CARNIVAL Cruise Line has hit back at claims it banned rap and hip hop music on its ships after rolling out a list of strict new rules.
The cruise giant was forced to clarify its stance amid backlash over alleged rules against a certain type of music and behavior on its ships.
Carnival Cruise Line denied banning rap and hip hop music after guests accused the company of targeting Black travelers with new onboard rules[/caption]
Cruisers now must use headphones or earbuds when listening to music or watching videos[/caption]
Some critics have considered the alleged rules to be a form of racial targeting against Black customers.
However, Carnival, which is based in Miami, Florida, has denied ever telling DJs to steer clear of rap or hip-hop in their sets.
Guests recently received notice of sweeping policy changes issued under a “Have Fun, Be Safe” update in June.
The new regulations include a $500 fine for breaking smoking rules, a marijuana ban, as well as tighter rules on music and public behavior.
Bluetooth speakers, handheld fans, and portable radios are no longer allowed in public areas, according to Carnival.
Cruisers now must use headphones or earbuds when listening to music or watching videos on deck and in shared indoor spaces.
Anyone under 17 must stick to a curfew and cannot roam ship areas after 1 am, unless accompanied by an adult over 21.
The consumption of drinks is also no longer allowed on dance floors, Carnival warned.
Violators may be hit with hefty fines, kicked off the ship, and even permanently banned from future sailings.
The cruise line says the changes are meant to promote a sense of “community and neighborliness” aboard its ships.
But some travelers aren’t buying it.
Several passengers took to social media claiming the rules were rolled out after fights on board, some involving Black guests, leading to suspicions of racial profiling.
One viral claim alleged Carnival quietly directed DJs to avoid playing rap and hip-hop tracks.
The company strongly rejected the accusations.
Carnival Cruise Rules
- A curfew for guests under age 17, who can now not be in public spaces on the ship after 1 am unless accompanied by an adult over age 21
- A ban on the use of speakers and radios, and a requirement that guests use earphones or headphones when listening to music or watching video in public spaces
- Prohibiting the use of handheld fans in public places
- Barring the consumption of drinks on dance floors
- A marijuana ban, which includes a threat of arrest for violators
- A $500 fine for violation of the cruise line’s smoking rules
“We have always had a wide variety of entertainment options,” Matt Lupoli, Carnival’s Senior Manager of Public Relations, told Parade.
He blamed media outlets for “[blowing] this matter out of proportion,” and insisted many of the rules were not new.
The company insists the rules are meant to create a more relaxing atmosphere on board, not to suppress any culture.
It also pointed out that many of the policies aren’t new, referencing a February 2023 video that outlined onboard expectations.
Carnival also told the Daily Dot that onboard DJs “play a wide variety of music, including hip-hop.”
The uproar follows a violent brawl in June involving roughly two dozen guests, where punches and chairs were thrown.
That incident, which reportedly included Black travelers, added fuel to the belief that Carnival’s policies were a reactionary measure.
The cruise line did not comment directly on the fight but emphasized its commitment to safety.
The “Have Fun, Be Safe” program is now being communicated more directly to guests ahead of their trips.
While some travelers support the crackdown, others have accused Carnival of taking the fun out of cruising.
Still, the company is standing firm, warning that anyone who breaks the rules could be disembarked “at their own expense.”
Carnival has not indicated any plans to walk back the new policies.
