Ready to pile your plate high with the tempting buffet options on a cruise? Well, hold on! Before diving into jumbo shrimp, sushi, and potato salad, you might want to rethink your choices. From soggy fries to watery scrambled eggs and cardboard bacon, dangers may be lurking in those steam trays that could ruin your meal—and your cruise vacation.
The good news? Navigating the cruise ship buffet doesn’t have to feel like walking through a minefield, where the wrong could spell disaster. You can dodge the “iffy” food options and enjoy a meal worth savoring.
Ready to steer clear of trouble and feast without fear? Let’s find out which buffet foods are best left on the counter.
15 Buffet Foods You’ll Regret Eating — Avoid These
We all know that the all-you-can-eat buffet is the highlight of a cruise vacation. You can choose everything from premium shrimp, crab, and steaks to healthier and lighter options. Even picky eaters can find tasty morsels among the endless array of food choices.
Let’s face it: we’ve all got our tastes and preferences regarding dining options. However, there are some foods that cruise lines never get right in the buffet. Other foods to avoid may be down to personal preferences. And some passengers know “naught” about buffet etiquette. They think picking food with their hands and licking their fingers in line is OK.
Below you’ll find 15 typical buffet choices that you want to think twice before loading your plate – such foods are known for being risky or commonly disliked. Some of them are based on my personal experience while other dishes are based on other cruisers’ experiences and reflect individual tastes or experiences.
Buffet Shellfish: Shellfish Surprise? Maybe Not So Fresh
Buffet shellfish can quickly turn from fresh to foul. “I had mussels that didn’t seem right,” shared one cruiser who regretted the risk and spent the next day in their cabin. If seafood isn’t kept cold, bugs develop, and it’s a recipe for an upset stomach.
The best alternative? Stick to shellfish served in the main dining room or specialty restaurants. It’s always prepared fresh, and you minimize the risk of food poisoning.
Scrambled Eggs: Egg-spect the Worst
Stay clear of scrambled eggs in the breakfast buffet, as they usually miss the mark. Many cruise lines use powdered or liquid eggs, but they never turn out like “real” scrambled eggs. One cruiser said, “They were watery and tasted fake.” Another said, “My eggs were rubbery and tasted as unappetizing as they looked.”
Savvy cruisers head to the omelet station for the best breakfast experience. A fellow passenger told me, “Buffet eggs are always a gamble; I stick to the omelet station for something fresh.”
Leftover Sushi: Old Sushi, New Problems
Sushi is a serious gamble on a cruise ship if it’s not fresh. Bacteria quickly develop in sushi rolls if they get warm or left out too long. Don’t risk spending a cruise day in the bathroom because the sushi was off. One cruiser said, “I had sushi late in the day, and it definitely wasn’t as fresh as I’d hoped. I felt queasy afterwards.
Don’t despair if you’re a sushi fan. Head to the sushi station and pick the sushi the chef has just prepared. You never know how long the other pieces have been there.
Tap Water in Port: Not All Water Is Created Equal
Never drink tap water ashore in port and avoid ice in drinks. Contaminated water can lead to more than an upset stomach. You could spend several cruise days confined to your cabin. On my last cruise, someone told me, “I drank the water in port and felt sick for days. Never again.”
The safer and smarter choice is to stick to bottled water or fill a reusable water bottle at the dispenser in the buffet to take on shore excursions.
What about cruise ship water? Is it safe to drink? The answer is yes, but not everyone likes it. In fact, some cruisers detest it and blame it for all sorts of ailments. However, those have never been proven.
Self-Serve Condiments: Think Twice Before You Dip
Shared condiment dispensers can be a germ magnet. The reason? Some obnoxious passengers skip the hand sanitizer stations before handling everything in the buffet. A fellow passenger told me in horror, “I saw someone touch the ketchup nozzle right after sneezing into their hands!”
How can you avoid contamination risks with the self-serve condiments? I’ve picked up a few hacks from fellow passengers. One person suggested using a napkin to pick up sauce and ketchup bottles. Another suggestion is to always wash your hands before the buffet and before eating—wise advice to avoid getting sick.
Buffet Bacon: Expecting Crispy? Prepare for Flop
Cruisers who love crispy bacon are usually disappointed by the mediocre limp bacon on the breakfast menu. The chefs tend to cook bacon medium, and combined with sitting for hours in a steam tray, it’s usually watery and floppy.
A cruiser commented that bacon is usually baked, not fried, and this changes the texture and flavor. One cruiser complained, “Celebrity cruise bacon was undercooked every day, nothing ever crispy.”
However, one couple found the solution. They said, “We never ate at the buffet, but the bacon in the main dining room was delicious, cooked how we like it.”
Soft-Serve Ice Cream: Cool Treat or Bacteria Blast?
Check the soft-serve ice cream machine for cleanliness. It can be a risky indulgence if the machines aren’t cleaned properly, or someone has contaminated the nozzle. One cruiser commented, “The machine was a sticky mess, and I wasn’t sure how clean it was with the kids grabbing at the nozzle.
However, there may be another reason to avoid it. A traveler said, “It’s not real ice cream, it’s just a mix of icy water and powder. It gives me an upset, gassy stomach.”
Buffet Burgers: Grease Trap Alert
Many cruisers complain that the burgers in the buffet are a greasy disaster. Unless they’re freshly fried, they lose their flavor and texture. A cruiser said, “I stay away from buffet burgers as they usually sit in a puddle of grease, completely unappetizing.”
The best way to enjoy a tasty burger onboard is to order them fresh at the grill station. Of course, if you’re on a Carnival Cruise ship, head to Guy’s Burger Joint for some of the best burgers at sea. Others also highly rate burgers on Norwegian Cruise Lines.
Buffet Hot Dogs: Hot Dog or Cold Flop?
Hot dogs are on many cruisers’ list of “things to avoid at a cruise buffet.” Like hamburgers, they lose their flavor and texture when out for too long. One cruiser joked, “Cruise ship hot dogs are infinitely better than college ones, but that’s not saying much.”
Want to enjoy hot dogs onboard that rival Five Guys or Sonic Drive-In? Head to the grill for a hot and juicy hot dog cooked to order.
Buffet Fries: Crispy Dreams Turn Into a Soggy Reality
Buffet fries can be a hit or a miss, depending on the cruise line. But if they’ve been sitting under heat lamps for too long, they’ll be soggy and tasteless. As a cruiser told me, “Fries need to be fresh—buffet fries are usually a letdown.”
The story is different if you’re on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. My friend told me that the fries at Windjammer are always hot and fresh because the chef is preparing them behind the counter. And it’s the same for burgers.
Mayonnaise-Based Salads: Salad? More Like Spoil-age!
Be extra wary of any dish with mayonnaise, as it goes off quickly if it’s old or too warm. Avoid slaw, potato salad, and other cold dishes with mayo to be safe. One cruiser said, “I tried the coleslaw. But it must have been sitting out for hours as it tasted fizzy. I didn’t risk it.”
A cruise passenger advises, “Mayo-based anything at the buffet is a no-go for me, especially in warm weather. It’s too easy for it to spoil.”
Spicy Foods and Beans: Spice It Up? More Like Settle Down
Cruise ship dining is all about trying new foods and cuisines. But if you’re not used to spicy food, you might want to take it easy. A fellow passenger shared, “I got some spicy Asian food without knowing what it was, and I felt like my mouth was on fire. But it didn’t stop there—I spent most of the next morning in the bathroom.”
Personally, I love Asian and Indian food, and they are my “go-to” dishes on every cruise. As for bean dishes, these can cause bloating and gas, which might make you uncomfortable during your trip, especially in a confined space like a cruise ship or in social settings.
Free Buffet Coffee: Caffeine Fix? More Like a Caffeine Flop
The free coffee in the buffet is OK if you’re not a coffee connoisseur. But you’ll be disappointed in the watered-down brown liquid if you love a good cup of coffee. I find regular cruise ship coffee is too weak and tastes burnt if it’s been on the hot plate too long.
The only way to get a good cup of coffee onboard is to invest in a drinks package that includes specialty coffees and teas.
Compromised Food: Touched and Tossed? Not Worth the Risk
Never take food you think is contaminated or compromised. Does it look like someone’s handled the food? Skip it. A cruiser told me how they were grossed out when they saw someone grab a roll, inspect it, and then toss it back.
Another passenger saw someone double-dip fries. I remember reading that double-dipping can transfer up to 10,000 bacteria in seconds. Gross.
Buffet Desserts: Sweet Tooth? Watch You Don’t Pile on the Pounds
The stunning array of cakes at the dessert station may look tempting, but they’re a calorie trap. Remember, the cakes and pastries add up quickly and you could return home with more than lovely memories. I’m talking about a bigger waistline and 10 pounds of weight.
Remember, dessert with cream can go off quickly and cause food poisoning. So, be careful if the whipped cream looks old.
By all means, indulge in some desserts. But remember, look for healthier options as well. A piece of fruit is excellent for quelling hunger pangs.
Skip the Risk, Enjoy These Safe Alternatives
Tired of playing buffet roulette on your cruise? Here are tried and tested insider tips to help you avoid the iffy dishes and enjoy only the best. These tips make sure every bite is a winner on board.
Seafood Choices: Stick with Freshly Cooked
Worried about seafood causing an unexpected mutiny in your stomach? Order it in the main dining room. The chefs cook all food to order, minimizing the risk of any foodborne illness. And if you cannot choose between the lobster and steak, the chef will happily prepare both entrees.
Cold Buffet Items: Ask for Fresh or Skip Altogether
Don’t let your salad sink your day! To avoid potential E. coli bugs from salads and deli meats, arrive at the buffet early when everything is fresh. One cruiser recommended, “I always get there right when the buffet opens for the freshest options.” Alternatively, you could wait for a fresh batch to arrive.
Breakfast Staples: Get Your Eggs and Bacon Fresh
Don’t want breakfast to be a shipwreck on your plate? Desperate for creamy scrambled eggs and crispy bacon? If so, head to the omelet station and grill. You’ll get your eggs and bacon cooked to perfection. One cruiser raved about their breakfast, “Getting eggs made to order was so much better than the unappetizing, watery fare in the steam trays.”
Desserts and Ice Cream: Opt for Staff-Served Options
Hoping for a sweet ending, not a sinking feeling? Cruise lines provide plenty of lighter options for desserts. Some cruisers recommend gelato or hand-scoop ice cream instead of self-serve soft ice cream, which can sometimes have contamination issues. Remember to stock up on fresh fruit to avoid sugar cravings.
Grilled Items: Head to the Grill for Freshness
Worried those burgers have been marooned under heat lamps for too long? Why settle for greasy burgers and limp hot dogs when you can feast on fresh, grilled-to-order food? One cruiser said, “The burgers from the grill station are not a patch on the buffet. They’re always hot and juicy.”
Must-Know Tricks for Smooth Sailing and Smart Food Choices
Dining on a cruise doesn’t have to be a gamble. With a few smart moves, you can enjoy the food onboard without worrying about safety or getting sick. You can elevate the culinary experience by asking the right questions and choosing fresh foods.
Here are a few tips I’ve picked up along the way.
Ask the Staff About Food Preparation
Curious how long something’s been sitting out or how it was prepared? Just ask. One fellow passenger told me, “The staff was always helpful when I asked if the food was fresh.” If you’re unsure about a dish, you can also ask when the next batch will be ready. This way, you get freshly made meals, making your dining experience safer and more enjoyable.
Opt for Cooked-to-Order Items
Let’s face it: freshness always trumps food that’s been sitting out for hours. Whether it’s breakfast or lunch, choosing dishes prepared to order ensures better flavor and quality. You can also try other free dining venues on the cruise ship.
Choose the Main Dining Room for Better Quality
The best free food on a cruise ship is always the main dining room. You’ll hear it from every cruiser, “The food in the dining room is always top-notch, and you cannot compare it to the buffet.” Meals are prepared fresh, and the variety ensures you can still indulge without relying on the buffet’s uncertainty.
Food Allergies or Dietary Restrictions? Let the Crew Know for a Worry-Free Meal
Most cruise lines clearly label buffet items if they are gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan. Additionally, you’ll find a list of allergy-friendly options in the main dining room and buffet.
However, if you’re unsure, just ask. One cruiser shared, “I mentioned my gluten intolerance and the staff was so accommodating.” If you ask the day before, some cruise lines will prepare a gluten-free version of a standard meal.
Also, if you inform the cruise line in advance before sailing, they can prepare special meals. For example, Royal Caribbean will make lactose-free/soy milk available or prepare kosher meals at no extra charge. Vegan menus are available in the Main Dining Room.
“When in Doubt, Leave It Out” – Final Thoughts
Your cruise should be smooth sailing and not feel like a storm is brewing in your stomach. Steering clear of sketchy food or buffet items that taste “funny” is the best way to enjoy an indulgent culinary experience. Don’t forget, there are many fresh, safe options at the various food stations in the buffet. Trust your gut, skip the gamble, and enjoy your dream cruise without running aground in the bathroom.
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