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)

 

[Yamaha YM2612]

I hate that niggers are so self-hating when it comes down to brass tax.

Every other race who encountered "discrimination" (Germans, Irish, any Asian immigrant, etc) were just like "fuck you, I'll build my own shit". Blacks just whine and whine and complain until the government has to actually PASS LAWS saying you have to tolerate them

Mam, they're such great and brilliant people that people have to be legally compelled to associate with them

 

[Whoopsie Daisy]

I don't care if it is racist, I wouldn't want to hear rap music blasted from blutooth speakers and watching niggers get rowdy like it's feeding time at the chimp house.

The only time I want to see niggers on boats is the HMS Amistad 2 where we send them back to fucking africa.

 

[Jace on ice]

One of my friends went to New Orleans for a work trip and for fun he counted how many cheap weaves he saw go flying during fights.

By the time he got in his flight to leave it was 21 in 3 days.

Niggers can't behave or even pretend to act human.

 

[1440p Curved Monitor]

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

Unfortunately for various legitimate reasons, it's non negotiable.

Norwegian is the way to go. I stopped using carnival back in 2010 and have never been happier. It's the cruise for gambling addicts and the still uses physical malls demographic

Nice, thank you! The company owned islands they advertise sound cool, even though it looks like a way to nickel and dime me.

 

[Niggerphobe]

One of my friends went to New Orleans for a work trip and for fun he counted how many cheap weaves he saw go flying during fights.

By the time he got in his flight to leave it was 21 in 3 days.

Niggers can't behave or even pretend to act human.

This is what happens when you blow up a levee

 

[not william stenchever]

Many of the poor third world schmucks roped into serving aboard a cruise ship rely on tips if they're in the hospitality side of it. They'd fucking mutiny

And then when the US Navy sends a force to suppress the mutiny some kween manning the helm would ram a frigate right into the cruise ship killing 90% of everyone involved. That's what's called doing God's work.

 

[FamicomGorby]

I do not understand the appeal of these modern massive cruise ships, especially after the Covid-19 hoax revealed just how disgusting they are hygiene wise.

Why would I want to pay a lot of money to be stuck in a floating hotel with a bunch of strangers? The nice thing about a normal hotel is I can leave whenever I want.

If I were invest in a luxury sea voyage I would prefer it to be on a tall sailing ship. Companies like Star Clippers, Sea Cloud, or Windstar offer as much, and my gut tells me there's not many niggers interested in them.

I think the basic draw of it is that a cruise is a vacation where you don't have to do any planning and just has a fixed upfront cost. Since Carnival is the bottom of the barrel for cruises, it's the most affordable which is why it gets this crowd but plenty of whitey's go on cruises too. As someone who plans all of their trips, I understand just wanting to pay someone else to figure everything out, especially if you're traveling with a group.

Though really I think they'd get the exact same experience staying somewhere in Vegas or New Orleans. The only unique thing about cruises are the port excursions which basically amount to a beach or doing some outdoor activity they could do anywhere in Florida or like Myrtle Beach. Again though, the cruise takes care of all the planning so it's trading convenience for freedom when going on one.

 

[A-Stump]

They're not gonna like this next port, brother.
View attachment 7603890

Lot of rules for a guy most well known for ripping off his gaudy yellow nigger shirt

 

[The Last Stand]

I would laugh my ass off if the cruise ship was Blacks only at a discounted rate, with THAT clientele, only for it to be a one way ticket to some third world country. The fine print they signed, but didn't READ, would say they rescind their citizenship.

All the shit that's happening today would be jokes or skits in entertainment, but with how F'd up the world is, you cannot WRITE this stuff.

 

[President Joe Biden]

I'm starting to think that you guys don't like black folks.

 

[Fapcop]

“Section 8 of the seas” LMAO!

Can’t imagine a more terrible way to spend a vacation than stuck aboard a ship with LOUD Bixnood’in negroes playing they rap music on giant speakers, getting’ they drink on and letting they keedz run around unsupervised and annoy other passengers.

Feels to those bruthas who hate this kind of behavior and just want their fellow negroes to ACT RIGHT, instead of pulling ghetto shit on a cruise.

 

[Tasty Tatty]

But they did eat breakfast this morning!

"Sir, but you already had your free drinks this morning..?"

I do not understand the appeal of these modern massive cruise ships, especially after the Covid-19 hoax revealed just how disgusting they are hygiene wise.

Why would I want to pay a lot of money to be stuck in a floating hotel with a bunch of strangers? The nice thing about a normal hotel is I can leave whenever I want.

People associate them with rich lifestyle because rich people own yachts. It's not the same because yachts aren't overcrowded with hundreds of people. This is like renting a mansion that you have to share with about 200 more people just for the experience of living in one for a few days.

A coworker went to a river cruise in the Amazon River. They said it was great and it wasn't crowded. Website says the cheapest one has only 44 cabins and the most expensive, 20. So, you're just gonna hang with about 50 people for a week. You can't swim here bc of piranhas and anacondas, but there were different stops in about five or six ports for shopping and eating in different Amazonian cities. I told Señor Tatty to go and we agree once the kids are old enough and the house can survive without us for a week.

Thing is, I think blacks go there for the free stuff, food specially, and nothing else. When I worked in what's Lima main square, where presidential palace and Congress are, I never saw blacks doing tourism there. There are museums and other historical places and I've seen Euros, Asians, other Latinos, but never blacks. They don't care much for the stops. They're over paying for a typical resort only on the sea.

 

[Car Won't Crank]

Carnival must be trying to change their image given their newish Venice class ships.

 

[YouGuysAren'tThatSmart]

They're not gonna like this next port, brother.
View attachment 7603890

That's going to be a lot of uneaten buffet food.

 

[The Mighty Banth]

I hate that niggers are so self-hating when it comes down to brass tax.

It's get down to brass tacks, which you still find in quality furniture. Sorry to bring it up but I always prefer to be corrected.

 

[Lobster Cult High Priest]

They're obviously cheating the system by one person signing up and getting drinks for themselves and two others.

Don't all cruise ships have a rule where if one person in the cabin (barring children) has the drink package than everyone in the cabin must shell out the $500 or so dollars for the drink package.

 

[Vining]

When the fuck did Carnival become a section 8 boat?

 

[Hidden Cat]

They're not gonna like this next port, brother.
View attachment 7603890

What’s the reason for no plain white tshirts?

 

[YouGuysAren'tThatSmart]

What’s the reason for no plain white tshirts?

Speculation on my part. Sheboons probably don't wear bras, so their disgusting bodies can probably be seen through sweat covered shirts.

 

[Jinn in the phone]

What’s the reason for no plain white tshirts?

Over-sized white tshirts were a major "urban" fashion trend in the early 2000s. Around the same time as sagging pants, timberlands, cornrows and durags. In the tv show The Wire it has a drug addict character Bubbles sell white t shirts in the hood as a reference to this.