Cruise Talk: What is a Busboy

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 celebrated the official christening of the all-new Norwegian Aqua in Miami and unveiled its plans to reimagine Great Stirrup Cay, NCL's idyllic private island in the Bahamas, with new experiences debuting in the fourth quarter of 2025, including an expansive pool area with a dedicated bar and kids splash zone and so much MORE. With a history of delivering guests ...

Latest News...MSC Cruises officially named its highly-anticipated new flagship, MSC World America, in a dazzling ceremony on April 9 at the line's new state-of-the-art MSC Miami Cruise Terminal, the largest cruise terminal in the world. MSC World America's Godmother, Drew Barrymore officially named the ship at the glamorous event with the maritime tradition of cutting a ribbon and triggering the breaking of a champagne...

Latest News...Seabourn, the leader in ultra-luxury cruising and expedition travel, celebrated the maiden arrival of Seabourn Encore to the continental United States on April 9, 2025, marking a major milestone as the ship docked for the first time in Long Beach, Calif. The visit offers a rare opportunity for guests and local travel advisor partners to see the award-winning ship up close..

More Cruise News...

my profile | register | search | faq | forum home

»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Lines » What is a Busboy

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

Author

Topic: What is a Busboy

Terry
First Class Passenger
Member # 448

posted 04-26-2000 01:14 PM

I have noticed that several posts refer to the Busboy, particularly on US market vessels. I know cruise ships are getting bigger, but surely they don't have a bus service yet!

Posts: 391 | From: Brandon, Norfolk, UK | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Carolina
First Class Passenger
Member # 1233

posted 04-26-2000 01:38 PM

A busboy is someone who clears tables. Perhaps it's a North American term?

Posts: 15 | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

Ascendancy
First Class Passenger
Member # 840

posted 04-26-2000 02:33 PM

You're right. It's a North American term yes. But this is special under-aged bus driver who transports Europeans to and from the peer to the airport.

Posts: 354 | From: Aurora, CO | Registered: Oct 1999 | IP: Logged

NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 04-26-2000 03:02 PM

Terry....

Think of a bus-boy as an assistant to the
dining room waiter/steward. He helps by
taking away used plates,silver, refilling
water glasses, replenishing drinks, runs
to the kitchen, etc. They are invaluable
and very much missed on ships that do not
have them by allowing the waiters to do
a better job looking after diners.

Posts: 2243 | From: Watsontown, PA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

DianaD
First Class Passenger
Member # 1010

posted 04-26-2000 07:28 PM

In Europe a busboy would be a comi waiter.

Posts: 308 | From: Whitby, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

Gary T
First Class Passenger
Member # 1053

posted 04-26-2000 09:51 PM

Most are called asst. waiters and they do a lot more than a bus boy in a restaurant. They make the dining experience better, keeping the table clear, the water and soda glasses filled, pouring the ketchup and the salad dressing.

Posts: 12 | From: Beverly, MA | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 04-26-2000 10:13 PM

DianaD - "In Europe a busboy would be a comi waiter."
I'm a Brit - never heard that title before - 'assistant/junior waiter' would me my term.
My husband,European, is unfamiliar with it.
What is it an abreviation for.

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

MagnmPI
First Class Passenger
Member # 299

posted 04-27-2000 03:21 PM

Yeah here in the States we have "busboys". They make sure there is plenty of ice in my soft drink at a restaurant, unlike the UK where three cubes in a drink causes a soccer riot. Hehehehe

just joking

Posts: 545 | From: San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Terry
First Class Passenger
Member # 448

posted 04-29-2000 09:07 AM

Thanks, everyone, for the information. Does anyone know were the term comes from and how it originated?

Terry

Posts: 391 | From: Brandon, Norfolk, UK | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

DianaD
First Class Passenger
Member # 1010

posted 04-29-2000 09:11 PM

Comi is short for commisary, the person who runs in and out of the kitchen. You would definitely find the assistant waiter referred as such in Hotels such as the Ritz and Savoy and many exclusive restaurants. I by the way am also British and so is my husband and still spend quite a bit of time there.

Posts: 308 | From: Whitby, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

Barryboat
First Class Passenger
Member # 33

posted 05-01-2000 10:15 PM

"Bus" comes from busing the tables, or clearing the tables for the next customer. "Boy" comes from boy or the kid that does the busing of the tables. Hence the word "Busboy". It sure is a pleasure to have a real good Busboy! A Busboy usually aspires to be a waiter. A waiter usually aspires to be a head waiter. A Headwaiter usually aspires to be a Matre'd.

Posts: 1851 | From: Bloomington, Minnesota (Home to the Mall of America) | Registered: Mar 99 | IP: Logged

Terry
First Class Passenger
Member # 448

posted 05-02-2000 06:36 AM

Thanks Barry.

Terry

Posts: 391 | From: Brandon, Norfolk, UK | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

hooked on cruising
First Class Passenger
Member # 1221

posted 05-15-2000 03:33 PM

Hi Terry Our busboys name was Franklin and he was wonderful. He spoilt us rotten, altough I think he fancied our daughter.He made her a paper rose out of a napkin, cute. We joked with him about breaking all the girls hearts,we saw many young girls with paper roses at the end of our cruise. He was 25 but looked like 17. I figured the busboy did more work than the waiter,so we tipped him better.

Posts: 243 | From: London,Ontario,Canada | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

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...