A Carnival Cruise Line guest recently posted on Facebook about a breakfast gripe: the disappearance of mini cereal boxes from the buffet.
In a message to Brand Ambassador John Heald, the guest explained that the boxes were perfect for their kids to snack on during shore excursions, and they weren’t thrilled with the current setup.
Dear John…
“Why are the small individual boxes of cereals not available in the buffet at breakfast?” they asked.
“My kids like to snack in these during the day… But the Carnival Paradise had none! The cereal is in a Red Roof Inn style dispenser. You are forcing us to buy zip lock bags to put some cereal in and smuggle it off the ship.”
Guests Would Take Cereal Boxes Home
Heald replied with his usual mix of humor mixed with actual cruise policy. “We do have cereal from dispensers,” he wrote. “And yes, when we used to have them in those small boxes, people would take many of them. Not to eat at breakfast, but to take back to their cabins or to take home and it was just not practical.”
Heald also used the moment to remind guests of something more serious: local laws often prohibit bringing food ashore.
Channeling his best Tony the Tiger, Heald said, “Remember most of the places we go to do not allow this,” he said. “If you are caught by the local authorities… they may treat you in a frosty manner. And that will not be, greeeeeeeat.”
Strict Biosecurity Measures
Cruise ports often have strict rules against bringing unsealed food ashore to prevent the spread of pests, plant diseases, and animal-borne illnesses.
Fruit, meat, dairy, and even cereal can pose biosecurity risks to local ecosystems and agriculture.
Heald wrapped up with a wink: “I certainly don’t want to be a cereal killer but we are not planning to go back to the boxes.”
One commenter best summed it up: “I eat cereal a lot at home, but when I cruise, I give the cereal a vacation!”
