Whenever I go on a Royal Caribbean cruise, I almost always go to the ship's buffet first.
There are many restaurants on every ship, but the Windjammer buffet is a staple and its wide selection is why I'll eat there on every single cruise I take.
Even though I cruise about once a month, I actually look forward to eating at the buffet because I've found it delivers a mix of fan favorite dishes and a few surprises too.
Plus, the sheer selection of options is perfect for everyone in our family, including the picky eaters. I love the Asian food choices, while my kids go for the chicken fingers and burgers. Everyone gets what they want with very little fuss.
Over the years, I've learned to do five important things every time I eat at the Windjammer, El Loco Fresh, or any other ship buffet to make the meal more enjoyable from the start.
I always wash my hands before I enter
Even though there are fun crew members to remind me, I make it a point to wash my hands before I go to any buffet.
On most ships, there is a handwashing station at the entrance and while no one will force you to stop, you really should wash your hands for your (and everyone's) benefit.
No one wants to get sick on vacation, and a buffet setting more easily spreads germs because of the shared utensils.
There's even hand sanitizer for anyone in a rush, but health experts say handwashing is a safer bet.
I'm frankly surprised how many other passengers walk by hand the handwashing stations, like they didn't see them at all.
I get it, you're hungry and you "just washed your hands a few minutes ago", but it really is worth stopping and doing it again.
I'll find my family a table first, so we know where to go
It can get very busy in the Windjammer and at other buffets, nearby table seating is limited. That's why the first thing I do is find a table for all of us.
I've learned from experience telling my kids "we'll be in this general area" doesn't work. It seems like my kids have "Mr. Magoo vision" when they need to find us.
Instead, I'll grab an open table and sit down to reserve it. Always leave one person at the table, because a random cup or bag alone isn't clear if you reserved the table or forgot your belongings.
Then, as soon as the first person returns with their food, I get up and get my food.
Reserving a table first is important for breakfast or at lunch sea days when the buffets get really busy.
I will look to see all the food choices before I start piling food on my plate
It's a rookie mistake to grab a plate and load up on the first thing you see.
I cannot tell you how many times I've done that, only to discover food I'd much rather have elsewhere at another buffet station.
Then you're left in a situation where you don't want to be totally wasteful and discard a full plate of food. So you eat some or all of it before getting to the food you really wanted the most.
Take a quick walk around the buffet, and be sure to look for the cooking stations towards the back to see what specials are being offered.
The cooking stations are the hidden gem of the Windjammer
Speaking of cooking stations, you should look for these as a primary target in your food quest.
The Windjammer usually has at least one cooking station that changes what it offers every day for lunch and dinner.
At breakfast, it's an omelet station to cook eggs exactly the way you prefer it.
Later in the day, it could serve custom-made pasta, Asian stir fry, or some other cuisine.
There's no cost to order food at the cooking stations, and the best thing is it's all freshly prepared.
If there's outdoor seating, I'll always sit there
Certain types of Royal Caribbean ships have outdoor seating at the back of the Windjammer, and you really should go there to eat your food. This is one of my favorite spots on a ship.
On Radiance, Freedom, and most Quantum Class ships, the Windjammer has outdoor seating towards the very back.
I think there's something so enjoyable with having your food along with the sea breeze and endless ocean views. Plus, most of the seating is covered, so you're safe from rain.
