Whether in a land-based bar or restaurant or a shipboard one, people value fast service.
Many people, especially Americans, believe that slow service in a restaurant warrants a smaller tip.
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But surprisingly, thousands of passengers who vacation on what’s considered to be America’s cruise line have indicated that they don’t want speedier service if it means replacing tipped crew members with a one trendy service technology.
Driven by staffing shortages, some hotels and restaurants are now embracing service robots to automate tasks like food delivery. Some say this automation doesn’t just help with staffing challenges, it improves the guest experience by delivering faster service.
But it appears that Carnival Cruise Line passengers don’t care enough about getting faster service on their cruises to want robots to replace any of the ship’s crew members.
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Royal Caribbean has embraced robotic bartender technology with its Bionic Bar, although it’s no longer being added to new ships.
Image source: Royal Caribbean International
Carnival cruisers reject idea of employing onboard robots
“Is Carnival considering replacing human crew members with robots?” an unidentified passenger recently wrote to Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald. “There is a report on the hotel technology news website. Hotels will now be using robots that can deliver towels, supplies.”
“Can you assure us that Carnival will not be hiring robots as bartenders and other crew positions,” the passenger asked.
Robot bartenders actually already exist at sea in an innovative bar featured on a number of Royal Caribbean cruise ships. At Royal Caribbean’s Bionic Bar, two robotic arms muddle, stir, shake, and strain to serve up all kinds of drinks — but it’s more about entertainment than efficiency.
Carnival’s sister cruise line Princess Cruises also recently introduced food delivery robots in one of the restaurants featured on its newest ship, Sun Princess.
Related: Carnival cruisers reject this major change to the boarding process
Although Heald did not promise his followers that Carnival Cruise Line won’t ever join hotels and other cruise lines in employing robotic bartenders or other service robots, he did ask passengers to share their opinions on the idea in a poll on his Facebook page.
And the results were quite telling.
More than 15,000 Carnival cruisers who voted in the poll indicated that they do not want Carnival to “hire” robots instead of crew members. Only about 800 people who participated in the poll selected the option, “I see nothing wrong with hiring robots as bartenders and other crew members.”
In the comments on the poll, some Carnival cruise passengers explained why service robots on cruise ships don’t appeal to them.
Interactions with human crew are essential to the cruise experience
“Please, no on the robots. I’d rather see a smiling face than deal with ‘science fiction’ on vacation,” Traci Wagner commented.
“I can see using robots in a few limited situations, but nothing replaces a human smile,” Charlene Ludwick Sparrow agreed.
To many Carnival passengers, the crew play a central role in their cruise vacation and they wouldn’t want to cruise without them. Although not every cruiser enjoys tipping, some appreciate the opportunity to support the hardworking crew members from all over the globe who make their vacations special.
“Yeah, no robots! Real people from around the world depend on those jobs to support their families back home,” Mike Turner pointed out. “I can at least feel better about myself on a cruise having excellent service by friendly staff and know my small contribution helps support their families. Tip them, shake their hand, pat them on the back, even give them a hug and take selfies with them. Make memories for them as well! Can’t do that with no stinking robot!”
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The introduction of service robots could even drive some Carnival cruisers to consider switching cruise lines.
“Robots would be a big red flag for me to move to a different cruise line. The best part of Carnival is its cruise members,” James Vickers added.
One passenger also keenly pointed out a potential barrier to service robot implementation at sea.
“Robots? If they have to rely on ship internet they’d never work,” Warren Blankschen commented.
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Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me’s Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at [email protected] or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
