Carnival Cruise Line responded to one guest asking if the family-friendly cruise line would get rid of a popular amenity to make way for another adult-only deck.
Cruise lines like Carnival appeal to a wide range of travelers, from couples to families with young children and elderly guests. As such, their ships are outfitted with various amenities designed to meet the needs of all passengers, including waterparks, mini-golf courses, arcades, spas, and adult-only sun decks.
Still, it's hard to please everyone. One irate guest took to social media to suggest that Carnival get rid of the miniature golf courses in favor of another adult-only sun deck for passengers ages 55 and up.
"Last week I cruise on the Carnival —. My partner and [I] decided to play [mini-golf]. A kid behind us hit the ball so hard it hit me on the back of my leg causing pain. I reported this to a crew member who did not offer any condolences or apologies and refused to expel the kid and his parents from the golf area," the guest explained in a post on Carnival's Brand Ambassador's Facebook.
"This golf area is a waste of space. At best it's a pale imitation of the land-based versions. It takes up a good chunk of valuable deck real estate. These should all be changed to decks for 55+ pax only. This is the second time I have written this to you John Heald. Still waiting for the courtesy of a response!"
All Carnival ships already have a dedicated adult-only area called Serenity. It's included in the cost of the cruise and is available to all passengers ages 21 and older. Mini-golf is also found on most of the Carnival fleet, excluding Carnival Luminosa.
"Thank you and I do feel sorry for this lady who allegedly had a ball accidentally strike the back of her leg. However, I am sure the crew member whose name I have removed from the post did offer ummmm 'condolences' plus offered medical assistance if needed as all our crew are trained to do. Plus I do know that after speaking with the Ship that the parents of the child did offer their apologies," Heald responded.
"I am sure the child did this by mistake and not on purpose and I am sure felt bad as did the parents. Asking them to leave would have been, in my opinion, an overreaction. Secondly, the mini golf course is massively popular and so there are no plans to change it to a [55-plus] deck as suggested."
While there aren't any dedicated areas for older passengers, they're free to take advantage of the relaxing Serenity deck during the day. The spa facilities, including the sauna, steam rooms, thermal suite, and hydrotherapy pool, are also restricted to adults only
There are other areas to keep adults entertained into the late evening hours. For example, the casino is limited to adults only, while certain Punchliner comedy shows are R-rated for more mature content.
Carnival's new private destination in the Bamahas will also feature two adult-only getaways. Passengers visiting Celebration Key can relax at the included adult-only Calyspo Lagoon or purchase a pass to the upscale Pearl Cove Beach Club with an 11,000-square-foot private infinity pool, cabanas, plush daybeds, and more.
Read more: Everything We Know About Carnival's Celebration Key
Many of the comments on Heald's post disagreed with the passenger's suggestion
"Wow! What a whiner! I'm sure the kid didn't mean to hit her. And who cares if SHE thinks mini golf is a waste of space? That's what annoys me about some of these questions. People act like their [thoughts are] the only one that matters, and that John should see to it that they get what they want, regardless of how anyone else feels," said Michelle Bowers Gebers.
Pam De Marco added, "I am pretty sure it was an accident. And if the OP is saying mini golf is nothing but wasted space as she claims, why was she and her partner there playing a game?"
"First, hopefully the parents apologized. But there are many people who love mini golf including [those] 55+. My husband and I are in our 70's and we play mini golf when the family goes off on an excursion and the ship is quieter. But this is also a way of spending time with the kids and grandkids. Please don't speak for the rest of us," wrote Penny G Manning.
Read more: 10 lessons learned after trying Carnival for the first time
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
