Carnival Cruise Line begs cruisers to follow a crucial rule
Cruise passengers’ reluctance to follow a key embarkation day rule is creating big problems for crew members on board.
Following rules is really hard for some people.
And unfortunately, when headstrong people take cruise vacations, their resistance to follow rules can create big problems for the crew members on board.
Related: Carnival Cruise Line won’t make exceptions to this vital rule
Lately, some Carnival cruise ship stateroom stewards have been finding it extra difficult to complete the already-challenging process of turning over staterooms between cruises because some passengers getting on board refuse to respect the crucial cruise rule of cabin ready time.
Apparently, the issue has become so rampant fleetwide that cruise ship crew members are turning to the cruise line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, for help.
More than 600,000 Carnival cruisers follow Heald’s popular Facebook page where he answers hundreds of passenger questions and concern every day. Carnival fans respect the brand ambassador, so when he makes a plea, cruisers listen.
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Carnival Cruise Line asks passengers to respect cabin ready time
On his Facebook page, Heald recently posted a photo of the onboard sign that informs passengers that staterooms are only available from 1:30 p.m. and beyond on embarkation day. The sign asks passengers not to enter cabin corridors as stateroom stewards put the finishing touches on their rooms.
“This sign is for everybody. Everybody, please follow this sign and the rule that it says on that sign,” Heald pleaded.
He noted that exceptions to this vital rule are only permitted if passengers are:
- Diamond or Platinum in the cruise line’s VIFP loyalty program
- Staying in a suite
- Have purchased Faster to the Fun (FTTF) priority check-in
Related: Carnival cruisers angry over new charges for once-free menu items
“I am posting this again at the bequest of my colleagues on board and for the benefit of our brilliant cabin attendants and housekeeping staff,” the brand ambassador explained. “Some people will think that sign does not mean them, I know that, but I have to try and help the crew.”
Heald also pointed out that this cruise problem is much like another common travel concern.
“The people who ignore this sign are probably the same people who ignored the request from flight attendants to stay seated on planes until it’s your turn to leave,” Heald noted. “These people think: why should I miss the opportunity to push my head against the overhead compartment and bend my neck at a 90° angle?”
Carnival cruisers have thoughts on cabin ready time
In the more than 1,000 comments on the post, some passengers expressed sympathy for the crew members who have to deal with this frustrating issue every single cruise.
“I get very aggravated when people do this. I can’t imagine what the crew members feel. The room stewards are trying to turn over rooms in little time,” Lori Bilodeau wrote. “If you go through the corridors, you are in their way. If you drop things off, your stuff is in their way. You are slowing down the process, and the same people breaking the rules are likely the ones that complain that the rooms aren’t done in time.”
Some cruisers also suggested ideas to help to eliminate the problem.
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“I bet if they started sending any bags found in a room that wasn't diamond/platinum/FTTF back down to lost and found since they obviously must belong to the previous guests this problem would stop,” Jamie suggested.
Others pointed out that if you can’t wait for your cabin to be ready to drop off your bags after boarding, there’s an easy solution. Just select a later check-in time.
“This is one of the primary reasons I get a later check-in time. I always select 1-1:30 and normally my room is ready as soon as I walk on the ship,” Erin Lynn McCracken commented. “I can grab a drink, chill for a few minutes, then go straight to my room to collect my keys and drop my bags.”
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