The era of the buffet at sea is slowly coming to an end, as P&O’s Pacific Jewel sets sail without the all-you-can-eat space.
The cruise line announced it was replacing the popular dining area with a new food-court influenced room – The Pantry – last year.
Initially P&O fans (and KarryOn) thought the change was only coming to the line’s two newest ships – Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden – which are scheduled to join the fleet in November this year.
However, first images of a buffet-free Pacific Jewel were unveiled this week – meaning the change is coming to more ships than we originally expected.
P&O Cruises Senior Vice President Sture Myrmell said the company has been working to revolutionise onboard eating for some time – and this is being achieved through the introduction of ‘The Pantry’.
Added during the ship’s multi-million dollar refit, Mr Myrmell describes it as a ‘game-changer’ and said it’s clear from guests’ reactions that they love it.
And after seeing the pics of The Pantry, let’s just say we definitely will not miss the buffet and here are three reasons why:
We won’t miss the gluttonous pax
You know those people that go back for seconds, thirds, fourths and then stuff some in their pocket for later.
For whatever reason, people go crazy at buffets (not going to lie, I have in the past), particularly cruise buffets.
And we know it’s none of our business, but sometimes its too obvious (and sometimes gross) to ignore.
We get to eat our way around the world
We’re happy to exchange all-you-can-eat for variety.
The buffet may offer a vast variety of food, but it isn’t as multicultural as The Pantry.
The food-court-like room has eight individual spaces for various restaurants – restaurants with menus inspired by various cultures.
For example, there’s The Dragon Lady – an Asian fusion restaurant; Angelo’s – traditional Italian food; and the Open Kitchen – where guests can learn to cook.
There’s also Mexicana, which embraces the Aztec look with cactus-inspired tiles and the modern Australia inspired Hook’s Fish and Chips, which is themed like a beachfront restaurant with white tiles and bleached driftwood.
While enjoying a casual, yet classy environment
Diners can choose from communal long tables to lounge chairs and high tables, with scattered pictures, plants, fruit bowls and books adding to the relaxed urban café feel of the venue, created by Tillberg Design of Sweden.
What better way is there to eat?