Carnival Cruise Line recently fired up excitement (and a bit of controversy) when they announced a brand-new burger at Guy’s Burger Joint, the popular eatery found on all Carnival ships. But while some cruisers are ready to sink their teeth into this towering creation, others are raising an eyebrow — and not just at the jalapeño-pineapple salsa.
So, what’s cooking? Let’s break it down.
A Burger to Celebrate — Or a Heart Attack on a Plate?
Carnival’s latest mouthwatering menu addition, the BBQ Rum Runner Burger, was unveiled as a tribute to Celebration Key, the cruise line’s new private destination opening this summer. Piled high with rum BBQ pulled pork, zesty jalapeño-pineapple salsa, creamy coleslaw, and more, this burger is clearly designed to make your taste buds dance.
Sounds delicious, right? Well, not everyone is celebrating.
One passenger, James Starr, summed up the excitement on Facebook with a cheerful, “Now another reason to book a cruise!” — and honestly, who can argue with that logic when thinking about the best vacation ever?
But others? Not so much.
Passengers Want More Than Fries with That — Where Are the Healthy Options?
As much as cruise vacations are known for indulgence, a growing number of passengers are asking for healthier dining options to enjoy while sailing the seas. And when Carnival’s brand ambassador, John Heald, posted about the new burger, some folks took it as the last straw in what they see as an unhealthy food-focused menu.
One frustrated cruiser, identified only as “C”, voiced some serious concerns in a message Heald shared on his wildly popular Facebook page.
“I am so disappointed with yet another photo of unhealthy food promoted by Carnival’s very overweight ambassador,” C wrote bluntly. “On my last cruise 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.”
And while we may need a minute to recover from that harsh opening line, C’s point about limited healthy options on board has resonated with a good number of cruisers.
Where Are the Greens and Grilled Chicken?
According to C, finding a fiber-rich breakfast or lean protein at lunch was nearly impossible. Fish? Nowhere to be found. Chicken? Only if you like it swimming in sauce. And vegetables? Unless you consider a lonely piece of broccoli at dinner a vegetable serving, you’re out of luck.
“At the lunch buffet there was never fish, and the only chicken laid in greasy sauce,” C complained. “Shaq’s Big Chicken catered to your followers, John, because they all looked like you or much worse.” (Ouch.)
Dinner offered one lonely fish dish per night, and sides were often limited to potatoes, rice, and pasta — not exactly what you want when you’re aiming for lean and green. “What happened to the salmon?” C wondered, probably thinking fondly of omega-3s.
“Obesity Kills More Americans Than Smoking” — A Grim Reminder on a Fun Cruise
C didn’t hold back from sharing a final zinger: “Obesity kills more Americans than smoking. How do you like them apples?”
Well, if they’re deep-fried apples from the dessert bar, we imagine Carnival would like them a lot.
But all jokes aside, it’s a serious conversation: should cruise lines offer more health-conscious options, or should cruises remain a haven for cheat meals and carefree eating?
Carnival’s Ambassador John Heald Fires Back — With a Side of Humor
To his credit, John Heald responded with grace, humor, and a dose of reality.
“I know I should eat healthier, I have addressed this many times and I am really trying,” Heald admitted. He went on to say that Carnival does offer some healthy options, like whole wheat bread at breakfast, and promised that Chef Roshan and “the beards” (Carnival’s leadership team) are working to improve.
But Heald also made a valid point — people are on vacation, and many want comfort food. After all, what’s a cruise without a little indulgence?
“And while there is a need to offer healthy food, there is also a need to offer the comfort food that complements being relaxed and having fun on your cruise,” he said.
The “Red Meat” Zone and Kale Cruises — Heald’s Epic Clapback
Of course, Heald couldn’t resist sprinkling in a little British wit (because let’s face it, if you’re getting roasted on social media, humor is the best sauce).
“Anybody advertising red meat products will soon be banned,” he joked. “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.”
He didn’t stop there: “Anyone ordering a burger will be forced to stand in a special ‘red meat’ section of the Lido Deck. Yes, we will all be thin as a wisp of kale, but then we’ll have to start dying of something else. My guess is boredom.”
Now, that’s a burger with extra sass.
So, What’s the Verdict — Healthy Cruises or Cheat Day Heaven?
As cruise ships become more like floating cities with every imaginable indulgence, passenger expectations are shifting. Some want to embrace vacation as a time to eat what they want — burgers, fries, and all. Others, especially those following specific diets or focusing on wellness, want fresh, high-protein, low-fat meals with fruits and veggies that don’t look like an afterthought.
With Carnival rolling out new destinations like Celebration Key and adding new restaurants and menu items, the balance between healthy and indulgent dining will be crucial to keeping everyone happy — and returning for the best vacation every year.
Final Thoughts: Should Carnival Cruise Add More Healthy Dining Options?
So, where do you stand on the Carnival Cruise food debate? Are you team “Bring on the burgers!” or team “More greens, please!”?
Drop your thoughts in the comments — should Carnival focus more on healthy eating or keep serving up the vacation comfort food we all secretly love?
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