Cruise Talk: Demise of Midnight Buffets?

Cruise Talk

Cruise News

Welcome to Cruise Talk the Internet's most popular discussion forum dedicated to cruising. Stop by Cruise Talk anytime to post a message or find out what your fellow passengers and industry insiders are saying about a particular ship, cruise line or destination.

>>> Reader Reviews
>>> CruisePage.com Photo Gallery
>>> Join Our Cruise Club.

Latest News...Norwegian Cruise Line today unveiled and opened for sale the next evolution of its Prima Plus Class, the all-new Norwegian Luna.2026 through November 2026. Norwegian Luna will kick off its inaugural Caribbean season with two western itineraries to Roatan Island, Honduras; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; and Harvest Caye, Belize, the Brand's resort-style destination...

Latest News...Grupo Vidanta is thrilled to announce the launch of VidantaWorld's ELEGANT Ultra Mega Yacht, a groundbreaking addition to the world of luxury cruising. This one-of-a-kind mega yacht redefines cruising, combining the exclusivity of a private yacht with the opulence of a luxury liner, setting a new benchmark for high-end experiences. Sailing this year, this adults-only experience....

Latest News...Princess Cruises announced this week that it has added a second Total Solar Eclipse cruise option, this one aboard its newest and most stunning ship – Sun Princess, when the next spectacle takes place in August 2026.The cruise company re-worked the itinerary of the Sun Princess voyage departing Barcelona on August 8, 2026 to position...

More Cruise News...

my profile | register | search | faq | forum home

»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Lines » Demise of Midnight Buffets?

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

Author

Topic: Demise of Midnight Buffets?

asoowal
First Class Passenger
Member # 485

posted 02-15-1999 10:30 PM

After my most recent cruise which was on the Elation, and reading the Princess brochure with their 24/7 menu restaurant, and the other lines boasting 24 hour restaurants, it seems to me that we are seeing the demise of the Midnight Buffet as we knew it. Comparing different lines between different years is difficult at best ubless you can compare the same lines. This I can do with both NCL and Carnival. What was offered 5 years ago on an average Midnight Buffet is not the same as today. Much less effort is being put into this late night repast. And less effort translates to much less money. I can go so far as to say that Carnival's offering at midnight is barely passable, and I am a FAN of Carnival. There is still a great deal of hoopla surrounding the GALA Buffet, which I find to be similar to those of old. I just think that we are seeing the beginning of a change in cruising.

Posts: 68 | From: Plymouth Meeting, PA, USA | Registered: Feb 99

jbrob
First Class Passenger
Member # 609

posted 02-16-1999 06:36 AM

Just finished a New Zealand/Australia cruise on Sky Princess and they, too, did not have much of a Midnight Buffet. One night of a 14 day cruise they did have an old-fashioned Midnight Buffet and invited everyone to at least bring their cameras. However, there were not many people eating at the Buffet. Maybe the cruising public is choosing not to participate at the midnight buffets?

Posts: 39 | From: Rome, GA, USA | Registered: Feb 99

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 02-16-1999 03:49 PM

Sorry to be a spoil sport, but if you have a good evening meal at 6.00 or 8.00pm on board a ship, how can you eat again at 12.00???

Malcolm

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago!

Mary
First Class Passenger
Member # 316

posted 02-17-1999 10:06 AM

It's interesting you should mention this. We cruised on the Monarch of the Seas (RCI) 3 years ago and were very impressed with the midnight buffet. One year later we sailed on her sister ship Majesty of the Seas and were disappointed at what we saw. We were taking my parents on a 50th anniversay cruise and had talked up the buffet as something not to be missed. We weren't sure if it was industry-wide, RCI new policy or just the Majesty.

Posts: 35 | Registered: Jan 99

anna
First Class Passenger
Member # 480

posted 02-20-1999 12:33 AM

With so much food available constantly on cruises, I find the midnight buffet to be redundant. My husband & I took the late seating and couldn't even think of eating a morsel a few hours later. Evidently, many other passengers feel the same way.

Posts: 11 | From: PA,USA | Registered: Jan 99

Joe at PwC
First Class Passenger
Member # 225

posted 02-21-1999 08:53 PM

While it was interesting from the presentation standpoint, eating at a big buffet at midnight is hardly a smart thing to do to one's digestive tract. Imagine not being able to get any rest for at least an hour afterwards, because sleeping at that point is ill-advised.

Posts: 385 | Registered: A Long Time Ago!

Coast
Just Boarded
Member # 88

posted 02-24-1999 07:46 PM

My husband and I cruised on the Majesty of The Seas in September of 1998, and we were very pleased with the midnight buffet. Two of the nights were more impressive than the others. One night was a Chinese midnight buffet, and the other was filled with ice sculptures, and interesting food carvings, etc. We even used up a roll of film taking pictures of the midnight buffet. I could not imagine it being any better before. There was always plenty of delicious food, and it was always aranged beautifully. Overall, I believe that the midnight buffet on Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas was excellent in appearance, quality, and taste.

Posts: 7 | From: Muscle Shoals, AL 35661 | Registered: Feb 99

scotto
First Class Passenger
Member # 766

posted 03-12-1999 09:33 PM

I also think we're seeing the demise of the midnight buffet. my last cruise was on the carnival destiny, and the midnight buffet was skimpier than in the past - the past being the early 90s and 1980s on Carnival. In addition, all of the Destiny buffets, including the grand gala buffet, were up in the lido deck casual dining area. The casual dining area was nice, and the food was acceptable, but the food sure wasn't as extensive or the setting as elegant as midnight buffets of five to 10 years ago in the main dining rooms. The midnight buffet on the Destiny was one of my very few quibbles with the Destiny, which overall I thought was terrific.
i'll be on the Paradise soon, and i'm eager to see how the midnight buffet is staged, whether or not I eat a lot.

Posts: 28 | From: florida | Registered: Mar 99

asoowal
First Class Passenger
Member # 485

posted 03-14-1999 01:26 PM

You will also find it in the Lido Buffet line except the gala which wil be in both dining rooms, the forward one for phots only until 1am.

I think that Carnival here is leading the pack so to speak. With the advent of the casual dining and 24 hr food servoce like the pizzaria(GREAT!) the midnight buffet is changing and disappearing. I also think that the casual alternative is the forerunner to Al A Carte' dining on cruises where the main dining rooms will become an option,

Posts: 68 | From: Plymouth Meeting, PA, USA | Registered: Feb 99

Lynn
Just Boarded
Member # 290

posted 03-26-1999 06:56 PM

Yes, cruise lines are changing the traditional midnight buffet, mostly because of the waste of labor and food (which equals $$) because most people will browse through but are usually still too full from dinner to eat lavishly again. We saw something different this past fall when we sailed on the Crown Princess. They had a midnight buffet perhaps 2-3 nights out of about 12, and the remainder of nights the staff passed hors d'ouevres in various places throughout the ship at midnight--usually the disco, casino, bars, etc. It was a nice change where you could just grab a little snack if you wanted to partake.

Posts: 3 | From: Uniontown, PA, 15401 | Registered: Mar 99

All times are ET (US)

Ultimate Bulletin Board^TM 6.1.0.3

VACATION & CRUISE SPECIALS

Check out these great deals from CruisePage.com

Royal Caribbean - Bahamas Getaway from $129 per person

Description: Experience the beautiful ports of Nassau and Royal Caribbean's private island - CocoCay on a 3-night Weekend Getaway to the Bahamas. Absorb everything island life has to offer as you snorkel with the stingrays, parasail above the serene blue waters and walk the endless white sand beaches. From Miami.

Carnival - 4-Day Bahamas from $229 per person

Description: Enjoy a wonderful 3 Day cruise to the fun-loving playground of Nassau, Bahamas. Discover Nassau, the capital city as well as the cultural, commercial and financial heart of the Bahamas. Meet the Atlantic Southern Stingrays, the guardians of Blackbeard's treasure.

NCL - Bermuda - 7 Day from $499 per person

Description: What a charming little chain of islands. Walk on pink sand beaches. Swim and snorkel in turquoise seas. Take in the historical sights. They're stoically British and very quaint. Or explore the coral reefs. You can get to them by boat or propelled by fins. You pick. Freestyle Cruising doesn't tell you where to go or what to do. Sure, you can plan ahead, or decide once onboard. After all, it's your vacation. There are no deadlines or must do's.

Holland America - Eastern Caribbean from From $599 per person

Description: White sand, black sand, talcum soft or shell strewn, the beaches of the Eastern Caribbean invite you to swim, snorkel or simply relax. For shoppers, there's duty-free St. Thomas, the Straw Market in Nassau, French perfume and Dutch chocolates on St. Maarten. For history buffs, the fascinating fusion of Caribbean, Latin and European cultures. For everyone, a day spent on HAL's award winning private island Half Moon Cay.

Celebrity - 7-Night Western Mediterranean from $549 per person

Description: For centuries people have traveled to Europe to see magnificent ruins, art treasures and natural wonders. And the best way to do so is by cruise ship. Think of it - you pack and unpack only once. No wasted time searching for hotels and negotiating train stations. Instead, you arrive at romantic ports of call relaxed, refreshed and ready to take on the world.

Holland America - Alaska from From $499 per person

Description: Sail between Vancouver and Seward, departing Sundays on the ms Statendam or ms Volendam and enjoy towering mountains, actively calving glaciers and pristine wildlife habitat. Glacier Bay and College Fjord offer two completely different glacier-viewing experiences.

More Vacation & Cruise Specials...