not???

They have to eat too. There is plenty of food to go around.

[elmorejj]

It`s never bothered me either. I have met some great people, both Officers and staff members when they have asked if they may share a table with us. Their families when on board with them also eat with the pax...jean :cool:

[Kami's pal]

In '99 on Crystal Harmony, each table's 'host' was a ship's officer. We thoroughly enjoyed the 3 different crew who visited with us.

 

On other ships: I was fortunate to breakfast with lights and sound fellow, woman in charge of stage shows, priest, and at lunch, with the captain who was out and about and acepted my invitation to sit a moment. I'm like others who appreciate seeing the crew eating as we do, hearing their travel stories, seeing their family photos etc.

 

I take every opportunity to visit with cabin stewards, wait staff, and cleaners if they have a moment to visit. Their hospitality is very generous.

[KruzNutty]

"Quite possibly, but I want to know more about these "long lines". That's something I've never encountered on a HAL cruise! Now a Carnival cruise, that's a different story....."

 

dakrewser,

 

When I sailed there were long lines, or what I consider long lines and I'm sure some one else probably wouldn't. The ship/passengers also had an experience with the dreaded GI problem during the cruise. The buffet lines were roped off and everything, including drinks had to be dished out and provided by staff. Minor inconvenience though because I'm sure it helped stop the spread of the virus.

[KruzNutty]

I liked the discussion.