Cruise lines seem to have people working overtime to keep up with the new ways passengers bend or break the rules.
In some cases, that means keeping up with new technologies. In the 1980s, for example, cruise lines had to ban boom boxes and other portable music players.
Related: Carnival Cruise Line worker shares look at what crew members eat
That effort has morphed into more modern bans. Carnival Cruise Line, for example, recently had to outlaw portable speakers, including white-noise machines. Those did not exist 10 years ago, but they were creating a nuisance on the pool deck.
Many passengers disagreed with that ban because they used the technology to listen to music quietly in their cabins or play white noise to help them sleep. Carnival, however, had to ban the wireless speakers because too many people used them in public places.
Cruise lines make decisions like this one all the time. It’s a case of deciding what’s best for most passengers, and that applies not just to on-board rules but also to which items make the cut in dining rooms.
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Carnival outlaws asking for money
Some passengers have been using an emerging technology to ask other passengers to pay for their beverages. These are generally more jokes than serious requests, but Carnival has clear rules about them.
“John Heald, what are your thoughts about cruisers who post a sign on their cabin door or hand out flyers with a Venmo asking for people to send money for drinks? Does Carnival have a rule about that?” asked Nikol Vidota Bekeja.
Venmo is a way to send money from your bank account to pay for a service or for any other reason. Many musicians who play online use it as a way to solicit tips.
Heald, Carnival’s brand ambassador, outlined the cruise line’s policy.
“Absolutely, we do. It is strictly forbidden,” he wrote. “If you have details of anybody doing this, would you please let me know those details now, and I will take care of it immediately. The solicitation of guests by guests is strictly forbidden. Thank you so much and I will be here to help so please send me the details.”
Emeril Lagasse helped Carnival redo its main dining room menus.
Image source: Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival explains menu change
In 2023, Carnival overhauled its main dining room menus with help from Chief Culinaery Officer Emeril Lagasse. Unlike some of Carnival’s other celebrities with titles (like Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O’Neal), Lagasse actually works for the cruise line.
He was deeply involved in creating the new menu, which includes some of his signature dishes. Unlike Royal Caribbean, which pared down its main dining room menus, Carnival expanded its offerings.
Still, some items were removed, including some exotic offerings that had once been signatures for the cruise line.
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Heald was recently asked about one of those changes.
“When we started cruising with Carnival, they would have special international items listed in the restaurant, like escargot and frog legs. Why have these now be removed?” asked Michael Toohey.
Heald responded with the truth:
“Thank you, yes, they weren’t very popular, I’m afraid. However, you’ll be glad to know that on seven-day plus cruises, we have returned escargot, so hopefully, that’s something you will look forward to. Thank you. If I can do anything else for you, please let me know.”
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