Buffet Breakdown Which Cruise Lines Have Self Serve Buffets And Which Ones Don T

It’s time to pick up the tongs. Nearly a year since big-ship cruising restarted for U.S. passengers, a few things have changed with regard to onboard protocols — capacity is increasing, social distancing is practically nonexistent and masks are optional. But perhaps none of the changes is as disturbing to me as the return of self-service buffets, with six of the industry’s eight major lines allowing passengers to, once again, serve themselves.Don’t get me wrong, I love a good buffet setup. What I don’t love, however, is the blatant disregard of buffet etiquette by some passengers. I’ve seen people sneeze and then touch the communal serving utensils without washing up or — worse — simply forgo said utensils and grab food with their bare hands. Gross!For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter.The salad station at a self-serve buffet on a Carnival Cruise Line ship. (Photo by Jennifer Wesolowsky)That’s why I was so excited when, as an initial COVID-19 precaution, several cruise lines decided to make their buffets crew-served. Sure, it takes additional staff, and it can be annoying when someone else is in charge of your portions. But it’s more sanitary — since some viruses (though not COVID-19) spread via contaminated surfaces — and it also helps to control waste. You can always go back for seconds (or thirds or fourths) if you want more.But now that protocols are being relaxed, several lines have reverted to self-service. Others never offered a different option in the first place. Here, I’ll run down a list of brands that have the serving spoons on the passengers’ side of the sneeze guards, as well as the ones that are still holding out.Carnival Cruise LineUnlike several other cruise lines, Carnival’s buffets were always of the self-serve variety, even immediately after the line’s July 2021 post-shutdown restart. Passengers on all Carnival vessels are able to serve themselves in the onboard buffets.“Because the crew are all vaccinated, and because 95% of guests are [vaccinated] as well, and after all the professional advice we have taken, the buffets … are going to be exactly as they were, meaning you will serve yourself,” Carnival brand ambassador John Heald said of the decision in a June 2021 Facebook post.Celebrity CruisesA crew member plates dessert for a passenger on Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Millennium. (Photo by Ashley Kosciolek/The Points Guy)Along with sister brand Royal Caribbean, Celebrity was one of the first lines to say it would temporarily scrap self-service buffets. But the move might not be so temporary after all.“For the foreseeable future, our buffets will be crew-served and not self-serve,” the line told The Points Guy.Sign up for our daily newsletterEmail addressSign upI would like to subscribe to The Points Guy newsletters and special email promotions. The Points Guy will not share or sell your email. See privacy policy.Disney Cruise LineWhen Disney first brought its ships back into service, it employed crew-served buffets to help minimize the risk of germ spread. Effective April 1, 2022, its vessels’ buffets are back to being self-serve.Holland America LineA crew member makes a salad for a passenger on Holland America’s Rotterdam. (Photo by Ashley Kosciolek/The Points Guy)Because of its slightly older clientele, Holland America has always been cautious when it comes to buffets. Even before “coronavirus” became a household word, cruise lines had to contend with norovirus.HAL ships switched to crew-served buffets several years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, partially in an effort to combat potential outbreaks of norovirus, which is easily spread via contaminated surfaces. The line continues to employ the practice on all of its vessels.“We made the switch to align with premium [cruising] and our goals for service,” a representative from the line told TPG.MSC CruisesThe first mainstream cruise line to restart operations with Mediterranean voyages in December of 2021, MSC Cruises initially began sailings with crew-served buffets. Effective April 1, 2022, it is back to allowing passengers to serve themselves.Norwegian Cruise LineA father helps his son to fill a plate at the self-serve buffet on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship. (Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)Norwegian has been one of the most stringent cruise lines in terms of COVID-19 precautions. In the beginning, it was the first — and one of the only — lines to require full vaccination for all passengers, as well as crew members. That has since been relaxed.As part of NCL’s initial return to service, the line had the crew serve cruisers at its buffets, but it has since reverted to self-serve.Princess CruisesPrincess’ cruise ships currently allow for self-service, with passengers able to pick up their own plates and utensils and scoop their own fare in most areas at the onboard buffets. Some stations are still served by crew members, however.Royal Caribbean InternationalCake, doughnuts and muffins laid out for breakfast on Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas. (Photo by Ashley Kosciolek/The Points Guy)As one of the trailblazers in the crew-served buffet arena, Royal Caribbean required passengers to ask the crew for what they wanted when the line’s sailings first returned in 2021. Starting April 2, 2022, the brand brought back self-service and issued the following statement:“Royal Caribbean International will bring back self-service dining in … the Windjammer Marketplace, Solarium Bistro and at private destinations. Grab-and-go dishes and single-serving portions will continue as a permanent offering.“Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise shipA beginners guide to picking a cruise lineThe 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise shipA quick guide to the most popular cruise lines21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly15 ways cruisers waste money12 best cruises for people who never want to grow upThe ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise