Carnival Cruise Line cracks down on unsupervised kids
As summer vacations bring more kids to cruise ships, Carnival is stepping up efforts to enforce its rules and curb disruptive behavior.
For many families with kids, the summer break from school is a time to let loose and relax the rules.
But as more carefree families board cruise ships this summer for family vacations at sea, Carnival Cruise Line wants to make sure cruise rules aren’t forgotten as families have fun.
Related: Carnival Cruise Line shares dress code enforcement plans
With a recent uptick in cruise fights among Carnival and other cruise lines’ passengers, you can’t blame them.
Not only have multiple cruise passenger fights and violent incidents recently made the news, but the cruise line also often receives complaints from loyal cruisers about unsupervised kids creating disturbances aboard its ships.
Although some cruisers like to complain about the small stuff like passengers not following dress codes, most cruisers say they don’t care what other passengers do aboard the ship.
That view changes, though, when passenger behavior — like unsupervised children running around the ship — directly impacts their cruise experience.
Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise.
Unsupervised kids often create problems for Carnival cruisers
“Other people only affect me with their behavior if it is directly offensive, rude, disrespectful, or aggressive to or near me. Such as having my door decorations torn down and left destroyed in the hallway, or being run down by unruly children running through the pool deck during the movie. Yes, this has happened to me,” Pat Brown Parkent shared in a recent discussion about passenger behavior on Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald’s popular Facebook page.
In the discussion, other passengers also pointed out ways that kids running around the ship have negatively impacted their cruise experiences.
“Teens running down the stairs ran into me and almost knocked me down. They never stopped or apologized, just kept on running and laughing,” Gina Mann Miller added.
Related: Carnival Cruise Line bans TikTok influencer after booze scam
Some passengers say parents should be held accountable for their kids’ behavior on a cruise. Although kids are required to be supervised on Carnival cruise ships, this rule hasn’t always been strictly enforced.
But to help improve the overall passenger experience as more families come aboard its ships this summer, the cruise line is now stepping up efforts to enforce this and other important cruise rules.
As the summer cruise season begins, passengers report receiving a new letter that Carnival is placing inside each stateroom on embarkation day. This letter reminds passengers of some of the cruise line’s “Have Fun. Be Safe” guidelines that are part of its code of conduct, including rules related to child supervision.
Kids must be supervised on Carnival cruise ships, curfew strictly enforced
“The ship is a shared space. In keeping with our Carnival Values, we urge you to show care and respect for others, including our team members,” the letter emphasizes. “Our experience has taught us that everyone has a better time when a spirit of community and neighborliness is shown by all.”
The first guideline listed in the letter shows that the cruise line believes that supervising children is a vital part of that.
“Children must always be supervised,” the cruise line states under a curfew rule reminder. “Guests 17 and under must be out of public areas by 1 a.m. unless accompanied by an adult (21 years of age or older) from their traveling party. This is strictly enforced.”
More Carnival cruise news:
- Carnival Cruise Line faces first storm of hurricane season
- Carnival Cruise Line cancels more cruises, adds adults-only cruises
- Carnival Cruise Line makes clear call on Costco, dining change
The letter then reinforces its rule regarding behavior in guest corridors, which also applies to kids.
“Please refrain from running and making noise (including shouting/screaming) in hallways, since doing so disrupts other guests who may be resting/sleeping in their staterooms.”
Additionally, the letter outlines Carnival's rules related to personal devices, handheld fans and beverages on dance floors, illegal narcotics, and smoking.
The cruise line stresses that passengers who don’t follow these guidelines risk being banned from cruising with Carnival.
“Any guest who violates these policies or whose conduct affects the comfort, enjoyment, safety or well-being of other guests and crew will be fined, disembarked at their own expense, and banned from sailing on Carnival in the future.”
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.)
Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
