Cruise lines have to pick and choose how strict they are on rule enforcement.
If they enforce every minor rule rigorously, that can make a vacation seem like a trip to the library. Some rules are on the books, but enforcement is kind of vague.
Related: Carnival Cruise Line passengers support banning popular item
The most commonly ignored rules are the ones that don’t actually impact other passengers. If you opt to wear shorts and a T-shirt to the main dining room (MDR) Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and other family-friendly cruise lines probably overlook those dress code violations.
In other cases, like people reserving loungers on the pool deck, the enforcement decision becomes more difficult. Technically, the cruise line should confiscate items left too long and remove them from the pool chair.
Doing that, however, could cause the seat hoarder to blame the people now sitting in the seats they see as “theirs.” That could lead to a heated situation which could escalate quickly.
You can see that cruise lines have to pick and choose where security gets involved. In a situation where a passenger puts other passengers in danger, that’s obviously a situation when interference is needed.
When it’s less clear, or the other passenger is simply being a jerk, the cruise line may opt to not get involved. That’s true in areas where passengers should be acting a certain way, but sometimes choose not to.
People putting towels and other items down on chairs and then leaving is a common cruise ship problem.
Image source: Carnival Cruise Line.
Carnival addresses a trivia problem
A few years ago, my cousin Michael and I were playing sports trivia on Carnival Conquest. He used to edit a sports almanac and I spent years writing trivia, so our two-person team was pretty formidable.
We ended up getting 19 of 20 questions right and lost to a team that got all 20 right. After the game ended, the winners came over and offered us the famed “ship on a stick prize.”It turned out that they had been on the previous sailing and the same trivia questions had been used.
They didn’t intend to cheat. The cruise line simply did a bad job shuffling its list of trivia questions and they would have actually had more fun had they not known the answers.
Some people, however, do willfully cheat at onboard trivia. That’s easy to do because not using your phone to look up answers is on the honor system.
Carnival Brand Ambassador recently addressed trivia cheating on his Facebook page.
I was just referred to as a ‘bozo.’ Brilliant. I love this word and it probably describes me perfectly even though I am not totally sure what it means
Yes, I know people cheat now and then at trivia and no I will not be “reporting this person to the captain or security.
I do though understand and honestly speaking, just my opinion, but is there anything sadder than cheating at one of our triva quizzes? Is a ship on a sodding stick or a medallion really worth the hit to your self-esteem?
Many of his Facebook followers wished the cruise line would do a better job when it comes to policing its trivia contests.
Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise.
Carnival passengers want trivia enforcement
“I do wish the host of the trivia would check the sheet before claiming the winner. I was playing one of the music trivia where you got one point for knowing the song and a second point for knowing the artist,” shared Shannon White. “I had 28/30 points playing by myself. A group of six teenagers claimed to have all 30 points but after they were given the prize, I was later told by one in the group that they didn’t know all the artists and didn’t understand the rules when they started playing.”
White wasn’t overly angry, but she would prefer an honest competition.
“They didn’t cheat but they technically didn’t actually win either. And yes I’m one of the fruit loops that loves getting a ship on a stick. I have two at home; one from a dance contest and one from a game,” she added.
Many of the respondents believe that the players bear the responsibility.
“We play trivia for fun, but some of the players are way too competitive for just a game. It is really sad for those of us who are there just for a good time and fun. Cheating is just wrong,” posted Kathleen Henry.
Others took a much harsher view.
“Some insecure, narcissistic people can’t stand to lose any contest. It’s embarrassing and degrading to them,” wrote MissLynn Thatsit.
ALSO READ: Top travel agents share how to get the best price on your cruise
Some did put some of the blame on Carnival for not changing its trivia questions more often.
“If you are willing to trade your integrity for a plastic trophy it says much about you. I like trivia and everyone is right they should mix up the questions more,” shared Ramona Tyrell Mariarz.
Are you taking a cruise or thinking about taking one? Visit our Come Cruise With Me website to have all your questions answered.
