When people travel on a cruise, they often have the opportunity to enjoy a lavish buffet meal, but it’s worth noting that there are etiquettes to follow when it comes to buffet dining. An expert pointed out that when dining at a buffet on a cruise ship, plates used to serve food should not be reused. This means that the same plate should not be used to serve food for a second or even a third time.
According to a report by the UK’s Daily Express, Phil Evans, the general manager of Cruise Nation, a UK cruise travel company, emphasized that cruise ships have their own rules and etiquettes that guests should adhere to, or else they may come across as rude or disrespectful, and could even be asked to leave the ship.
Evans mentioned that while different cruise lines may have slightly different regulations, in general, the following rules apply to every travel company. When it comes to all-you-can-eat buffet dining, a simple etiquette to remember is not to reuse the same plate more than once. In other words, once the food on a plate is finished, it shouldn’t be used again to serve more food.
While it may be common to reuse the same plate at home, doing so on a cruise ship is not advisable, primarily due to hygiene considerations. Evans explained that although using the same plate, glass, or mug for a second or third time may save the staff time washing dishes, it is still best to use a new plate each time. Reusing the same plate could be seen as unhygienic.
The expert also shared some common etiquettes. “First and foremost, it goes without saying that one must follow the deck guidelines, adhere to dress codes (if any), and respect the crew. These are obvious but still worth remembering—just like resisting the urge to cut in line at the buffet.”
Another less obvious etiquette is to remain quiet when the captain or crew broadcasts any announcements. These may include information about docking ports, weather updates, and onboard activities.
If your cruise involves short trips, you should also “ensure timely returns to avoid causing delays for others,” Evans said, adding that this is just basic etiquette.
Addressing concerns about passengers falling overboard on cruise ships, cruise expert and influencer Preston also shared his perspective in a video segment.
He noted that one common reason people avoid cruising is the fear of falling overboard. However, intentional or accidental, incidents of passengers falling overboard from cruise ships are extremely rare, as cruise staff are trained to handle such situations.
Upon receiving reports of a passenger falling overboard, cruise staff would mark the area and turn the ship around for a rescue operation. Depending on weather conditions, this may take several hours and sometimes require assistance from other vessels to expedite the search.
Preston emphasized that with the various safety measures in place on cruise ships to prevent overboard incidents, instances of passengers falling overboard are highly uncommon.
He stated, “After countless cruise experiences, I can assure you that you will not fall off a cruise ship because they have high railings and various safety measures in place to prevent accidents.”
Preston further mentioned, “Most overboard incidents result from intentional or reckless behavior, such as climbing the railings. The most important thing is that cruise companies continuously enhance safety protocols and crew training to ensure passenger safety.”