Always Skip These Dishes On A Cruise Ship Buffet

Cruise ship buffets promise endless choices, but not every dish deserves a spot on your plate.

Between the gleaming trays and tempting aromas, there are a few items better admired from a distance.

Some lose their flavor after hours under heat lamps, others are risky when freshness matters most, and a few just never taste as good as they look.

Knowing what to pass up can be the difference between a smooth sail and regret at sea.

1. Sushi or Raw Seafood

Raw fish sitting out at room temperature? That’s a food poisoning party waiting to happen. Buffet sushi often lacks proper refrigeration, making bacteria multiply faster than you can say “spicy tuna roll.”

Unless you see it freshly made and iced, steer clear. Your stomach will thank you later when everyone else is rushing to the ship’s medical center instead of enjoying the sunset.

2. Shellfish Cocktail Platters

Shrimp, crab, and oysters might look fancy on ice, but here’s the catch: they’re magnets for bacteria if not kept cold enough. Shellfish spoils quickly, and buffet temperatures aren’t always reliable.

One bad mussel could ruin your entire vacation. Skip the shellfish spread and order it fresh from the main dining room instead, where it’s made to order and properly handled.

3. Soft-Serve Ice Cream

Those self-serve machines look innocent, but they’re notorious for harboring nasty bacteria inside their nozzles and tubes. Cleaning schedules vary, and you never know when the last deep clean happened.

Listeria loves hanging out in dairy machines. Opt for pre-packaged ice cream bars or scooped gelato from the specialty counter. Your taste buds and tummy deserve better than mystery machine swirl.

4. Scrambled Eggs in Vats

Ever wonder why those scrambled eggs look weirdly shiny and rubbery? They’ve probably been sitting under heat lamps for hours, drying out and losing all flavor.

Eggs are prime territory for bacteria growth when kept in the temperature danger zone. Head to the omelet station instead, where a chef will whip up fresh eggs exactly how you like them, hot off the griddle.

5. Cream-Based Sauces or Pasta Dishes

Alfredo, carbonara, and other cream sauces turn into bacterial breeding grounds when left sitting too long at improper temperatures. Dairy-heavy dishes spoil faster than you’d think.

That thick, congealed sauce isn’t just unappetizing – it’s potentially dangerous. Choose tomato-based pasta instead, or better yet, hit up the Italian restaurant where everything’s cooked fresh. Why settle for sketchy when you can have spectacular?

6. Salad Bar Greens and Cut Fruit

Pre-washed lettuce and pre-cut melon might seem convenient, but they’re also prime suspects for contamination. Once produce is cut, bacteria spreads rapidly across those moist surfaces.

Hundreds of hands hover over these items, sneezing and coughing nearby. If you crave greens, choose whole fruits you can peel yourself or request a fresh salad from the dining room.

7. Deli Meats or Cold Cuts

Sliced turkey, ham, and salami sitting out for hours? That’s listeria’s favorite vacation spot. Cold cuts need consistent refrigeration, which buffet setups don’t always guarantee.

The longer they sit, the riskier they become. Pregnant travelers especially should avoid these entirely. Order a fresh sandwich from room service or grab one from the deli counter where meats are sliced on demand and properly stored.

8. Fountain Sodas

Those soda fountains get touched by sticky fingers all day long, and the nozzles rarely get the deep cleaning they desperately need. Mold and bacteria love dark, damp places.

Ice machines aren’t much better – they’re breeding grounds for germs. Stick with canned or bottled beverages instead.

Your immune system is already working overtime on vacation; don’t give it extra challenges from questionable fountain drinks.

9. Uncovered Warm Sauces

Gravy, hollandaise, and other warm sauces sitting uncovered are basically invitations for airborne bacteria and sneeze particles. Protective lids matter more than you’d think.

These sauces also develop that nasty skin on top, which is as gross as it sounds. If you spot uncovered sauces, skip them entirely or politely ask staff for a fresh, covered batch.

10. Spicy Greasy Foods

Buffalo wings, fried jalapeño poppers, and greasy finger foods might tempt you, but they’re recipes for digestive disaster on a rocking ship. Motion sickness and heavy, spicy food don’t mix well.

Grease sits heavy in your stomach, and spice can trigger heartburn when you’re already dealing with sea movement. Save the adventurous eating for stable ground.

11. Unrefrigerated Fruit Trays

Pre-cut fruit sitting out without ice underneath? That’s bacteria’s favorite snack bar. Once fruit is sliced, it needs constant refrigeration to stay safe.

Melons especially are notorious for harboring salmonella on their rinds, which transfers to the flesh when cut.

Choose whole fruits you can wash and peel yourself, like bananas or oranges. They’re nature’s perfectly packaged snacks, complete with built-in protection.