Most room service to cost extra on Carnival ships

It’s the end of an era for Carnival cruisers who prefer to stay in their cabins and order room service — and some customers aren’t at all happy about it.

This week, the Doral-based cruise line announced that most room service items will no longer be included in the company’s all-inclusive fares.

Like specialty restaurants and treat shops that have sprung up on cruise lines’ newest and biggest ships, it will cost extra on Carnival’s ships to order chicken wings, firecracker shrimp, sandwiches, pizza, fries, salads and desserts.

Only continental breakfast — coffee, juice and a muffin or danish — will remain free via room service after the change takes effect in the middle of January.

Facebook page of John Heald, Carnival’s brand ambassador and senior cruise director. Heald announced the change on Dec. 31 and a day later lashed out at two Internet “trolls” and “beasts” whom he accused of crossing the line.

“Let me say clearly that you can criticize me and the decisions Carnival makes and I will listen and help all I can,” Heald posted. “But as two people did today, refer to my late Father and my heritage in such a venomous and disgusting way, well, I will not only delete and ban you from this page but I would like to meet you so I can use a chainsaw on your dangly bits.”

Prices for each room service item will range from $2 to $5, the company said in a statement provided by spokesman Vance Gulliksen. “Over the last several years, we have heavily invested in bringing more variety to our complimentary food choices across our fleet, while at the same time trying to find effective means to continue to reduce food waste.”

The statement added, “The new pricing structure positions Carnival on par with similar charges by other cruise operators in the contemporary market.”

Royal Caribbean and Norwegian cruise lines charge $7.95 per room service meals other than continental breakfasts, while Celebrity Cruises charges only for room service meals ordered between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Royal Caribbean introduced the charge in May 2017 when it unveiled a “premium” room service menu, a spokeswoman for the cruise line said.

While Heald might have deleted the most vicious reactions to Carnival’s new policy, hundreds of critical comments remained visible on his Facebook page.

“I miss the old Carnival,” wrote Reba Weatherford Terry. “The one with mints on your pillow, desserts that were awesome, food that was super wonderful and crew members that were happy and smiling. I still cruise Carnival twice a year but each cruise leaves me sad for the things that are no longer.”