Portion sizes

Thx. It's been 20 years since my previous cruise. I still remember being a glutton on the other one. That was back when my body could recover quickly.

I love when a newbie asks a question.

I do the same, if I want more I can always ask the waiter or go get it from the buffet.

As usual...MARYRED has killed several nailheads....ask the server questions...one thing the lines "used to" pride themselves on was the ability to adjust menu items to the taste of the patron. I say "used to" because we haven't been at sea for awhile, like many folks....if things have changed so radically that the galley can't accommodate a reasonable request, then.....................

On a cruise it's not rude to leave food on a plate or to ask for smallest available portions. Yes adults can order off the kids menu but those are rarely a cut down serving of the adult selections but more of kid favorite foods like chicken fingers or buttered pasta.

The on board buffets are easier to control your portions at, even on ships where the crew doles out the selections. It's easier there to get just a taste serving size of something or a healthy snack.

But here are somethings you might not know if you've never inquired about them on board for the Main Dining Room and select specialty dining restaurants:

Every cruise line has hidden menus. Some of these are based on universally accepted medically recommendations like a low/no sodium hypotension menu or cardiac friendly low/no fat offerings, while others are cultural, like a Indian foods or Kosher meals. Only draw back is after the first night these must be ordered a day ahead.

By American standards the usually main dining room main entrees are small portions to start with, more inline with serving sizes done in Europe. Example 3-4oz of protein, 1/2 a baseball portion of starchy vegetable, and maybe 2-4 tablespoons of another vegetable.

If an course comes with a "rich" sauce or gravy you can ask for it to be put on the side or left off entirely.

Pasta dishes from the entrée section can be ordered in an appetizer size.

Additional appetizers or starters can be ordered to be served as your main entrée.

Most portions are already predefined as occurs with most mass prepared meals. However asking for a smaller portion might work. I suppose it will depend on the server and the chef. Also maybe this is a good time to work on your ability to leaver food on a plate. Ity is not always easy but once you get started doing so it becomes easier.

Rude? Hardly! Why waste food? Maybe you'll set an example for others in the process. At the buffet, I always take very small portions of the items I want and in the MDR likewise.