Carnival Cruise Line has added a new cruise essential to its prohibited items list: Bluetooth speakers. The surprising move has left many customers fuming over the change, while some are praising the cruise line for the move.
Carnival’s website was recently updated to include specific verbiage prohibiting guests from bringing speaks onboard their ships, citing safety concerns.
As mentioned on the cruise line’s website, all guests onboard must be able to hear important announcements made on the vessel. Because speakers can cause noise disruption, they're now banned by Carnival because of potential interference with safety announcements.
The cruise line’s website states under safety information, “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.”
In fact, the cruise line goes as far as specifying that all guests are required to use headphones while using their personal devices in public spaces.
“Consequently, guests must use earphones when listening to music or watching shows/movies on personal devices in public spaces. For everyone's safety, there are certain prohibited items that should be left at home. Prior to sailing, please review our Prohibited Items List.”
Read more: 20 things cruise lines really do not want you to bring on ships
On the prohibited items list, Carnival clearly outlines that "boom boxes, radios and all types of speakers (including Bluetooth, portable and wireless)" are banned onboard. Guests can expect to have their speakers confiscated on embarkation day, which will be returned after disembarking the vessel.
It’s unclear when Bluetooth speakers were added to the prohibited items list, although the change appears to be within the last month. Previously, speakers were allowed onboard Carnival’s ships and could be used in staterooms; however, the cruise line discouraged passengers from using wireless devices in public spaces.
Carnival customers are not happy with the change
Many Carnival Cruise Line customers have voiced their opinions online regarding the recent update. Some passengers argue that those who use speakers respectfully and privately are being punished by the minority of guests who are disruptive and inconsiderate.
“A prime example of how inconsiderate people ruin it for the rest of us. I always bring a speaker, but NEVER play it loudly,” replied one user on the r/CarnivalCruiseFans thread on Reddit.
“Unpopular opinion, [but] I don’t like this at all. Some of us know how to responsibly use speakers and we are being punished instead of staff monitoring those who [are] rude with theirs,” responded another cruiser.
The ban comes after Carnival’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, asked followers on Facebook whether speakers should be banned onboard Carnival’s ships.
On August 30, Heald asked followers in a poll, “My personal opinion and it is a personal opinion is that we should not allow [Bluetooth] speakers on board at any time. I do not see a circumstance where people need this when they can use the speaker on their phone or headphones. So [should Carnival ban] Bluetooth speakers?”
In response to his poll, a whopping 88% of respondents agreed that speakers should not be allowed on cruise ships while only 22% argued against the claim. As expected, some guests are not pleased with the change.
Another frustrated cruiser wrote, “Very annoying. We fly in from the UK and often take a cruise before heading off to another destination. We travel with a portable projector, so the speaker is great for us to pop next to our heads whilst watching a movie. It has never been loud enough to disturb anyone. This is an arbitrary response to a problem that could be resolved by having better security to handle instances for those that deserve confiscation.”
“I have a small one that I put under/near my pillow when I sleep. I listen to audiobooks to keep my brain from thinking and keeping me awake. As long as it's used INSIDE the room, at a level that doesn’t bother the neighbors, or off the ship, it shouldn't be an issue,” argued another social media user.
One fuming customer commented, “I need music to get ready and be productive. It’s not obscenely loud, [because] I don’t like loud noises. You’re on a communal vacation. If you don’t want to hear other people enjoying themselves, book a private cruise.”
However, some are praising Carnival for banning speakers due to inconsiderate, noisy passengers
While some guests are disappointed with the change, others are relieved the cruise line is addressing the growing problem of noisy passengers onboard. Although speakers were discouraged from being used in public places, some passengers were not respectful of the shared public space.
Many cruisers online shared negative experiences on recent cruises with inconsiderate passengers using Bluetooth speakers to play loud music. Some have shared that cabin neighbors blasting music on Bluetooth speakers has also gotten out of hand.
“I know some people will hate this but the amount of people blasting their music in their cabins is out of control,” reads one of the top comments on Reddit. Agreeing, another user stated, “I support this. If you want to listen to your music put on headphones/earbuds.”
Read more: 23 things you can't bring on a cruise
In support of the change, one user commented, “I don't have a problem with this. It's rude to blast music in a public place and apparently the inconsideration has gotten out of hand.”
Continuing, the comment states, “I understand if you're someone who likes listening to music. Music is my life and I've always got something playing. They make earbuds. If you're listening in your room, a phone should suffice. It's unfortunate they have taken this rule away, but if it helps improve other people's experience, then I'm for it.”
“Great news! Wear your headphones. I don't want to hear your music and you don't want to hear mine,” exclaims another Carnival cruiser online.
Another social media user shared, “On my cruise, our neighbors blasted their Bluetooth speaker on the balcony so loud it sounded like my head was right against the speaker. I’m all for a good time but, I called security. Security came to our room to hear it and immediately went next door and took care of it.”
"They should be allowed but not in public areas. I would seriously think twice about booking a cruise if I couldn’t listen to music in my own cabin,” states another cruiser.
Allie Hubers
Allie Hubers has been cruising since she was a tiny toddler. What started as a yearly vacation with family quickly turned into a passion for travel, cruising and adventure. Allie's been on over 45 cruises all over the world. She even studied abroad on Semester at Sea, sailing the world on a ship while taking courses for college and visiting 4 continents.
