The first thing to remember is that you're not camping out - so enjoy! Bring the crystal! So what if it breaks - nothing lasts forever on a boat.
The best way to minimize the labour and maximize the fun is with the use of good equipment. When I came onboard Gypsy Wind, Cap'n Wally had galley gear which had come from his last boat - and only Neptune knows where it came from before that. The cutlery was not stainless steel and the pots were aluminum. It was a never ending battle to keep them corrosion free, so they went overboard for new gear. I came across a set of high quality stainless pots and pans at West Marine that were in the 'cheap' bins they have at the front of the store. Bought them on the spot for about 10% of their retail price!
Same with the plates, cups and saucers - old old old! I found some good quality fun stuff in Beaufort SC and brought it on board. The old stuff went to a down on his luck liveaboard who needed gear.
Suddenly, dining was just that much more fun. All this time later, I still enjoy the look and feel of the new gear.
In the links beside this page, I'll try to give you some suggestions that will make your onboard life more fun, comfortable and less labour intensive...so you have time to join the rest of the gang for sundowners, rather than missing out on the fun.
Questions? You can email me
(Note - where the links are inactive, it means I haven't found the right solution for you....yet! But I'm looking)