Carnival Breeze & Carnival Ecstasy Docked in Cozumel Carnival Cruise Line has announced some changes and substitutions due to a cruise industry wide staffing shortage. On my recent Carnival Breeze cruise, the crew onboard said the staffing shortage is attributable to visa approval delays by the US State Department and more detailed reviews conducted prior to the issuance of a visa. As a result of the staffing shortage some crew are working longer contracts. Carnival Cruise Line has announced some changes that are expected to be temporary as a result of the crew staffing shortage.
1. Guest Services Hours May Be Cut
Guest Services used to be open 24/7 throughout the cruise. However, there may be times of the night that Guest Services is closed due to staffing. If you are cruising, I recommend looking at hours on the Carnival Hub App before heading out to Guest Services to make sure the line is open.
2. Pizzeria Hours Are Temporarily Reduced To Eliminate Late Night & Early Morning Service
Carnival Cruise Line's complimentary Pizzeria used to be open 24 hours a day throughout the cruise. Recently Carnival's Pizzeria hours have been reduced to be open from 10am until 3am. Carnival still offers room service during the time of this closure, but the room service available during this time is not complimentary.
3. Deli Hours Are Temporarily Reduced (Update 6/1/2022)
Carnival Cruise Line's deli used to be open from 11am until 11pm each day of the cruise. For June 2022 Carnival is opening the deli from 2:30pm until 10pm, according to Mr. John Heald (Carnival's Brand Ambassador). This means the deli will be open after the main Lido lunch buffet lines are closed, but the deli will be open for dinner & an early night snack.
4. Cucina Del Capitano Reservations Are Halted
On May 18, 2022 Carnival announced that Cucina Del Capitano reservations through June 30, 2022 are suspended. Cucina Del Capitano is a venue on some Carnival ships that allowed guests to pay a reservation fee to eat a variety of Italian dishes at dinner. At this time, this closure of Cucina Del Capitano at dinner does not change the complimentary Captain's Pasta Bar that was held at lunch.
5. Chef's Table Reservations Are Halted
On May 18, 2022 Carnival announced that Chef's Table reservations are suspended through June 30, 2022. The Chef's Table was an experience that guests could pay for a reservation to meet the chef, see part of the galley, and enjoy a specialty dining experience.
6. Tea Time Changes
Mr. John Heald, Carnival's Brand Ambassador, has announced that tea time is temporarily suspended on cruises 5 nights or less. On cruises 6 nights & longer tea time will generally be offered on at least 1 sea day. Tea time used one of the dining rooms and utilized crew resources for serving the desserts, tea, and galley crew who made the food.
7. VIFP Platinum & Diamond Party
Starting on cruises departing on or after May 18, 2022 through June 30, 2022 the Platinum & Diamond party is not being held due to staffing issues. The Platinum & Diamond Party is normally held on cruises that are 5+ nights. Guests who would have had a Platinum & Diamond party on their sailing should verify with guest services that 2 free drink coupons are uploaded to their Sail & Sign account that can be used on the last day.
The crew onboard Carnival's ships are doing their best given the shortages. Please note that there could be further changes to onboard amenities or programs due to the staffing shortage and change can happen at any time. When onboard your cruise check with Guest Services or the Carnival Hub App if you are not sure if something is available to you during your cruise. Unfortunately there is a chance that some changes could become permanent, but I am hopeful once the staffing situation is resolved regular amenities will be back.
Last Updated: Wednesday, June 1, 2022
1. Guest Services Hours May Be Cut
Guest Services used to be open 24/7 throughout the cruise. However, there may be times of the night that Guest Services is closed due to staffing. If you are cruising, I recommend looking at hours on the Carnival Hub App before heading out to Guest Services to make sure the line is open.
2. Pizzeria Hours Are Temporarily Reduced To Eliminate Late Night & Early Morning Service
Carnival Cruise Line's complimentary Pizzeria used to be open 24 hours a day throughout the cruise. Recently Carnival's Pizzeria hours have been reduced to be open from 10am until 3am. Carnival still offers room service during the time of this closure, but the room service available during this time is not complimentary.
3. Deli Hours Are Temporarily Reduced (Update 6/1/2022)
Carnival Cruise Line's deli used to be open from 11am until 11pm each day of the cruise. For June 2022 Carnival is opening the deli from 2:30pm until 10pm, according to Mr. John Heald (Carnival's Brand Ambassador). This means the deli will be open after the main Lido lunch buffet lines are closed, but the deli will be open for dinner & an early night snack.
4. Cucina Del Capitano Reservations Are Halted
On May 18, 2022 Carnival announced that Cucina Del Capitano reservations through June 30, 2022 are suspended. Cucina Del Capitano is a venue on some Carnival ships that allowed guests to pay a reservation fee to eat a variety of Italian dishes at dinner. At this time, this closure of Cucina Del Capitano at dinner does not change the complimentary Captain's Pasta Bar that was held at lunch.
5. Chef's Table Reservations Are Halted
On May 18, 2022 Carnival announced that Chef's Table reservations are suspended through June 30, 2022. The Chef's Table was an experience that guests could pay for a reservation to meet the chef, see part of the galley, and enjoy a specialty dining experience.
6. Tea Time Changes
Mr. John Heald, Carnival's Brand Ambassador, has announced that tea time is temporarily suspended on cruises 5 nights or less. On cruises 6 nights & longer tea time will generally be offered on at least 1 sea day. Tea time used one of the dining rooms and utilized crew resources for serving the desserts, tea, and galley crew who made the food.
7. VIFP Platinum & Diamond Party
Starting on cruises departing on or after May 18, 2022 through June 30, 2022 the Platinum & Diamond party is not being held due to staffing issues. The Platinum & Diamond Party is normally held on cruises that are 5+ nights. Guests who would have had a Platinum & Diamond party on their sailing should verify with guest services that 2 free drink coupons are uploaded to their Sail & Sign account that can be used on the last day.
The crew onboard Carnival's ships are doing their best given the shortages. Please note that there could be further changes to onboard amenities or programs due to the staffing shortage and change can happen at any time. When onboard your cruise check with Guest Services or the Carnival Hub App if you are not sure if something is available to you during your cruise. Unfortunately there is a chance that some changes could become permanent, but I am hopeful once the staffing situation is resolved regular amenities will be back.
Last Updated: Wednesday, June 1, 2022