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While all cruise lines strive to serve the freshest fare possible, some items may be out at the buffet for a tad too long. Because seafood expires rapidly unless it's stored in precise temperatures, don't scoop up a maki that'll turn your stomach into a kamikaze; opt for something that's made to order right in front of you.

You know those huge tubs of scrambled eggs that are a staple at the breakfast buffet? Many cruise lines make those hours in advance from a powdered mix, which results in a wet or mushy consistency. Avoid that giant vat and head to the made-to-order station instead, where you can get a fresh omelet cooked up right in front of you, with healthy fillings, too.

Since most ships have stopped hosting midnight buffets, late-night snack options can be slim. Pizza, though, seems to be available around the clock—but be sure you look closely before you slide a slice onto your plate. If the cheese seems hard, that means it's probably been under the warming lights for quite some time. Don't be shy about asking for a fresh pie.

You'll literally scream for ice cream when you find out what's hiding in that soft-serve machine. In fact, it's not really even ice cream or frozen yogurt you're eating. Most of the time, it's a pre-made mix that contains sugar, thickeners, fat, and emulsifiers. Yuck! And that handle everyone uses to crank out the frozen stuff? Trust us, you don't want to touch that before licking your cone.

You're supposed to serve yourself with utensils placed on each platter, but many passengers pick things up with their hands. Worse, they often change their minds and put the food item back, leaving it behind for someone else to unknowingly take. This is a great way to pick up whatever germs that person is harboring.

Other diners drop the serving tongs on the floor and simply put them back onto the platter, or even right over the food itself. Maybe they believe in the five-second rule, but you definitely shouldn't. If you see this happening, inform the buffet staff so they can replace the tongs with fresh ones. Pro tip: Stay healthy by grabbing an extra napkin before loading up your plate, and use it to hold the serving utensils.

The CDC has super strict rules when it comes to reporting illnesses aboard cruise ships, but sometimes those rules aren't followed, especially if many crew members are ill due to an outbreak of norovirus, for example.

From moldy food to dirty ice dispensers to germy drink taps, CDC food inspectors have seen it all. Some recent discoveries resulting in unsatisfactory reports include uncovered containers of spices "out from under the sneeze shield" and bins of fresh eggs and other food not labelled with a 'discard by' date. In 2013, a surprise inspection caught one ship that hid trolleys of perishable food and dirty utensils in employee cabins. Ew!

True fact: Passengers put on an average of seven pounds during a one-week cruise. Eating at the ship buffet—where you can go back for unlimited portions over and over again throughout the day—pretty much guarantees you'll go home heavier than when you first boarded. A recent survey showed that the average cruise passenger gains a pound a day. Want to avoid that extra weight? Limit your dessert intake to dinner only, be mindful of how much alcohol you consume, and take only one plate of food at a time.

Because it's so easy for illnesses to spread on a cruise ship, most lines strongly encourage passengers to frequently wash their hands, especially before meals. Often, staff members are posted in front of dining areas, squirting sanitizer into everyone's palms before allowing them to enter. Some newer ships have also introduced hand-washing stations before the buffets. However, many people simply walk right by, and who knows when they last used a bar of soap.

Cruising is all about overindulging, whether it's drinking, gambling, or eating. And some mega ships feed 6,000 passengers and 2,200 crew—many of whom will dine at the ship's cafeteria. While these all-you-can-eat adventures may sound delicious (who wouldn't want unlimited ice cream?), you should seriously stay away from the buffet. In fact, one infectious disease specialist told VICE that cruise ship buffets can be "cesspools for bacteria and viruses." Yikes!