Carnival urges to use correct term for dining room

Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald has been criticized — on more than one count — for the dining rooms on Carnival cruise ships. Heald consistently refers to them as “dining rooms,” which has drawn criticism from cruise line executives and customers alike. But why?

Heald recently revealed on his Facebook page, where he fields hundreds of questions, complaints and requests almost every day, that Carnival Cruise Line executives have repeatedly urged him to use a more formal term for dining locations.

“I’m still under pressure from a few bearded guys to stop calling the dining room a dining room and switch to the ‘official’ term restaurant,” he explained.

What’s curious is that on the cruise line’s website, these locations are called “Dining Rooms” when visitors explore the different dining options. They are included in the price of each cruise, and guests can choose between reserved times for early or late dinner, or the more flexible “Your Time Dining” for more personalized meal times each day.

In addition, the “Eating and Drinking” FAQ On the cruise line’s website, the venue is also referred to as the Main Dining Room.

Even on individual ship deck plans, each room is labeled as a “Dining Room” with appropriate thematic names. For example, the Golden Olympian Forward Dining Room and the Silver Olympian Dining Room are both on Carnival Liberty, while the Destiny Aft Dining Room is on Carnival Paradise.

Several ships, however, use the term “Restaurant” instead. On the Excel class Carnival Festivalfor example, the Carnivale restaurant and the Festivale restaurant are the two main dining venues. Similarly, the recently updated Legend of Carnival has the Truffles restaurant on deck 3, but its Spirit-class sister ship, Miracle of Carnivalhas the Bacchus dining room.

The name change may be intended to modernize or standardize the language used on board, or to convey the elevated nature of the place after Carnival Cruise Line. menu redesign over the past two years.

For many cruisers, however, the “official” name doesn’t mean much, as “MDR” – Main Dining Room – is firmly ingrained in most experienced cruisers.

Spelling noted

In addition to the name “dining room” rather than “restaurant,” some cruise passengers have also questioned Heald’s spelling of the venue as “the dining room.”

“Why do you insist on writing ‘dining room’ as ‘dining room’? Don’t tell me that’s the English way, because it’s wrong. I checked. It’s infuriating.” a guest wrote.

Also read: Free Dining Options on Carnival Cruises

Although Heald is well known for his humor and good humor in responding to all types of comments with ironic explanations, even for rude comments, he offered only a minimal explanation for this eccentricity, while remaining with his unfailing politeness.

“Thanks mate, and you’re right, I write it that way and it’s because my father did the same thing. I’m not going to waste your time explaining why, because I’m sure you have better things to do. I will say that I won’t change it out of respect and love that I have for my late father.” he said.

Whatever you call it, great food and delicious desserts – don’t miss the signature hot chocolate fondant cake – are always a hit in the main dining room/restaurant.