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Cruise passengers know when their favorite cruise line is cutting back on onboard service, amenities, and services. For example, both Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line reduced cabin service from twice a day to once, following the Covid pandemic.
This was seen as both companies doing away with something that had been the norm for cruise passengers for decades. Some considered it an insult, especially since cruise prices rose to levels higher than their cost in 2019.
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Many cruise line passengers like to complain that things aren’t what they used to be. This is true, but it is not happening because the industry has a big plan to spoil passengers and the companies are not trying to recoup their losses from Covid.
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Cruise lines want to make money, but they also want to keep their passengers happy. Sometimes that means taking something away so they can spend the money elsewhere.
However, in most cases, cruise lines will not tell you why the change is being made. That’s something Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald rectified when he addressed why his cruise line doesn’t bring back something passengers constantly request.
Image source&col; Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Caesars Entertainment
Carnival Cruise Line has dropped a passenger favorite
Heald shared a message he received with his Facebook followers.
“The diamond/platinum cruisers on the ——- Facebook page want to put the chocolates back on the pillows. It was a lovely memory of the cruise. I’m always very disappointed when I go home without them,” he said.
Carnival used to leave chocolate bars on its pillows as a perk of its loyalty program, but stopped doing that years ago. Heald shared a number of reasons for the change.
“Whenever I’m asked if we’ll start putting chocolate chips on cabin cushions again, I always give the same two answers,” he said.
One is about budget and the other is about appearance.
“We stopped doing this many years ago and the savings paid for getting Guy’s Burgers across the fleet,” Heald wrote. “Secondly, when guests spill or crush a little chocolate on the bed, the more they try to explain that it is melted chocolate to the cabin attendants, the more it seems to them that it is not chocolate.”
Most passengers seem to understand why the cruise line is making this move.
“I can (and do) bring my own dark chocolate on the plane. Being able to get a Guy’s Burger every day is worth not having a piece of chocolate on my pillow,” Betsy Robbins posted.
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These cruise lines offer chocolate
While Royal Caribbean or Carnival’s premium brands don’t serve chocolate on your pillow every night, they do have brands that do.
Celebrity Cruises delivers company-branded chocolates on passengers’ pillows every night. It is not a loyalty benefit, as it is offered to everyone on board.
Holland America, a carnival-owned brand, recently upped its nightly chocolate game. The cruise line has partnered with Lindt & Sprüngli (USA), makers of Lindor truffles and the No. 1 luxury chocolate brand in the United States.
The partnership will include leaving chocolate on passengers’ pillows on specific occasions.
“With Holland America Line, every flight is an opportunity to create lasting memories. Come Gala Night, guests can return to the comfort of their cabin and be welcomed by a ‘Sweet Dreams’ turndown service featuring irresistibly smooth Lindt Lindor chocolate truffles Milk or sea salt milk chocolate truffles once per cruise, according to a press release.
There will also be other opportunities for chocolate lovers to enjoy their drink.
“Guests can savor the journey on board and enjoy special moments with Lindt chocolate desserts, including our signature Lindt tulip-shaped chocolate mousse cake,” the cruise line said. “…Beginning summer 2024, guests will be able to enjoy Lindt sundaes including vanilla ice cream topped with specially crafted Lindt chocolate sauce, as well as Lindt chocolate tulips for one night per cruise in the dining room on the Dutch Day Dinner menu.”
The partnership will also include a gluten-free option.
“In July 2024 – just in time for World Chocolate Day – Holland America Line will unveil the unique and irresistible Lindt Flourless Chocolate Cake in collaboration with Lindt’s Master Chocolatier, Ann Czaja. The cake will be available on the dining room menu on cruises over Seven days and will be shown during the amazing “Cake Me Away” program.
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