20 Ways You Can Tell Your Cruise Ship’s Food Service Is Bad

Cruises are exciting adventures. However, while the food can be super tasty, sometimes things aren’t quite right in the kitchen. Here are 20 ways to know the food service on your cruise is not up to the mark. Let’s make sure your dining vibes stay yummy and safe.

Poor Food Storage Practices

When it comes to cruise ships, proper food storage must be on their priority list. Notice how the food is placed. If there’s raw meat kept above veggies in the fridge or see food just sitting out too long, that’s a big no-no!

Frequent Refills of the Same Dish

When you see the same plate of spaghetti being put back on the buffet over and over, that could mean something’s not right. Fresh food should be served quickly, and dishes shouldn’t linger too long. Think twice before eating a dish that keeps coming back.

Dirty Utensils and Plates

Cleanliness is super important. Who wants to eat off a dirty bowl or use a grimy fork? There’s a big no for dirty dishes. Go ahead and ask for clean utensils. The staff isn’t going to say no to their guests. 

Poorly Managed Queues and Crowds

Long, jumbled lines can make food service chaotic. A well-managed line means everyone gets their food happily. Don’t go where people are pushing and shoving; it’s not safe and can cause spills or even accidents. Look for organized lines to make your meal stress-free!

Staff With No Gloves or Hairnets

Have you ever seen a chef without gloves on while handling food? That’s a major red flag! Chefs should wear gloves and hairnets to keep their food clean. If they don’t, they aren’t following safety rules. You should share this concern with the relevant manager.

Pungent Odors That Raise Eyebrows

If you ever smelled something odd at a buffet, like rotten eggs or sour juice, it’s an obvious issue. Fresh food should smell nice and appetizing, and the fresh items should smell as they usually do.

Disheveled Presentation of Food Items

When the food is messy or piled haphazardly, it means the crew isn’t careful. Neatly arranged food looks better and shows that the kitchen cares about what they serve. Always look for a pretty presentation.

Outdated or Unclear Food Labels

Food labels are there for a reason. Those tags and names help you know what you’re eating. With worn-out packets and hard-to-read words, it could mean the food isn’t fresh or safe. That’s why you must always look for clear labels with dates.

Temperature Control Issues

Don’t forget to check the temperature before digging in. Hot meals should be hot, and cold items should be cold. For example, you wouldn’t want to eat lukewarm chicken or melting ice cream. Sometimes, there’s also a risk of bacteria and mold growth.

Desserts Don’t Look Right

If desserts look messy, say, a falling-apart cake, it’s a sign to avoid that item. Desserts are supposed to make you drool, not feel weird. This usually happens when the desserts are not preserved properly or made using questionable ingredients.

Signs of Pest Activity Nearby

Are there any flies around the table? That’s a huge warning sign. Pests can spread germs and make you sick. Keep an eye out for them. In case you see such insects, it’s best to walk away and tell someone.

Limited Variety in Fresh Produce

Fruits and veggies make it a healthy meal. Menus with no fresh items, like a sad apple or wilted lettuce, are not so great. A cruise food service should have lots of fresh produce. Otherwise, it looks like they didn’t try hard or have only a few old ingredients.

Mismatched Food Pairings

Sometimes, dishes just don’t go together. Strange combinations, like tea and lemon soda, may be a sign that the menu wasn’t prepared carefully. Such combinations don’t mix well in the stomach. Always do your research on what combos are bad for health. 

Old and Stale Breads

Check for freshness before taking a bite. Nothing is worse than biting into stale bread that looks old or is not easy to bite. If bakery items are hard or dry, avoid consuming them. Fresh bread should be soft and fluffy.

Long Wait Times for Dishes

You don’t need to wait forever for your food. Long waits usually translate to an overwhelmed kitchen, where the staff can be in a rush to cook and serve. In this situation, have something else, like fruits, soda, or yogurt. And don’t skip checking the expiry date.

Staff Unfamiliar With Ingredients

What kind of kitchen staff can’t tell you what’s in a dish? They should know their food well. If they seem confused about ingredients or allergens, it might be better to choose something else. Ask questions so as not to fall sick on a cruise.

Poorly Chilled Seafood

Seafood must be cold and fresh. Otherwise, it goes stale, and stale isn’t what you should eat. With warm shrimp or fish looking a bit slimy, it’s best to say no to seafood there. Note that you’ll mostly find fresh ones kept on ice.

Unattended Food Stations

It’s not good when the dessert station has nobody watching it. If you see food sitting there without any staff around, that could be a problem. This might attract flies or other pests. So, keep a check on whether someone’s monitoring the food, and skip the station where there’s no one.

Adding “Fillers” to Stretch Ingredients

To cut corners, some kitchens add fillers like breadcrumbs, starches, or other inexpensive ingredients to dishes to make them last longer. That’s why sometimes a “crab cake” might contain very little actual crab! Avoid dishes that are bulked up with such fillers, as they would not be authentic.

Reusing Unfinished Food for New Dishes

Some cruises might repurpose leftovers to save on costs. For example, those shrimp from last night’s dinner might reappear in today’s salad. While it’s not always dangerous because ships need to store food when out on waters, it’s definitely something to keep an eye on. Fresh food should be exactly that—fresh!