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Costa Cruises, a well-known cruise line operating under the Carnival Corporation umbrella, has announced a new policy targeting food consumption in non-designated areas. Guests are now required to enjoy their meals exclusively within the main dining rooms and buffet restaurants aboard its ships. Anyone who fails to comply with this rule will face a fine of 60 Euros (approximately 70 USD), which will be charged to their onboard account to cover cleaning costs.
This decision comes with an emphasis on health and hygiene, as outlined in a communication sent to passengers and reported by various cruise industry outlets. The policy aims to prevent food contamination, maintain cleanliness standards, and reduce the risk of unwanted pests such as insects or rodents on board. Guests are specifically prohibited from taking food from buffet areas or restaurants to cabins, pool decks, public corridors, or other internal spaces.
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The tightening of food-handling regulations comes at a time when Costa ships have consistently received high sanitation scores during inspections by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vessel Sanitation Program. Costa touts this new rule as a proactive measure to keep common areas, particularly busy outdoor sun-lounging spots and stairwells, clean and tidy, especially as some guests have been known to leave used plates and cups behind.
Cruise industry commentators have noted that a portion of the traveller demographic had long expressed frustration over the disorder left by a minority of passengers who treated communal spaces like trash cans. Costa’s latest enforcement aims to address these behaviors to ensure a more luxurious environment for all guests enjoying leisurely days aboard the ship.
This new policy does not restrict guests to a single dining venue, as Costa continues to offer 24-hour room service. However, charges may apply based on the fare type and accommodation category selected. Room service is typically complimentary for suite and premium guests, while others can still have meals delivered to their cabins for an additional fee.
Moreover, only trained room service staff members are now authorized to transport and deliver food directly to guest cabins, and remove any used trays and dishes afterward. The cruise line has explicitly stated that guests can no longer treat the buffet as a takeaway service, which had become a popular option for those wishing to enjoy quiet meals away from the crowds.
For travellers embarking on journeys through the Mediterranean and Adriatic on Costa’s expansive resort-style vessels, this modification will subtly change how they navigate their days at sea. Guests, especially those who enjoyed creating their own picnics from the buffet and retreating to their cabins or preferred sunbeds, will need to adjust their plans around buffet hours and possibly account for room service fees to dine while appreciating the coastal scenery.
On a brighter note, this stricter policy might resonate with those who prioritize cleanliness in shared spaces, allowing travellers to explore uncluttered decks and unwind by the pool without encountering leftover dishes. With food consumption confined to designated dining spots, Costa can allocate cleaning resources more effectively, minimizing the chances of trays lingering outside cabin doors.
Reactions from Costa’s passenger community have varied. Some argue that disorderly habits among a few guests necessitated this new rule, while others feel it curtails a minor but cherished freedom while on holiday. Supporters of the policy claim it was time for stricter regulations, pointing out that some routes, particularly short trips in the Adriatic, seemed to attract less considerate behaviour.
Conversely, critics have raised concerns that this new guideline could inconvenience passengers who prefer flexible food access, especially late-night snackers or those needing to eat at regular intervals due to health reasons. Some suggested that if Costa insists on banning takeaway, buffets should remain open late into the night, akin to offerings from some competitors, to ensure that all guests can find food without incurring room service fees.
Currently, Costa seems to be the only Carnival Corporation brand enforcing such an inflexible “no food removal” policy. Other sister lines like Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Holland America Line generally allow guests to carry plates back to their cabins and are accustomed to passengers leaving used dishes outside their doors for collection, supported by regular room steward patrols.
Cruise industry analysts suggest that while there is no current indication that Costa’s approach will be expanded across all lines, other brands may follow suit if they witness significant improvements in cleanliness and guest satisfaction levels.
From a travel and tourism standpoint, Costa’s initiative reflects a broader trend toward more regulated and sustainable cruising, particularly in popular European coastal regions where both environmental standards and guest expectations are on the rise. By limiting food consumption areas, spillage, contamination, and waste are minimized, particularly in outdoor locations exposed to the elements as ships make their way between ports like Venice, Bari, and Barcelona.
Holidaymakers selecting Costa for their Mediterranean adventures can still relish abundant buffets and exquisite multi-course dinners alongside room service and specialty dining venues, but they will now be encouraged to savour those meals in designated settings with picturesque sea views. While guests will experience a transition, many may appreciate the cleaner corridors and more refined public spaces amid their voyages.
Source: The post Costa Cruises Introduces Fine for Guests Taking Buffet Food to Cabins and Decks first appeared on www.travelandtourworld.com.
