Carnival Guests Petition for the Return of Late-Night Pizza
Who doesn’t love a slice of pizza to wind down after a fun day on a cruise? For many passengers aboard Carnival Cruise Line ships, pizza has long been a beloved late-night snack.
But for guests aboard the Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter, two ships recently rebranded from P&O Cruises Australia, the absence of complimentary late-night pizza has caused frustration.
In response to the disappointment, one passionate cruiser, Jonathon Hurrell, launched a petition on Change.org calling for the return of free pizza until midnight.
Hurrell’s petition is gaining traction, with over 400 signatures from fellow passengers who feel that the lack of late-night food options detracts from the Carnival experience.
“We’re asking Carnival Cruise Line to offer free pizza until midnight,” Hurrell states in the petition. “This would not only enhance the guest experience but also align with Carnival’s reputation as the most fun cruise line.”
A Missed Opportunity on Rebranded Ships
Carnival Encounter and Carnival Adventure, which joined Carnival’s fleet in March 2025, have the potential to offer a great cruising experience.
These ships, based in Brisbane and Sydney, can accommodate 2,600 guests each. However, despite their rebranding into the Carnival Fun Ship fleet, not all policies from their former P&O days were updated to match other Carnival ships.
While other Carnival ships typically offer late-night options like the Lido Marketplace buffet (open until 2 a.m.) and the Carnival Deli (until 11 p.m.), neither Carnival Adventure nor Carnival Encounter has these extended hours. This has left some guests disappointed, especially those expecting the full Carnival experience.
“It’s disheartening to see no late-night options after 9 p.m.,” said one frustrated cruiser. “I booked my trip on Carnival Adventure expecting the full experience, and this feels like a step back.”
A Call for Action
The petition is not just about pizza but about maintaining the consistency of service across the Carnival fleet. Many guests feel that late-night dining options, including pizza, should be available as part of the “Fun Ship” experience, especially after a long day of activities.
The petition continues to urge Carnival to make changes, asking the cruise line to extend free food services, specifically by bringing back complimentary pizza until midnight.
Earlier, in November 2024, Carnival Cruise Line had made a change to their pizza service. Traditionally open until 2:30 a.m., the pizza counters like Pizzeria del Capitano and Pirate Pizza began closing at midnight.
Late-night pizza was then limited to deep-dish options at the Lido Marketplace—a change that disappointed many guests. While Carnival Encounter and Carnival Adventure were not yet in service at the time, the policy will now apply to these ships, which are expected to follow the updated rules.
What’s Available Now?
Though pizza and other snacks like wraps, sandwiches, and salads are available 24/7 through room service on all Carnival ships, including Carnival Encounter and Carnival Adventure, there’s a catch: these items come with a fee.
A pan pizza will cost guests $6, a sharp contrast to the previously free late-night pizza they had come to expect.
Both Carnival Encounter and Carnival Adventure offer exciting itineraries, including voyages to the Great Barrier Reef, Fiji, New Caledonia, and Papua New Guinea.
But for now, it seems that a slice of pizza after a long day of cruising remains a wish for many passengers.
As one passionate future guest commented, “Carnival, you can do better! Aussies are loyal customers and deserve the full Carnival experience, including late-night pizza.”
