Carnival Cruise Line Issues Advisories About Guest Behavior

Cruises are definitely a place to have fun. But you still need to behave yourself.

That’s the edict from Carnival Cruise Line, which has begun issuing pre-cruise advisories outlining the do’s and don’ts of appropriate cruise behavior.

The advisories, being dispatched via email to upcoming passengers, focus on safety and guest behavior guidelines, underscoring such things as the cruise line’s smoking policies, as well as its rules surrounding disruptive behavior and bringing alcohol onboard.

To be clear, the policies are not new. They’ve been available on the cruise line’s website for years. What is new is the added distribution of the rules via email.

The advance emails do however, offer some additional context and explanation regarding some of the cruise line’s long standing guidelines. This includes rules regarding marijuana and the fact that: “cruise lines are required to follow U.S. federal law, which strictly prohibits possession and use of marijuana and other illegal substances.”

The cruise line’s beverage policies are also covered in the advisory, which may be helpful for those who haven’t visited the Carnival website in order to brush up on the rules—and more specifically what’s not allowed onboard. Even such topics as the use of radios and speakers onboard is addressed in the email advisory (For those who are not aware, these items are prohibited in public spaces unless used with earphones).

And for those not up to speed—the advisories also address the highly contentious practice of trying to save seats, such as sun loungers by the pool, by throwing your book, shoes, and towels on chairs at 6 a.m. in order secure your seat for the day. This type of behavoir is strictly not permitted at any time. Seating is first come, first serve.

Unruly and disruptive behavior meanwhile, will have financial consequences. You may face a fine of up to $500. And if your behavior warrants disembarking from the cruise, there may be additional costs incurred. And you may be banned from all future Carnival cruises.

Finally, the email missives emphasize that the ship’s officers are the final arbiters of what constitutes an infraction of Carnival’s rules.

“The captain and our officers have the authority to enforce our policies and make decisions in order to provide for a fun and safe environment for all,” states the email.