In the classic cruising days dinner was a formal affair.
People dressed up. The tables had tablecloths and more silverware than the average person knew when to use.
These multi-course meals were grand and served in a fashion many people rarely ever experienced when not on a ship. In many ways, it was like a fancy wedding without breaking up the courses with dancing, or a fine banquet.
Related: Carnival Cruise Line fights back over dining complaint
Over the years, standards have loosened. Family-friendly cruise lines no longer rent tuxedos onboard and very few men bring them.
It’s not uncommon to see very casual clothes in the main dining room on Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, or MSC Cruises ships, even if they’re technically not allowed. All the major family-friendly cruise lines have dialed down how formal dinner service is.
They still offer formal nights, although that’s more a night when you can dress up rather than one where you have to. Standards have loosened because passengers have demanded it, but not everyone likes it.
Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald recently shared a letter from an angry passenger and his response shared some insight into how his company views its dinner service.
Image source: Carnival Corporation
Carnival Cruise Line passenger angry about phones
Heald recently shared a message that was sent to him on his Facebook page.
We were in the main dining hall last night. Look at this photo John. Everyone is looking at their phones. In the center of the photo you see a 3 or 4 perhaps year old girl was watching cartoons on their tablet with NO HEADPHONES.
This is what you call fine dining is it John?
Ban phones. Ban tablets. Return to fine dining is the request of all of us.
Take a lesson from —– who are smart. They are the first cruise line to stop people using phones in the main dining hall and the specialty restaurants too. Just saying. As an frequent cruiser I am bemused to notice that on Carnival almost every passenger is staring at their phone screen, or tapping it: This is not fine dining!!
No major cruise line, for the record, has banned phones in their dining rooms. Most major cruise lines actually offer their menus via QR codes, although printed versions are also available.
Heald responded to the letter by sharing some information that might surprise people.
“I really don’t want to say too much here but I have to say that we offer Fun Dining, good food, great atmosphere but I don’t think I or any of the beards would call it ‘fine dining.’ Maybe I am wrong. People take their phones because they want to take photos of the their friends and family, the food, the brilliant waiters and yes, to text Whats App and Facebook their friends back in Cleveland, Ohio to say ‘wish you were here,'” he answered.
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Carnival passengers don’t expect fine dining
Most of the 1,200-plus comments posted in response to Heald’s post, were not in favor of banning phones. Many people did want one rule enforced.
“Headphones should be required when using the device for viewing. Understanding that kids are kids doesn’t negate responsibilities of parenting. As a solo cruiser I watch movies in MDR when the waitstaff leaves me unattended for far too long,” shared Katrina Jones.
Tracy Hobbs took a very measured approach to the issue.
“Carnival has actually encouraged more people to bring their phones by making everything about the Hub app, which I still refuse to use. My phone is used for photos only when I’m on a cruise. I like to disconnect, but to each their own. If tablemates and families are on their phones and not engaging with each other, they’re the ones missing out. The poster should just worry about her own self and let others vacation how they choose,” she wrote.
Judi Feldhusen had limited sympathy for the original poster.
“If they want ‘fine dining’ go to a different cruise line. We take pictures of people, food and post them online. We also have our fabulous wait staff take pictures of us. Where we live, just about every restaurant has people on their phones. Times are changing,” she shared.
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Amy Hobbs summed up the feelings of the majority of the comments.
“I don’t care what other people are doing with their phones at dinner, I enjoy my dinner with my friends and family, I use my phone for the menu and pictures to capture memories,” she wrote.
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