A social media post allegedly written by a passenger aboard Sun Princess has sparked a lively debate among cruise travellers after the guest reportedly called for compensation when the ship ran out of Diet Coke partway through a sailing.
The complaint, which has been widely shared across cruise-focused Facebook groups and forums, appears to have originated from a passenger on a 14-night Mediterranean cruise aboard one of Princess Cruises’ newest ships.
According to screenshots circulating online, the guest claimed that by the fifth day of the voyage Diet Coke was no longer available anywhere onboard, including bars, restaurants and through room service.
The passenger suggested the shortage significantly impacted their holiday experience, arguing that compensation should be considered after the ship reportedly exhausted its supply of the popular soft drink.
While the original post could not be independently verified and may since have been removed, screenshots shared online have fuelled widespread discussion among cruise fans about what level of compensation, if any, should be offered when specific products become unavailable during a sailing.
Debate Divides Cruise Passengers
Reaction across social media has been mixed.
Some travellers argued that guests who purchase beverage packages have a reasonable expectation that advertised drinks will remain available throughout their cruise. Several commenters noted that premium drink packages can cost hundreds of pounds over the course of a voyage, making it understandable that passengers could be disappointed if a preferred drink suddenly disappears.
Others felt the reported complaint was excessive, particularly as alternative soft drinks were allegedly still available onboard, including regular Coca-Cola and Coke Zero.
One commenter suggested that while a partial refund of a drinks package might be worth discussing in some circumstances, requesting reimbursement for an entire cruise holiday because of a single unavailable beverage would be difficult to justify.
Others pointed out that shortages are not uncommon on longer voyages, especially when ships spend extended periods at sea or encounter supply chain disruptions that affect restocking opportunities.
Princess Cruises has not publicly commented on the social media claims. This shouldn’t be taken as an indication that the incident didn’t happen though – cruise lines rarely comment publicly on issues such as this.
Supply Shortages Can Happen At Sea
Although modern cruise ships carry vast quantities of food and beverages, occasional shortages are not unheard of.
Ships must estimate demand before departure and rely on scheduled provisioning stops throughout an itinerary. Unexpected popularity of a particular item, supplier issues or logistical challenges can occasionally result in products running out before a voyage ends.
Cruise lines generally include provisions within their passenger contracts allowing for substitutions and changes to onboard products and services when circumstances require. These clauses typically give operators flexibility if specific food, beverage or retail items become unavailable during a sailing.
The incident has also reignited broader discussions among cruise passengers about beverage packages and onboard drink offerings. In recent years, some cruise lines have adjusted their soft drink programmes, introduced more fountain-based options and altered package inclusions, prompting debate over whether drink packages still offer the same value they once did.
Whether the alleged Sun Princess complaint was serious or tongue-in-cheek, the story has clearly struck a nerve among cruise travellers, highlighting how strongly passengers can feel about the products and perks they expect to find waiting for them onboard.
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I’m diabetic and can only drink Sugar Free and in small moderation. I usually share a cabin with a friend and she enjoys a few glasses of wine and a couple of cocktails, or liquors in the evening. I feel very annoyed that the shipping lines make no exception on the cost of , so called ‘Free at Sea’ drinks packages when you share a cabin, and the fact that I have to pay for a few miserable Diet drinks (selection very poor, either Diet Coke or 7Up, maybe one a day whilst my cabin mate can drink as much as she likes. They should give a special rate for people with medical disabilities, and not rip them off.
It’s Soda for Pete’s sake… get a life there’s war in Ukraine, and elsewhere.
dont buy these packages then if they dont have it then you have lost nothing but if you have been on a cruise before once the cruise line has your money then they will keep it at all costs so my advice dont pay for anything until you get it