why no trays at the buffet?

[tomk3212]

They can drop the tray too...

...and make an even BIGGER mess!! :eek:

 

Good point!!

 

Tom

[greywillow]

Double posting. Slow as molasses once again.

[greywillow]

Its not a "fascination" with trays geywillow, its a need for them in cases where multiple trips become an inconvenience.

Whoosh!! My point went right over your head, I guess.

 

When was the last time you went to a classy restaurant for a nice Sunday brunch and they handed you a tray to carry around? It just doesn't fit, in my opinion. Even the Old Country Buffet doesn't use trays anymore--although McDonald's and the like still do.

[bulgargirl]

OMG....WHERE do you live? Did anyone get hurt??

 

I live in Oregon. Lots of people were hurt. Over 700 people were officially diagnosed as having salmonella (the poison they used) and I think 17 people died. They burnt down our county records building and put hits on some people too.

 

They were called the Rajneeshees.

[Toyz711]

found this story about it:

http://hem.passagen.se/jan.olofsson/biowarfare/history/rajneeshee.html

i thought i remembered it but it was a long time ago.

 

about the trays, as stated above in another post..just ask for them. no problem, no reason to bash NCL or any other buffet. i am one that can and has dropped everything off my tray. many, many times DH has had to "save" my drink from spilling. any time we go anywhere with trays, i don't use them. IMO they are a safety hazzard for many of us.

at the horseshoe casino in tunica, the buffet is HUGE (and very good)..to walk from your table to any of the different stations can be a long walk. they do not have trays. since the place is usually hopping, i am guessing it matters very little to most people. but if if does matter to you...ask the nice lady at the plates stations.

[bulgargirl]

Lol - it was a long time ago, but I still freak out about salad bars and 'weird' tasting water! And I can't tell you how long it was before I felt comfortable wearing red or purple clothes (and purple is my favorite color).

 

I think the lack of trays will be convenient for me - not having any kids and being in reasonably well health - because I overEAT like crazy at those buffets!

[TXRed]

Better yet, just order room service every morning. You don't have to dress, they bring you anything you want and you get a tray. Plus you don't have to fight any crowds in the buffet line.

 

It's one of the best things we like about a cruise.

 

We love to have a room service breakfast...however we do like a hot breakfast and unless I have incorrect information...NCL doesn't serve hot room service breakfasts unless you have a suite. sweet rolls and or cold cereal would not be on our lists of choices for breakfast...so we will go to either the buffet or the dining room. If my info is incorrect I am sure some one will correct it.

[mbisson]

found this story about it:

http://hem.passagen.se/jan.olofsson/biowarfare/history/rajneeshee.html

i thought i remembered it but it was a long time ago.

 

.

 

Thanks for the link. I'm close enough to where Rajneeshpuram was located that I remember those incidents. But like the article said, I'm also not aware of any deaths from the attack.

 

Could be though, I think we've all suspected cases where things were "officially" credited to something else

[TXRed]

I serve enough meals at home to my family. I relax and enjoy my cruise.

 

I think your avatar says it all:eek:

 

Cosmo...I am with you...it's my vacation and I am going to enjoy being waited on, cooked for, have my bed made and not have to worry about anything other than enjoying my time with my DH of 45 yrs.

[Don Haynes]

Surely, one plate is enough for bacon and eggs. Its when you add oatmeal, cereal, sweet rolls, and fruit do you need a tray.

[bulgargirl]

Thanks for the link. I'm close enough to where Rajneeshpuram was located that I remember those incidents. But like the article said, I'm also not aware of any deaths from the attack.

 

Could be though, I think we've all suspected cases where things were "officially" credited to something else

 

The 17 people who died were particularly susceptible because they either were elderly or already ill. I know that at home (I'm from The Dalles, originally) the 17 that did die were considered to have died from the poisoning. Though, I also think the real total of sick people was around 1,000 (or 10% of our population) because frankly there was nowhere to go if you got sick and weren't THAT sick. Even the hospital had people lying on the floors and in hallways. There was just no capacity to handle it.

 

What area of Washington are you from? I live near Walla Walla now.

[mbisson]

What area of Washington are you from? I live near Walla Walla now.

 

I'm in Ellensburg. My brother worked in Hood River during that time. We also have relatives in Portland and will sometimes pull the trailer when we go to visit them and camp in those parks in the gorge in the area around Multnomah Falls.

 

I can't get enough of the Columbia Gorge!

[Philip Pirrip]

Or if you want to eat on a tray -- order room service. They bring you anything you want AND you don't have to get all dressed up.

 

I have only ordered room service once a long time ago and it was because I was too ill to leave the room. How much do most people tip when room service is delivered? I'd like to know what the going rate is.

[Toyz711]

it's been reported that room service will be increasing their menu...right now, for regular cabins, it's pretty basic. no hot foods..except for pizza.

if you have a suite, the butler will take care of your needs.

depending on what you order..a dollar or 2...unless you order a LOT?

[cruiseladytexas]

I just got off the Norwegian Gem inagural and experienced the action Station restaurant (buffet) without trays. Andy Stewart explained it - atmosphere. (although sanitation and cost are certainly untold factors). This is meant to be another venue for dining, but not a cafeteria. Therefore if you are standing in line long enough for the food to get cold, you don't understand the concept. Go get your salad or soup or entree, but don't start at the front and stand through the entire line (s). The stations are meant for you to go to in any order that suits you. So, I walk around and look at everything, then go directly to the station that has the food I want. I don't try to bring dessert to the table with the meal.

It was very crowded, but the lines at each station were very short. And there were multiple stations for each type of food. In the futute they plan to add to the ambiance at night with table clothes and more table service.

 

Oh Say Can You Sea Cruises

[mbisson]

Thanks cruiselady texas. That explanation makes perfect sense.

 

Now another question for those in the know...have they discontinued trays on the ships that have the regular buffet line rather than the action stations?

 

I just got off the Norwegian Gem inagural and experienced the action Station restaurant (buffet) without trays. Andy Stewart explained it - atmosphere. (although sanitation and cost are certainly untold factors). This is meant to be another venue for dining, but not a cafeteria. Therefore if you are standing in line long enough for the food to get cold, you don't understand the concept. Go get your salad or soup or entree, but don't start at the front and stand through the entire line (s). The stations are meant for you to go to in any order that suits you. So, I walk around and look at everything, then go directly to the station that has the food I want. I don't try to bring dessert to the table with the meal.

It was very crowded, but the lines at each station were very short. And there were multiple stations for each type of food. In the futute they plan to add to the ambiance at night with table clothes and more table service.

 

Oh Say Can You Sea Cruises

[bulgargirl]

I'm in Ellensburg. My brother worked in Hood River during that time. We also have relatives in Portland and will sometimes pull the trailer when we go to visit them and camp in those parks in the gorge in the area around Multnomah Falls.

 

I can't get enough of the Columbia Gorge!

 

I was very lucky to grow up where I did! I am a little bit farther to the east now (a couple of hours), but still close enough to enjoy the columbia and the gorge!

[greywillow]

I just got off the Norwegian Gem inagural and experienced the action Station restaurant (buffet) without trays. Andy Stewart explained it - atmosphere. (although sanitation and cost are certainly untold factors). This is meant to be another venue for dining, but not a cafeteria. Therefore if you are standing in line long enough for the food to get cold, you don't understand the concept. Go get your salad or soup or entree, but don't start at the front and stand through the entire line (s). The stations are meant for you to go to in any order that suits you. So, I walk around and look at everything, then go directly to the station that has the food I want. I don't try to bring dessert to the table with the meal.

Ta Da! Exactly right smack dab on the nail-head.

 

When you have dinner in the dining room, the waiter doesn't bring you your hot and cold appetizers, soup, salad, main course, dessert and coffee all at once and pile it up around your place setting, does he? This is exactly how one should eat at a classy buffet--whether at a Westin or a Four Seasons or on a cruise ship. These are not high school cafeterias where you load up your tray, head for the nearest open seat, and chow down.

[Toyz711]

but some people just don't want to GET it!! so easy, but they try to make it so hard. no way was i going to get my dessert...a warm crepe with ice cream, at the same time i got my entree. geez, it's not like i had to walk to the front of the ship to get it when i needed it.

i think part of this, people are afraid if they get up they will lose their table.

[Bisous3]

Whoosh!! My point went right over your head, I guess.

 

When was the last time you went to a classy restaurant for a nice Sunday brunch and they handed you a tray to carry around? It just doesn't fit, in my opinion. Even the Old Country Buffet doesn't use trays anymore--although McDonald's and the like still do.

 

No, I got your point, it just appears that you aren't happy that I don't agree.

 

The buffet on NCL isn't what I think of when I think of a classy restaurant. If I do go to a nice Sunday brunch, there is staff there to help me get what I need and avoid having to make numerous trips. Also, other lines such as Celebrity and Princess use the trays, covered in cloth, carried by a waiter.

[TonyFred]

Cosmo....my avatar shows me relaxing in a hot tub while cruising.

Yours shows a glass of alcohol. Oh that's right! A Cosmopolitan is a glass of alcohol.

But I guess getting sloshed drunk is a lot classier than enjoying a hot tub.

 

:D

[Bisous3]

about the trays, as stated above in another post..just ask for them. no problem, no reason to bash NCL or any other buffet. .

 

Actually I did ask and was told there weren't any any more, as I mentioned in my first post. Also, by me asking where the trays are in no way constitutes "bashing". Its a question. Thats it.

[Bisous3]

When you have dinner in the dining room, the waiter doesn't bring you your hot and cold appetizers, soup, salad, main course, dessert and coffee all at once and pile it up around your place setting, does he? This is exactly how one should eat at a classy buffet--whether at a Westin or a Four Seasons or on a cruise ship. These are not high school cafeterias where you load up your tray, head for the nearest open seat, and chow down.

 

I guess you don't have children.......

[deepnite10]

when they find the tray s..they may also find

all my missing sock s:o

[Lachase]

and add to comfort and ease, safety carrying your food, etc. It isn't a matter of classy or being like a school lunchroom setting. I don't think the appearance of trays really diminishes ambience. It is rather being accomodating to the cruise guest. That NCL doesn't seek to accomodate but rather, it seems, wants to sublimnally limit intake of their food by making it difficult for guests, makes an unfavorable impression of NCL to me. I wasn't aware of this factor, or the elusive brown water on Majesty or the not well stocked or hot enough foods on the buffet when we made our travel plans. I may have reconsidered. After next week when I have my actual personal experience instead of these not experienced inconveniences, I will know more. However on HAL which we have always traveled with, I have loved the buffets, the variety of choices, the very helpful staff, the clean feeling atmosphere, that you had no worries about the food safety or sanitation. That was reassuring, made a nice relaxing vacation. I don't want to be relegated to sitting in my room having to have my tray of food brought to me like I am a shut-in. That may appeal to some but I am not a breakfast in the bed person. I thought, well they are trying to make extra money by selling their stupid trays, but after reading the post here, I guess we will not have that option. Take your own or just manage the best you can. Or go to the dining room every time which doesn't appeal to me because generally it is more time consuming. Anyhow, I reiterate, if NCL wants repeat customers they should consider accomodating instead of total cost cutting. The lack of repeat cruisers will cut into their profit margins more than tray costs if penny pinching exceeds making sure the guests are pleased and have an experience they seek to repeat instead of avoid.