Cruise line passengers face shock fee for taking food back to cabin

Passengers aboard Costa Cruises are being warned they could face fees for taking buffet food back to their cabins, as the cruise line cracks down on what it says are sanitation and hygiene concerns.

The Italian company, a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation, recently notified guests on select sailings that taking food out of buffet areas and restaurants could lead to a €60 cleaning fee, about $70, according to the cruise blog Crew Center. Based in Genoa, the cruise line operates voyages throughout the Mediterranean, Caribbean and South America.

“Guest safety and wellbeing are our top priority,” a Costa Cruises spokesperson told The Independent in a statement. “On a limited number of specific sailings, an onboard communication was shared as a preventive and deterrent measure, in line with our existing policies, to encourage guests to a responsible behavior.”

“Costa Cruises remains committed to ensuring a high-quality, safe and enjoyable experience for all guests on board. Room service remains available upon request,” the spokesperson concluded.

The letter guests reportedly received stated that “all food must be consumed exclusively in designated dining areas,” and added that only room service workers trained in sanitation and hygiene procedures are permitted to deliver food to guest cabins, according to Crew Center.

The move has sparked heated debate among cruise travelers online. Some passengers defended the rule, pointing to dirty dishes and leftover food frequently left in hallways outside cabin doors. Others argued the policy goes too far, saying they enjoy eating breakfast on private balconies or bringing snacks back to their room during downtime.

“Umm, I say good, nothing worse than plates and cups lining the hallways, it’s not a good look. Never ever in 47 cruises needed to take food to my cabin…” a supporter of the new rule commented on the @unrealcruises Instagram page.

“I have no issue with this,” another said.

However, a person frustrated by the new rule, said: “They just be making up rules as they go.”

“This is not room service if you are getting it yourself. I do it all the time and take back to my balcony room so I don’t have to sit with loads of people coughing everywhere and just have a relaxed meal . PLUS sometimes there are no decent seats free,” another added.

“Zero chance I’d pay that fine,” one cruise fan claimed. “Make breakfast in bed for my wife every morning by bringing food back. Who cares where you eat the included food.”