Faster Dinners, Bigger Ships: How Carnival Is Adjusting to New Passenger Habits

Photo Caption: Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, at the 2026 Skift Global Forum. Carnival Cruise Line’s customers are ditching late dining. Gone are the days when passengers were fighting over seats at the 8 p.m. multi-course dining service, President Christine Duffy said on stage at the Skift Global Forum. Now, it’s all about quick service that gives them more time to relax in the spa or get in a workout at the gym. The ships, according to Duffy, have become the destination. “People absolutely do not want to spend an hour and a half in a main dining room,” Duffy said. “It is fascinating to really see the behavior on a cruise and how that's evolved.” Carnival has made adjustments to meet evolving priorities among guests — many of whom are multigenerational or affordability-focused travelers — as they chase more experiences on and off the ship. Earlier this