Cruise lines can’t keep everyone happy.
No matter how much fun the company makes a cruise, some passengers will always find a reason to be angry.
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People will be outraged by what their fellow passengers wear to the pool, how they handle themselves in the buffet, and whatever level of noise their kids make.
There will always be people mad about someone else not dressing up enough in the main dining room and others furious that people left their stuff on a pool chair for too long.
Cruise lines face an impossible task because some people simply love to be offended. They want to find reasons to be angry and that anger can be applied to pretty much anything.
Maybe the cruise director made a PG-13 joke about newlyweds at an all-ages show, or perhaps the dancer’s outfits showed more skin than they think is appropriate. There’s always a group of passengers ready to be offended, and Carnival Brand Ambassador has a specific message for that crowd.
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Heald has also dealt with people who are not happy with jokes he makes.
Image source: John Heald/Facebook
Carnival’s Heald asks some passengers to stay away
Heald has often fielded questions about Carnival’s comedians, specifically about its adults-only shows.
“’L’…can I just say this please in response to your post: Being a comedian in 2025 is one heck of difficult profession. In comedy most jokes are at someone’s expense,” he wrote.
“Whether it’s Hardy bullying Laurel, Jerry dropping a bowling ball on Tom’s head, or me making a jibe about the The Glitterknickers family or indeed my weight, the laugh comes at a cost to someone or something.”
The brand ambassador has talked with many comedians in both his current job and his previous job as a cruise director.
“Most of our Punchliner headliners will also tell you that if a joke is funny enough, people often forget their right to take offence,” he added.
Heald then shared a clear warning for passengers who might be offended by the comedians.
“Look, the adult comedy shows are uncensored – if you are in any doubt, please don’t [go. It] really is that simple,” he said. “If you don’t like a joke a comedian says on one of our stages, please don’t demand that someone be fired. Just accept it. And then go and do something instead that brings you happiness and joy.”
Carnival passengers agree with Heald
The vast majority of the more than 500 comments on Heald’s post supported the brand ambassador.
“I totally agree. We have become the United States of the offended,” posted Shawn Baumgarner. “Where any little thing will offend us and we don’t let it go. But we need to be like we used to be. When I was growing up with comedians like George Carlin, Eddie Murphy and Sam Kinison, if you can’t take offense at what they say, nothing will upset you now.”
Many passengers agreed with Heald and know they should stay away.
“I’m not a fan of adult comedy,” wrote Janice Blackwell Van Wagoner. “I know this; this is why we would go to the earlier show if we went. If you know you’re going to be offended by the later show, just don’t go. Carnival is not going to change the shows just for you.”
Michelle Khlare Turned agreed in a different way.
“And we are the opposite. We think the earlier family shows are lame, so if we go to comedy at all, we will only attend the late night adult shows. There’s a niche for all of us,” she responded.
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Most passengers seem to appreciate having the ability to decide which shows to go to.
“Went to one show and decided it wasn’t for us and didn’t go again. Others love them and I’m glad we all have a choice,” Deborah Starkey Street wrote.
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