Carnival cruise fans are a passionate bunch. And they’re often fiercely loyal to the brand. But that doesn’t mean they don’t also like to have the occasional moan about how the cruise line has changed over the years.
And there have been some big changes.
Some are specific to Carnival while others are part of the shifting landscape of cruising in general, as every cruise line tries to be more environmentally-friendly, a little more budget-conscious, and perhaps even a little less controversial?
That’s definitely the case with some of these Carnival changes…
1. The Midnight Extravaganza
The Midnight Extravaganza was Carnival’s buffet blow-out, held just after midnight.
Picture walls of crab legs, mountains of carved ice, chocolate fountains and flaming Baked Alaska – all laid out in an over-the-top display four times the size of the regular buffet.
Actually, you don’t need to imagine it. Take a look at this video from the Carnival Celebration in 2007…
Many applaud the cleaner decks and quieter nights; others (particularly the snack-obsessed and social-media crowd) still hanker for that midnight feast under the stars.
2. The Quest
Ah, The Quest.
For the uninitiated, the best way to describe The Quest was as a scavenger hunt – but with a bit of a raunchy twist.
There wasn’t a set rule list for this team-based challenge that would take place on the cruise. It would depend on your cruise director as to how cheeky the game would end up.
But typically, it was a contest where guests had to seek out all manner of items, including bras or men’s shirts – and this would often lead to some chaotic scenes and probably a few flashed nipples that people would regret the next morning.
There would sometimes be a family-friendly version held too, I should clarify.
Officially, The Quest is gone for good. You might get some variants of it on a cruise, depending on your cruise director. But it’s not the same.
And that’s probably for the best.
3. Hairy-Chest & Belly-Flop Competitions
These were once regular fixtures on sea days – a bit of silly fun by the pool that saw brave (or overly confident) men line up to show off their chest hair or make the biggest, loudest splash in a flop contest. There were cheers, groans and usually a lot of sunburned stomachs.
But as Carnival began steering its image towards something a bit more family-friendly, the competitions started fading from the schedule. The hairy chest contest, in particular, was probably on borrowed time – even fans might admit it was starting to feel a bit outdated.
Still, these events had their fans. For some, they were part of Carnival’s cheeky charm – the kind of nonsense that made the cruise memorable.
And in fairness, you don’t easily forget the sight of those dudes proudly strutting their stuff in front of hundreds of poolside spectators.
4. Skeet-Shooting & Golf-Ball Driving
Believe it or not, you used to be able to do clay pigeon shooting on Carnival cruises. Passengers would line up on an upper deck, aim a shotgun over the sea (loaded with biodegradable pellets), and try their luck at hitting a flying target. Some ships also offered golf ball driving into the ocean.
These days, you’d be hard-pressed to find anything like that on board. The environmental concerns alone would be enough to sink the idea, and it’s hard to imagine a modern Carnival ship handing out firearms – even if they were controlled and supervised.
There’s no real outrage about their disappearance, though a few long-time cruisers miss the novelty of it. But in truth, these were niche offerings – interesting to try once, but not exactly the cornerstone of the Carnival experience.
Read more: Skeet Shooting At Sea
5. Twice-Daily Cabin Service & Turndown
Once upon a time, your cabin steward would visit not just once a day, but twice – making your bed in the morning and returning in the evening to turn it down, leave chocolates on the pillows and reset the room for the night.
These days, unless you’re in a suite, you’ll only get one visit per day – part of Carnival’s shift to streamline operations and reduce strain on housekeeping staff. It also happens to be better for the environment, with less laundry and water usage.
Most guests have accepted the change without much fuss, but that second visit did add a little something extra. There’s just something nice about coming back to a freshly fluffed bed and a mint, especially after a long evening show or late dinner.
6. Onboard Videographers
In the pre-smartphone era, Carnival had onboard videographers filming everything from sailaways to poolside games and formal nights. They’d then edit it into a souvenir video, which you could purchase at the end of the cruise.
It was never cheap, and it was never subtle. I’m told that the camera crews had a knack for appearing right when you were red-faced and half-drenched after a bellyflop contest, or trying to dance when you absolutely should not have been.
Eventually, as passengers started documenting their own holidays with phones and GoPros, the onboard video team quietly disappeared.
These days, you make your own memories – for better or worse. And while some might miss the polished, ship-produced recap, most people are probably happy not to have a camera following them around every deck.
7. Printed Carnival Capers and Menus
Carnival Capers – the daily printed newsletter – was once the lifeblood of the cruise. Slipped under your door each night, it laid out every event, activity and show happening the next day, plus the weather forecast, dress code and a few bits of cruise director humour.
Alongside it, you’d also get printed menus in the dining room, which you could read at your leisure or even take as a souvenir.
Eventually, these all moved to the Carnival Hub app. It’s efficient, saves paper, and lets the cruise line make real-time updates – handy when something’s cancelled or moved.
But it’s not quite the same as sitting on your balcony in the morning, coffee in hand, flicking through a physical copy of everything going on that day. You can still request the (now rebranded) Fun Times as a paper copy, and you can get paper menus if you ask – but a lot of people just feel like it’s inconvenient.
Menus especially felt like keepsakes – people would take them home, fold them into scrapbooks, or use them to remember their favourite dishes. Now it’s all on a screen, and while it works just fine, it doesn’t have the same charm.
8. Topless Sunbathing Deck
For a while, Carnival allowed topless sunbathing in designated adults-only areas on some of its ships. These decks were usually tucked away in quiet corners and not widely promoted, but they existed – and some guests made full use of them.
Over time, those spaces were phased out. They were never hugely popular, and there were ongoing issues with signage, guests wandering in by accident, and a general sense of awkwardness for staff who had to enforce the rules.
These days, it’s swimsuits on for everyone, everywhere. Not many people even noticed the change, but there’s a small group of loyal naturists who still bring it up from time to time – usually with a nostalgic shrug and a sigh about “how cruising used to be.”
Suggested read: The Do’s and Don’ts of Topless Sunbathing on Cruise Ships
9. 24/7 Pizza
Carnival’s pizza has always had a bit of a cult following – hot, fresh, thin-crust slices served from the poolside pizzeria. And for years, it was available 24 hours a day. Whether you’d just come back from a late-night comedy show or were heading out for a sunrise walk, pizza was always there.
But not anymore. The hours have been scaled back, mostly to give the staff a break and cut down on late-night food waste. It still runs most of the day and well into the evening, but if you’re looking for a 3 am pepperoni fix, you’ll probably be out of luck.
A late night snack menu has been added to the buffet, but it’s not the same – choices are limited and the pizza isn’t the same quality you can enjoy elsewhere on the ship during daytime hours.
A shame – and something people are still unhappy over.
10. Bluetooth Speakers Permitted
There was a time when guests could bring Bluetooth speakers on board and use them freely – on balconies, in cabins, and even on deck.
It didn’t take long for that to become a problem. Competing playlists at the pool, thumping bass at 7 am from the balcony next door, and impromptu parties that no one else signed up for.
Carnival eventually stepped in and banned them completely. It was one of those rare changes that almost everyone welcomed. Peace returned to the pool deck, and now the only music you hear comes from the ship’s own sound system.
Some people still ask why they can’t play their music in private, but the blanket ban avoids any grey areas. And really, no one’s ever missed someone else’s speaker blaring EDM at sunrise.
11. Free Popcorn at Dive-in Movies
Dive-In Movies – the open-air films shown on deck under the stars – are still going strong. What’s missing now is the free popcorn that used to come with them. For years, Carnival would hand out small tubs of popcorn at no charge, and it added a proper cinema feel to the experience.
That’s all stopped now. These days, if you want popcorn, you’ll have to buy. It’s a small change, but noticeable for anyone who remembers the old days.
Some say it’s no big loss – after all, it’s still a free movie with a sea breeze. And apparently it’s stopped some issues with people taking the freebie and then just throwing it around the pool deck.
But there’s something undeniably satisfying about munching popcorn under the stars, and without it, the Dive-In Movie nights just feel a bit more… ordinary.
12. Tablecloths in the Main Dining Room
There was a time when dinner in the main dining room meant crisp white tablecloths, neatly folded napkins, and a more traditional, formal dining experience – even on casual nights. It gave meals a little extra sense of occasion, whether you were tucking into lobster tail or just ordering a burger with fries.
Carnival started phasing them out years ago. These days, most dining rooms have bare tables with simple place settings. It’s more relaxed, easier to clean, and cuts down on laundry – all sensible reasons.
Still, some guests miss that touch of elegance. Tablecloths made dinner feel like a proper event. Without them, it’s still enjoyable – but there’s no denying it feels just a little more like a busy restaurant than a special night out.
13. Trays in the Buffet
Buffets on cruise ships used to have trays – the big kind you’d balance on your arm, stacking up plates, bowls, drinks, and maybe even dessert if you were confident. Carnival removed them to reduce spills, ease traffic flow, and discourage guests from piling up more food than they could eat.
It’s a change that’s mostly stuck. Today, you’ll grab a plate or two and make more trips if you’re hungry.
And while that’s probably a good thing, there are people who say they found it easier to carry a tray, some old-school cruisers still bring it up, especially when juggling plates during peak lunch rush. But for most, it’s just the new normal.
14. Free Room Service
For years, room service on Carnival was completely free, available day and night. You could order sandwiches, desserts, hot meals, even breakfast trays delivered to your cabin – all without paying a penny (though tipping the delivery staff was always encouraged).
That’s changed. Room service now comes with a charge for most items, especially during evening hours. A few light bites remain complimentary during the day, but the full menu is behind a price tag.
Understandably, this one still stings for a lot of guests. There’s something deeply satisfying about eating a grilled cheese in your pyjamas while watching the waves go by. People will still use the service, but that sense of indulgent luxury – the feeling that you could order just because you could – has definitely faded.
15. Special Menu Items
Carnival used to offer a wider range of special menu items that would pop up on certain nights – whether it was a regional dish inspired by the ship’s itinerary, a themed dessert night, or an over-the-top presentation like Baked Alaska parades. These items were often a surprise and gave meals a bit of extra excitement.
But over time, the menus have been simplified. Fewer one-off dishes, fewer theatrics, and a more standardised experience across the fleet. It helps things run more smoothly in the galley and keeps waste down – especially as dining rooms got busier.
That said, people still talk about the “old menus.” The Elegant Night lobster tails. The escargot. The crew marching in with flaming desserts. Those touches might not have been essential, but they were memorable – and the current dining options, while solid, don’t always spark the same level of enthusiasm.
16. Pepsi Products
Carnival used to be a Coca-Cola cruise line – you could get all your familiar Coke products onboard, from Diet Coke to Sprite to the occasional exotic Fanta flavour.
But that changed when Carnival made the switch to Pepsi, a change that rolled out across the fleet in early 2020.
And for something as small as a soft drink, it stirred up a surprising amount of emotion. Some people genuinely didn’t mind, or even preferred Pepsi. But others… didn’t take it quite so well.
But then they got some good news in the summer of 2025 as the cruise line announced it was returning to Coca-Cola products.
So great news for Coca-Cola fans, but the people who prefer Pepsi are now the ones missing out.
17. Personalised Service
One of the things long-time Carnival fans talk about is how personal things used to feel. Cabin stewards and bartenders would remember your name, your drink order, even how you took your coffee in the morning.
You didn’t have to ask twice – they just knew.
As the cruise line got bigger and the ships more crowded, some of those little touches started to fade. Service is still friendly, but it’s more streamlined now – less time to chat, more focus on efficiency. For newer cruisers, it’s still impressive. But if you’ve sailed Carnival for years, you’ll probably notice the difference.
It’s not that the crew don’t care – far from it. They’re working just as hard as ever. But with more guests and fewer repeat interactions, that feeling of being known and recognised throughout the ship isn’t as common as it once was. And for some people, that’s the thing they miss the most.
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Final Word
Cruising with Carnival has never stood still. Over the years, the cruise line has evolved – trimming back, streamlining, and modernising its experience in ways that make sense from a business, environmental, or logistical perspective.
Some of these changes have been welcomed with open arms (goodbye, Bluetooth speaker battles), while others still spark the occasional nostalgic rant on cruise message boards.
What’s clear is that Carnival has tried to strike a balance between keeping things fun and moving with the times. But for long-time cruisers, the small touches that used to define the experience – the turndown, the midnight crab legs, the cheeky bellyflop contests – still hold a special place in their memories.
So if you find yourself grumbling about missing chocolate on your pillow or scanning the buffet for a tray that isn’t there, you’re not alone. And who knows? Maybe some of these lost favourites will find their way back in one form or another.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
