You step into the buffet, eyes as wide as the ocean, marveling at the sumptuous feast and mouth watering options. As you stand in line, you notice THAT passenger! You know—the one who knows “naught” about buffet etiquette. They’re piling their plate high, picking up food from trays with their bare hands, and nibbling as they go. To top it off, they lick their fingers before grabbing their next morsel. Suddenly, you’re not hungry anymore.
How can you enjoy the feast without being the cruise passenger making buffet faux pas at every turn? The key is knowing the rules of buffet dining. But are you sure you know all the 26 things you should never do? Read on to find out.
Don’t reuse your plate – use a fresh plate for each serving
Thinking of going back for seconds? Excellent idea, as the food is free. Just don’t take your dirty dishes back to the buffet. Leave dirty plates and cups at your table and grab a new plate for seconds (or thirds). This practice avoids cross-contamination and helps prevent germs from spreading in the buffet.
Buffet staff are attentive and clear tables regularly, so there’s no need to reuse anything. If you need extra coffee or tea, leave the dirty cup and grab a fresh one. One passenger told me, “On my first cruise, I took my used plate with me for seconds, thinking I was helping by saving the crew some work. Turns out, it’s not allowed—and for good reason.”
Don’t ignore handwashing stations
Before you grab that plate, stop at the handwashing station. Cruise lines take hygiene seriously, and so should you. Buffets can be germ-heavy zones, with so many people touching utensils and trays. Believe me, fellow cruisers will notice if you waltz into the buffet without washing your hands.
One passenger said, “I saw so many people skip the handwashing stations—it made me cringe.” As another cruiser pointed out, “It should be mandatory to wash your hands before entering the buffet. We’re all sharing this space.”
I also recommend washing your hands after collecting food and before eating. You ensure your hands aren’t covered in germs from the serving utensils. So, please, please, don’t be that person—wash hands and keep everyone safe.
Don’t use bare hands or lick fingers before handling food
Picking up food with bare hands or licking your fingers goes totally against buffet etiquette. Never do it. It doesn’t matter if you pop the food item directly on your plate—you’ll gross out other passengers. One cruiser shared, “I saw someone grab a roll with bare hands, and I was horrified!”. It’s unsanitary and puts everyone at risk.
Licking your fingers is also a “no-no” while standing in line. You’re not only helping spread germs, but you’re also putting your own health at risk. I agree with one cruiser who said, “There’s nothing worse than seeing someone lick their fingers, then grab the tongs. It’s so gross.” Remember, the serving utensils are there for a purpose—use them.
Don’t eat while standing in line
Resist the urge to nibble while you’re in line. It’s unsanitary, contaminates utensils, spreads germs, and slows the line for everyone else. One cruiser said, “Watching people sample food in line is a huge turn-off. It’s a buffet, not a taste test or snack bar.”
I agree with another who said, “Watching people sample food in line is a huge turn-off. I’ll join them at their table if I desperately want to watch them eat, which is never.”
Don’t put dropped utensils back on the serving line
It should go without saying—you don’t put serving utensils back on the food station if they’ve been on the floor. With hundreds of people in line, the floor is a germ station. So, you’re not doing anyone a favor by putting germ-laden tongs and spoons back.
A passenger saw someone picking utensils from the floor back on the countertop. They commented, “People don’t realize how dangerous it is to put dirty utensils back—just ask for fresh ones.” They then took the tongs and asked staff to replace them.
Don’t stay silent about food allergies or dietary needs
Never be afraid to speak up about your dietary needs, whether it’s a nut allergy, lactose or gluten intolerance, or on religious grounds. Dining staff are there to make your journey memorable for the right reasons. And if you don’t see something, don’t hesitate to ask.
Regarding allergies, a friend said, “As someone with allergies, it’s nice to be reassured I’m not being a nuisance when I ask about allergens.” I’ve also seen people shy away from asking, only to get health issues later.
Here’s what I found on the Royal Caribbean website, “We accommodate dietary needs like food allergies, gluten-free, kosher, low-fat, and low-sodium. Lactose-free/soy milk, ensure, and kosher meals are available at no extra charge. Vegan menus are available upon request at the Main Dining Room.” Good to know!
Don’t let your kids run wild or touch food unsupervised
We’ve all seen it: kids running amok, weaving through crowds, and bumping into others. It’s dangerous, especially as people are milling around with hot food and drink on trays. But the grossest thing? I saw a kid shove their hands into the scrambled eggs and squish them.
Kids running wild isn’t just messy, it’s dangerous when they touch food or knock over dishes. One cruiser told me, “Kids running wild at the buffet is a nightmare. I’ve seen them nearly knock people over.” Another told me how they once saw a child stick their hands into the chocolate fountain. And with no parents around, it was an absolute mess.”
Unfortunately, it’s not the kid’s fault. As one passenger pleaded in an online forum, “Parents, please supervise your kids. I’ve seen little ones spill plates, touch everything, and create an almighty mess for the staff and passengers.”
Don’t let kids serve themselves if they don’t understand proper etiquette
Buffet lines are tricky for little hands. They probably don’t know how to use tongs or utensils properly or balance plates while taking food. All of this is a recipe for spills, cross-contamination, and general chaos.
So, it’s best that parents always accompany kids to the buffet to keep things safe for them and everyone else. As one passenger pointed out, “Parents need to show their kids how to serve themselves properly or just do it for them.”.
Don’t linger at the buffet or block pathways by standing still
Buffet lines are a fast-moving environment, at least, they should be. Hovering over a food station holds everyone up and causes frustration. Sure, you may need time to decide what to pick at the steam table. However, it’s best to stand aside and let others through.
Out of frustration when waiting in line, I heard a cruiser exclaim, “Look at that guy, standing there staring at food, holding up the line. Just pick and move!” Another passenger said, “It’s a buffet, not a sightseeing tour. Grab your food and keep moving.”
Don’t cut in line
Cutting in line is one of the most obnoxious behaviors you’ll experience in cruise ship buffets. Regardless of how tempting the jumbo shrimp looks, wait your turn. Remember, everyone wants to enjoy their vacation and their buffet dining experience.
I agree entirely with one passenger’s comments: “Buffets are crowded enough without people thinking they’re special and skipping the line. People cutting in line are rude—plain and simple.”
Of course, lines in the buffet hall can be confusing. I’ve found that politely asking if someone is standing in line eliminates any confusion and avoids being accused of cutting in line.
Don’t reserve a table with just a drink or object
“Reserving” a table with a drink, napkin, or bag annoys many cruise passengers. Trying to find a free table in a crowded buffet is frustrating, and I do not know what that solitary glass of orange juice means. Has someone left it? Have they reserved the table? Will there be a confrontation if I sit there?
What’s the unwritten rule in this situation? One passenger summed it up this way: “If you want to reserve a table, someone from your group should stay behind—not just a napkin or a half-empty glass.”
Don’t reserve accessible tables unless needed
Accessible tables are for passengers who genuinely need them, so it’s a common courtesy not to reserve one or sit there. People with mobility issues have special sitting needs. One cruiser told me they “saw a group claim an accessible table just because it was free—meanwhile, a passenger in a wheelchair had nowhere to sit. It’s unacceptable.”
Don’t overload your plate – focus on quality
A common buffet mistake is trying to build Mount Everest on your dinner plate. This doesn’t seem right on so many levels. First, it’s inconsiderate to the kitchen staff who work tirelessly to prepare delicious food. It also leads to food waste and feeling overwhelmed after your meal. Take your time, pick a few things, and return for more if necessary—just remember to take a clean plate!
We can all learn from this cruiser, who shared this comment in a forum: “I used to take too much at once, but I learned that starting small makes for a better experience.” Another said, “I watched someone waste so much food because they couldn’t finish it all—what a shame.”
Don’t carry too much at once
You’ll see it in every cruise buffet—the passenger performing a balancing act with multiple plates, a cup, and cutlery sticking out their pockets, and even holding something in their mouth. They are teetering on the brink of major spillage. Remember, waiting staff in the Main Dining Room are trained to carry multiple items. But even they know their limits.
One passenger told me what they witnessed on their last cruise, “I saw someone try to carry three plates at once, and they dropped the whole lot. It’s not worth it. Surely, making two trips is easier than having the entire buffet looking at you and snickering.”
Don’t start plating without checking all your options
Always make it a habit to scout out the buffet to decide your options. The last thing you want is to pile up your plate only to find a more appealing dish. Knowing what you want beforehand also saves you from slowing the line down.
I remember a cruiser telling me about their first time in a cruise buffet. They said, “I filled my plate with pasta, then saw the steak station. Big mistake. I now scan the entire buffet first to avoid missing out on the best stuff.” Plan ahead to make the most of your meal.
Don’t waste food
Only take what you can eat from the buffet and choose smaller portions. Remember, it’s an all-you-can-eat dining experience, not all-you-must-eat. A passenger was shocked to see people leaving behind almost full plates of food. As someone else said, “Buffets are endless, but that doesn’t mean we should waste.”
Don’t hog deluxe items, be considerate
So, you’ve spied the seafood platter with premium treats like jumbo shrimp and crab legs. Resist the temptation to take a massive portion and leave little for others. Buffets are a shared dining experience, so being considerate dictates you only take a reasonable amount.
It’s true what one passenger said, “You can always go back for seconds. Don’t grab everything at once—it’s unfair to others.”
Don’t miss out on made-to-order stations
Don’t make the common cruise buffet mistake and forget about the made-to-order food stations. These are hidden gems in the restaurant. You can order freshly cooked meals like pasta, grilled meats, and omelets here. These meals are usually superior to standard cruise food fare that simmers to death on hot plates.
One cruiser lamented, “I didn’t realize there were made-to-order stations until the last day—what a shame.” I remember discovering the grill station—the fresh steaks cooked to order were definitely worth the wait. The omelet station is a superior choice for breakfast to the mushy scrambled egg, and you should try the pasta bar at least once.
Don’t skip the first-day buffet tour
On your first day onboard, take time to tour the buffet during off-peak hours. Familiarize yourself with the stations, check out the salad bar, and find the dessert corners. This strategy reduces waiting in line and helps you plan meals for the entire cruise vacation.
I overheard one cruiser say, “We didn’t do the buffet tour and only found out about the sushi station on the last day. So disappointing.” Another shared how they took so long getting around the buffet that their food was cold by the time they sat down.
Don’t wear inappropriate clothing
Did you know all cruise ships have dress codes for all dining venues? Of course, I’m not talking tuxes and ballroom gowns to stand in line at the buffet for breakfast. However, showing up in swimwear, pajamas, bathrobes, and slippers is inappropriate.
Buffet dining is a casual affair. But show respect for your fellow passengers. One cruiser told me how a woman in a bikini, dripping wet, cut in line in front of him at the buffet. “It really didn’t feel right,” was his comment.
Don’t rush to the buffet on embarkation day—it will be crowded
Want to enjoy a tranquil, relaxing first day onboard? In that case, I’d suggest avoiding the buffet—it will be packed. Instead, head to the pool or book a meal in a specialty restaurant. You can usually snag discounts on embarkation day.
One passenger remarked, “We went straight to the buffet after boarding, and it was chaos. I really wish we’d waited.” Another suggestion is to eat in the buffet later in the day when the crowds have disappeared.
Don’t refill bottles directly at drink dispensers
You may think nothing of it when refilling your drink bottle directly from the water dispenser, but it’s something you should never do. Why not? The risk of spreading germs. One passenger noted, “It’s a simple rule not to fill bottles directly, but people still do it. Just use a cup, it’s much cleaner.”
Don’t take food back to your cabin without checking
It wasn’t until my third cruise that I realized that some cruise lines have strict rules about where you can consume food. You may not be allowed to fill a plate at the buffet and head back to your cabin. The best advice? A friend told me, “Always check the rules before taking food from the buffet. Some cruise lines are stricter than others.”
When in doubt, ask staff or stick to the designated dining areas. Staff may provide proper utensils to take food to your cabin. It seems that taking food from the main buffet and specialty restaurants is OK, but not from the main dining room.
Did you know some cruise lines have complimentary room service for breakfast?
Don’t forget to enjoy a balanced diet
Don’t forget to try some of the healthier options onboard. With endless options of indulgent dishes, it can be easy to take home more than beautiful memories. Think—10 extra pounds and an expanded waistline! You might be surprised how tasty some salads, vegetarian meals, and other healthy choices can be.
One cruiser gave great advice, they said: “Don’t forget the salad bar to balance heartier meals with something light. There’s so much variety—grilled fish, vegetables, and fruit—you can enjoy cruise food without piling on the pounds.”
Don’t be afraid to try something new, you’re on an adventure
With endless food options waiting for you in the buffet, why not step out of your comfort zone and explore new flavors? The good news is you don’t have to fill your plate. One or two morsels will be enough to see if you like it.
After booking a cruise with MSC, one cruiser told me, “I decided to try their Ethnic Corner and International Dining sections, and I was blown away. It was my first time trying Indian food, and now I’m hooked.”
Don’t forget to snap a picture of your plate—Instagram needs proof!
Mealtimes in fancy restaurants wouldn’t seem right without snapping pictures of every plate to post on social media. Whether it’s a fancy dessert, seafood platter, or the juiciest steak you’ve eaten, capturing the moment makes great memories. My friend said, “The presentation was so good, it felt wrong not to share it on Instagram. Only problem, my friends were so jealous.”
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