Cruise passengers know when their favorite cruise line reduces service, amenities and onboard amenities. Both Royal Caribbean (RCL) and Carnival cruise line (CCL) for example, reducing cabin service from twice a day to once, following the Covid pandemic.
Both companies were seen as doing away with something that had been the standard for cruise passengers for decades. Many passengers saw the move as an insult, especially considering that cruise prices have risen to levels higher than what they cost in 2019.
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Many cruise line passengers like to complain that things aren't the same as they used to be. That's true, but it's not happening because the industry has some grand plan to screw over passengers or because companies are trying to make up for their Covid losses.
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Cruise lines want to make money, but they also want to keep their passengers happy. Sometimes that means taking one thing away from them so they can spend money somewhere else.
However, in most cases, cruise lines will not tell you why they made the change. That's something Carnival brand ambassador John Heald corrected when he talked about why his cruise line won't bring back something passengers keep asking for.
Image source: Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Caesars Entertainment
Carnival Cruise Line launched a passenger favorite
Heald shared a message he received with his facebook followers.
“Diamond/Platinum cruisers on ——- facebook page want the chocolate chunks back on the pillows. It was a nice souvenir from the cruise. I'm always so disappointed to come home without them,” she shared.
Carnival used to leave chocolate chips on its pillows as a loyalty program benefit, but stopped doing that years ago. Heald shared several reasons for the change.
“Whenever people ask me if we're going to put chocolate chunks on the cabin pillows again, I always respond with the same two answers,” he shared.
One is a budget issue, the other has more to do with appearances.
“We stopped this many years ago and the savings paid for the introduction of Guy's Burgers fleet-wide,” Heald wrote. “Secondly, when guests spilled or crushed some chocolate on the bed and the more they tried to explain to the cabin attendants that it was melted chocolate, the more it seemed to them that it was not chocolate.”
Most passengers seem to understand why the cruise line made this decision.
“I can (and do) bring my own dark chocolate on board. It's worth it to be able to eat a Guy's Burger every day without having a piece of chocolate on your pillow,” Betsy Robbins posted.
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These cruise lines offer chocolates
While neither Royal Caribbean nor Carnival's exclusive brands offer chocolates on your pillow every night, they do have brands that do.
Celebrity Cruises offers company-branded chocolate 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, has recently upgraded its late-night chocolate offerings. The cruise line has partnered with Lindt & Sprüngli (USA), makers of Lindor truffles and the number one premium chocolate brand in the USA.
The partnership will include chocolates being left on passengers' pillows on select occasions.
“With Holland America Line, every voyage is an opportunity to create lasting memories. As night falls on Gala Night, guests can retreat to the comfort of their cabin and be greeted by 'Sweet Dreams' turndown service, featuring the irresistibly smooth Lindt Lindor milk chocolate truffles or milk chocolate truffles with sea salt once per cruise,” according to a press release.
There will also be other opportunities for chocolate lovers to enjoy their cruise.
“Guests can savor the journey on board and enjoy special moments with Lindt chocolate desserts, including the signature tulip-shaped Lindt chocolate mousse cake,” the cruise line shared. “…Starting in summer 2024, guests will be able to enjoy a Lindt Sundae featuring vanilla ice cream topped with a custom-made Lindt chocolate sauce, as well as Lindt chocolate tulips one night per cruise in the dining room during 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 introduce a unique and irresistible Lindt flourless chocolate cake, in collaboration with Lindt Master Chocolatier Ann Czaja. The cake will be available on the menu dining room for cruises longer than seven days and will be featured during their indulgent 'Cake Me Away' program,” the cruise line shared.
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