Self-serve returning to Cabanas

[mmouse37]

I am confused as well why they still can't do the Sail Away party but they can get rid of all of the other social distancing. Do you think maybe they just need to get the performers trained on the full Sail Away and Pirate shows before they can announce them starting again? They are already doing limited deck parties with performers. So it can't be a matter of distancing the performers from the crowd.

That was one of the reasons we were told that the 3rd main stage show was not happening on our 5 night Miami cruise this past January....that the cast was not prepared for it.

MJ

 

[mmouse37]

I really hope so. I last cruised right before things started getting locked down, so I never experienced the COVID protocols in Cabanas. But from what I read on this board, food choices were relatively limited.

So, yeah, I am hoping this gives them the space and breathing room to reintroduce more variety back into the mix.

I did not find that....I've sailed twice since the restart and I thought the offerings in Cabanas was fine.

MJ

 

[SnowWhite2]

My only hope was that the ice cream machine would continue as CM operated. It was so clean on my last cruise that I had a cone every day. Or they could put one in the Cove area so little dirty fingers can't touch it!

 

[greensombrero]

I loved the you are served buffets with kids. Mine are old enough to tell a cast member what they want and carry their plate independently but I’m not real comfortable with them serving themselves without supervision. So self service is less attractive as a parent. However more variety would be nice. I’m not sure why Disney went the repeat the same thing over and over approach. We visited other buffets in the last two years that were we serve you that kept their variety and didn’t repeat stations. What I’m really hoping for are all the shows back. It is something really unique about Disney. Not repeating them all twice to keep theater capacity down hopefully means back to 3 Broadway style shows even on a 3 night cruise (my next one). I really enjoyed the experience sailing early during the restart. I didn’t feel slighted at all. I also like sailing precovid. I’m hoping this transition to almost normal is also great, I sail in a few weeks. The rule for the last couple years has been be flexible, be kind to the cast members, they generally don’t make the rules and if you look for magic you can usually find it.

 

[mab2012]

No, I think you are in the majority. But buffets have always been germ city. Our 2003 cruise they had staff serve at the buffet because or norovirus, so that was nothing new. But that costs money since they need extra staff to man the food stations.
I don't think everything will ever get completely back to pre-pandemic. Not sure how old you are but just look at how things have changed in airport security after the 1970s hijackings and then September 11th 2001 terrorist attacks. I worked airport security in 1975, no metal detectors, no bag inspection, everyone could go up to the gate and say goodbye to whomever was flying, and they just walked on their flight. My job mostly was pointing people to the bathrooms, and helping them recover items they had lost.

Not born yet in 1975, but old enough to remember the difference in airport security before and after 9/11.

I imagine there will be some lingering effects of COVID, most obviously that some people will probably choose to wear masks during "virus season", and those who already tended towards germaphobia probably became and will remain even more vigilant. Aside from that, I'm not sure much changes in the long term. We were at Disney a week ago, and aside from a few random oddities (like the plexiglass shields installed near the front of line queues, typically encountered after spending an hour or so in line, fully surrounded by other people), everything seemed pretty much back to normal, right down to "filling in all available space".

You're right about buffets, of course. It just doesn't especially bother me. Germs are everywhere; that's what our immune systems are for. I just had my first cold in several years, and it kind of kicked the crap out of me for a few days. Probably exactly because it's been so long since I've been exposed to anything. Not saying others have to feel the same way, but personally, I'm entirely comfortable with regular exposure to everyday germs.

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

honestly it’s disgusting people like this that make me wish it would stay served, I have absolutely no issue with asking the CM what to put on my plate and felt it was much more hygienic

While I agree that is gross, I still can't stand the CM serving since it always ends up too much or too little or something touching something I don't want it to...LOL.

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

Not born yet in 1975, but old enough to remember the difference in airport security before and after 9/11.

I imagine there will be some lingering effects of COVID, most obviously that some people will probably choose to wear masks during "virus season", and those who already tended towards germaphobia probably became and will remain even more vigilant. Aside from that, I'm not sure much changes in the long term. We were at Disney a week ago, and aside from a few random oddities (like the plexiglass shields installed near the front of line queues, typically encountered after spending an hour or so in line, fully surrounded by other people), everything seemed pretty much back to normal, right down to "filling in all available space".

You're right about buffets, of course. It just doesn't especially bother me. Germs are everywhere; that's what our immune systems are for. I just had my first cold in several years, and it kind of kicked the crap out of me for a few days. Probably exactly because it's been so long since I've been exposed to anything. Not saying others have to feel the same way, but personally, I'm entirely comfortable with regular exposure to everyday germs.

I agree, I don't think much will linger around other what some people personally choose to do.

 

[tvguy]

Not born yet in 1975, but old enough to remember the difference in airport security before and after 9/11.

I imagine there will be some lingering effects of COVID, most obviously that some people will probably choose to wear masks during "virus season", and those who already tended towards germaphobia probably became and will remain even more vigilant. Aside from that, I'm not sure much changes in the long term. We were at Disney a week ago, and aside from a few random oddities (like the plexiglass shields installed near the front of line queues, typically encountered after spending an hour or so in line, fully surrounded by other people), everything seemed pretty much back to normal, right down to "filling in all available space".

You're right about buffets, of course. It just doesn't especially bother me. Germs are everywhere; that's what our immune systems are for. I just had my first cold in several years, and it kind of kicked the crap out of me for a few days. Probably exactly because it's been so long since I've been exposed to anything. Not saying others have to feel the same way, but personally, I'm entirely comfortable with regular exposure to everyday germs.

I have been to one self service restaurant since the pandemic started. They made you put on disposable vinyl gloves before you could get in line. If you want back, fresh gloves, and a clean plate. Not sure why cruise lines don't do this.

 

[squirk]

You're right about buffets, of course. It just doesn't especially bother me. Germs are everywhere; that's what our immune systems are for. I just had my first cold in several years, and it kind of kicked the crap out of me for a few days. Probably exactly because it's been so long since I've been exposed to anything. Not saying others have to feel the same way, but personally, I'm entirely comfortable with regular exposure to everyday germs.

Agreed. I do wish people were more mindful about hygiene in Cabanas, and I hope DCL keeps the hard-line policy on being required to wash your hands before entering the buffet. Pre-COVID, it was, frankly, comical how many people waved off the sanitizing wipe and the CM didn't say "boo" about it.

But there are so many other common touchpoints on the ship besides just serving utensils - handrails are the most obvious example - if you think about it too much, you could send yourself into "Howard Hughes" mode and never want to step foot on the ship again. There's really no escaping the germs.

Not that I don't appreciate how clean Disney keeps the ships, but this cruise line was created for families with little kids, and little kids are inherently gross. I've just made my peace with it.

 

[FLPrincessMom]

WDW has been back to self serve buffets for several months and it has been fine. And of course there are lots of kids there.

 

[bcwife76]

WDW has been back to self serve buffets for several months and it has been fine. And of course there are lots of kids there.

Same for Disneyland. We ate at both Goofy's and Storytellers buffets which were fully open when we were there in November. It was fine. Was happy to serve myself. Most restaurants around here at home that have a buffet are fully reopened/serve yourself so I'm happy for this change on DCL. Esp if it means the buffet is back at Palo.

 

[anricat]

Probably exactly because it's been so long since I've been exposed to anything.

Well, that's not likely why. Your immune system doesn't work that way. It doesn't need to be primed or activated regularly or anything to work properly (honestly, it's always at work, on the prowl, even if you're unaware of catching stuff, you get all kind of pathogens and beasties in there all the time). The cold probably kicked the crap out of you simply because that's how that virus impacts you and/or you've never been exposed to a similar cousin to that virus and/or you got a really big viral load when you were exposed and/or your body was also busy fighting off something else you were unaware of and/or other various reasons (sleep, stress, nutrition, etc.). But not catching anything for awhile wouldn't have anything to do with it.

 

[anricat]

Okay, back on target, I did find the selection somewhat lacking in November so I really hope this helps. Maybe it's because I'm a vegetarian. I felt like I could eat fries and like maybe one other green labeled thing. I will say I really appreciate those little green labels. They are extremely helpful. I didn't mind being served. Did it really add that much extra staff? It seemed like there was always staff behind the counter there refilling and monitoring. My main gripe, however, was that they had too many stations open with the same stuff at each one. With the reduced capacity onboard there weren't enough people eating their way through the food and it was always less fresh and COLD.

 

[soniam]

I guess I don't care either way about served/self-serve. I just want there to be a good selection. That's my biggest gripe about Tusker House right now. The selection is pretty limited at breakfast. I do, however, love that egg curry and would be very happy for them to keep it on the menu.

 

[MsJiminyCricket]

The blog post linked to by OP says it is. "Physical distancing onboard the ships is being lifted and self-service buffets (i.e. Cabanas, Palo brunch!!) will resume."

I wonder if Cabanas will remain separate identical pod stations or go back to the full offering.

 

[mab2012]

Well, that's not likely why. Your immune system doesn't work that way. It doesn't need to be primed or activated regularly or anything to work properly (honestly, it's always at work, on the prowl, even if you're unaware of catching stuff, you get all kind of pathogens and beasties in there all the time). ... But not catching anything for awhile wouldn't have anything to do with it.

Er. I mean, I'm not an immunologist, so if you are, I suppose I'll take your word for it. But your explanation runs counter to everything I've ever read about immune system response, particularly in recent months. A simple Google search turns up plenty of references discussing how immune response to a given pathogen can and does wane over time. Mostly in the context of COVID and the seemingly endless parade of boosters, but the same concept applies to other viruses.

Of course your immune system doesn't just turn off in the meantime, but it does respond more quickly and efficiently to pathogens that it recognizes, and that recognition is strengthened with periodic exposure.

If you can point me to a reputable source that says otherwise, I would be genuinely interested in reading it!

 

[tvguy]

Er. I mean, I'm not an immunologist, so if you are, I suppose I'll take your word for it. But your explanation runs counter to everything I've ever read about immune system response, particularly in recent months. A simple Google search turns up plenty of references discussing how immune response to a given pathogen can and does wane over time. Mostly in the context of COVID and the seemingly endless parade of boosters, but the same concept applies to other viruses.

Of course your immune system doesn't just turn off in the meantime, but it does respond more quickly and efficiently to pathogens that it recognizes, and that recognition is strengthened with periodic exposure.

If you can point me to a reputable source that says otherwise, I would be genuinely interested in reading it!

I think the big lesson I learned over the past two years. I used to get two or three colds or upper respiratory infections a year. Since I started religious hand washing, wearing a mask, and social distancing, not even a sniffle.

 

[dreamer17555]

I wonder if Cabanas will remain separate identical pod stations or go back to the full offering.

They need to go back to full offering otherwise this is a lose\lose to me personally. More germs going around the ship but still the same paltry few stations is not a good look.

 

[MomOTwins]

Mmmmm, palo brunch buffet. Yes please!

 

[Sakura1017]

I'm not to happy with the port adventures changing, I don't want to have such a big group and it's a tight squeeze on the bus. Plus the old ways, port adventures they could combine groups from other lines that are there too. I kinda wished they put that notice out before the March 30th deadline for people sailing on the Wonder with special categories.