Changes Coming to Carnival Specialty Dining Prices, Ice Cream Hours & More
In a letter to booked guests from President Christine Duffy, Carnival Cruise Line announced that it would be making modifications to specialty dining pricing, as well as implementing a number of food waste initiatives. These changes go into effect immediately on all sailings departing November 7, 2022, and beyond.
According to the letter, these changes were made by Carnival to match inflation costs and the global food supply chain challenges, “We have reached a point with our food costs, however, where we must take some modest but specific actions, which we know most of you have done yourselves, whether with your dining out patterns or shopping to stock the refrigerator or pantry.”
Following are some of the newly announced changes coming to the Carnival dining experience.
Specialty Dining
- Steakhouse prices will increase from $42/per person to $48/per person.
- Per-person dining pricing at specialty restaurants (such as Bonsai Teppanyaki and Rudi’s Seagrill) will increase on certain ships, to reflect the higher prices of menu items. To note, the letter does not specify which ships this change will affect.
For specialty dining reservations paid in advance on sailings departing November 7 - December 31, 2022, Carnival will honor original prices. Bookings made onboard for specialty eateries will be charged the current rate. For sailings from January 1, 2023, onward, specialty reservations already paid for will be honored at the current rate.
Main Dining
- Guests may order a complimentary first or second entree item in the main dining room. Any guest choosing to select a third (or more) entree(s) will be subject to an additional $5 ($7 AUD) charge per item.
- Carnival will continue to offer a lobster in the main dining room on sailings longer than six days, however it will be moving to be only offered on the second elegant evening of the sailing (as opposed to the first elegant night).
Food Waste Initiatives
Carnival is working towards implementing food waste initiatives across its fleet to minimize waste. In the letter, the line says it will, “continue to look closely at the consumption habits and guest preferences so that we can meet our food waste reduction goals, while still offering you an abundance of high-quality casual and fine dining options.”
The first part of this initiative will affect a Carnival guest favorite food item - complimentary self-service ice cream. Not to worry, ice cream will still be complimentary, however Carnival will reduce the hours it is available for guests from 24/7, to be available from the hours of 11 AM - 12 AM each day. On this change, the letter reads the following, “While ice cream for breakfast or at 2 AM sounds like a good idea when you are on vacation, the truth is we are seeing lots of waste and this is one of those times when we will ask guests to join us in our efforts to reduce food waste.”
What’s Next?
In the conclusion of Carnival’s letter, the cruise line emphasizes how important they consider the dining experience is for guests, “We will continue to do our very best to make sure the Carnival dining experience is a key part of your memorable vacation, but we wanted to provide this update, so you understood the many challenges we are facing.”
Cruiseline.com will share additional updates or any statements from Carnival in regard to the changes being made to the dining program.
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