Take a step onto a cruise ship and you will find a crowd of people rushing to the buffet, loaded with plates in their hands with the gleam of food lust in their eyes. What those food lines hide is that they’re not as delicious as they seem at the front.
According to the CDC, 2024 marked the worst year in over a decade for stomach bug outbreaks on cruise ships, and 2025 is proving even more challenging, with 18 outbreaks reported to date. The biggest villain behind most outbreaks is the notorious stomach bug known as norovirus, which is characterized by severe vomiting and diarrhea.
Thousands of individuals in close quarters aboard cruises have access to numerous buffets and raw or undercooked dishes, such as sushi and shellfish, which increases the chance of germ transmission. Although strict sanitary regulations are in place, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some of the on-plate foods are associated more frequently with disease.
Don’t gamble with your getaway. There are some foods to avoid that will keep you out of the sick bay and the fun going when you are docking.
Buffet Sushi and Seafood
Try to avoid the impulse to indulge in the mounds of shrimp, the sushi rolls, and oyster platters during cruise buffets, as it is better to be on the safe side. The seafood should be strictly controlled by temperature, but some buffet lines fail to provide this aspect.
Shellfish, for instance, is a contributor to several norovirus outbreaks at sea, where raw foods like sushi improperly stored can harbor bacteria. Veteran cruisers are likely to order made-to-order items at specialty restaurants, particularly raw fish and seafood. When you feel like you can not see or smell seafood in or on ice or the tiniest bit of ocean, move on and spare yourself a queasy day.
Undercooked Meats
The buffet carving stations are busy, so your chicken/ pork/ steak might not be fully cooked before being served. Due to the rush, kitchens fall short of the minimum internal temperatures required as per the USDA guidelines, which are aimed at safeguarding against pathogens and diseases such as Salmonella and E. coli.
It is a good idea to send the meat back if it appears pink or undercooked. Most insiders do not eat a mystery burger or anything that is not made to order, so they resort to freshly grilled or roasted mains at the main dining areas of the ship instead.
Scrambled Eggs from the Buffet
Powdered or liquid eggs are being used to cut corners on many ships, on fluffy-looking breakfast trays. Such eggs are liquid, tasteless, and when not cooked properly, they can be dangerous to your stomach.
Veterans of cruising advise against visiting the buffet for eggs and instead recommend going directly to the live omelet or egg bar, where the food is freshly prepared.
Deli Meats and Cold Cuts
There is a bacterium known as Listeria, which grows in cold storage; it could ride on salami, turkey, or ham pieces. Deli products are transported onto cruise ships at various ports, which can serve as a source of contamination.
In early 2024, more than 150 passengers on board a Cunard ship fell ill after a massive listeria outbreak. The cold cut tray is one area to be avoided, according to the insiders, when it comes to playing safe.
Buffet Salads
One can easily believe that salads are always a healthy alternative; however, on cruise buffets, that generous portion of greens and diced vegetables can be infected by a lot of different hands or dirty tongs.
The CDC cautions that cut raw vegetables, particularly those handled by crowds, can be contaminated with germs that cannot be washed. At the same time, avoid salad leaves that are wilted or soft.
Cream-Based Sauces
In the case of Alfredo, Hollandaise, and other creamy sauces, if they are not maintained at the correct temperature, they will go bad. The buffet lines often leave these sauces unattended, exposing them to foodborne diseases. When you have a craving, your food should be piping-hot, or you should go to a specialty place where fresh sauce is made.
Mystery Burgers from the Pool Grill
We eat on the poolside burst grill, and it seems like a survival ritual; however, they serve some low-quality (cheap), frozen patties that come with many fillers and less taste. Unless you’re in the mood for a burger, ensure it’s made at a sit-down restaurant or on a specialty grill.
Pre-Mixed and Free “Welcome” Drinks
Most cruise lines offer complimentary cocktails at their functions, but these are typically made with cheap spirits and sweet juices, which can dehydrate you to the point where you feel terrible the following day. Wise travellers opt to order drinks prepared behind the counter, allowing them to observe what is added to the glass.
Tap Water and Iced Drinks
Be cautious when drinking tap water and ice, especially on older ships or when docked at ports with unreliable water distribution systems. Order or bring bottled water and avoid eating the ice if you are unsure about its source.
Mass-Produced Pastries and Bread Rolls
People often find dessert spreads appealing, but bread and cakes left out of refrigerators for hours lose their freshness. They can also accumulate bacteria from the open air and people passing by. Take treats that have been produced fresh or served by hand by the staff members.
Cheap Cold Pasta and Potato Salads
Staple buffet fillers, such as pasta and potato salads, can sit in the perfect temperature range of the bacteria (40°F-140°F) and multiply for hours without being affected. Such meals taste best when you can understand that they are fresh out of the kitchen.
Buffet Fruit and Open-Topped Yogurts
Trays of fruits, particularly those cut into melons, and open yogurt bars attract germs in a mass buffet. Whole fruit or yogurt cups with factory-sealed lids are better, as they allow you to identify them more easily.
Use of these items should always involve washing hands before picking them to reduce the chances of contamination. Specialty stores or room service can be a better, safer, and more delicious option when perishable items such as that fresh in-season fruit are involved.
Key Takeaway
You don’t have to go to the Cruise buffet just to be picky; you don’t have to miss something simply because you are afraid of it. Choosing what to avoid at the cruise buffet is all about maintaining your health and maximizing your vacation.
These kinds of foods, such as seafood left to rot, undercooked foods, egg powder, and mass-produced foods, can ruin your adventure. In 2025, cruise lines are improving their food service, but the safest approach is still to make informed decisions, ensuring that the food is freshly prepared and avoiding buffet tables that may contain hazardous fare.
Disclaimer–This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
16 Grocery Staples to Stock Up On Before Prices Spike Again
16 Grocery Staples to Stock Up On Before Prices Spike Again
I was in the grocery store the other day, and it hit me—I’m buying the same things I always do, but my bill keeps getting higher. Like, I swear I just blinked, and suddenly, eggs are a luxury item. What’s going on?
Inflation, supply-chain delays, and erratic weather conditions have modestly (or, let’s face it, dramatically) pushed the prices of staples ever higher. The USDA reports that food prices climbed an additional 2.9% year over year in May 2025—and that’s after the inflation storm of 2022–2023.
So, if you’ve got room in a pantry, freezer, or even a couple of extra shelves, now might be a good moment to stock up on these staple groceries—before the prices rise later.
6 Gas Station Chains With Food So Good It’s Worth Driving Out Of Your Way For
6 Gas Station Chains With Food So Good It’s Worth Driving Out Of Your Way For
We scoured the Internet to see what people had to say about gas station food. If you think the only things available are wrinkled hot dogs of indeterminate age and day-glow slushies, we’ve got great, tasty news for you. Whether it ends up being part of a routine or your only resource on a long car trip, we have the food info you need.
Let’s look at six gas stations that folks can’t get enough of and see what they have for you to eat.
