Royal Caribbean may eliminate buffets when cruising resumes

As one of the signature hallmarks for passengers on board cruise ships, it looks like the buffet on board will be no more.

If the dream of floating at sea while eating and drink all your heart desires is front of mind when travelling abroad starts up around again, you may need to make a slight alteration to that thought.

Royal Caribbean International might be doing away with its traditional buffet service when sailings finally resume, in light of health and safety concerns amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Cruise line president and CEO Michael Bayley reportedly revealed that the self-serve dining system will likely change, at least for a little while, when operations ultimately resume.

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Buffets aren’t going to be likely on board cruise ships.

“I think in the beginning, there will not be a buffet … that’s how I see it,” Mr Bayley said during a recent Coffee Chat call, Cruise Critic reports.

“We will use the space, we will use the Windjammer (buffet area), but in all probability, it won’t be a classical buffet,” Mr Bayley was quoted as saying. “It will be something more akin to a restaurant.”

Though boundless buffets are a signature hallmark of the cruise ship experience, the CEO assured that passengers would still be provided with a plethora of dining options.

“I think the key focus on dining is making sure that our guests have plenty of choices,” Mr Bayley continued. “That choice has to be put through the lens of distancing, and safety and health.”

Buffets are a signature hallmark of the cruise ship experience

When reached for comment on Monday morning, a spokesman for the cruise line confirmed to Fox News that change might be in the cards for Royal Caribbean’s buffet-style fare.

“We are working through all of the food service options and buffets MAY be presented differently or go away for a while,” the spokesman said.

As the coronavirus crisis continues, Royal Caribbean has extended the suspension of its global cruise ship operations through to June 11.

This article originally appeared on Fox News and has been republished with permission.