Culture Carnival’s New Rules Got Black Folks All in Their Feelings, But Others Say the Cruise Line is Justified - Cruise line bans drugs and Bluetooth speakers, stops playing hip-hop or rap, and no longer offers unlimited drinks packages. Blacks most affected.

Are Carnival's new rules restrictive, or racist? Some folks say it's the latter, and they're cancelling their reservations expeditiously.​

By Angela Wilson
Published July 2, 2025


An aerial view of the Port of Long Beach at dusk Friday, Feb. 17, 2023. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) / TikTok screenshot

Brawls, assaults, drunken fights, boots on the grounds and fans in hands just might have Carnival Cruise Line saying, "Enough is enough!" And some Black passengers are returning the favor, cancelling their existing reservations or cancelling the cruise line all together because they deem their new rules are racist. But some argue, "Are the new policies racist, or just restrictive?"

The discourse began after Carnival — who has the most allegations of serious crimes committed at sea than any other cruise line sailing from North America, per the FBI — implemented new rules. According to reports, as of June 1, Carnival passengers received a new letter to reinforce their guidelines and code of conduct.

Stricter Enforcement on Drugs​

“Marijuana, including cannabis and its derivatives, and other illegal substances, are unlawful and strictly prohibited on board,” the letter emphasized. "Smoking of any kind in undesignated areas such as staterooms and balconies is strictly prohibited." Even if marijuana is legal for recreational or medicinal use in your home state, it remains illegal under U.S. federal law. Since cruise ships sailing from U.S. ports operate under federal maritime law, all forms of cannabis are prohibited and Carnival has a zero tolerance policy.

If caught, passengers are immediately removed from the ship at the next port, with no refund, permanent ban, the turning over to law enforcement and possible fines.

Curfews​

Guests 17 years of age and under must be out of public areas by 1:00 AM unless they are being accompanied by an adult from their traveling party, aged 21 years of age or older. They are allowed to be in public areas after 1:00 AM only if they are involved in a supervised Club O2 (ages 15-17) or Circle "C" (ages 12-14) teen activity, as these youth programs often host late-night events that allow teens to be out later under staff supervision.

"Boots on the Ground," BUT Leave the Fans at Home​

Passengers can still enjoy those battery-powered fans onboard, but as for those non-battery-operated fans, leave those at home. Carnival cites "safety reasons" for the specific ban for hand-held fans, made popular by "Boots on the Ground: Where Them Fans At?" line dance by 803Fresh, where dancers loudly "clack" fans on certain parts of the song. The cruise line says the "clacking" could cause accidental injuries.

No More Hip-Hop?​

Although Carnival Cruise Line has not officially announced a ban on hip-hop or rap music in their clubs, significant online chatter from some Black passengers say they noticed a reduction or absence of the genre in the clubs.

Some online discussions suggest that Carnival might be moving towards a more "pre-approved" song selection for DJs — who should reportedly decline passenger's requests. The perception comes in the context of Carnival's efforts to address "rowdy crowds" and disruptive behavior on board.

Limited, Unlimited Drink Packages​

The cruise line always had a 15-drink limit per 24-hour period for the "Cheers!" alcoholic beverage package, but now, there's a perception that alleged enforcement has become stricter. Some Black cruisers feel this targets groups who tend to purchase these packages and enjoy lively celebrations.

No More Bluetooth Speakers​

Carnival has reinforced rules against guests playing their own music loudly in public areas, including by the pools and hallways. While ostensibly for everyone's comfort, many Black passengers feel this rule is selectively enforced against them. They argue that other groups might play different genres of music without facing the same level of scrutiny.

Of course folks took to TikTok to express their concerns about the rules.

"Carnival does not have to worry about me," one TikToker said, who said she cancelled her reservation for a friend's birthday. "We got the message loud and clear, we are not your demographic anymore. [...] Carnival decided they wanted to rebrand."

While some were saying goodbye to the cruise line, others welcomed the change. "Y'all have to learn how to act... I'm not gone lie.. y'all really made the value go down. I'm not mad at it." Another added: "I've never seen a carnival cruise video on social media that makes me want to go. It's like the Walmart of cruise lines," while a third wrote: "It's not racism but certain stuff becomes a liability after a while."

"It's not a crackdown on a color its a crackdown on people's behavior," one person reasoned. Other comments included: "Carnival got tired of being the Section 8 of the Sea," "God forbid the company want to protect their brand," and "What's racist about asking ppl to act right?"

Source (Archive)

 

[McMitch]

When the fuck did niggers start ripping off country?

Country has been making a comeback and with the rap well thoroughly tapped they needed some other genre of chick music to sell to blacks. Combine with the concerted effort to pay blacks more and you have ones that grew up around more whites without developing an inferiority complex about it.

 

[TowinKarz]

If a lot of that demographic boycotted their “business” or “patronage,” the world would breathe a sigh of relief.

If that were it? It'd be fine, but, thanks to them inserting the "disparate effect" clause into civil rights law? They'll just sue you now.

 

[YouGuysAren'tThatSmart]

Country has been making a comeback and with the rap well thoroughly tapped they needed some other genre of chick music to sell to blacks. Combine with the concerted effort to pay blacks more and you have ones that grew up around more whites without developing an inferiority complex about it.

So, 10 years from now should we be expecting black washing of the genre with the stereotypical “white ppl don’t be seasoning dey country”?

 

[quaawaa]

Country has been making a comeback and with the rap well thoroughly tapped they needed some other genre of chick music to sell to blacks. Combine with the concerted effort to pay blacks more and you have ones that grew up around more whites without developing an inferiority complex about it.

(((They're))) also pushing black country singers like Kane Brown and making black singers like Beyonce perform country songs (they also tried the reverse when they made Taylor Swift do a hip-hop album). They also force country songs to feature rap in the middle of the song which always sounds terrible and pulls you out of the song.

After they destroyed pop by turning it into rap, young Whites (especially women) migrated to country. It's unacceptable to them for White people to have a genre for themselves.

 

[Back me up!]

Lol just how many families/groups were using one person "unlimited " drinks thst limiting it to 15 a day is gonna cause a problem.

 

[Paintrick S Canlinson]

Friend of mine just got back from a Carnival cruise. She said it was 90% black folks (she's white), nonstop hiphop and rap music, and all the lines were a mile long. It took her an hour to get food when it should have taken ten minutes at most. She likened it to being in a third world country.
She will probably never go on a cruise again, or at least until the demographics aren't abysmal

 

[David Brown]

Country has been making a comeback

If the disgusting fucking hicklib garbage they play in public and on the radio is "country" then Hank Williams Jr. and David Allen Coe are urbanites.

 

[Point and Laugh]

Being on that ship would be a version of hell. I cannot imagine the noise, the smell, the amount of oil in the pool. Disgusting. It’s too late for Carnival. They never should’ve allowed it to get that far.

 

[sex haver]

It is really, really funny to me that people hear "stop playing loud music" and immediately think "but what about black people?"

Stereotypes exist for a reason.

 

[Blewberry Nausea]

Lol just how many families/groups were using one person "unlimited " drinks thst limiting it to 15 a day is gonna cause a problem.

Problem is the drinks were an enticement to loosen guests up and open up their wallets more. Black people only do that in titty bars and only if it’s someone else’s cash. The cruise line saw no benefit anymore. Vegas is the same way, a lot of perks and freebies are going away because the niggerest misers will never be profitable enough to keep comps around.

 

[indomitable snowman]

Das only in the mornin’
Das only in the mornin’
Ur supposed to be up cookin’ breakfas for somebody

woo WOOOO!

https://bubbrubboftime.ytmnd.com/

 

[YouGuysAren'tThatSmart]

woo WOOOO!

https://bubbrubboftime.ytmnd.com/

Decoration? A decoration is meant to be seen you ape. Who the fuck is going to look inside your exhaust and go, "Oooohhh I like dem decoraysions you got in there. *smacks lips* Dems the decoraysions dat go woo woo or dem other ones?"

 

[WhiteBoySummer]

Carnival: "Don't smoke weed, blast music from a speaker, or have 16(!) drinks in a single day."

Black people: "Why are you targeting us?"

 

[Blewberry Nausea]

Decoration? A decoration is meant to be seen you ape. Who the fuck is going to look inside your exhaust and go, "Oooohhh I like dem decoraysions you got in there. *smacks lips* Dems the decoraysions dat go woo woo or dem other ones?"

If it helps he died a while ago, you’re yelling at a ghost.

Meanwhile, the whistles still Wooo

 

[YouGuysAren'tThatSmart]

If it helps he died a while ago, you’re yelling at a ghost.

I'm talking about the woman that was talking adjacent to him.

 

[1440p Curved Monitor]

Trying my hardest to convince my family not to use Carnival for their upcoming cruise. They still think it's the "family friendly" cruise with a lot of options for kids. I know that it'll be full of blacks that can't act right in public and this just proved my point. Is the only alternative for us here is Norwegian or Royal?

 

[Nice Comoesta]

Nice Comoesta has been dragged on multiple carribian cruises by his family, and will happily tell you; JUST FUCKING FLY OH MY GOD THE BOATS THE WORST FUCKING PART.
Spend the money you would have spent being ferried between places so aggressivly that you only have 30 minutes before you’re put back on the floating strip mall, INSTEAD fly out to Grand Cayman, and hang out with the stingrays for 3 days.
That Crocidile Hunter nigger Steve Irwin must’ve mugged that stingray, cause those are the chillest animals in the sea. I bet if you offered one a beer, it would take it if it had the thumbs to do it.

 

[Ghostse]

"Carnival got tired of being the Section 8 of the Sea,"

Fucking lol

"What's racist about asking ppl to act right?"

Well see some demographics are taught to act like utter chimps so it shouldn't be racist but what do you know it ends up being that way.

I don't get the fan one. Paper fans? Clacking?

Let me explain this:
Hand-fans are paper or fabric suspended between ribs of metal, wood, or plastic, with more substantial anchors on either end. when closed you have a 12 to 18inch rod which might be made of metal or wood which you can then use to go completely hoodrat on some uppity high-yellow bitch who you don't like the way she been looking at you.

Basically niggers beating each other with fans, so they are saying its a "liability".

tl;dr: Racist no-skills fuckers trying to ban Kitana and Milena from MK.

 

[Calandrino]

Eh, they're only doing this because it's more profitable to sell white people to human traffickers.

 

[Neighborhood Curmudgeon]

It never surprises me anymore that blacks consider the rule of law and social contracts oppression.