“I am very annoyed” – Carnival apologises after removing tea and coffee for new Aussie Zero drinks package

• Despite being initially displayed as part of the package, specialty tea and coffee are no longer included in Carnival’s new ‘zero proof’ drinks packages for Aussies.
• The Carnival websites now list “specialty tea and coffee” as excluded from the package in
  Australia.
• Some Aussies who had already booked the package are now hoping they can cancel it.

While many Carnival fans were delighted to see that Carnival rolled out a new non-alcoholic Zero drinks package, allowing cruisers to bundle their non-alcoholic drinks purchases, there’s one particular exclusion that has left Aussie cruisers upset.

Initially, cruisers were sent to a page that listed “specialty coffees and teas” as included in the package, and a number booked up. Now, Carnival’s website says they are excluded from the zero-proof package.

This is especially frustrating for Aussies, because “premium coffees and teas” are included in the American version of the package.

While the package has plenty of other inclusions, such as sodas, juices, alcohol-free beer, wine and cocktails, frozen drinks, milkshakes and smoothies, it has come as a disappointment to Aussies that specialty teas and coffee aren’t one of the inclusions.

Aussie cruise-blogger “Cruise Crazed Fam” created a post on the topic on Facebook, and cruisers came out in large numbers to express their disappointment.

Cruiser Julie-Anne wrote: “I am very annoyed. It says non-refundable, and yet they changed it after my purchase. Surely if you pay for something that says it’s included at the time of purchase, they should have to honour that or refund the purchase.”

Other cruise passengers were in the same situation, Rosemary Sheehan: “I purchased on Friday this package with the coffees noted. Wondering if I now cancel given the arguments it will cause otherwise – sigh… I literally bought it because of the coffee being part of it!”

Another cruiser wrote: “Just checked it the other day and it was there. Checked my booking again now and it’s gone. Such a shame!”

Carnival has apologised for the error and confirmed guests can receive refunds if they no longer want the package for their cruise.

A Carnival spokesperson told Cruise Passenger: “Carnival Cruise Line Australia apologises for an inaccurate Cheers Zero Proof beverages package that appeared briefly on our website when it was launched last week.

“Premium coffee and teas are not included in the Australia package. Guests who no longer want the package can get a refund.”

Other Aussies also expressed their disappointment with the changes. Writing comments like that “Very disappointed, went to book a package today and changed my mind” and “I literally bought this a couple of days ago, and the coffee was one of the biggest reasons! WTF.”

Some Aussies even expressed that they feel particularly targeted by Carnival, writing, “Feel a bit attacked from Carnival! We are obviously 2nd-rate citizens in their eyes.”

It’s worth noting that the American package is slightly more expensive than the Australian version, coming out about AUD$46 based on current exchange rates, versus AUD$39.99 for the Aussie package.

It will be seen if Carnival listens to the cries of Aussies and puts specialty teas and coffees back into the drinks package, or offers an alternative option.