Costa Cruises has issued a reminder to passengers about its onboard hygiene policies, warning guests they may face a €60 cleaning charge if they remove food from buffet venues and restaurants for consumption elsewhere on the ship.
According to the cruise crew website Crew Center, the cruise line recently sent a notice to guests outlining strict sanitation measures designed to maintain cleanliness and reduce health risks onboard.
According to the letter, passengers are not permitted to take food into cabins, pool decks, lounges, or other public indoor areas.
Costa said the policy is intended to help prevent contamination and minimise the risk of parasites and other hygiene-related issues while at sea.
“All food must be consumed exclusively in designated dining areas,” the notice states.
The cruise line also clarified that only Room Service personnel trained in hygiene and sanitation procedures are authorised to transport food to guest cabins.
Guests who fail to comply with the rules could be charged a €60 cleaning fee, according to the letter.
Costa is the only cruise line where I’ve ever encountered anything like this.
When I sailed with them, there was someone stood at the door to the buffet to stop anyone taking plates out. They wouldn’t even let me take a plate to the outside seating area next to the buffet – even though all the indoor seating was taken!
Cruise Lines Continue Tightening Health Policies
The reminder comes as cruise operators continue placing greater emphasis on onboard sanitation and food safety standards.

Buffet areas remain one of the busiest spaces onboard cruise ships, with many lines introducing stricter hygiene practices, enhanced cleaning procedures, and more visible hand sanitation measures in recent years.
Most cruise lines have no issue with you taking a plate from the buffet though, as long as you are sensible with where you leave it.
There is a long-running debate between cruisers about whether you should put dirty plates in the corridor outside your cabin or not. Cruise line rules vary!
Costa Cruises thanked guests for their understanding and cooperation, saying the measures are designed to help maintain a safe and hygienic environment for everyone onboard.
Get the best price on your cruise…
Related Posts
- Cruisers’ Biggest Pet Peeves Revealed! Which Behaviours Bother You The Most?
- 15 Unwritten Cruise Buffet Rules Every Cruiser Should Know
- 7 Deadly Sins Of Cruising: Are You Guilty?