There was always a few meat dishes on the buffet each evening. In the patter each day they published the next days theme.. such a Oriental, Island, etc. You'll always find something to eat. The buffet does wind down at 11 PM & then they switch to sandwiches with only a few hot items + desserts.
The buffet on the Caribbean Princess is wonderful. All the standards but always some interesting items. I could eat happily from the buffet for a week if I didn't know what was waiting in the main dining room!
It is wonderful to be able to grab a small plate of delicious food any time to "tide you over". It is also great to know that you have food available to grab quickly between and after excursions. Six months after that last cruise and I still miss that 24 hour buffet.