trays in buffet

[IJAcruisers]

I just read a review that there are no trays in the buffet of the spirit that is a bit odd how do people carry their plates:confused: sorry i'm new to this and will be on the spirit soon and the reviews are getting me nervous...

[sealuber]

Nope, no trays you use your hands. Silverware and napkins are at the tables. If you want more just get up and get more :)

[flashdog_1]

On Majesty you had to pick up your utensils and carry them, too. The tables are not set. What you take to the table is what will be on the table.

[salty dingo]

Trays were deemed unnecessary. They present one more object for the crew to have to clean, and you really don't need one, as you can get back up and make as many trips to the buffet as you like. There is no need to get it all at once.

 

I usually get a plate and do not fill it too full. Then I finish the plate and come back for another, and another, etc.

 

There's less waste this way, and most importantly, less chance to spread disease like Norovirus.

[IJAcruisers]

thank you I guess is no different than sizzlers

[yaletown605]

Having a tray or not really isn't a problem. However, if I am dining by myself and get up get a drink or more item, I am afraid someone will take my table. During peak time at the buffet, it seems like a battleground for table.

[IJAcruisers]

oh forgot to ask how is the food?

[Stefan Batory]

Welcome to the NCL Board!

 

I see several "Norweenies" have responded, and defended NCL's decision not to offer trays in the buffet...

 

Sanitation and all that...

 

Cost Cutting and all that...

 

Pay no mind to Customer Service or Customer Ease...

 

Create even more traffic, in an already hustling and bustling clogged area...

 

They may save a few ounces of food...

 

By the way...Sanitation...

Why are the soup & ice cream sundae spoons exposed in a basket, for all to touch and root through???

[markf]

i have a very different spin--no trays are a problem-they are a way to cut expenses for the cruise line- people will take less food-

To me it is an inconvience-carrying food on a plate, a cup of coffee a glass of juice--does not add up to a great dining experience..

The mgmt at NCL feels it is more like a resturant experience-i say if they served drinks then i would agree--but they dont--they do have some staff available to help but there are limited number of staff-

I am switching cruise lines trying a cruise line who serves their passengers like guests not like high school kids!!

[Stefan Batory]

Thank You Markf...

[Toyz711]

i feel like the no trays are a reality...

as i have said many time before, except for golden corral, i haven't seen a tray for over 8 years. none at any of the big casino buffets, including the ones in tuncia..for YEARS.

for some of us, they are a big problem...just watch people, trying to walk and balance a tray? if you watch me, you would be watching out of fear..of the next major spill. young kids are worse.

the buffet on any of the NCL ships, at not cafeterias. they are action staions...you don't go and full up a tray, follow a line and get MORE then you couild possibly eat, at one time. it's much nicer then that, you just get each course..eat that and do for the next course. everything stays hot and fresh.

i get a kick out of the fact that so many want all their food at one time....at the buffet...but would scream bloody murder if the servers (at any restaurant) brought your meal like that.

[IJAcruisers]

this is my first cruise so I really can't nit pick on things until I try them I have read of the nightmare that happens in the buffets is there anything else I should know about this ship ??? how bad can it be...

[greywillow]

I just read a review that there are no trays in the buffet of the spirit that is a bit odd how do people carry their plates

They carry them the same way people do here in all the classy ($20-25) Sunday brunch buffets at fine restaurants and country clubs: in their hands. Trays are for high school cafeterias.

[mbarnaby99]

i have a very different spin--no trays are a problem-they are a way to cut expenses for the cruise line- people will take less food-

To me it is an inconvience-carrying food on a plate, a cup of coffee a glass of juice--does not add up to a great dining experience..

The mgmt at NCL feels it is more like a resturant experience-i say if they served drinks then i would agree--but they dont--they do have some staff available to help but there are limited number of staff-

I am switching cruise lines trying a cruise line who serves their passengers like guests not like high school kids!!

 

 

Good luck on your future cruise line choices. I was on RCL Liberty Of The Seas last year and there we no trays in the buffet. Seems to be more common.

[Toyz711]

here's some secrets that work...used them on the spirit last dec.

we get our table when we first get there....usually leave a jacket over a chair to hold the table (never had a problem with this). i get the drinks, he gets me a soup or salad and gets his 1st course. (he was a waiter, he can handle more then 1 plate)

we relax, he tells me where everything is...all the actions stations are scattered around. veggies are, usually, the same on both sides of the buffet, but the actions stations are different. carved meat one side, made-to-order pasta on the others. made-to-order ceasar salads, crepes, sandwiches...walked around and you will see them.

for breakfast, i stand in line for the made-to-order omelet, he gets the 'taters, fruit, bread...we meet back at the table. after 27 years, we work well together.:D

if you need help carrying the plates, they have crew just for that. if you really need a tray, just ask...they have them, after all the crew uses them in their work around the buffet.

[S&S Cruisers 1983]

Welcome to the NCL Board!

 

I see several "Norweenies" have responded, and defended NCL's decision not to offer trays in the buffet...

 

Sanitation and all that...

 

Cost Cutting and all that...

 

Pay no mind to Customer Service or Customer Ease...

 

Create even more traffic, in an already hustling and bustling clogged area...

 

They may save a few ounces of food...

 

By the way...Sanitation...

Why are the soup & ice cream sundae spoons exposed in a basket, for all to touch and root through???

 

What the heck is a "norweenie"? If it is an insult and you don't like nor cruise on NCL, then why do you cruise the NCL board? Honest question, just curious.

[2ndguesser]

although I haven't experienced it yet I am upset about the trays being gone. We are traveling with 3 young kids and 2 elderly parents so I feel like my husband and I will be playing waiter to everyone. I am going to ask for a tray and if there aren't any will run back to my room and bring the tray that I will have brought from home. That's right. That is how important it is to me - I will be bringing my own just in case.

 

Either that or I'll let my 4 and 2 year old carry their drinks and food. It will take them 10 tries of getting to the table before they don't spill anything. NCL will love the mess I'm sure. Or maybe my mom with her walker can balance her food on her head or something.

[fivegirl]

Just off Spirit. No trays. The result was constant traffic and chaos in the buffet as people had to make 3 or 4 trips to get their meal. Idiotic. Traffic flow in general was a huge problem on the ship. Many dead ends and LONG waits in the restaurants. This is my 3rd time on NCL and I was sorry to see such a decline.

[macdays1]

I find it a tremendous inconvenience not to have trays. My husband had a stroke early last year. We cruised in June and he was still having trouble, so I went up to get all of his food and drinks. We are cruising again in October, and he still does not have his balance back completely which means I will, of course, be getting his food again. I don't mind doing this, but a tray would allow me to make fewer trips. I have a very bad knee, so this is a problem for me. I'm sure I am not the only one who sees it this way. It must be an inconvenience to a lot of other people as well. I'm not writing this to join in on the complaints, just stating my own personal opinion. The tray situation is good in some ways and bad in others I guess.

[Philob]

Spent like $40pp at the Ahwanhee (sp?) in Yosemite for Easter Brunch, no trays. Similar amount at the Del Coranado Hotel in San Diego for Mother's Day, no trays. Hometown Buffet, no trays. McDonald's, trays.

 

:cool:

[Swells1]

I'm all confused. If I had some sort of medical condition that affected my ability to walk, and I knew in advance about this whole tray thing, wouldn't I just eat in a sit-down dining room? Or are they not open for breakfast & lunch? No sarcasm intended- I really don't get it.

 

If these people don't eat at buffets on land (and I don't think they do because most don't have trays), why would they start aboard a cruiseship?

[Toyz711]

yes, there is a dining room open for breakfast and lunch...sit down service is available.

this discussions comes up once a week...usually goes for about 5 to 10 pages. my last cruise, they had several people around to help with those that need it. i can't carry a tray, my hands are losing strenght...it takes 2 hands just to hold the plate.

[NowVoyager908]

I'm not trying to be flippant here (heaven forbid :rolleyes: ), but honestly if trays are that important, why not just have sit down breakfast in the dining room or order room service? Personally, I've never experienced problems in the buffet. I don't even recall if there were trays or not on any of my cruises. But there always seemed to be staff around cleaning tables and refilling coffee cups, so perhaps they are also available for those who need assistance?

 

Swells1 - I didn't see your reply until I had already posted. Guess we are on the same wavelength. ;)

[NEW 2 CRUISIN]

B.Y.O.T.

:D

[Toyz711]

actually, there are trays under the coffee maker in the cabins...plus, some people keep the tray after room service.