Don't board a Carnival Cruise without knowing these top game-changing rule updates

Time of India

14-07-2025

If you're planning a Carnival cruise, don't be misled by rumors.
Carnival Cruise Line
has updated a few key rules and policies, including those governing theme-nightclub music, fan use, and public behaviour. While online rumors have caused controversy, Carnival clarifies that many of these policies are not new but are simply more visible now.
The Cruise Line points out that many other policies have been in place for a number of years and claims that they are motivated by race are completely untrue, as quoted in a report by Cruise Critic.
According to Matt Lupoli, senior vice president of public relations, "unfortunately, a number of media outlets have misinterpreted the matter and blown it out of proportion."
"Carnival has always had a wide variety of entertainment options, and recent adjustments like expanding themed nights at the nightclub have already been popular with guests on board.
'Enhancing the guest experience is an ongoing effort, and for the past three years we have communicated our expectations about guest behaviour. Our ships are shared spaces, and we create a friendly environment for all who sail with us,' as quoted in a report by Cruise Critic.
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While some popular songs and party staples have changed, the cruise line says it's all part of improving the guest experience, not reducing the fun.
Are clack fans really banned onboard?
Clack fans have been used as a form of expression for decades and are a common sight at Pride events and within the LGBTQ+ community. They are also used in clubs to create a visual effect and an auditory flourish to break up the beat of the song.
Since 803Fresh's song "Boots on the Ground" became a line dance, the use of clack fans in the Black community has skyrocketed in popularity.
The fact that Carnival has banned clack fans since 2023, a full year before "Boots on the Ground" was released in 2024, is likely surprising to many. "Handheld clack (or clap) fans are not permitted in the nightclub or any indoor dance floor," the statement reads in its terms and conditions.
Large line dances are more enjoyable on the Lido deck, so you can still dance to "Boots on the Ground" with your fan.
Which rules are new and which aren't?
Critics point out that not all the other restrictions are new. Perhaps the regulations are being applied more strictly on some ships.
By the end of 2024, Carnival had banned Bluetooth and personal speakers. The line states in its terms and conditions that this is done to ensure that public safety announcements are heard by all passengers.
Teens under the age of 17 who are not with a parent or legal guardian are subject to a 1 a.m. curfew in Carnival's public areas and since 2022, the curfew has been in effect.
In a time when almost half of the states have legalized cannabis, many people are unaware that cruise ships are prohibited from serving marijuana, THC products, and even CBD.
This is due to the fact that these substances are still classified as controlled substances under federal law, which applies to cruise ships. Before boarding, a number of cruise lines, such as Carnival and Disney, have drug-sniffing dogs at embarkation ports, as per a report by Cruise Critic.
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What's actually happening with the music?
Speaking of line dances, the internet gossip site also claimed that Carnival had banned V.I.C.'s wildly popular song "The Wobble." "The Wobble" is typically played a lot on cruise ships, and for many people, the earworm begins during the Sail Away party. This is evident to anyone who has been on a mainstream cruise ship since the song's 2008 release.
However, every playlist undergoes modifications. "The Wobble" is no longer on Carnival's most recent version of their Sail Away playlist. However, the line stated that the song is not prohibited. It is performed upon request, at other events, and at the White Party.
Are the Nightclub theme nights expanded?
Many people have been asking about the nightclubs on
Carnival Cruise
Line on social media, where there are a lot of rumors.
Carnival has allegedly reduced the quantity of hip-hop and rap music played in nightclubs, according to another TikTok rumor. According to the line, the nightclub's genre themes have actually been extended from the first hour to the entire evening.
The following themes have been depicted on a typical weeklong voyage: Latin Night; R&B and Soul; Dance, House, and Pop; 70s and 80s; 90s and 2000s; and Caribbean and Afrobeats.
Given that it can be challenging to switch genres during a theme party, Carnival brand ambassador John Heald informed guests that theme nights were on the horizon and suggested that they politely ask the DJ to do so. Heald himself statted that there have been many rumors, and we still play all kinds of music.
FAQs
Is "The Wobble" banned on Carnival cruises?
No, it is still played at themed parties and on request, but not during Sail Away anymore.
Is it allowed to bring a Bluetooth speaker or clack fan onboard?
Bluetooth speakers are prohibited throughout the fleet, and clack fans are not permitted inside or in nightclubs.