09 August 2023 , 15:49
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A cruise insider has offered his top tips for passengers concerned about committing a dinner time faux-pas while sailing the seven seas.
If you are aboard a cruise for the first time, then you may not be aware of the delicate dance that surrounds what is arguably the day's main event - the buffet. Thankfully a cruise expert is on hand to shared some tips for guests delving into the all you can eat extravaganza for the first time.
James Cole, founder and managing director at Panache Cruises, has shared his top advice for cruise guests. He said: “When you booked your cruise you promised to adhere to a set of rules governing your conduct and behaviour when on-board your ship, the Daily Express reported.
“Disruptive passengers can be charged a fine or forcibly removed from the ship if they disobey the captain’s and crew members’ instructions, smoke in prohibited areas or throw things overboard. Although you may be hungry and eager to head to the buffet, remember that your fellow passengers are likely feeling the same way, and your wants and needs don’t supersede theirs.
Navigating the all you can eat is not as easy as you might think (Getty Images/iStockphoto)“Be patient and wait for your turn and if you really can’t wait to tuck into your food then make sure to have a snack in-between meal times.”
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Buffet lines can sometimes be complicated, so guests should ask the crew if they’re not sure where to wait for their dishes. There is no harm in admitting you cannot work out a queuing system, regardless of how proud you might be of being British.
James warned: “Don’t worry about dishes at the buffet and get a new plate, glass or mug every time you wish to top up on your food or drinks. You may think you’re doing them a favour by reducing the number of dirty dishes but it’s actually frowned upon due to sanitary purposes.”
Guests could also annoy the crew if they take a huge plate of food but leave most of it behind. Passengers can usually return to the buffet as many times as they want, so there's no need to pile a plate high.
According to the experts at Cruise Critic, there are some foods you may want to try and swerve when perusing the buffet. Pre-made sushi rolls are top of the list - as even the freshest fish can go off quickly if it's out on the buffet for a day or two.
Pizza is another food to keep an eye on - especially if it looks like the cheese has congealed, a sign that it may have been left out for a few days. As for dessert? The Cruise Critic experts suggest opting for a bowl of ice cream rather than a cone, using the logic that you're likely to transfer germs from the well-touched soft-serve machine to the wafer container, which you then eat.
One particularly sage piece of advice offered by the cruise culinary experts is to speak up if you see something amiss.
"If you notice the person in front of you touching food and putting it back at the cruise buffet, realise that someone has contaminated a vegetable-only dish by using utensils meant for meat or if you see that the tongs have fallen completely into the food, handle and all, alert a crew member and avoid taking any of the potentially contaminated dishes until they've been replaced with fresh ones," they write.