The Essentials

What Services Are Disappearing on Cruise Ships?

What used to be available or free services on some cruise lines may be disappearing.

Parents take note. Royal Caribbean announced that it’s ending its in-room baby sitting service for passengers. The $19 per hour sitters at Sea Service is being ended because the cruise line says it can’t maintain staff on a steady basis. Group babysitting in children’s play areas remains at $7 per hour.

Carnival then announced it’s ending its free room service program and would begin charging between $2 and $7 per item for anything on the breakfast, lunch, or dinner menu that’s delivered to cabins. But shortly after the announcement, the response from travel agents was so negative that Carnival shelved the idea…for now.