Italy and Spain Witness Costa Cruises Implement Fine for Guests Taking Buffet Food Onboard to Strengthen Hygiene, Safety, and Cleanliness-All You Need to Know

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Costa Cruises has introduced a new policy affecting cruise passengers sailing across Europe, the Adriatic, and Mediterranean waters, aimed at reinforcing onboard hygiene and cleanliness standards. Under this updated rule, guests are strictly prohibited from taking food from buffets or onboard restaurants to cabins, public areas, or pool decks. Violating this regulation now incurs a €60 fine, approximately $70 USD, intended to cover cleaning and sanitation efforts. While room service remains available for suites and premium cabins, only trained staff are authorised to deliver and retrieve meals. This move aligns with Costa Cruises’ ongoing commitment to health, hygiene, and passenger satisfaction across its fleet, which operates extensively in ports throughout Italy, Spain, France, and other European destinations. Guests are encouraged to enjoy meals within designated areas, ensuring a safe, clean, and pleasant cruise experience across the Adriatic, Mediterranean, and Northern European waters.

Stricter Rules to Maintain Cleanliness and Hygiene

Costa Cruises has taken a decisive stance to prevent food contamination and maintain high hygiene standards onboard its ships traversing Italy, Spain, France, Croatia, and Greece. The new rule explicitly forbids passengers from removing meals from buffets, poolside restaurants, or any public space. If this policy is breached, a €60 cleaning fee is automatically applied. The objective is to safeguard passengers from potential health risks, avoid pest-related issues, and ensure the ship remains spotless during cruises along the Adriatic coast, the Mediterranean islands, and major European ports.

Room Service Protocol Reinforced

To accommodate the ban on self-service transport of meals, Costa Cruises continues offering room service, but delivery and collection of food are handled exclusively by trained staff. Only suite and premium cabin guests benefit from complimentary 24-hour service, while other passengers may incur additional charges. This ensures hygiene protocols are strictly observed, preventing cross-contamination. Guests in countries including Italy, Spain, Croatia, and Malta must now rely on crew-managed service rather than transporting food themselves from the buffet to private balconies or cabins.

Cruise Guest Reactions Across Europe

The reaction among European cruise passengers has been mixed. Many travellers appreciate the emphasis on hygiene and order, particularly on crowded Adriatic mini-cruises visiting Venice, Dubrovnik, or Santorini. Observations of food being left unattended in public areas prompted support for a fine system to enforce discipline and cleanliness. Conversely, some guests expressed frustration, noting that room service charges or limited buffet hours constrain access to snacks, particularly for passengers with medical or dietary needs. Passengers from France, Spain, Italy, and the Adriatic region highlighted challenges in obtaining timely meals during peak dining hours, underscoring tensions between convenience and hygiene compliance.

Comparison with Other Cruise Lines

Costa’s policy differs markedly from sister cruise brands within the Carnival Corporation, such as Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Holland America Line. These brands generally allow more flexibility in food consumption, permitting passengers to pick up meals and leave trays outside cabins for collection by stewards. Unlike Costa Cruises, these lines prioritise convenience while maintaining hygiene through regular checks. Currently, Costa is the only brand under Carnival Corporation enforcing a fixed cleaning fee for violations, setting a precedent that may influence future European and Mediterranean cruise operations.

Regional Implications for European and Adriatic Cruises

The fine policy applies to cruise itineraries spanning Italy, Spain, France, Croatia, and Greece, regions known for high-volume tourism and bustling cruise ports. By regulating buffet usage, Costa Cruises aims to maintain cleanliness and operational efficiency, particularly during multi-day sailings in the Mediterranean and Adriatic. This measure ensures that public areas, pools, and cabins remain sanitary while reducing workload for crew members who would otherwise manage improperly handled food. Tourists sailing to ports such as Venice, Barcelona, Marseille, Dubrovnik, and Santorini now face clearer expectations regarding onboard dining etiquette.

Enforcement and Passenger Guidance

Enforcement is straightforward: passengers caught transporting buffet items outside designated dining zones are immediately charged the €60 fine, which covers cleaning costs and ensures food safety. Guests are reminded to adhere strictly to this rule and to request meals via official room service channels, especially in suite or premium cabins. Crew members are trained to handle meal delivery efficiently while maintaining hygiene, reflecting Costa Cruises’ commitment to health standards across the European and Adriatic cruise routes.

Costa Cruises’ introduction of a €60 fine for taking buffet food represents a significant shift in European and Adriatic cruise dining policy. While some passengers welcome the move for its emphasis on cleanliness, others express concern over the limitations imposed on meal flexibility. By reinforcing hygiene standards, the cruise line safeguards the health of all travellers and ensures a cleaner, more comfortable journey across Italy, Spain, France, Croatia, Greece, and other Mediterranean destinations. As European cruising continues to evolve, this policy may influence other lines seeking to maintain both passenger satisfaction and operational excellence while preserving the high standards for which Costa Cruises is known.