Black Passengers Not Feeling Carnival’s New Guidelines

[ad_1] by Mary Spiller July 5, 2025

The brand new Carnival Cruise guidelines are below hearth for allegedly focusing on Black tradition and music.

Carnival Cruise Line is below hearth after implementing a sequence of recent onboard insurance policies that some Black passengers say are restrictive at greatest and racist at worst.

The foundations, launched in June, have triggered a wave of cancellations and a broader debate about how cruise tradition is evolving.

Based on Carnival, the modifications are supposed to improve security and enhance the general visitor expertise. However for some vacationers, the message feels exclusionary.

“We obtained the message loud and clear, we're not your demographic anymore,” stated one TikToker who shared that she canceled her reservation for a buddy’s birthday celebration. “Carnival determined they wished to rebrand.”

Among the many new insurance policies is a zero-tolerance stance on marijuana, even when it’s authorized in a passenger’s residence state.

As a result of cruise ships fall below U.S. federal maritime legislation, all hashish merchandise are banned.

“Marijuana, together with hashish and its derivatives…are illegal and strictly prohibited on board,” Carnival acknowledged.Violations can result in elimination from the ship, a lifetime ban, legislation enforcement involvement, and potential fines.

There’s additionally a Carnival curfew now in place for minors. Passengers 17 and below should be off public decks by 1:00 a.m. until taking part in a supervised youth program or accompanied by an grownup.

The cruise line additionally allegedly banned on the favored “Wobble” dance.

One other rule that’s drawn criticism is a brand new ban on handheld, non-battery-operated followers.

Whereas Carnival cited security issues over the loud “clacking” sound — initially popularized by a viral “Boots on the Floor: The place Them Followers At?” line dance by 803Fresh, the place dancers loudly “clack” followers on sure elements of the track — some consider the transfer unfairly targets Black cultural expression.

Equally, the cruise line has tightened its rules on private Bluetooth audio system and seems to be limiting Hip-Hop and rap music performed in onboard golf equipment, although no formal ban exists.