Carnival Guest Upset About Loss of Holiday Drink Tradition

Carnival Addresses Eggnog (Photo Credit: Sumerdita_Dphots & etorres)

No matter what they may celebrate at this time of year, everyone has their own traditions for various festivities. This may include special foods, holiday pajamas, events, decorations, and of course, drinks to toast the season.

One Carnival cruise guest is frustrated that their family tradition is not available aboard Carnival Venezia, where a popular holiday beverage, eggnog, is absent. This is so disruptive to their Christmas plans that they reached out to John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador.

“Here on Venezia and no egg nog. It’s the xmas and Carnival has no egg nog. Egg nog is a xmas tradition in our family to be mixed with our dark rum,” the guest explained. “Thanks for taking one of our family xmas traditions away.”

Carnival Venezia is currently sailing a 7-night Western Caribbean itinerary that departed Port Canaveral on Sunday, December 14, with visits to Celebration Key, Roatan, and Cozumel on the schedule.

But are the up to 5,260 guests onboard the ship really missing eggnog that much?

Heald responded to the guest’s frustration, but also opened up the discussion to other cruisers about this sometimes controversial holiday beverage.

“I hope that despite no noggs of egg that you are having a brilliant time,” he said. “Egg Nog – do you drink it?”

Eggnog Opinions Vary

More than 1,400 guests responded to Heald’s question in just a few hours, with varied opinions on whether or not the festive beverage ought to be served onboard.

While many guests enjoy the typically frothy drink, either with or without spirits, they don’t expect Carnival Cruise Line to uphold their personal holiday traditions.

“Yes, I love it, but do not expect Carnival to meet all my, or anyone else’s, favorite drinks, or tradition. If it means that much, they should not cruise at that time,” one guest noted.

“Eggnog-gate: where people forget that not everyone likes the same holiday drinks! Carnival is not obligated to cater to everyone’s family traditions,” another guest quipped.

A very valid point one guest brought up is that there are several brands of eggnog and those who like the drink can be very loyal to their favorite, just as guests are very loyal in the Coke vs. Pepsi wars.

“It would be impossible for Carnival to provide one to make everyone happy,” they noted.

A number of guests do think it would be nice for Carnival to offer the seasonal beverage, with or without rum or bourbon, and it could be a fun addition to holiday menus.

While Carnival has some amazing treats on its Christmas holiday menu, no eggnog options are available, at least not this year. With enough feedback, maybe there could be an eggnog cheesecake or other decadent dessert added in future years!

Bring Your Own Eggnog Onboard

Another popular suggestion was that anyone who really wants eggnog could bring it aboard with them at embarkation.

Carnival’s liquor and beverage policy permits guests to bring along “a maximum of 12 sealed, unopened cans/cartons of 12-ounces/354-ml each or less” of non-alcoholic beverages.

Heald has also previously noted that guests can replenish their non-alcoholic drink supply at ports of call, so guests could also pick up a small carton of eggnog while visiting a port during their cruise.

Provided the guests’ eggnog was not already fortified with rum or other spirits, they could certainly bring along the festive drink. There is plenty of rum onboard for anyone who wants that enhancement as well!