- Carnival has banned all speakers—including Bluetooth speakers—across its fleet. If brought on board, the speakers will be confiscated and returned to guests on the final day of the cruise.
- A Carnival spokesperson also confirmed a ban on the famous ‘upside pineapples‘ that can be seen on cruise ships.
- The spokesperson also confirmed that the existing ban on topless sunbathing has no plans to change.
While Carnival is known for having ‘fun ships’ the cruise line is cracking down on some bad behaviour. John Heald, Carnival’s most known brand ambassador has confirmed a new ban on Bluetooth speakers and decorative upside-down pineapples as well as topless sunbathing.
The speaker ban
Carnival has confirmed that Bluetooth speakers are banned across the entire fleet. If brought or purchased onboard or in port, they will be confiscated for the duration of the cruise.
Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald said: “Bluetooth speakers will be collected and returned at the end of the cruise as they are not allowed anywhere on the ship.”
Carnival’s website states that “All speakers (including Bluetooth, portable, and wireless types) and radios are prohibited and will be held and returned at the end of the cruise. For safety reasons, public announcements must be heard by all guests and crew.
“Consequently, guests must use earphones when listening to music or watching shows/movies on personal devices in public spaces. For everyone’s safety, certain prohibited items should be left at home. Prior to sailing, please review our Prohibited Items List.”
The prohibited items list specifies boom boxes, large radios, and all types of speakers, including Bluetooth, portable and wireless types.
While safety is cited as the reason for the ban, it’s no secret that Bluetooth speakers have long been a topic of debate and complaints among cruisers. They can create an issue of noise pollution on a ship when people are playing music in public spaces or in their staterooms, but loud enough for other cruisers to hear it.
Regular Carnival cruisers will know that you can actually buy a Carnival-branded Bluetooth speaker onboard, creating confusion for cruisers as to how this will function with the new rule.
However, Carnival has already confirmed that if guests purchase a speaker during the cruise, it will be kept with the onboard store until the final day of the cruise, and then given to the cruiser who purchased it.
No more upside-down pineapples
The upside-down pineapples have a curious history with cruise ships. While they are sometimes used decoratively or ironically, the pineapple on the door also has a connotation that the couple inside are “swingers”. This means they enjoy engaging in relations with other couples.
However, Heald has said these will no longer be permitted on Carnival cruise ships.
In response to a comment about the upside-down pineapples, Heald wrote: “Thank you for mentioning that, those are definitely no longer allowed on the ships and they will be removed from any cabin door. Thank you for reminding us to mention that.”
Carnival on its website has particular guidelines and rules for decorating your stateroom and stateroom door.
Topless sunbathing won’t be back
Heald also addressed questions about topless sunbathing on board. He made this clarification as there has been speculation that it may return to Carnival ships.
“Topless sunbathing is of course something we used to have on our ships 20-plus years ago.
“Back then, all our ships had topless sunbathing decks and for the most part, the guests seemed to enjoy it and certainly didn’t feel a sense of shock and horror because we had a place where our female guests could get an all-over tan.
“Not anymore. None of the major cruise lines have a topless deck except our friends on AIDA and their stunning ships.”
Virgin Voyages is another cruise line that allows topless sunbathing, however, the cruise line no longer operates out of Australia.
How do cruisers feel about the speaker ban?
The decisions appear to be divisive for cruisers in online space, with some happy to no longer be forced into hearing the music of others, but others upset as they enjoy the use of their speaker while on vacation.
Angela Kate says: “Good! I use my balcony to escape the noise/chaos/overstimulation of the ship, it’s horrible when that peace/quiet is ruined by people on other balconies loudly playing different genres of music that all clash with each other.”
Gavin Waters says he’s happy about the change and is sick of hearing other people’s music.
“Yay, no more listening to somebody’s rap music with all the profanity pounding in my ear as I’m trying to relax.”
Cruiser Ami Schultz says she believes it’s a case of the minority ruining it for the majority.
“Unfortunately the minority ruined it for the majority. There have been a few incidents recently with people taking speakers and blasting their music in public areas causing disputes and arguments with other guests.
“Just this weekend walking through the corridors on my cruise, someone was having a party in their cabin with music blasting and who knows how many people were in that cabin. It sucks because I too like to enjoy listening to music as I get ready but not everyone knows how to have fun respectfully.”
However, other cruisers aren’t so thrilled about the change.
Sandra Leigh says: “I take my very small Bluetooth speaker whenever I travel. I don’t watch TV but love listening to music. I don’t have the volume any louder than people have the TV. So for me, It would be disappointing if this is a blanket rule rather than a rule targeting excess noise.”
Elaine Dunn wrote: “I agree with this rule in public space, but surely you can use it quietly in your cabin?”
Paul Weddell said: “What else do they have in mind to ban and confiscate? They’re treating passengers like little children.”
What do you think? Is the ban a good move for Carnival?
Again, the innocent suffer from the irresponsible guilty. I use Bluetooth, however, I respect other people’s privacy and relaxation time. I turned it off. I use it at a moderate sound level in my cabin. Other idiots have ruined it. On a more personal note… bring back topless bathing!
The annoying and rude people will continue to play music, You Tube videoes and have Face Time and phone calls in public areas using the phone speakers. Do people actually think others are interested in their life or are they just totally ignorant?
i THINK IT IS A GOOD MOVE …. IT IS A SHAME THAT SOME PEOPLE HAVE TO HAVE THERE MUSIC TAKEN AWAY,BECAUSE OF THE ONES THAT ARE SO INCONSIDERATE … MAYBE FOR THE ONES THAT ENJOY RELAXING TO THERE MUSIC “PRIVATELY ” THERE COULD BE A MUSIC CHANNEL ON THE TV?,