Cruise Line Addresses Common Food Complaint – Why It’s Not Served

(KMDL-FM) If you mention that you are going on a cruise, have been on one, or are currently on one, the topic of food will be brought to the forefront in very short order. Food is one of the main reasons people go on cruises. It's also one of the leading sources of complaints among cruise guests.

READ MORE: Don't Fail Before You Sail - Important Cruise Changes for 2026

However, the complaint that I see the most in reading cruise news and cruise reviews isn't about the quality of food onboard the many cruise lines that serve the Gulf. It's almost always about a particular food item that guests can't have prepared the way they want it.

Get our free mobile app

Why Won't Cruise Ship Kitchens Cook Certain Food Items?

You've probably figured out that when you take an entire city, that's basically what today's modern cruise ships are. Out to sea, there are going to be rules in place that not only govern the operation of the vessel but also the safety of those on board.

Food safety is a key component of a "happy cruise experience".  Yet, some want the cruise industry to "flirt with danger" just so they can eat beside the swimming pool and appear "POSH" to the other guests, and can you believe it, the reason for all of this consternation is a hamburger?

READ MORE: 20 Summer Sailings Cancelled - Thousands of Guests Affected

Fans of beef who truly appreciate its flavor and complexity generally strive to have their beef cooked "rare". And while that style of cooking works well for large cuts of meat such as steak, it's not a consistently safe choice for ground meat.

And when you consider that gastric illnesses account for most of the issues among cruise passenger populations, you can see why the cruise lines don't want to lean into a style of food preparation that could lend itself to fostering "the spew flu".

Why Can't You Get a Rare or Medium Rare Burger on a Cruise Ship?

And that's why you can't get served a rare or medium-rare burger on a cruise ship. And if you sail on Carnival Cruise Lines, you can't get a Guy Fieri Hamburger after 6:30 at night. Some cruise influencers say it's because of economics. However, Carnival's Brand Ambassador says it's a little more than that.

The bottom line is simply this: the cruise lines want your vacation to be wonderful. Although their restroom facilities are more than adequate, they don't think you spent the money you spent to spend your vacation in the bathroom.

As lovely as this image from one of the Norwegian Cruise Line vessels paints the picture of a cruise ship's public bathroom. It's not really where you're going to get the most enjoyment for your cruise dollar. Yes, I took a picture of a bathroom while on vacation.

So just plan on your burger being a little more cooked than you might get it back home, and realize you're on vacation, and you shouldn't be worrying about anything.

Except for these untold secrets that might change the way you think about cruising forever.