Beach Blanket Buffet vs Cabanas/Wonder Cruise

[xiphoid76]

Hi there,
We are taking our first trip on the Wonder next month and noticed that there is no Cabanas - instead the buffet is called Beach Blanket Buffet. We were just wondering if there is a difference between the two? Thanks for any thoughts offered from those who have been on the Wonder - can't wait to experience a new ship (have been on the Dream before) and its restaurants and lounges.

 

[dcassetta]

BBB is more a traditional buffet style where you pass down a long row selecting the foods you like, unlike the Dream which has different stations. There will still be lots of options, but moving around the buffet is not as convenient.

 

[RedSox68]

We actually liked the old "cafeteria style" set up from the classic ships as opposed to Cabanas. Many ships we've been on have several sections, but counters that you go down to obtain the food in a line. NCL had a similar set up with "islands" and we found it frustrating because there is no order -- people come from all sides and tend to just cut in to grab what they want. My daughter got stepped on several times just trying to get the food she had gone to the station for. While the straight line style was frustrating to some because it was harder to go back up for one item, we found it less intrusive and more organized.

 

[hanscarlet]

We didn't like it after experiencing Cabanas, so glad to have cabanas on the Magic this time around... blankets is you wait in line the entire duration of the buffet like traditional buffets and Cabanas are stations so you can just go get what you want without being concerned about offending others for "cutting in line".... We did Parrot Cay on the first day for lunch and it was still a traditional buffet but at least a lot less hectic that Blanket

 

[CamColt]

We actually liked the old "cafeteria style" set up from the classic ships as opposed to Cabanas. Many ships we've been on have several sections, but counters that you go down to obtain the food in a line. NCL had a similar set up with "islands" and we found it frustrating because there is no order -- people come from all sides and tend to just cut in to grab what they want. My daughter got stepped on several times just trying to get the food she had gone to the station for. While the straight line style was frustrating to some because it was harder to go back up for one item, we found it less intrusive and more organized.

I agree! I feel Cabanas is chaotic and stressful. I would rather take that extra few minutes to wait in line and not feel so stressed, but I seem to be in the minority on that.

 

[RedSox68]

I agree! I feel Cabanas is chaotic and stressful. I would rather take that extra few minutes to wait in line and not feel so stressed, but I seem to be in the minority on that.

Yes, I think we are. I also liked being greeted by the cast member at the beginning and their handing the plate and silverware over. It was just a nice way to enter -- plus they always had ice sculptures or fruit carvings by the entrance! Like I said, we first encountered that style of buffet on NCL in Hawaii and really didn't like it then. We were disappointed when we read that Disney was introducing that style on the new ships -- and then eventually on the old.

 

[dcassetta]

I prefer the BBB style also, but I wonder if the Cabana style is more efficient.