Carnival Cruise blames passengers for unpopular drink policy

Carnival Cruise Line, based in the United States, is currently facing a significant backlash from passengers over a recent change to its alcohol policy. This came to light after the company increased the price of its Cheers! alcohol package by 17%, now costing $82.54 per person per day. The decision has sparked outrage among guests, especially those on longer cruises, who feel unjustly penalized. Previously, the price for packages on cruises of six nights or longer was $70.74 per day. The new policy requires that all adults in a cabin must purchase the package, aiming to curb the practice of sharing drinks among guests to avoid buying multiple packages. The cruise operator justified the pricing change and new rules, claiming they were a response to previous abuses of the system. Carnival’s brand ambassador, John Heald, responded to customer complaints via social media, emphasizing that the only fair solution was to enforce the new policy for all cabin guests. He defended the package by providing a cost comparison, noting that despite the increase, the per-drink cost remains lower compared to buying drinks individually, which can run around $14 each. However, many passengers have expressed their dissatisfaction, stating it feels unfair to the non-drinking adults who are required to pay for an alcohol package they will not use. The increase in costs and policy changes come amid a broader trend within the cruise industry, with other lines like Disney and Royal Caribbean also raising prices and gratuity rates. This has raised concerns among consumers about the rising costs associated with cruising, which may add substantial amounts to their overall vacation budget. The backlash from guests highlights how critical it is for cruise lines to balance price increases with customer satisfaction. While the desire to maintain profitability is understood, the implementation of such policies might create dissatisfaction that outweighs the financial benefits for the company, especially as competition within the cruise market grows. As cruise-goers continue to express their discontent, it remains to be seen how Carnival will address these concerns moving forward. With indications of a shifting market and increasing complaints from passengers regarding various aspects of cruising, major adjustments may be necessary to retain customer loyalty and satisfaction in an industry that has been under pressure during recent times.