Following a troubling rise in instances of passengers brawling and breaking vital cruise rules, Carnival Cruise Line is taking a more proactive approach to ensuring a fun and safe cruise experience for all on board.
The cruise line expects to sail nearly two million passengers this summer, and its ships’ officers want to make sure everyone on board both stays safe and feels welcome.
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To do that, Carnival is implementing a fleetwide crackdown on rule breakers, and anyone who exhibits disruptive or unsafe behavior on its ships.
As of June 1, passengers boarding Carnival cruise ships are receiving a new letter in their staterooms on embarkation day to remind them of some crucial “Have Fun. Be Safe” guidelines from the cruise line’s code of conduct.
The letter serves not only as a reminder, but also as a warning that violating cruise line conduct policies will get you fined, disembarked from the ship, and banned from sailing in the future.
If you’re an experienced Carnival cruiser, you may already be aware of some of the conduct rules the letter outlines. There are a couple of newer rules and bans, however, that may take some passengers by surprise.
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Image Source: Carnival Corp.
Carnival Cruise Line reinforces conduct rules, adds new ban
Along with reinforcing rules on curfews for passengers under 18, guest corridor behavior, illegal narcotics, and smoking, the letter stresses new rules and bans related to personal electronic devices and handheld fans.
As part of a new ban implemented in late 2024, the cruise line no longer allows passengers to bring personal speakers on board, or to play their own music from any personal device in public spaces. Not only does this often create a nuisance for other passengers, it’s a safety concern.
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“For safety reasons, public announcements must be heard by all guests and crew,” the cruise line explains. “Consequently, guests must use earphones when listening to music or watching shows/movies on personal devices (such as mobile phones, tablets, and laptops) in public spaces. All speakers and radios are prohibited and will be confiscated.”
In what seems to be a similar move, the cruise line’s letter also emphasizes a new ban on handheld fans in the cruise ship nightclub and on indoor dance floors.
Why is Carnival banning handheld fans from nightclubs and dance floors?
Apparently, some passengers’ use of handheld fans inside the ship’s nightclub and on other indoor dance floors has created safety issues.
On a crowded dance floor, it’s easy to bump into other passengers, and bumping into someone with a fan in your hand could certainly cause problems, including potential injuries.
Additionally, beverages are also prohibited from all Carnival cruise ship dance floors — likely to minimize the risk of passengers slipping on spilled drinks.
But while the letter states that beverages aren’t permitted on any dance floor, it specifies that fans are prohibited from indoor dance floors. So, dancing with a fan in your hand on the pool deck would still be allowed.
More Carnival cruise news:
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- Carnival Cruise Line cancels more cruises, adds adults-only cruises
In any public space on board a cruise ship, it’s important to be conscious of how your behavior could impact other passengers.
“The ship is a shared space. In keeping with our Carnival Values, we urge you to show care and respect for others, including our team members,” the cruise line’s letter stresses. “Our experience has taught us that everyone has a better time when a spirit of community and neighborliness is shown by all.”
Passengers who don’t follow Carnival’s “Have Fun. Be Safe” guidelines risk being fined and banned from cruising on its ships.
“Any guest who violates these policies or whose conduct affects the comfort, enjoyment, safety or well-being of other guests and crew will be fined, disembarked at their own expense, and banned from sailing on Carnival in the future.”
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