Cruise enthusiasts have shared their insights on “buffet hacks” to enhance their dining experience, along with foods to steer clear of on cruises.
Amidst rising living costs, many have opted to leave traditional life behind and embark on a cruise. While the idea of constant sunshine, sightseeing, and meals prepared by others is appealing to some, there are warnings about the buffet section on these cruises.
A Reddit user posted on the r/Cruise thread, seeking “buffet hacks” and general “dining and drinking tips” from fellow cruisers.
It wasn’t long before users shared their opinions, with one person specifically mentioning bacon.
“Leave the barely cooked nasty bacon on the line, ask for the crispy cooked bacon and they usually have a bucket of it behind the counter,” they advised.
In a separate discussion focused on bacon, another cruiser commented: “I have just accepted that it’s not great and neither is the peanut butter.”
“There are these bacon snobs that hold up the buffet line, digging out the crispiest pieces and leaving the sad ones for the waiting line behind them,” added another user.
The original poster also offered advice on another potentially “disgusting” food item.
They suggested: “If the scrambled eggs look disgusting on the line because they’re too wet/you don’t like powdered eggs, ask the omelet station to make ‘Dry’ Scrambled Eggs.”
This was supported by another Reddit user who advised: “Ask for your scrambled eggs at omelet station, they can add in cheese/tomato/ham etc into your scramble, plus the eggs are fresh not powdered.”
Another contributor added: “If you have the drink package on Princess, try an iced chocolate milk with cookie dough syrup, it is delicious and I’ve never been charged for it. (This is similar to the Chocolate Cookie Iced Chocolate at the international cafe but every time I order this it comes with coffee and I don’t want the coffee so I specify the drink this way).”
They also remarked: “Don’t be afraid to ask for your hotdog well-done or burnt even if that’s how you like your dogs, it is not that uncommon of a request.”
“Don’t get fries in the buffet if there is a grill open you can get freshly fried ones instead of heatlamp ones,” they continued.
However, one cruiser concluded: “My favorite trick is not going to the buffet at all – no crowds, no gross people coughing/sneezing/not washing their hands.”
Point taken.