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)

 

[Triplethreat]

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?

Just go to an all inclusive hotel in Costa Rica or Mexico. A cruise sounds miserable honestly.

 

[Blewberry Nausea]

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

I fear the day they ever learn how to utilize Jewish finagling.

 

[Google.com]

Is the only alternative for us here is Norwegian or Royal?

Pretty much, like half the cruise industry is just Carnival. And they are all terrible. Cruises are fucking torture and terrible but if you have to do one Norwegian has the cool boats with the big ass water slides on the roof.

 

[Your-Fairy-Wish-Prince]

They need to empower their captains, officers and crew to enforce human-level behaviour. If you're at sea, the vessel commander's word is law and he is entitled to do anything to secure the safety of his ship. A couple of niggers getting beaten by a team of security staff and then thrown in confinement would send a message.

It’s that way on trains doesn’t matter what state you are in the rail road is the rail road and the engineer reserves the right to drop kick your ass off the train.

 

[TowinKarz]

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?"

The infuriating thing is that they could make this argument? And the law would have to side with them from a civil standpoint.

I only hope that such privileges are on their way to being revoked from nigger fatigue for no other reason than the megacorps aren't going to make that line-go-up the more society is forced to accept disruption of any business more complex than a lemonade stand as protected behavior.

 

[DoomsdayElite]

Nigger fatigue finally hits the high seas.

 

[one_time_user]

I have never been on a cruise. Are they really all as crowded as a mosh pit? Why are there so many people?

 

[Cat tit bingo]

Anyone who plays their music for everyone to hear should immediately be forced to walk the plank. Sure it might be bad for the marine ecosystem to introduce chum loaded with coolaid, corn starch and drugs but society can only move forward if these people are made an example of.

 

[Blewberry Nausea]

2 weeks in PhotoShop pls no bully

 

[Lobster Cult High Priest]

Surprised they're not more loved by jeets, as they're the purveyors of the 'poop cruise.'

I think we can all agree though if these cruises are so full of niggers that the cruise lines have to change the rules, then welfare is paying out way too fucking much.

Went on a Royal Caribbean cruise a few years back and they had Jeet dinner options in the main dining room,

 

[neger psykolog]

White people don't season dey Bluetooth speakers

 

[Agarathium1066]

I have never been on a cruise. Are they really all as crowded as a mosh pit? Why are there so many people?

Nah. I've been on a few and they're not crazy busy except prime times on the main deck where you usually have people out by a pool, sunning, or doing some drinking. Modern cruise ships are huge and you're never required to stay anywhere nor are their amenities that sparse.

Niggers are always loud no matter where you are, though, and this angers rich boomers and now the ever growing millenials who actually will put down money on cruises.

 

[SITHRAK!]

When the fuck did niggers start ripping off country?

I take it you’ve never heard of Charley Pride.
Although he was a black man, and not a nigger.

 

[Google.com]

I have never been on a cruise. Are they really all as crowded as a mosh pit? Why are there so many people?

Not really, except the areas where events are happening. Most people are usually just on autopilot going up and down the halls getting food, going to the pools, or to the events. Though the concentration of douche bags is definitely higher than a lot of places and their douchebaggeryness is usually amplified by heavy alcohol use.

They basically drop you off for a day at a bunch of random tourist towns with a coast and those are always extremely crowded even more so than the ship and everyone is just trying to rush around to see as much as they can before the boat leaves.

 

[ye's Official KF Burner]

Carnival has always been the notorious nigger cruise, which is why I would never go on one of their boats even if they paid me to.

 

[draggs]

Stay with me here. Don't impose these new rules. Build 5,000 more Carnival cruise ships. Put all niggers on them. All-nigger crew. They're all never allowed off. Keep them supplied with Colt .45, watermelon, fried chicken, corn starch. Niggers get to wild to their hearts content forever, we don't have any more niggers on land. It's a win-win for urrybuddy

 

[The Mighty Banth]

I have never been on a cruise. Are they really all as crowded as a mosh pit? Why are there so many people?

You get what you pay for, like most things. Norwegian and Royal Caribbean are mostly white, at least for the European routes.

 

[Niggernerd]

People go on cruises to get away from daily problems. Not be stuck on a floating tub with them

 

[Stoneheart]

But personally have no desire to take any sort of cruise at all.

i doubt that, for some reason all elderly people want to do european river cruises...

 

[Cheesegirl78]

i doubt that, for some reason all elderly people want to do european river cruises...

Those river cruises do look nice, though.
I've been trying to talk Mr. Cheese into one.