Cruises and food go hand-in-hand like ketchup and mustard, macaroni and cheese or peanut butter and jelly. But, even if you’re a frequent cruiser, we bet there are some things you could be doing better when it comes to cruise food hacks.
From planning problems and etiquette errors to hygiene hijinks, here are a dozen cruise dining mistakes you might still be making and what we recommend you do instead.
Eating Only at the Buffet and/or Main Dining Room
The two staple dining options that are included in just about all cruise ship’s fares are the self-serve casual buffet and the slightly more formal main dining room, which offers waiter-served sit-down meals from a daily menu.
However, many ships have complimentary alternatives that are great for between-meal snacks or quick, casual bites without the huge buffet setting. These might include poolside burgers, promenade pizza or alfresco burritos.
Commonly, cruise vessels also feature added-fee eateries, where passengers either pay per item or a set price for a prix fixe menu. You might expect to find steakhouses, hibachi restaurants, or Italian or French fare.
Instead of relegating yourself only to the buffet or main dining room, give one of these other options a try. A spontaneous late-night slice or a fancy dinner for a special occasion can really add to your cruise experience.
Going to the Buffet for Lunch on Embarkation Day
Because everyone is still finding their bearings on embarkation day, the first place they think of for lunch after boarding is the buffet. That means the space is likely to be chaotic, crowded and potentially overwhelming.
Start your vacation off on a more relaxing note by asking a crewmember about alternative options or checking your cruise line’s mobile app to see what’s open. You might find that there’s a cute cafe offering sandwiches or a sports bar serving pub grub. It’s one of the simplest but most effective cruise dining hacks, and it will better set the tone for your trip than dodging fellow diners and struggling to find an empty table.
Not Selecting Your Preferred Dining Type and Time in Advance
For nights when you do decide to eat in the MDR, you’ll either have set-seating dining or anytime dining. The former will have you reporting to the dining room at the same time each night and sitting at the same table with the same waiters. If your party is small, you could be seated at a communal table with strangers.
If you’d prefer to dine at a time that’s convenient for you and have a table for only you and your travel companions, anytime dining allows for that (if your ship offers it).
However, anytime dining cannot accommodate everyone, nor can any single set-seating time. Don’t wait until you embark to put in your request. If you have a preference, make it known when you book your sailing. That will give you the best chance of snagging your ideal dining method and time.
Waiting Until You Board to Make Specialty Dining Reservations
Similar to selecting a dining time for the MDR, you’ll also want to make pre-cruise reservations for any specialty restaurants you’re considering.
Prime time slots tend to book up quickly, especially for new or popular restaurants. Locking in a reservation before you set sail cuts down on the likelihood that you’ll be stuck eating at the same time as the show you were hoping to catch or, worse, completely missing out. It also gives you an opportunity to make sure the ship knows in advance if you’re scheduling the meal to celebrate something special like a birthday or anniversary.
Ignoring Buffet Etiquette
If you’re old enough to read this, you’re old enough to know that you should always wash your hands before you eat. Make a habit of handwashing after you use the restroom; sneeze or cough; touch elevator buttons, stair rails, casino or arcade games, bar counters or buffet utensils; and returning from shore excursions.
Use warm water and soap that you lather for at least 20 seconds. Hand sanitizer is a nice complement to handwashing, but it’s not a substitute.
Clean hands or not, never grab food directly from the buffet. Not only is it rude, but it’s also unsanitary. Other cruisers don’t want your germs any more than you want theirs. Never, ever, grab food from the buffet with your bare hands. Use the provided utensils, and if there aren’t any, ask a crewmember for some. Also be sure to tell a member of the onboard staff if you see someone else touching food with their bare hands.
Not Alerting the Cruise Line to Dietary Restrictions or Allergies in Advance
If you have food allergies, intolerances or dietary preferences – whether that’s gluten-free, vegan, kosher or anything in between – don’t wait until you’re sitting at the dinner table to mention it. Most cruise lines can accommodate a wide range of needs, but they need advance notice to do so properly.
When booking your sailing, note any dietary requirements through your cruise line’s website or travel advisor. For severe allergies in particular, following up closer to your sail date is worth the extra effort and can give you peace of mind.
Once on the ship, many lines will also ask to preview the next evening’s menu with you at the end of each night’s dinner, so your meal can be specially prepared in advance.
Allowing Your Eyes to Be Bigger Than Your Stomach
We know the near-constant onslaught of food can be problematic on a cruise. With that in mind, you might be tempted to order a little bit of everything from the dining room menu or pile three or four heaping plates with items at the buffet.
Instead, remember that there’s plenty onboard for you to eat, nearly 24/7. You don’t need to put all of it away in a single meal. Take less to start; you can always go back for more. This way, you risk wasting less and avoid overstuffing yourself.
Not Having Seconds
On the flip side, if you find that you’re still hungry after you’ve eaten what you ordered or taken from the buffet, you can always have more. Don’t feel bad about going up to the buffet line for another plate. (Just be sure to grab a clean one each time; never use your dirty dish for subsequent trips.)
Those who are new to cruising, take note: you can order as much as you’d like in the MDR. Your waiter won’t think twice if you order another appetizer or main course. Take the chance to order something you might not try otherwise. (Some cruise lines do charge a small fee for subsequent main courses, but apps and desserts are always free.)
Being Rude to Waiters
The crew on your ship is there to make sure your sailing is as enjoyable as possible, and they work hard to do that. Be kind. Chat with them. Ask them about their days or about their lives at home. If something goes wrong, don’t yell or be rude. Instead, calmly ask if they can make it right.
Keep in mind that your waiters serve dozens of tables each night. They juggle passenger names, preferences, dietary needs and special requests – all of which change every time one cruise ends and the next one begins.
One of the best ways to show appreciation for crewmembers is to tip. Your cruise line will automatically charge a daily gratuity amount to each person’s onboard account. Leaving those charges intact instead of removing them (and tipping a little extra to waiters and other crew who go above and beyond) is a great way to honor those who make your vacation special.
Another way to help out the crew is to fill out the post-cruise survey you’ll receive from your cruise line. Make a note while you’re onboard of any standout waiters, bartenders, room stewards or other ship employees, and mention them by name when completing the survey. Those commendations can lead to raises, extra time off and even promotions.
Skipping Room Service
One of the aspects of cruising that previously set it apart from land-based travel was that room service was free. But, for most mainstream lines, that’s no longer the case. That doesn’t mean you should completely rule it out, though.
For a nominal fee (sometimes per item and sometimes per delivery, depending on the cruise line), you can dine in your room and have someone bring your meal to you. It’s one of the most fantastic cruise food hacks if you’re looking for a lazy night in following a busy day in port; if you have kids who are picky eaters or who can’t sit for long periods in the dining room; or if you’re craving a late-night snack but already have your pajamas on.
Note that room service is also great for early-morning breakfast if you’ve got a shore excursion scheduled and don’t want to trudge to the MDR or buffet before you disembark. Most cruise lines still offer Continental room service breakfast for free.
Leaving Food Items or Dishware in Random Places
We regularly see online debates between passengers about what you’re supposed to do with your dirty dishware after you’re done with it. One camp says to put it outside in the hallway. (In fact, some even claim room stewards have told them to do so.) The other says to keep it in your room until it can be collected.
We get it – most cruise cabins are small, and you don’t need your space cluttered with trays, glasses and plates. However, despite the fact that room service and buffet takeout are some of our favorite things, we’re firmly in the camp that you should never leave trays or dishes outside in the hallway. Nor should you abandon empty plates or drink glasses in stairwells or elevators.
We’d like to present a third option – one of the most effective but underrated and underutilized cruise dining hacks. Call the room service number to have dirty items removed from your cabin. It saves your room steward some work, keeps your room tidy and prevents your cold, half-eaten leftovers from sitting in the hallway for other passengers to trip over.
If you’re out and about while munching on some food you grabbed to go or searching for a place to put the cocktail you just chugged, find the nearest bar, and set the dirty dishes on the counter or an empty table nearby.
Taking Food Ashore in Port
This falls more into port dining mistakes than cruise dining mistakes, but be careful when taking food ashore during port days. Drinks and prepackaged snacks are usually fine. However, many ports – notably in Mexico, where enforcement is strict – have rules about passengers’ bringing raw produce off ships.
As a general rule, avoid taking fruits and vegetables with you. Violations, even if accidental, can result in fines.
Instead, ask a local to recommend their favorite restaurant. You’re likely to find a more authentic meal that way – and for a reasonable price – than if you simply walk a few steps down the pier to Senor Frogs or Margaritaville.
Bottom Line
Onboard dining is nuanced and can be confusing, whether you’re a newbie or an avid cruiser. With these cruise dining tips and hacks, we hope you’ll have a better idea of what not to do the next time you grab a meal on a ship. Keep these three simple tenets in mind – plan ahead, be courteous, practice good hygiene – and enjoy your cruise.
Comments
Do you have any other cruise dining tips to add to this list? What are some mistakes you see cruising making all the time when it comes to food and dining? Drop us an anchor below to share your pro dining hacks.
The post Cruise Dining Tips: 12 Things You’re Still Getting Wrong (Do This Instead) appeared first on EatSleepCruise.com.
