Clarifying dinner options...

[lmhall2000]

I read that there is no buffet option for dinner on ships now? Cabanas always had a great dinner buffet- but we sailed 10+ years ago.
This time, we will have a 2 year old granddaughter who may not do well with long dinners.
Are the quick serve (pizza/bbq/not very healthy) options or room service our only alternatives if we skip main dining for dinner? Thanks for any tips!

 

[jwalk03]

There is no buffet at dinner (and hasn’t been in a very long time). Even when we sailed back in 2014 Cabanas was a sit down dinner not a buffet.

so MDR, Room Service, or early dinner on the pool deck. Most of the pool deck venues close by ~6, except Pizza is typically open late.

You can ask your servers for a faster dinner and they will do their best to expedite.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I read that there is no buffet option for dinner on ships now? Cabanas always had a great dinner buffet- but we sailed 10+ years ago.
This time, we will have a 2 year old granddaughter who may not do well with long dinners.
Are the quick serve (pizza/bbq/not very healthy) options or room service our only alternatives if we skip main dining for dinner? Thanks for any tips!

Cabanas wasn't actually a buffet for dinner. They had sit down table service with a salad bar option. It was used for training new servers, and they only used 1/2 the space for it.

Yes, the poolside quick serve and room service would be you only options. Of course, you could pick up something at lunch (from Cabanas) and keep it in your room fridge to eat for dinner.

 

[lmhall2000]

Well- when we sailed first Mediterranean cruise (and Pacific Coast cruise) it offered buffet dinner and it was fully opened. We would be jealous of our son and his friend who had better offerings- but that is why they chose it- bc they could eat whatever they wanted. This was 2005-10.

 

[stkgator]

There is no buffet at dinner (and hasn’t been in a very long time). Even when we sailed back in 2014 Cabanas was a sit down dinner not a buffet.

so MDR, Room Service, or early dinner on the pool deck. Most of the pool deck venues close by ~6, except Pizza is typically open late.

You can ask your servers for a faster dinner and they will do their best to expedite.

Agree.

If you want quick service in the MDR, simply let your service team know. They typically take your order right away and get everything moving swiftly. To speed things up even more, be ready to order immediately—this minimizes wait time while also considering the team’s workload as they greet and take drink orders for multiple guests arriving simultaneously.

I've seen tables complete their dinner service in under 30 minutes! On a recent transatlantic cruise, a couple near us managed to enjoy a full meal with a bottle of wine in less than 20 minutes—every single night for 13 nights straight!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

This was 2005-10.

2008, our first cruise (Panama Canal). Cabanas was sit down, table service with a menu of selected items from the other dining room's menus, and a salad bar. It was used for training new servers.

Only time I've seen a buffet for dinner in Cabanas was a couple of nights on our Mediterranean cruise in 2010, on nights that there was a late departure time. And, of course, the Pirate Night buffet.

 

[lmhall2000]

Oooh!! Dinner in under 30 minutes??? That is outstanding!!! Thanks for the tip on gently asking for a speedy dining experience- we have 7 in our party- so we should likely be at one table.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Oooh!! Dinner in under 30 minutes??? That is outstanding!!! Thanks for the tip on gently asking for a speedy dining experience- we have 7 in our party- so we should likely be at one table.

I'll also point out, I don't know your granddaughter, but some dinner seatings have a little show they do during the meal. Perhaps that will help keep amused if there are delays.