While not the most glamorous place to eat on board a cruise, the buffet area is incredibly convenient for a quick stop before setting of for a day of exploration, or at the end of a busy day when the idea of dressing up and heading to a posh restaurant is the last thing on your mind. 

Although the dress code may not be as strict, proper etiquette is still expected in these buffet areas. 

In a bid to help upcoming passengers get to grips with how best to navitage these all-you-can-eat spaces, Youtuber Royal Caribbean Blog has shared 11 things cruise passengers should avoid doing. 

From top tips to order etiquette, these tips will ensure you maximise your holiday and enjoy it to the full. 

Don’t forget to reserve a seat

Unlike in the main dining rooms, the seating in these buffet areas are first-come-first-serve. Therefore, finding a seat before you start perusing the food on offer is recommended. This is especially the case during breakfast hours, when it gets extremely busy as people stuff themselves in preparation for their busy day exploring the ship or port. 

The Youtuber recommends using a personal item – even a child – to reserve the table, while one person heads up to grab some food before switching over. If you can’t find a table, he also recommends following a crew member around as they are often on the look out for tables to clean. 

Don’t skip the handwashing station

Since buffets like the Windjammer on Royal Caribbean ships are self-serve, passengers will all be sharing the same utensils to fill their plates. On almost every major cruise ship now, there are dedicated handwashing stations upon entering the buffet, or at the very least hand sanitiser dispensers, to reduce the spread of germs and illness. 

If you are feeling unwell, it is probably best to skip the buffet entirely and order room service instead to avoid spreading the unwanted bug to your fellow passengers. 

Don’t dive in

From salad bars to a wide variety of hot dishes and deserts, it is important to walk through the entire area and assess all your options before stacking up with food. If you fill your plate too early, you are likely to end up wasting food.

Moreover, options tend to change daily, especially for dinner so it is important to check out everything on offer to avoid missing out on a special that may only be available for that meal.

Don’t waste food

Even if you think you will eat everything on your plate, it’s a better idea to start with one plate and return to the buffet for seconds if you’re still hungry. This means you are less likely to throw away food, which is both impolite and cuts down on general waste for the cruise line.

Don’t reuse the same plate

First-time cruisers may not be aware that reusing the same plate for seconds (or thirds) is completely inappropriate, as it can lead to cross-contamination and the spread of germs. 

Instead, if you’ve finished your plate, leave your dirty dishes at the table for crew members to collect and grab a fresh load. 

Don’t grab food with your hands

Similarly, never grab food with your bare hands—always use the serving utensils available. Doing the former is seen as impolite and increases the risk of cross-contamination and the spread of illness. 

Only prepackaged items, such as milk cartons or yoghurts are the exception to this rule. 

Don’t cut anyone in line

No matter how hungry you are, it is important to exercise patience at the buffet area – after all, everyone is there for the same reason. While clearly defined queues may not be present, in general, you should not cut people off who appear to be waiting for a specific station. 

This does not mean, however, that you need to join the line that develops at the first station and then follow everyone through the plethora of stations. Just go from station to station that appeal and join the end of the line that has developed there. This avoids being both impolite and disrupting the flow of the area. 

Don’t skip the made-to-order stations 

While the buffet area is a great option for a quick grab-and-go meal, if you don’t see something appealing, do not be afraid to check out the made-to-order stations. This is a great option when you are not in the mood to sit through a three-course meal but also don’t want standard buffet food. 

With a pasta bar one night and a stir fry the next, you can rest assured that your meal won’t have been sat under a heat lamp for several hours, along with the added bonus of being custom made. According to the Youtuber, the best eggs you can find on a Royal Carribean cruise are at the omelette station. 

Don’t rush to the buffet on embarkation day

Often one of the first places people go once onboard is to lunch. If you happen to have an arrival time that’s right in the middle of the boarding process, you will want to avoid the buffet for a couple of hours – maybe even the whole day. 

The reason? Everyone else is thinking the same thing and often defeats the objective of a quicker meal. 

On embarkation day, some cruise ships have different options you can go to without risking the venture into a very busy buffet area. For example, on Icon of the Seas Pearl Cafe is open as an alternative. This way, you can quickly be on your way to explore the ship while everyone else queues for their lunch. 

Don’t be afraid to speak up about food allergies

The majority of major cruise lines know the importance of having allergen-free menus. In some cases, you can clearly spot which items are available for you, such as the Gluten Free station, but don’t be afraid to ask if you have any concerns. 

In many cases, they will even bring out the chef to talk to you, recommend dishes, or even prepare something specific if they’re not sure it meets your needs. 

Don’t wear a bathing suit or go barefoot

While these buffet areas are definitely more casual than other dining rooms and restaurants, but that does not mean there is no dress code. 

At the very least, wear shoes and a cover-up when heading straight from the pool.