Hey there, sea lovers! It’s Shelly 🐢🛳️ and I love a good buffet almost as much as I love the ocean. Ship germs? Not on my watch! Here are my cruise buffet rules for staying healthy on board.
Watch the video
Prefer to watch? Here’s the short video on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=JaGPuioQPgg.
Rule 1: Wash your hands with soap and water
Wash those hands, or in my case, fins! Soap and water is best, so use the sink, not just sanitizer.
Rule 2: Grab from the back
The front pieces have been touched, breathed on, and sometimes dropped and put right back. I’ve seen little hands grab the cookies and touch everything! The back is fresher, so reach past the front row.
Rule 3: Use the tongs, not your hands
Use the tongs, not your fins. Fins are for swimming, not scooping!
Rule 4: Grab a fresh plate every trip
Grab a fresh plate every trip, and no taste-testing in line.
Rule 5: Use a fresh cup at the drink station
Same goes for cups: grab a fresh one at the drink station, because refilling a used cup can splash germs right onto the nozzle.
The insider tip most cruisers miss
If the salt and pepper vanish from the tables and the crew starts serving you, the ship is often in extra-clean mode. A stomach bug like norovirus might be going around. So wash up and let the crew serve you!
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The buffet is usually open for lunch as soon as you board, so these cruise buffet rules come in handy from the first hour. For more boarding-day details, see Cruise Embarkation Day Tips: What’s Open When You First Board the Ship. Wondering what’s included at the buffet versus what costs extra? Read Cruise Specialty Dining Cost.
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FAQ
What’s the first cruise buffet rule?
Wash your hands. Soap and water is best, so use the sink, not just sanitizer.
Why should I grab food from the back of the tray?
The front pieces have been touched, breathed on, and sometimes dropped and put right back. The back is fresher.
What does it mean if the salt and pepper vanish from the tables?
If the shakers disappear and the crew starts serving you, the ship is often in extra-clean mode. A stomach bug like norovirus might be going around, so wash up and let the crew serve you.
What’s your top buffet rule? Tell Shelly in the YouTube comments on the video! 🐢🛳️
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Buffet practices and health procedures vary by cruise line and ship. Follow the crew’s instructions and your ship’s current guidance.
