1st time cruiser or families with children

[bbn1122]

I always think about this when I board the ship and head to the buffet lunch. Cabana’s or Marcelina’s are both station buffets, meaning you don’t line up with a tray. There are no trays.

Embankment lunch will be busy. Find a table first. Then browse the offerings and locate drink station etc. I usually get my beverage and leave it at the table with a a few items to kind of reserve my table when I get my food ( I do this if I am by myself).
I no longer have little ones, so DH and I will take turns on embarkment getting food, since we usually have some bags etc.

I see so many times families struggling plates, drinks, luggage and little ones looking for a place to sit!!! Relax you are on vacation.
As mentioned, first find a table and get everyone settled. Maybe grab drinks and something to munch on, fries or fruit etc. Next, take turns either getting food for kids and you or take one child at a time around and let them do the choosing!!

Take your time and enjoy yourselves. Also, remember sample the offerings. See what you like and go back for more. You do not have to load one plate with 15 different things. Unless that’s what you enjoy.
I am more 3 or 4 items, just a bite or two, unless it’s something I know I really enjoy from past cruises.

This advice is for breakfast and lunch at the Cabanas and Marceline. Savor the offerings, slow down and enjoy the view.

Happy cruising!

 

[Debonna]

Great tips and advice. Will remember this for our first cruise coming up in April. Thanks for sharing!

 

[LordVader]

Our first cruise is coming in a few weeks. I've read that it's easier sometimes to just do breakfast at one of the MDRs?

 

[Calantha]

Our first cruise is coming in a few weeks. I've read that it's easier sometimes to just do breakfast at one of the MDRs?

The same MDR is open for breakfast everyday (except the last when they are all open). Same menu every day.

Benefits: waiter brings everything to you and it is relaxing. Some things are not available at Cabanas/Market, e.g., Turkey sausage, which is the only kind we eat.

This was good for us when we had a sea day and we didn’t want to deal with maneuvering a small child.

cons: can take a long time and not as many options

On our last cruise (minus last day), I think we did 2 sit down breakfasts and the rest at Cabanas - at least 3 days we had to be off the ship ASAP.

Also, Buffet is usually open earlier and we are early morning people!!

 

[LordVader]

The same MDR is open for breakfast everyday (except the last when they are all open). Same menu every day.

Benefits: waiter brings everything to you and it is relaxing. Some things are not available at Cabanas/Market, e.g., Turkey sausage, which is the only kind we eat.

This was good for us when we had a sea day and we didn’t want to deal with maneuvering a small child.

cons: can take a long time and not as many options

On our last cruise (minus last day), I think we did 2 sit down breakfasts and the rest at Cabanas - at least 3 days we had to be off the ship ASAP.

Also, Buffet is usually open earlier and we are early morning people!!

Good to know! We're doing the Wish 4 days so maybe we'll do at least one day MDR and the others at Marceline Market! My kids are absolutely not early risers lol. They sleep till around 830-9am on most days.

 

[bbn1122]

This advice is for anytime you use the buffet. It’s so much easier to find a table, settled everyone into their seats and then figure out what everyone wants to eat.

The seat down is nice, but Cabanas and Marceline’s have so much more variety plus the views from those restaurants are fabulous. You can choose to sit outside too.

20 days to my next cruise!!!

 

[LordVader]

This advice is for anytime you use the buffet. It’s so much easier to find a table, settled everyone into their seats and then figure out what everyone wants to eat.

The seat down is nice, but Cabanas and Marceline’s have so much more variety plus the views from those restaurants are fabulous. You can choose to sit outside too.

20 days to my next cruise!!!

Definitely good advice! That's probably what we'll end up doing, with me securing a table and my wife and girls getting breakfast and then me getting what I want.

Have a great cruise!! Ours is in 28 days!

 

[bbn1122]

Definitely good advice! That's probably what we'll end up doing, with me securing a table and my wife and girls getting breakfast and then me getting what I want.

Have a great cruise!! Ours is in 28 days!

Have a wonderful cruise.

Depending on when you hit Cabanas or Marcelines it can be real tough to find a table.
But with out food in your hands, the search is easier.
CM members can help you with finding a spot too.

 

[Disturbia]

At Cabanas remember to put something like a bag at your table to show you are sitting there. There was this perfect table by the full length glass windows with a view of St. Thomas. All the dad left on the table was a number (for an Omelette order?). He left to grab something and came back to another person starting to seat his family. They argued pretty loud and the person sitting argued that no one was there so it’s not reserved. He said there was no person or belongings and a number isn’t enough. The dad picked up his number and left (rest of his family showed up while he was leaving). It was hard to know if it was just a table that needs cleaning or someone was actually sitting there.

We usually have half the family sit while the other half gets something to eat, but we have a 3 year old. You can ask one of the CMs for help if you’re alone with kids because it can get crowded.

I’m the parent who loads up. I don’t usually get up often because I end up monitoring our little one. I go up maybe 3 times (food, drinks and dessert).

 

[Flip flops in winter]

Also, if you are sailing on the Wish with kids, Marceline market has the kid buffet much lower to the ground for them. Such a great idea for kids to be able to get their own plates and sauces and carry it themselves. Plus they know that's "their" dedicated food. Nice upgrade from the other ships for the littles.

 

[Dug720]

Also, if you are sailing on the Wish with kids, Marceline market has the kid buffet much lower to the ground for them. Such a great idea for kids to be able to get their own plates and sauces and carry it themselves. Plus they know that's "their" dedicated food. Nice upgrade from the other ships for the littles.

And I can see a bonus for adults in that they know to avoid it because of all the little fingers that have been rummaging around in it.

 

[Calantha]

And I can see a bonus for adults in that they know to avoid it because of all the little fingers that have been rummaging around in it.

You don't serve yourself in most of Marceline (except picking up salad bowls, etc).

 

[Dug720]

You don't serve yourself in most of Marceline (except picking up salad bowls, etc).

Great. A cafeteria.