Do you ever eat dinner at any of the buffets?

[jporter]

My family and I have the early dinner seating which I peersonally
wouldn't prefer but thought it best for children. If we are having a
great time doing something else and don't want to stop and shower
for an early dinner is there a good dinner buffet? Truthfully, some
of the dining room food does not sound that great in some of these
reports, I would hate to stop having fun for a mediocre dinner when
we might be just as happy with a burger by the pool!

 

[TnRobin]

While we really do enjoy the dinners in the dining rooms, on our last cruise we did opt for a dinner on deck. We had spent a long day at Grand Caymen and just wanted to relax for the evening. It was very nice and quiet. Our son got extra swim time in a non-crowded pool and my DH and I enjoyed the sunset.

 

[Señor Ferrari]

On the 7-night cruises, the buffet is open for "casual dining." I don't know if they're doing this on the 3- and 4-nighters yet.

Anyway, with casual dining at the buffet, you can do better than a burger by the pool (although that is also a viable option). They usually have a limited version of the dining room menu for that evening. It's not a buffet in the traditional sense. A waiter actually takes your order for an appetizer and entrée, and after you're done eating, you choose a dessert from the buffet.

I like this as a dining option, because you don't have to change for it, and you can come any time during the evening, so you aren't constrained by the early/late dining times.

You can also grab some pizza on deck, or order room service, so you do have other options.

 

[rae519]

During one of our Magic cruises - our table mates came from their excursion late and ate at Topsider's Buffet. They said the food was just as good with a nice variety and the sunset made it very romanticl! I sort of know what they mean, dinner on the verandah at sunset is......AHHHH!

Rae

 

[jporter]

Thank you for your information. Most of the time when we are
on vacation we hate to be on a schedule! J.

 

[mcnuss]

We ate at the Topsiders buffet on Cozumel night when I returned late from a whirlwind shopping trip that lasted a little longer than I had planned....

It was really lovely - the lighting was low, the servers attentive, and the food was the same as in the dining rooms. The only thing buffet like about it was that you picked your appetizer from the buffet, everything else was brought by the servers.

As for the food in the dining rooms, I urge you to wait and see for yourself. I travel extensively and eat in way too many restaurants, and I was favorably impressed by the food. Anytime any "restaurant" prepares something like 2500 meals in an evening, you'll lose the personal touch, but really, it is very, very good. Take your servers recommendations and you won't go wrong. They know what's good!