If you decide to eat on a cruise ship buffet, you need to follow the rules of buffet dining, even if you enjoy it. Some of the rules are not obvious to the untrained eye. If you ignore them, you will get the stink-eye for being rude. It could be that you have a less enjoyable meal.

If you want to have an optimal onboard buffet experience, you need to follow these 10 things.

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Approach the buffet with unwashed hands

Windjammer Cafe. ROYAL CARIBBEAN

At the entrance to the buffet, all cruise lines offer hand sanitization either in a wall-mounted pump or by a staff member. There are hand- washing stations. You can use them at the buffet area.

This isn't the time to say you just came from the bathroom and washed your hands. It's comforting to see everyone wash their hands, but who knows what you touched on the way back from the bathroom? Before grabbing a plate, make sure you lather up.

Pick up food with your hands

Stations are not allowed to serve self-serving people at each section of the buffet. Others have a lot of servingware. Follow whatever policy is in place.

Don't use your hands to pick up food, even if you are doing something else. You will get a lot of glares from other passengers.

Which cruise lines have self-serving buffets?

Bring your plate up for seconds

If you return to the buffet, you will be asked to take a new plate. If you leave your plate on the table, it will be picked up and taken to be cleaned.

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This policy creates more dirty dishes, which may not be the best way to conserve water. Take a clean plate because it is important as a health protocol.

Rules apply to glasses. You should get a new cup every time. If you want to fill your on-the-go drink container with a beverage from the drinks station, first pour the contents of the cup into your on-the-go drink container

Skip the made-to-order options

Most of the dishes at a buffet are premade. It's not the case on cruise ships. You can find made-to-order options such as an omelette or waffle station at breakfast and a pasta or noodle station at lunch or dinner. While you may have to wait to order or for your meal to be prepared, the results are often fresh and better than the steam table options. Always choosing the fastest option is not a good idea.

On a cruise ship, what not to eat is related.

Keep quiet if you have dietary concerns

Buffet stations on Seabourn Encore. SEABOURN

It is possible for passengers with food sensitivities to be at risk with buffets. They have a lot of options for restricted eaters.

Don't be afraid to ask for help selecting food when you are on a cruise ship. Ask your server the same questions at the buffet. The crew member can always ask a manager or chef if they don't know. Staff may be able to bring you special food items from the galley that are not for everyone.

If you have more serious allergies, be on the lookout for someone on your first day.

It is too cool for buffets, according to Virgin Voyages. I found something on its first ship.

Select dishes that are better when made to order

PRINCESS CRUISES

buffet food is prepared in bulk and sits on a steam table before being replaced with a fresh one. Some dishes perform better than others. Not knowing the difference is a mistake.

I always regret eating premade scrambled eggs at breakfast or fried foods at dinner at a cruise ship buffet. It's worth avoiding fully loaded nachos on a Tex Mex night if they lose their crispness. It's a good idea to avoid foods that are easy to cook or are made to order.

On special nights, when the cruise line offers some luxury dishes at the buffet, this rule is not applicable. Treat yourself when you see them.

Pile your plate so high you can barely carry it

You tend to waste food when you load up a plate with every dish you like. You can't tell which flavor is in which dish.

If you are eating dinner at a cruise ship buffet, I recommend you to eat your entire meal. Start with a salad and go to the buffet for an entree and sides. If you're still hungry, go to the dessert station. This means getting a new plate each time.

You have no reason to rush because the chances of the cruise ship running out of something you want is very small. If you walk up to the buffet before it closes, it's not an exception. Even if you have to take all your food at once, you could still eat it one plate at a time.

Carry multiple plates and cups at once

If you're a waiter, you don't want to balance multiple plates and cups in your arms as you pick your way through a crowded restaurant. It is a way of dropping and spilling.

After taking only what you can carry, return to the buffet for more drinks or food. You can burn calories by taking the extra steps.

The desserts on the cruise ship are some of the best in the world.

Skip the first day, self-guided buffet tour

COSTA CRUISES

The first day of your cruise is the best time to look at the buffet. There are duplicate stations on both sides of the restaurant. Some specialty stations, such as a deli counter or pizzeria, are hidden in the back. You might not find some interesting options until late in your cruise.

A similar menu to the main dining room can be found in the buffet on some cruises. Other lines have a separate menu with made-to-order stations and casual favorites. Knowing the cruise ship's MO will help you decide when to eat at the buffet and when to not.

Start plating before you’ve surveyed all the options

If you want to check out all the selections at the various stations in the marketplace, you need to get in the first buffet line. When you know there is an Indian buffet, roast beef carved to order or a wok station that serves stir-frying noodles, you might not want those fish and chips.

You will be less likely to waste food if you plan your meal early in the day.

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