Nothing goes better with a movie night than crisp and tasty popcorn, whether you like air-popped, slightly salty, or extra buttery kernels. But just what price would you put on those kernels?
For Carnival cruise guests, the cost is a hefty one. The fresh-popped snack is offered during most Dive-In Movie showtimes at the Seaside Theater, but the cost can be surprising.
One thoroughly surprised guest reached out to the cruise line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, asking about the cost.
“When did they start charging (much less $4) for popcorn during Dive-In Movies?” the guest asked. “I went to get some one night and was totally shocked that I now had to purchase it.”
Given that there are so many free food options onboard Carnival ships, even later in the evening when movies may be shown – such as pizza, the late-night Lido snack buffet, ice cream, and more – it can be very shocking to see the available popcorn (not to mention smell it!) only to learn there is a significant charge.
The snack boxes are also not generously sized and hold just 3-4 cups of popped kernels at most, similar to a small size at a movie theater or county fair.
Heald responded with explanations of both when and why the cruise line began to charge for the classic snack.
“We started charging for popcorn approximately five years ago, after finding out that when it was for free that people would order so much, eat very little, and thus waste so much,” he explained.
Carnival Cruise Line has worked hard to minimize food waste, taking steps such as eliminating the classic midnight gala buffet, revamping menus to highlight favorite dishes and remove less popular choices, and installing biodigesters across the fleet to process any remaining food debris.
But why would guests simply toss out so much popcorn, even if it was free? Of course, any frequent cruiser who has seen overloaded buffet plates left behind or the room service trays in the hallway with barely touched meals isn’t surprised.
Furthermore, due to dietary restrictions to accommodate all travelers, the popcorn Carnival Cruise Line offers is salt-free and butter-free. Many guests may not expect that and may not like the taste of plain popcorn.
It’s easy to add salt and butter to your own box of popcorn. Sometimes salt shakers or flavorings are available right by the popcorn cart, or else they’re just steps away in the Lido Marketplace. Doing so, however, might mean missing favorite movie scenes or just isn’t worthwhile.
Not Just About Food Waste
The high price for popcorn isn’t just to discourage food waste, however.
“There was always an awful mess afterwards when it was free for housekeeping to have to clean,” Heald elaborated. “That is not the case now.”
It’s very true that popcorn spills easily, and the light kernels can be a nightmare to try to clean up – especially if it might be a bit breezy on the Lido Deck at movie time.
Read Also: Can You Bring Snacks on a Carnival Cruise?
Guests who could grab several free boxes might also spill popcorn in many other places, such as in the atrium, hallways, elevators, and more. This would be a tremendous hassle for crew members to sweep up.
If popcorn isn’t cleaned up quickly, it could also attract opportunistic gulls looking for an easy meal. Guests are not permitted to feed birds from Carnival cruise ships, and the temptation to toss kernels at nearby birds could be too much.
For guests who love popcorn with a movie but simply can’t bring themselves to pay that high price, there is another option. Sealed bags of pre-popped popcorn can be brought onboard with a guest’s luggage and enjoyed during Dive-In Movies or while watching a movie in one’s stateroom.
