Carnival Cruise Line is facing significant backlash following a wave of policy changes that critics allege disproportionately target Black guests — an accusation the company denies. The controversy centers around newly tightened rules on guest behavior, music, and onboard items like portable speakers and handheld fans, which some have labeled as “racist” and exclusionary.
In a statement to Parade, Matt Lupoli, Senior Manager of Public Relations at Carnival, dismissed the backlash as media-driven exaggeration.
“Unfortunately, certain media outlets have blown this matter out of proportion,” Lupoli said. “We have always had a wide variety of entertainment options, and for the last several years we have communicated our expectations about guest behavior.”
The updated guidelines include:
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A ban on marijuana and its derivatives, in line with federal maritime law.
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A prohibition on smoking in staterooms and balconies.
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A curfew for unaccompanied minors under 17, who are no longer allowed in public spaces after 1 a.m.
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Handheld fans — popular in viral TikTok dance trends — are now prohibited due to their disruptive noise.
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Portable speakers can no longer be used without headphones.
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A 15-drink maximum per guest within 24 hours.
Despite the company’s defense, numerous social media users, particularly on TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), have accused Carnival of implementing policies designed to dissuade Black guests from booking future cruises.
One user wrote:
“We got the message loud and clear, we are not your demographic anymore… Carnival decided they wanted to rebrand.”
Another claimed the line “does not like colored people,” pointing to the speaker and music rules as culturally targeted.
“Every time I see a video of Carnival, the stairways is all rusty, y’all got a whole documentary about how y’all ships be catching on fire and sh* mixed with piss all on the walls… and y’all got beef with rap music.”*
Others countered these claims, blaming poor behavior and disruptive guests for Carnival’s declining reputation.
“Y’all have to learn how to act,” one user wrote.
“Carnival got tired of being the Section 8 of the Sea,” another added.
Some noted the policy changes were about liability and safety, not race.
Carnival denies banning any specific music genre.
“Our DJs play a wide variety of music, including hip-hop,” a spokesperson told The Daily Dot in response to rumors of a rap music ban on club floors.
The policy shift coincides with Carnival leading all major cruise lines in reported crimes in 2025, according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The agency reported 48 crimes across all cruise lines from January through March. Carnival alone accounted for 12 — the highest number. Seven of those were classified as sexual assault-rape, the most common crime reported at sea.
While some point to per-capita statistics to downplay these figures, experts argue cruises should be held to higher standards.
“Why do cruises, which should be fun relaxing vacations and cost several thousand dollars, have any crime at all?” one critic asked.
Robert McDonald, a criminal justice lecturer at the University of New Haven, told Fox News that alcohol, confined spaces, and the vacation mindset create conditions ripe for misconduct.
“Whenever there’s alcohol involved, whenever there are people being able to let loose… that exacerbates the ability for numbers to rise.”
Carnival has also been accused of manipulating its fleet size and passenger count to make its crime rates seem lower. While both Carnival and Royal Caribbean operate 27 ships, Royal Caribbean carries up to 166,000 passengers, compared to Carnival’s 130,000 — a gap that affects per-capita reporting.
Further complicating the picture is the underreporting of cruise crimes. The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act mandates that only certain crimes, reported to the FBI and meeting specific thresholds, are included in the DOT’s public data. Many incidents, especially those reported at foreign ports or falling below federal investigative standards, go unrecorded.
📌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
