The six stages of cruise ship eating
Ah the cruise ship buffet. Faced with all that food, available all the time, many people tend to go a little… crazy. So how can you identify the early signs of waterborne gluttony and then practice some mindful restraint? Read on.
Easy does it
Do you launch yourself at the first buffet station you see, piling the plate high with whatever is within arm’s reach? Step back and take a deep breath. There’s plenty of food to go around, so you can do a lap around the buffet to decide what you feel like before you dive in.
Leave room for seconds
Some cruisers look like they are trying to balance one of everything on the buffet onto a single plate. It’s impressive both for sheer volume and for the (frankly unappetising) variety of foods all jostled together. Remember – you can make as many trips to the buffet as you’d like, so there’s no need to grab everything in one go. Eating your meal in a series of courses will give you a better idea of when you’re full and also cut down on wastage.
Take a seat
It’s not uncommon to see people walking around the ship clutching plates piled high with buffet goodies. Ask yourself – do you really need to be eating a bunch of cheeseburgers as you walk up to the pool deck? Probably not. There’s nothing wrong with grabbing an ice cream or biscuit on the go, but it’s a better idea to sit down in the dining room to eat your meals. It prevents you from mindlessly gorging on the go and it’s also a lot neater for the crew.
Plan your day
Many days onboard (especially sea days) seem to revolve entirely around eating. Get involved in some of the other activities to avoid spending the day snacking. You might even burn off a few of those extra calories you’ve been putting away.
Check out the other options
The buffet is easily the most famous onboard option, but most large ships will have up to a dozen other restaurants onboard. Venture away from the shiny lights and endless rows of desserts and try some of the other dining venues. The main dining room will serve a multi course a la carte menu that changes every night, and it’s included in your fare. For just a few dollars extra you can dine in a specialty restaurant serving Italian, Japanese, seafood or prime steak.
Get your hands dirty
Many ships now give you the option to work for your meal. Passengers can participate in a cooking class led by one of the chefs, before sitting down to enjoy a meal they’ve prepared themselves. On shore days, they can visit local markets or producers with an onboard chef to learn about the provenance of their food. There’s a lot more to the cruise dining experience than just the eating.
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