A raft of rules recently outlined by Carnival Cruise Line includes prohibiting marijuana use, Bluetooth speakers and handheld fans, but the company denies accusations that the changes target the Black community or include a directive to DJs not to play rap or hip-hop music.
In early June, Carnival began informing customers of policies issued under the heading of “Have Fun, Be Safe.” Noting that cruise ships are shared spaces, the company said the rules are intended to reinforce a spirit of “community and neighborliness” onboard.
The Regulations Include:
- A curfew for guests under age 17, who can now not be in public spaces on the ship after 1 a.m. unless accompanied by an adult over age 21
- A ban on the use of speakers and radios, and a requirement that guests use earphones or headphones when listening to music or watching video in public spaces
- Prohibiting the use of handheld fans in public places
- Barring the consumption of drinks on dance floors
- A marijuana ban, which includes a threat of arrest for violators
- A $500 fine for violation of the cruise line’s smoking rules
The cruise line warned that individuals who break these rules “will be fined, disembarked at their own expense, and banned from sailing on Carnival in the future.”
Carnival has experienced several onboard clashes among guests, including an incident in June involving about two dozen people where punches and chairs were thrown. That episode included participation from Black travelers, leading some online commenters to conclude that Carnival’s changes were targeting the Black community.
Some cruisers accused Carnival of unofficially banning rap and hip hop music onboard, as well.
Matt Lupoli, Senior Manager of Public Relations at Carnival, blamed the media for “[blowing] this matter out of proportion,” stating that many of the rules have been in place for a long time.
“We have always had a wide variety of entertainment options, and for the last several years we have communicated our expectations about guest behavior,” Lupoli told Parade magazine.
Carnival also denied banning any music genre, with another spokesperson telling the Daily Dot that onboard DJs “play a wide variety of music, including hip-hop.”
