Carnival Cruise Line is addressing backlash over recent onboard safety guidelines that some online critics have argued disproportionately impact Black passengers.
In recent weeks, passengers have shared formal notices from Carnival outlining what the company describes as a renewed commitment to onboard safety and “respectful behavior.”
📌New Rules on Carnival Cruises targeting Loud Music, People, Hazardous Fans, Children on the Loose and More😅 @KABBFOX29 @News4SA pic.twitter.com/0DhfpBhOrx
— Darian Trotter-Thomas (@DarianTrotter) June 7, 2025
The rules cover curfews for minors, marijuana restrictions, and bans on Bluetooth speakers and handheld fans.
Minors under 18 must now be out of public areas by 1 a.m. unless accompanied by an adult in their party or participating in a supervised teen program. Handheld fans — particularly the non-battery kind often used in viral dance trends — are also prohibited due to the loud “clack” sound, which Carnival says could cause injuries in crowded areas.
In a statement, the company emphasized that the rules are intended to promote a more peaceful environment, not to signal any form of cultural erasure. In fact, many of these policies have been in place for years — as explained in a Feb. 2023 video outlining what’s appropriate while onboard their ships.
“Unfortunately, certain media outlets have blown this matter out proportion,” Matt Lupoli, Senior Manager of Public Relations at Carnival Cruise Line, told Parade.
“We have always had a wide variety of entertainment options and for the last several years we have communicated our expectations about guest behavior,” he added.
Still, some passengers remain skeptical. As reported by The Root, several Black cruisers say they’ve noticed the quiet disappearance of hip-hop and rap music on board. DJs, they claim, have declined requests and stuck to more sanitized playlists.
For the record: Carnival has not confirmed any official ban on music genres. In a statement to the Daily Dot, a spokesperson said their DJs “play a wide variety of music, including hip-hop.”
As of June 2025, these are the new rules Carnival Cruise has implemented. pic.twitter.com/rfp1vXOnOs
— The Daily Sneed™ (@Tr00peRR) July 4, 2025
The backlash has been especially sharp on social media, where frustrated passengers — some of whom have canceled future trips — have weighed in.
“When people book Carnival, they know what they’re booking,” said TikTok user @Kiarajaxn, who recently canceled a cruise she and her friends had planned to celebrate a 30th birthday. “They know they are booking a ‘turn up’ cruise. Period. Everybody on there is looking to have a good time, party, and have fun.”
“Black women are mad, saying Carnival Cruises no longer want them on their boats, banning black music,” one tweet read, highlighting reactions on TikTok.
“Carnival Cruise you got it down bad,” added TikTok user @Msvanillascar. “I don’t know how your ticket sales are gonna be since you [changed] the rules and regulations because you don’t like how certain people like to turn up. You got it down bad.”
“Carnival cruise said we aint playing no more rap music,” another commenter wrote on X. “Tired of black folk is what they are saying.”
Not everyone is upset, however. Some commenters have defended the changes.
“It’s not a crackdown on a color its a crackdown on people’s behavior,” one person shared, according to The Root.
“What’s racist about asking ppl to act right?” another wrote.
Ultimately, the fallout may depend not just on the guidelines themselves, but on how consistently Carnival enforces them. For now, Bluetooth speakers are banned, fans are silenced, and curfews are in full effect.
