Carnival cruisers reject proposed chicken restaurant change

On most cruise ships, you can find some type of basic chicken sandwich available as a lunch option.

If you want a more premium type of crave-worthy crispy chicken sandwich, however, you’ll be hard-pressed to find it on most cruise ships.

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For Carnival cruisers, that kind of craving can only be satisfied on board a select few ships in the Carnival Cruise Line fleet.

Carnival’s Excel-class ships Celebration, Jubilee, and Mardi Gras, as well as Carnival Radiance, feature Big Chicken — onboard outposts of the fast-casual chicken restaurant founded by Carnival’s Chief Fun Officer, former basketball star, and entertainer Shaquille O’Neal.

Big Chicken is not as widely available across the fleet as Guy’s Burger Joint, a popular onboard dining spot created in partnership with Food Network personality and restaurateur Guy Fieri.

Carnival passengers are big on Guy’s burgers, and many would like to see chicken sandwiches have just as big of a focus on both new and existing ships across the fleet. Not every passenger wants to get their fix from Shaq’s chicken joint, though.

One Carnival cruiser recently wrote to Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald on his popular Facebook page with a big request for a chicken restaurant change as the cruise line plans the onboard features of its upcoming Excel-class ships.

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Carnival passenger demands Chick-fil-A at sea

“John Heald, you should do one of your polls on something useful for a change: Chick-fil-A, America’s favorite fast food restaurant. Put those on your new ships and dump the other fast food,” an unidentified passenger proposed.

The Chick-fil-A-loving cruiser was convinced that fans of “America’s cruise line” would embrace the idea of having one of America’s most beloved fast-food chains on board their favorite cruise ships.

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As he often does with passenger requests, Heald obliged and polled his Facebook followers on whether they would like to enjoy Chick-fil-A at sea on board a Carnival cruise ship.

Thousands of Carnival cruisers participate in John Heald’s regular Facebook polls, and although they aren’t official cruise line surveys, they often provide clear indications of things Carnival cruisers want the cruise line to change and things they don’t.

And these recent poll results revealed that Chick-fil-A at sea is something that most Carnival cruisers clearly don’t want.

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Carnival cruisers want more Big Chicken, not Chick-fil-A

Only about 1,600 people voted in favor of Chick-fil-A being added to Carnival cruise ships, while more than 15,000 selected “no thanks.”

In the comments on the poll, many cruisers shared the reasoning behind their votes.

“I get enough Chick-Fil-A on land. But I’d love it if they’d put Shaq’s chicken on all their ships! Yum!” Holly Borel wrote.

“We just need Big Chicken on more ships,” Scot Eric Kaiser agreed.

Although Big Chicken is an emerging chain with several land-based locations and big plans to expand throughout the U.S., it’s nowhere near the size of the Chick-fil-A franchise. Right now, many cruisers can only get their Big Chicken fix while cruising, which adds to its appeal.

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“When I’m on a ship, I want restaurants that I can’t go to every day when I’m at home,” Wendy Henry explained.

Other passengers echoed that and urged the cruise line to continue offering unique onboard dining spots.

“Stick to things that are not accessible to 90% of the population. That would be like putting a McDonald’s when we can all drive to a McDonald’s when we get off the ship,” Susie Squeaks Martinez-Nagele pointed out.

Some cruisers do think another beloved restaurant chain might be a good fit for Carnival Cruise Line, however.

“I’d rather see a Waffle House before Chick-fil-A,” Max Gunter wrote in a comment that many cruisers liked.

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