Trish Berry, May 2025
Ralph Lauren Striped Shirt, M&S Marks and Spencer Shorts (available in England), Jellypop Tennis Shoes, Diamond Studs, Gold Hoop Earrings, Gold Bracelets, Apple Watch, Acupuncture Wristlet, Gold Rings
Each Royal Caribbean cruise ship has a restaurant/buffet called ‘Windjammer.’ It is a huge area. The Windjammer is almost always located near the top of the ship. (Good to walk up the stairs and get exercise both before and after eating.) It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner (if you choose not to go to Main Dining for those meals). The buffet foods are always warm to hot, never having sat long enough to grow germs.
Dress attire is more casual in the Windjammer. Swimming pools are nearby so swimsuits under coverups are okay. Shorts and tee shirts are okay. No bare feet though. No bare feet anywhere on the ship except when getting in and out of a pool.
The menu for breakfast in the Windjammer is usually the same each day. Eggs cooked any way you can imagine, pastries, oatmeal, grits, yogurt, nuts, sliced fruits, a selection of cereals and on and on. You want something for breakfast, just about anything, and you will find it in the Windjammer.
Each day for lunch and dinner, the cruise line varies the menus. Some nights it is The American Classic. Hotdogs, hamburgers and fixins’. Fried chicken, crab cakes, various soups. One of my favorites is ‘Meal in the Med.’ The dishes are Spain and Greece foods. Fresh seafood. Kebabs and souvlaki, paella and croquetas.
Another night could be ‘Savor LaFrance.’ This is really good. Chicken cordon bleu, French desserts, croque madame and coq au vin. The crepes are delicious.
If you like Tex-Mex, they have it in the Windjammer. Chimichangas, fajitas, tacos, chili con carne. If you want it, they have it or will prepare it for you.
Another night is ‘Flavors Across the Caribbean. Jerk chicken, Caribbean beef pepper soup.
Along with all the different dishes are the desserts. They are plentiful. All are delicious.
Eat lightly while in the Windjammer or you will gain a pound or two during your trip.
(Always remember that it is illegal to take food off a cruise ship. No sneaking pears into your suitcase or handbag or taking little bags of nuts and seeds to take home with you. You will be caught. You always go through Customs after getting off a cruise liner. We were randomly stopped by Customs one time after disembarking and our suitcases were checked for food items. We had none. We know there are certain rules you have to follow to be able to cruise. We follow the rules. I know you follow the rules as well. We all want to be able to go on another cruise so we all follow the rules.)
A delicious variety of breads is always available.
You can get your own drinks at the drinks stand or a crew member is always around with a tray filled with drinks that they will give you what you need. If you need refills, they will be there to help you.
Hearty dishes are always available.
Sugar-free desserts are available and are delicious.
Fresh fruit is decoratively arranged and available all around the Windjammer. They have fresh kiwi, bananas and the best pears I have ever eaten.
Notice the grabbers at each station. You never use your hands to pick up any food item, always use a grabber. To prevent illness, after filling our plates, we use an alcohol wipe on our hands before eating. Most people are very good about washing their hands or using Purell before entering the Windjammer, but we have seen people ignore this request; therefore, we always use wipes before eating.
You can have a beautiful view of a different country while eating in the Windjammer.
A lot of work by the crew is put into making your dining experience in the Windjammer as safe, as happy and efficient as possible. The chefs work hard to please those cruising.
We are all a little rumpled while dining in the Windjammer for breakfast when we are about to disembark. We get up early (approximately 5:30 a.m.) to get off the ship between 7:00 to 9:00. So we all put ourselves together as best we can, eat and then disembark as quickly as allowed because the crew has to prep the ship for new incoming guests.
Disembarking is an experience to be talked about another day.
We have our passports around our necks in a secured packet, and our sea pass. A ‘sea pass’ is the size of a credit card and opens the door to your stateroom. This sea pass is at your stateroom door when you are first allowed to go to your stateroom. Depending on which ship you are on, you either slide the sea pass into a slot in the door to your stateroom or you tap it on a little box on your stateroom door. You must have this sea pass with you when you get on and off a ship at a foreign location. You must have your sea pass to get back into your home country. We wear our passports around our necks when getting on the ship and getting off at our home country. When disembarking, photo ID is now used. You stand where they tell you to stand, you see your face on a small screen, and then you are approved to go forward to the exit.
Be safe. Have fun!!!!