In the days of classic cruising, dinner was a formal affair.
People dress up. There is more tablecloth and silverware on the table than the average person knows.
These multi-course meals are sumptuous and served in a way that many people rarely experience when not on board. In many ways, it’s like a lavish wedding with no dancing interruptions, or an exquisite banquet.
RELATED: Carnival Cruise Line fights back over dining complaints
Over the years, standards have relaxed. Family-friendly cruise lines no longer rent tuxedos on board, and few men carry them.
It’s not uncommon to wear very casual clothing in the main dining room of a Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian or MSC cruise ship, even if it’s technically not allowed. All major family-friendly cruise lines have toned down the formality of dinner service.
They still offer formal nights, although this is more of a night where you can dress up rather than a night where you have to dress up. Standards were relaxed because passengers demanded it and not everyone liked 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.
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Carnival cruise passengers angry over cellphones
Heard recently shared a message sent to him on his Facebook page.
Last night we were in the main restaurant. Look at this photo of John. Everyone is looking at their phones. In the middle of the photo, you can see a girl around 3 or 4 years old watching cartoons on a tablet, without headphones.
This is what you call good food, is it John?
Cell phone use is prohibited. No pills. A return to good food is what we all want.
Learn from smart people —–. They were the first cruise line to ban people from using cell phones in the main dining room and specialty restaurants. Just saying. As someone who regularly cruises, I’ve noticed with confusion that on Carnival, almost every passenger is staring at their phone screen, or clicking on it: This isn’t gourmet food!
For the record, no major cruise line prohibits the use of phones in restaurants. Most major cruise lines actually offer their menus via QR codes, but also offer printed versions.
In response to the letter, Heard shared some potentially surprising information.
“I really don’t want to say too much here, but I have to say, we offer fun dining, great food, great atmosphere, but I don’t think I or any bearded person would call it ‘good food.’ Maybe I Wrong, people pick up their phones because they want to take photos of their friends and family, their food, their amazing wait staff, and yes, they want to text their friends in Cleveland, Ohio, “I wish you that.” answer.
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Carnival passengers don’t expect good food
Of the more than 1,200 comments posted in response to Heard’s post, most disapproved of banning cell phones. Many people do want a rule enforced.
“You should need headphones when watching on a device. Understanding that children are children does not absolve them of the responsibility of parenting. As a solo traveler, I watched movies in the MDR and the waiter left me unattended for long periods of time,” shares Katrina Jones .
Trish Hobbs takes a very cautious approach to the issue.
“Carnival is actually trying to encourage more people to bring their phones by making all the content on the Hub app, but I still refuse to use the app. My phone is only used for taking photos while on the cruise. I love to disconnect, But for everyone at the table and family if they are all on their phones and not communicating with each other, then the poster should just be concerned about themselves and let everyone else go on vacation of their own choosing,” she wrote.
Judy Feldhusen had limited sympathy for the original poster.
“If they want ‘good food,’ they go to a different cruise line. We take pictures of the people, the food, and post them online. We also have amazing wait staff who take pictures of us. Where we stay, almost every Every restaurant has people on their cell phones.
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Amy Hobbs summed up the sentiments of most of the comments.
“I don’t care what other people do on their phones at dinner, I enjoy dinner with friends and family and I use my phone to view menus and photos to capture memories,” she wrote.
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