Carnival Cruise Line sets the record straight on confusing policy
You can bring this item with you on a Carnival cruise if it meets certain specifications, but you can’t use it on board the ship.
For safety reasons, cruise lines must ban some items their passengers think would be nice to take along on their cruise vacations.
For example, cruise lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean don’t allow passengers to bring portable clothes steamers, coffee makers, or almost any type of appliance that contains a heating element, due to fire hazards.
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However, some items that may present safety risks can be brought on board, as long as they’re not used on the ship. Cruise lines understand that passengers may want to bring certain items like beach gear and sports equipment along on their cruise to use off the ship in ports of call.
Not all types of sports equipment are allowed though and that can create some confusion around cruise lines’ policies for bringing items on board for in-port use.
Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald recently clarified the cruise line’s policy regarding one popular piece of sports equipment after receiving a message on his Facebook page from a frustrated passenger.
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Carnival brand ambassador clarifies bike policy
“Why with all of the beautiful ports that Carnival visits, I'm sure I'm not the first on to think, ‘Wow, it would be really nice to bike around the island.’ Yet Carnival says NO,” an upset passenger identified as D wrote.
“John please do not BS me and say that the reason for this is safety blah, blah when you allow lazy people to use mobility scooters most of which are not needed by the people sitting on them,” the passenger stated. “I am in my 40s, my wife also and we love to ride bikes when on vacation. Why is a Carnival vacation the only place where this idea is slammed shut?! That is what happened when I called the service number and spoke to the very rude ---------.”
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As he shared the passenger’s comments, Heald explained that although standard bikes cannot be brought on board Carnival cruise ships, portable folding bikes are permitted, for use off the ship in port only.
“Bikes can be brought on board but they must be folding bicycles with wheels less than 20″ [and they] are allowed only to be used in port,” Heald clarified. “Meaning, you can't ride them on the ship across [the] Lido deck to get to the buffet line quicker. Regular bikes are not allowed. There are safety and operational reasons why and so I am going to say “no” respectfully to you sir and I really hope you will not think of me rude by doing so.”
Carnival brand ambassador sets record straight on rudeness too
While Heald is always happy to clarify a Carnival Cruise Line policy for passengers, he doesn’t appreciate when passengers unfairly judge Carnival crew members for declining a request that goes against a cruise line policy.
“You know, I often get asked can I bring this, can I bring that and while I do not mind replacing Uncle Google and helping, I do get my Fruit of Tulum’s in a twist when people say a Carnival Crew member [or] someone working at the Mothership was rude because they said “no.” Saying “no” does not make someone rude,” Heald pointed out.
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Heald’s followers also didn’t appreciate the passenger’s judgmental comment about cruisers who use mobility scooters.
“When I was younger, I loved riding my bike! Unfortunately now, at the age of 76 I have great difficulty standing long or walking across the room because of medical issues,” Janet Woodall wrote. “If the arrogant person who asked this question lives a long and healthy life, and enjoys life now because someday they may be trading that bike for one of those scooters. They need to learn the meaning of the old phrase, ‘You can't judge a book by its cover.’”
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