Carnival Cruise Line recently banned a popular cruise item from certain venues aboard its fleet of "FUN" ships.
Like other cruise lines, Carnival has a long list of prohibited items that aren't allowed onboard its ships. Many items, including explosives, other dangerous weapons, or illegal drugs, are common sense.
Conversely, others are typical household items that often lead to confusion among guests, particularly first-time sailors. For instance, did you know that you can't bring steamers on cruise ships?
On warm-weather itineraries, many passengers opt to pack handheld fans to keep themselves cool while ashore. However, Carnival's new "Have Fun. Be Safe" guideline letters that began appearing in cabins on June 1 have clarified that portable fans are now banned from use in certain venues.
“For safety reasons, handheld fans are not permitted in the nightclub or on any indoor dance floor,” the letter states. It also reinforced Carnival's current policy prohibiting drinks from the dance floor.
The random change caught guests off guard
One passenger asked for clarification regarding the new rule on John Heald's Facebook page, writing, "I see the new rule about handheld fans...are we talking little mini electric fans that people walk around with nowadays or like the ones you open and wave in front of your face to cool off?"
Carnival's Brand Ambassador responded, "These are the handheld fans, not the electric mini ones." In other words, the ban specifically targets non-electric, foldable, or paddle-style handheld fans.
Regardless, the ban during parties does make sense. Carnival's dance floors are lively places. When crowded, it's easy to accidentally bump into other guests and possibly cause minor injuries when items with sharper edges are added to the equation.
That said, you're still allowed to bring electric and non-electric handheld fans onboard Carnival cruise ships for personal use.
They are a great tool when navigating the summer heat on warm sailings to destinations like the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Greek Isles.
Other useful items to bring on warm-weather cruises include a refillable water bottle, cooling towels and patches, and misters.
Read more: How to deal with summer heat on a cruise
The letter serves as a stark warning that violating Carnival's conduct policies can result in serious consequences
The letter reinforces existing policies, such as the curfew for guests aged 17 and under. After 1:00am, minors aren't permitted in public areas unless accompanied by an adult 21 or older from their travel party.
"Please refrain from running and making noise (including shouting/screaming) in hallways, since doing so disrupts other guests who may be resting/sleeping in their staterooms," it adds.
Additionally, marijuana, including cannabis and other CBD products, is banned from Carnival ships. If caught trying to smuggle an illegal substance onboard, you may be arrested and not allowed to board. This means you should also refrain from using marijuana while in port, even if it's legal in that country.
Finally, smoking — including vaping — in undesignated areas is prohibited, too. If caught, Carnival has the right to charge your onboard account $500 per violation. Rather than lighting up a cigarette on your balcony, ask Guest Services where the designated areas are.
"Any guest who violates these policies or whose conduct affects the comfort, enjoyment, safety, or well-being of other guests or crew will be fined, disembarked at their own expense, and banned from sailing on Carnival in the future," the letter continues.
Read more: 5 cruise passengers got banned by Carnival for life (and how you can avoid a similar fate)
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 traveled frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas during her freshman year of high school. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
