Cruise Passenger's Gesture to Crew Member Declined, Carnival Explains Why

Photo byCruise Fever

Cruise ship passengers often want to express their gratitude to the dedicated crew members who contribute to their enjoyable vacation.

One common gesture is to invite a crew member to a special meal, such as dinner at a specialty restaurant. While this may seem like a thoughtful way to show appreciation, it usually isn't allowed.

A recent cruise passenger on a Carnival ship wrote in to explain their dissatisfaction over this. Carnival's Brand Ambassador John Heald mentioned the comment on his Facebook page which said the following:

"I had heard/read that it was possible to invite a crew person to dinner at the steak restaurant – so we asked,” the passenger explained. “He had to clear it with his boss (the bar manager and captain) but told me he was denied the request. … I was wrong in thinking that Carnival cared about their workers. This proves they do not. Why was this not allowed!"

"To say that we ‘don’t care’ about the crew is just silly," John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador, responded to a guest who was disappointed that their invitation was declined.

"The reason that the Staff Captain and Department Heads say ‘no’ to this kind of request is that to take a crew member out of work will most likely have a big impact on the service we can provide the rest of the guests."

A dinner at a specialty restaurant can take several hours, and it would require the crew member to leave their post during a potentially busy time.

This could disrupt the service for other guests and put additional strain on their colleagues. Furthermore, crew members may not always be comfortable accepting such invitations.

"While perhaps not always the case, I have to say this, respectfully, sometimes the crew member doesn’t want to go to dinner," Heald noted. "They want to keep working and while they may feel comfortable behind the bar, sitting for a dinner for two hours with a guest may simply not be something they would enjoy."

There are several reasons why a crew member might decline an invitation. They may prefer their privacy, be concerned about the potential impact on their income, or simply not enjoy the dining experience.

If you want to show your appreciation for a crew member, there are other ways to do so. Offering an extra gratuity is always appreciated, and it gives the crew member the flexibility to spend the money as they choose.

You can also share your positive experience on a post-cruise survey or reach out to Carnival Cruise Line directly to provide feedback. This can help the crew member's performance review and potentially lead to recognition or rewards.