One cruise line is eliminating free room service in certain cabins.
Starting in June 2025, guests sailing on Cunard ships will be required to pay for meals and snacks delivered to their staterooms after 10:00am.
The change only applies to passengers staying in Britannia cabins. Those in Princess Grill and Queens Grill suites will continue to enjoy the full room service menu at no additional charge.
Cunard confirmed the change in an email sent to passengers. One affected guest, who is sailing on a transatlantic voyage departing on June 13, shared the email on a Cruise Critic forum. Another added that they also received the email for their Alaska voyage this summer.
"We are writing to inform you of a change in our room service on board. Across the fleet, we are introducing new charges that will apply to room service dishes served after 10.00am in Britannia grade staterooms. Our breakfast items, available before 10.00am, will remain complimentary," the email reads.
"And of course, you’re welcome to dine at the buffet where you’ll find a selection of dishes through the day and into the night, all included in your fare. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner in your main dining room are also included."
The complimentary breakfast items available before 10:00am for guests in Britannia cabins will remain unchanged. These include coffee, juices, scrambled eggs, hash browns, crispy bacon, chicken sausage, assorted breakfast cheeses, and more.
Note that the expanded brunch menu, served between 10:00am and 12:00pm, is no longer included in the Britannia cruise fare.
Read more: I tried the overlooked breakfast option on two cruise lines. One was more basic but both were free
Most cruise lines charge for room service outside of the continental breakfast
Lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Celebrity let guests order from a limited menu for breakfast during set hours for no additional cost.
Aboard Royal ships, for instance, a simple continental breakfast can be delivered anywhere from 6:00am to 11:00am. However, outside of those hours, a flat service fee of $7.95 applies to all deliveries, no matter how many items are ordered.
The same goes for Carnival. Guests can enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast during designated morning hours.
However, room service requests made outside of the 6:00am to 10:00am window will incur a nominal fee. Unlike Royal Caribbean, Carnival charges by item. Although not pricey, you should expect to pay a few dollars per dish, typically somewhere between $3 and $8.
Although not fancy, the continental breakfast usually includes basics such as pastries, toast, fruit, yogurt, cereal, juice, and coffee. It's convenient on port days or when you want a relaxing cup of coffee on your balcony first thing in the morning.
Luxury lines — including Regent Seven Seas, Oceania Cruises, and Viking — offer complimentary room service as part of their inclusive fares.
Another notable exception is Disney Cruise Line, which also includes 24/7 room service at no extra charge. Think chicken fingers, cheese plates, and pasta at your fingertips anytime of day!
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she traveled frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas during her freshman year of high school. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
