In case you haven’t taken a cruise with Carnival for some time, you may must stand up to hurry with a few of the current bans which have been introduced. This 12 months has already seen a number of new guidelines enforce.
Let’s take a look at 7 bans the cruise line has both introduced or clarified in simply the previous couple of months.
At any time when it’s introduced {that a} cruise line has banned a sure merchandise or observe, it makes headlines immediately. Typically, it’s only a clarification or extra particular roll out of an current rule.
However within the final a number of months, a greater than typical variety of “bans” have been introduced by Carnival Cruise Line.
1. Bluetooth Audio system
I believe any avid cruiser noticed this one coming. With Bluetooth audio system solely getting greater and louder in recent times, it didn’t take lengthy for these transportable gadgets to turn out to be an issue.
Not solely was the music competing with the ship’s personal music. Carnival additionally said that it was a security difficulty as passengers want to listen to any emergency info over the ship’s PA system.
On high of this, it was a normal annoyance to passengers in public areas and even balconies the place the music would naturally spill over into different cabins.
The purpose right here was the preserve the adult-only Serenity space, really serene.
The Bluetooth speaker ban was introduced in November of 2024.
2. Pleasant Playing Exterior the On line casino
To be clear, Carnival has by no means allowed playing exterior of the on line casino. So, this one was extra of a clarification.
One of many video games identified by the cruise line was Left-Middle-Proper or LCR. The cube recreation was rising in reputation on cruise ships and winners of the sport received a money pot.
In January of 2025, John Heald, Carnival’s Model Ambassador, was requested concerning the recreation and he took to Fb to make the cruise line’s place clear.
“You’ll be able to play for no cash, however I’m afraid that due to essential guidelines and rules, we don’t permit company to gamble exterior of the on line casino,” Heald said.
The sport, and others prefer it, can nonetheless be performed. However no change of cash might be made.
3. Upside-Down Pineapple Door Decorations
Carnival Cruise Line introduced the ban on upside-down pineapple door decorations in late November 2024. This resolution was highlighted by Carnival’s Model Ambassador, John Heald, in response to a query on Fb relating to meetups for singles.
He confirmed that upside-down pineapples, typically used as a logo by the swinging group, would now not be allowed on stateroom doorways and can be eliminated if seen by the crew.
Heald said that the decorations are “undoubtedly now not allowed on the ships”.
The transfer was made probably in response to a rising consciousness of the image and the cruise line’s give attention to a family-friendly environment.
4. Satellite tv for pc Dishes, Routers
In September 2024, a YouTuber discovered himself in scorching water with Carnival when his Starlink Mini satellite tv for pc dish was confiscated, and he was requested to talk with the ship’s lodge director.
Regardless of the system being technically allowed on board, the cruise line argued that it was a “satellite tv for pc disk” quite than a “satellite tv for pc dish,” a declare the YouTuber disputed when referring to the wording of the coverage.
Carnival’s Prohibited Merchandise record contains the next:
- Emergency Place Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB), communication scanners, wideband receivers, satellite tv for pc telephones, transformers, lasers and laser pointers.
- Satellite tv for pc dish, routers and different web associated gear
However with Starlink now being built-in and accessible on T-Cell cell telephones, this will probably be a harder scenario for cruise line’s to navigate.
5. Asking for Ingesting Cash
Simply this month, Carnival started to crack down on a “purchase me a drink” observe that began as a joke.
The rising development of placing indicators on cabin doorways with a request for consuming cash has additionally fallen below the cruise line’s ban hammer.
An individual requested the Model Ambassador concerning the observe:
“John Heald, what are your ideas about cruisers who submit an indication on their cabin door or hand out flyers with a Venmo asking for individuals to ship cash for drinks? Does Carnival have a rule about that?”
However Heald was straight to the purpose in saying that this observe was easy not permitted on Carnival cruise ships.
“Completely, we do. It’s strictly forbidden,” he wrote. “You probably have particulars of anyone doing this, would you please let me know these particulars now, and I’ll care for it instantly. The solicitation of company by company is strictly forbidden. Thanks a lot and I will probably be right here to assist so please ship me the main points,” Heald responded.
6. CBD Merchandise
This one isn’t new precisely. But it surely has fallen below the highlight in the previous couple of months.
Simply final 12 months a pair was banned from the cruise line after a container of CBD mints have been present in a backpack.
Earlier than they might even board Carnival Conquest, the husband’s boarding move was taken away and the couple was banned from all future cruises with the corporate.
State legal guidelines may permit CBD, however cruise ships comply with stricter federal and worldwide guidelines, plus they need to adjust to legal guidelines at their locations just like the Bahamas or Caribbean.
This has led to some confusion for passengers who suppose, “If CBD gummies are authorized in my state, why not on a cruise?” However don’t do it, otherwise you’ll be in for a change in trip plans.
7. Deck Chair Hogging
Reserving deck chairs and loungers for hours on finish has at all times been in opposition to Carnival’s coverage. But it surely nonetheless occurred.
Now Carnival is attempting to unravel this drawback that has irritated passengers for years.
If crew members discover {that a} lounger has been unoccupied for 40 minutes, a “40-Minute Rule” is put into place that enables them to take away that passenger’s gadgets.
Crew will place notecards on chairs with the present time to allow them to preserve observe of how lengthy a chair has been “hogged” and take the suitable motion.
Heald acknowledged the issue of deck chair hogging and said the next concerning the new resolution.
“If they aren’t again by that point, we are going to take away it. It’s solely truthful to make it that manner. Ever since I’ve labored on cruise ships, there’ve been individuals determined to get the chairs. We’re doing our best possible. It’s not an ideal system, it might be foolish of me to recommend in any other case. However it’s one thing we have to do,” Heald said.
Up to now, passengers have overwhelmingly praised the cruise line’s efforts because it’s undoubtedly a step in the correct route.
Royal Caribbean has additionally applied an analogous system that includes inserting a slip cowl over “reserved” loungers.
Backside Line
So, if you happen to’re hopping on a Carnival cruise, be sure you’re on top of things with these new bans. And bear in mind, these are put into place to make everybody on the ship can have an awesome trip.
The very last thing you need is anarchy and a rule-less society whereas a whole lot of miles from land, proper? In spite of everything, you’re sharing your trip with hundreds of different individuals, and a bit of kindness and politeness can go a good distance.
