A travel expert has warned passengers of making one buffet mistake during their cruise trip that could ruin their holidays. 

One of the common pitfalls is consuming improperly handled or overly rich buffet food, which can lead to foodborne illnesses or digestive discomfort, potentially sidelining passengers during their trip.

By practicing moderation, staying mindful of hygiene, and selecting food wisely, passengers can avoid common buffet mistakes and fully enjoy their cruise experience.

Uploading a video on YouTube, Gary Bambridge shared crucial points for travellers on his blog Tips For Travellers. 

The expert suggested travellers to always wash your hands or use hand sanitiser before eating, especially in shared dining spaces where germs can spread easily.

He said: “The buffet does have more issues when it comes to hygiene and staying well than dining in the main dining room due to the way food is prepared and stored, and self-service.

“In my view, the buffet is where passengers have a greater risk of getting ill, particularly norovirus – the stomach bug which can lead to upset stomachs and even vomiting, because it is spread by touch.”

He warned about the risk of cross contamination as a large number of people are involved during the entire process. 

Gary added: “With lots of people handling the serving implements and items like condiments, there’s room for cross-contamination.

“Smart cruisers approach the buffet with a degree of caution, and always hand wash entering the buffet rather than using the sanitiser gel because hand washing is proven to be significantly better than the gel.

“One of the best lines for trying to keep cruise buffets healthy is Royal Caribbean, with large hand washing stations at the entrance and crew ensuring that people do it.

People were left highly impressed by his suggestion. One person commented on the video: “Great comments about hand washing with soap, Gary. Here’s a quote from the CDC that confirms your good advice: ‘Hand sanitiser does not work well against norovirus. You can use hand sanitizers in addition to hand washing, but hand sanitizer is not a substitute for handwashing, which is best.'”

Another person agreed and wrote: “I was in charge of sanitation for my region of a national grocer. The best way to avoid norovirus is to use gloves while touching any common touch surface.

“Second is to wash your hands after filling your plate and before eating. These methods can be effective if there is norovirus on serving pieces etc.”