Carnival Cruise Line under fire over cruise dining dilemma
The cruise line’s brand ambassador is dealing with the fallout from the introduction of new menu item.
When Carnival Cruise Line shared a celebratory new menu item rolling out on all its cruise ships, many passengers were excited.
“Now another reason to book a cruise,” passenger James Starr wrote on Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald’s Facebook post that revealed the new lunch option.
Related: Carnival Cruise Line reveals major change to Guy’s Burger menu
Created in partnership with celebrity chef Guy Fieri, the new BBQ Rum Runner featured burger at Guy’s Burger Joint on Carnival cruise ships is a tribute to the cruise line’s new private destination opening this summer, Celebration Key.
Although many passengers are looking forward to trying the new burger, which is piled high with rum BBQ pulled pork, jalapeno-pineapple salsa, coleslaw, and more, other passengers think it looks like a heart attack waiting to happen.
After sharing the new burger, the cruise line’s brand ambassador has been dealing with a wave of comments and messages about Carnival’s focus on unhealthy food options.
Even though many passengers want to indulge in comfort food during their cruise vacations, more and more cruisers are looking for dining options that support healthy lifestyles.
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Carnival cruise passenger grills brand ambassador on healthy dining choices
“I am so disappointed with yet another photo and of unhealthy food promoted by Carnival’s very overweight ambassador,” a passenger identified as C wrote in a message Heald shared on his popular Facebook page. “On my last cruise, which was on Carnival's newest ship, Jubilee, it was just about impossible to eat healthy. I would like my food to have a lot of protein and fiber, and I like to eat fruit and vegetables as well as low-fat meat, only fish and chicken. The bread was either white or wheat, and there were no fiber-rich cereal choices.”
The passenger emphasized that the way the cruise line prepared chicken for lunch didn’t promote healthy lifestyles.
“At the lunch buffet there was never fish and the only chicken laid in greasy sauce. Shaq’s Big Chicken catered to your followers, John, because they all looked like you or much worse,” the passenger asserted. “I am not being cruel so do not flame me. I am saying what I see with my own two eyes.”
Related: Carnival passengers say 'no' to once-popular menu item
The passenger also pointed out the lack of lean protein and vegetable variety offered at both lunch and dinner.
“The choices were very narrow, no meat or protein there, no low-fat cooked vegetables either,” the passenger continued. “Only at dinner was I able to order fish – only one choice each night. What happened to the salmon? For the side I had to order separate broccoli every night except one night they had beans and asparagus — other nights only potatoes, rice and pasta.”
“Obesity kills more Americans than smoking,” the passenger wrote. “How do you like them apples?”
Carnival brand ambassador claps back
In response to the passenger’s concerns, Heald acknowledged the importance of healthy eating and noted that the cruise line is working to offer more healthy dining options for passengers.
“I know I should eat healthier, I have addressed this many times and I am really trying,” Heald explained. “And honestly I do believe that we have many healthy choices including wheat bread at breakfast on Lido and I know Chef Roshan and the beards will continue to offer more and more healthy options for our guests.”
Heald pointed out that the cruise line must balance offering healthy options with the comfort food many passengers want to enjoy while on vacation.
“And while there is a need to offer healthy food there is also a need I think to offer the comfort food that compliments being relaxed and having fun on your cruise.”
More Carnival Cruise Line news:
- Carnival Cruise Line blames passengers for key problem
- Carnival Cruise Line makes another ban very clear
- Carnival Cruise Line answers key cruise dining question
Heald couldn’t resist the opportunity to make a witty clapback though.
“However, I am sure things will change. Anybody advertising red meat products will soon be banned,” Heald wrote. “We will have to operate Guy’s Burgers from behind a grey unbranded wall which instead of photos of Guy Fieri’s grinning handsome face welcoming us onboard will be festooned with health warnings and photos of my stomach.”
“And of course anyone ordering a burger will be forced to stand in a special “red meat” section of the Lido Deck,” he continued.
“Yes, we will all be thin as a wisp of kale but then we will have to start dying of something else. My guess is boredom.”
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