Do you think guest behavior is linked to a particular ship?

[jerseygirlinAZ]

The only fight we've seen was in the casino, late night, on the Conquest or Paradise out of Port Canaveral or Tampa (can't remember).  This was pre-covid and security was on it in a heartbeat.  That might just be because there was more security already present in the casino?  I don't know.  

 

We typically cruise during the "don't cruise" times since I work in education and we have an eight-year old.   I will say that the short cruises we've taken out of Long Beach (which is our closest port) seemed to have more intoxicated passengers.  I think it's easy to buy Cheers, get off the ship in a port like Ensenada, have a drink everywhere they offer you a shot of tequila (and it's pretty much everywhere in Ensenada), and then get back on the boat and try to get your money's worth with Cheers (at least for some people).  All that drinking often leads to bad news.

 

Our next cruise is a four-day on the Radiance in October to Ensenada and Catalina during, you guessed it, fall break for most Arizona schools.  Almost didn't book it, but got a great casino rate and wanted to check out a Halloween themed sailing.  Am going in thinking there will be a lot of partying and drinking.  We'll just make sure our old butts are in bed by 10 p.m. or midnight, if the kiddo wants to hang at Night Owls.  

[Elaine5715]

4 hours ago, FTLCruiseGal said:

Just curious what those that were speaking of security expected them to do. Not for nothing, but they would have been beaten to a pulp, if not worse. There was no way to control that crowd, short of pepper spray or a taser, which they are not allowed to carry. If they had stepped in, the crowd would have definitely turned on them. Sad that security on a cruise ship has to wear body cameras and have to deal with nonsense like this.

I think they should be carrying tasers and use them liberally. 

[Elaine5715]

2 hours ago, Cushing985 said:

We've been on a lot of Carnival cruises and have sailed out of New Orleans, NYC, LA, San Diego, Miami, Seattle, San Francisco, and our own homeport, Port Canaveral.  Our shortest cruise has been 7 days and our longest is 15 days.  We stay away from summer cruises as much as possible, spring break, and any holiday cruises.  I've never seen or heard of a fight onboard on any of our cruises.  The only excitement we've witnessed and not planned by Carnival was some moron jumping off the ship in the middle of the day somewhere between San Diego and Hawaii and witnessed by a lot of people (he was brought back on board by the crew).

 

I think it's time for the cruise lines to get serious about fights.  First, hire some big guys to work security.  Second, if a fight breaks out, restrict the fighters to their cabins for the rest of the cruise guarded by some of the newly hired big guys, and third, put the clowns on a Do Not Cruise list shared by all the cruise lines.

Mardi Gras had a security guy over 6 ft with The Rock type built.  He was a supervisor and walked through the casino regularly. People took notice.  

[Markmom18]

Until 10-1/2 years ago I drank alcohol …. a lot as I’m a recovering alcoholic.

📘💙 🌌
 

Anyway, I never stopped cruising. In addition to week long vacations, I still do 4 day cruises out of my home port of Long Beach. Booze Cruise?  Well, they aren’t for me anymore. Yes, people drink to excess on land and on sea. But, I love to cruise and to participate !!  
 

The trouble makers in life or on cruises can be left behind. IF needed I would just go to another spot.  Fingers crossed in years of cruising never witnessed a fight … yet.

 

🛳️🛳️

Bobbi
 

 

[notscb]

2 hours ago, TreyB said:

And there it is…🙄

There what is?

 

[SmoothFlying]

1 hour ago, Markmom18 said:

Until 10-1/2 years ago I drank alcohol …. a lot as I’m a recovering alcoholic.

📘💙 🌌
 

Anyway, I never stopped cruising. In addition to week long vacations, I still do 4 day cruises out of my home port of Long Beach. Booze Cruise?  Well, they aren’t for me anymore. Yes, people drink to excess on land and on sea. But, I love to cruise and to participate !!  
 

The trouble makers in life or on cruises can be left behind. IF needed I would just go to another spot.  Fingers crossed in years of cruising never witnessed a fight … yet.

 

🛳️🛳️

Bobbi
 

I know exactly what you're talking about. From the time I was six till I left home at nineteen my Dad was a weekend alcoholic 😞 Monday through Friday he was sober as a priest, BUT Friday night, he'd really tie one on and didn't stop till Sunday morning. Almost turned me completely off alcohol until I decided A REAL adult had to learn 'moderation' about dealing with alcohol. Rather ironic, I took a job in my early twenties as a uniformed deputy and spent the next ten years dealing with drunks every weekend.  So glad in our (My wife and I) 20+cruises since 2007 we've never ever seen a fight on any ship. She'd be shocked, as she's never seen such violence but I'd just shake my head and remember the countless times I was forced to use force to seperate a drunken brawl. People just do NOT realize how too much alcohol can change their  personality.

 

Mac

 

 

[Falling_down]

I haven't cruised with Carnival in over 11 years until this past weekend. I was excited to go though. I took my son (who was turning 22), my daughter (14) and hubby. I figured the Carnival I remember would be more fun for my son than RC (who we normally cruise with). I can honestly say, it was the WORST cruise I have ever been on in terms of rudeness and rampant drug use. No matter where I went on the ship (inside and out) all I could smell was weed. We were waiting for a venue to open in the main atrium and I could see puffs of smoke coming up from the decks below and the so-called security just standing around watching. It was like Woodstock 2023 lol. The attitude of some of the passengers was just as bad. Between the arguing, yelling, and people literally knocking others out of the way to get to things (like elevators, tables, or chairs) it felt like nonstop chaos.

 

We have been on 15+ short cruises with other lines out of both Tampa and Port Canaveral and never encountered what we did this weekend. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to say this seems like a Carnival issue that they really need to get under control. The dogs and extra security are clearly not working which is sad because Carnival was the first cruise line I've ever sailed with and they do get a lot of other things right (comedy shows, food, room layouts, etc).

[Cherries Jubilee]

I think Carnival marketing themselves as the fun ships for years is the reason the more unruly people choose them instead of the other cruise lines. Carnival didn’t mean it was a free for all, but young people think it’s going to be one big raucous party and they take that energy with them and create that environment for themselves. Then all of the other people who want a wild loud time join into that party. Alcohol is involved and suddenly some probably very minor misunderstandings turn into brawls.

 

I’m going to be honest and say that I think the only logical way to single out the people most likely to behave that way is to price them out. Unfortunately pricing them out would probably price me out too. I also think dramatically raising prices would turn off a lot of the cruisers they want to keep because the quality of the cruise experience right now doesn’t warrant higher prices.

 

So the only other option is to put everyone who fights on house arrest, put them off at the first US port, ban them from all future cruising, and aggressively advertise that all of those things will happen so that sooner or later they will stop coming or start behaving.

 

Every new story about a fight needs to have the details on how those people were punished for their crimes. They might even want to put some people on the internet to exaggerate the punishment. Tell everyone they have to pay fines and go to court. It’s worth a try because right now they are in danger of losing a lot of their fans.

[wemjam]

On 7/8/2023 at 8:55 PM, JT1962 said:

Length of cruise, home port, holiday weekend / spring break and pricing of the cruise, have more to do with the passenger make up than the specific ship. The shorter, cheaper cruises and those around a holiday or spring break will usually have a more “rowdy” crowd. 

Just to add on, I think destination makes a difference too. 😁

[dolphfan]

Let's be honest, the whole world has changed. People seem to be on edge all of the time, Mix that in with cheap cruises, lots of alcohol and very few consequences for bad behavior, and the results are what we are seeing. We were on the Liberty last year when one of the fights took place. We were doing B2B on a 3-day and a 4-day, we considered getting off after the 3-day but decided to stay on. The 4 day was a really good cruise. I think that sometimes it's just the luck of the draw who is on the ship!!

[Castaway Cowgirl]

I would say certain ports

[jakeT]

You get a bunch of non drinkers. Drinking those fruity drinks until they drunk and don’t realize there are drinking that much.  That were the trouble starts.   I find out of NYC you get a lot of gamblers, the casino is always packed.  Out of NOLA it’s not the case. Can always find a good machine there   

[CatieM80]

6 hours ago, Falling_down said:

I haven't cruised with Carnival in over 11 years until this past weekend. I was excited to go though. I took my son (who was turning 22), my daughter (14) and hubby. I figured the Carnival I remember would be more fun for my son than RC (who we normally cruise with). I can honestly say, it was the WORST cruise I have ever been on in terms of rudeness and rampant drug use. No matter where I went on the ship (inside and out) all I could smell was weed. We were waiting for a venue to open in the main atrium and I could see puffs of smoke coming up from the decks below and the so-called security just standing around watching. It was like Woodstock 2023 lol. The attitude of some of the passengers was just as bad. Between the arguing, yelling, and people literally knocking others out of the way to get to things (like elevators, tables, or chairs) it felt like nonstop chaos.

 

We have been on 15+ short cruises with other lines out of both Tampa and Port Canaveral and never encountered what we did this weekend. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to say this seems like a Carnival issue that they really need to get under control. The dogs and extra security are clearly not working which is sad because Carnival was the first cruise line I've ever sailed with and they do get a lot of other things right (comedy shows, food, room layouts, etc).

My husband and I did our first (and last) 4-day cruise on the Freedom last month. It was so chaotic and such a different vibe than any of our previous 5 cruises on Freedom (all 7 days). And yeah the weed smoking was constant. Our room reeked. We had a balcony cabin, but I am pretty sure someone literally hot boxed the closet because that’s where the smell was the strongest. It was nuts! Just so glad we didn’t have the kids with us. 

[Haljo1935]

14 minutes ago, CatieM80 said:

My husband and I did our first (and last) 4-day cruise on the Freedom last month. It was so chaotic and such a different vibe than any of our previous 5 cruises on Freedom (all 7 days). And yeah the weed smoking was constant. Our room reeked. We had a balcony cabin, but I am pretty sure someone literally hot boxed the closet because that’s where the smell was the strongest. It was nuts! Just so glad we didn’t have the kids with us. 

Just so I understand  - are you saying the cabin steward didn't clean the cabin well enough before you got on (the smell was left from the previous passenger, right) or is was coming through from the cabin next door so current neighbor was smoking?

[CatieM80]

39 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

Just so I understand  - are you saying the cabin steward didn't clean the cabin well enough before you got on (the smell was left from the previous passenger, right) or is was coming through from the cabin next door so current neighbor was smoking?

We assumed it was from the previous passengers. It seemed very concentrated in the closet. But also, there were people smoking weed the whole cruise, so the smell was pretty constant. 

[Illbcruzn4life]

On 7/9/2023 at 9:10 AM, havanadaydreaming said:

Generally, if you get in fights on a cruise ship or all inclusive resort or airport you just might have a behavioral issue that warrants professional attention. 

 

I certainly recognize public outbursts are more common nowadays.  But despite the Venenezia video pointing to a certain demographic lets not ignore some of the hateful, divisive things said across this country by the elite.  And some elected officials.  

 

Im a lets get together and feel alright type of guy, especially on vacation. Fun is numero uno. I still havent had an altercation at sea.  

 

(Also ive hosted family cruises where my 3 twentysomething kids and their +1 have cabins and drink packages paid.  Not once have they had so much as a double take about their behavior.  But theyre the proverbial good kids, kind to others and not selfish. I got a little lucky, imho) 

Well if I'm on a cruise and somebody knocks my wife over or almost does I'm not singing kumbaya.

[Jasonsterling]

On 7/8/2023 at 9:31 PM, Haljo1935 said:

Who thinks giving a freshly allowed to legally drink 21yo a card w/a 15 drink daily allotment then turning them loose to go have is a good idea? Then add in any amount of hot sun and raging testosterone couple w/peer pressure... who's surprised by the end result? Granted, many involved are well over 21, but I think you get the point.

I actually don't get the point since the vast majority of these incidents seem to involved people in their late 20s at least and even older than that. I think I saw one group of teenagers fighting but they were well below the age to drink. It doesn't mean they weren't drinking somehow but I doubt it. THe problem is Carnival needs beefed up security and a quick response to issues and they need to make it clear people are and will continue to be banned from the line for life. Maybe John Heald should start posting each week the number of banned passengers and the reasons why until people get the point that there are consequences for their actions. Not actual names of course, lol but just totals. I think people believe nothing will happen.

[cmukid87]

Without reading all responses I will chime in with a vote for each cruise being anecdotal.  Each sailing is it's own personality.  There are variables that can make shift that personality one way or another.  Cruise line, length of sailing, homeport, ports of call, time of year, price of cruise, specialty sailings, large groups booked, etc.

[ProgRockCruiser]

On 7/9/2023 at 3:19 PM, Elaine5715 said:

The 21 yr has a parent or guardian onboard.  

No, they might not.  Or perhaps even "probably don't".  Under-21s are required to travel with an adult 25 years old or older:

 

Guests are required to be 21 years of age (on embarkation day) to travel on their own. Guest ages will be verified at embarkation. Guests not conforming to this policy will result in denied boarding and no compensation will be provided at embarkation. For additional minor age restriction guidelines while on board, click here.

Guests Under the Age of 21 MUST travel with a relative or guardian of 25 years of age or older

[ProgRockCruiser]

20 hours ago, Falling_down said:

I can honestly say, it was the WORST cruise I have ever been on in terms of rudeness and rampant drug use. No matter where I went on the ship (inside and out) all I could smell was weed.

This is indicative of the shift in perceptions currently occurring.  Alcohol is also a drug, consumed for recreational use, but you didn't complain about all the drug use around the bars because it is a socially-accepted drug.  It also doesn't have as strong an obvious smell for passers-by, which is really my main complaint.  I also don't like tobacco smoke, in general.

 

Weed is becoming a more socially-accepted drug - it is legal in many countries (at the federal level), and many US states have made it legal to varying degrees.

 

Some cruisers seem to think that because it is legal and become more socially-acceptable (in general) that it is OK to break the rules and smoke it.  I'd be OK with them smoking it if they restricted that activity to the same places tobacco smokers are permitted, but it seems that because it's against the rules "everywhere", why bother finding the designated smoking areas?

 

Not sure how to fix this until the US Fed Gov't makes weed legal - then Carnival could just enforce smoking locations.

Edited August 9, 2023 by ProgRockCruiser

[latebloomer56]

On 7/9/2023 at 11:09 AM, mz-s said:

It's an intersection of the cost of the cruise, the home port, time of year, and length of the cruise.

 

I think we're overdue for another Christine Duffy "we take this seriously" open letter. I think we're up to 3 now..surely the 4th will fix the problem right?

According to in laws who have travel Carnival for years not much has changed. They have taken their weed on all their Carnival cruises for many years. They told me when we were talking about the recent issues they would smoke on the top deck most nights and were not alone. This was before it became legal. Don't think they really take this seriously but they may put their foot down with fighting.

No happy we may have to deal with pot stench but don't plan to change our plans. Each cruise is different, I plan to enjoy mine.

Edited August 9, 2023 by latebloomer56

[Eli_6]

I haven't really encountered the marijuana smell much on any of my cruises, but if I started encountering it regularly, that would be enough to make me start cruising with more expensive lines. I hate the smell of it. It gives me a horrible headache.  At least bring edibles instead of smoking it. 

[vacruisin]

I guess I've just been extremely lucky.  16 Carnival cruises (106 days sailed total) and I've never witnessed a fight (other than one time some people exchanged words and threw ice on each other in the main auditorium) and I've only smelled weed once and that was one time on one day while sitting on my balcony.  The rest of my Carnival cruises have been nothing but fun and pretty drama-free and we usually cruise smack dab in the middle of summer; Including our most recent cruise last month on the Mardi Gras during the July 4th week.  We stayed up late one night and hung with the young crowd in the packed club until late and everyone just had a good time dancing and drinking.  I was actually at the bar trying to get a drink and a young man politely asked if he could just squeeze past to get to the iced water jug I was standing in front of.  I know fights and rowdiness happen but not nearly as often as some people try to make it seem.  Narratives are powerful and as we've seen lately in this world people latch on to narratives and to them it becomes reality; even sometimes when they themselves have not experienced something.  We have become a world of followers.

 

Choice is a beautiful thing.  If Carnival ain't your cup of tea then there are plenty of other lines for people to sail on.  Happy Sailing all!

[Elaine5715]

On 8/9/2023 at 11:09 AM, ProgRockCruiser said:

This is indicative of the shift in perceptions currently occurring.  Alcohol is also a drug, consumed for recreational use, but you didn't complain about all the drug use around the bars because it is a socially-accepted drug.  It also doesn't have as strong an obvious smell for passers-by, which is really my main complaint.  I also don't like tobacco smoke, in general.

 

Weed is becoming a more socially-accepted drug - it is legal in many countries (at the federal level), and many US states have made it legal to varying degrees.

 

Some cruisers seem to think that because it is legal and become more socially-acceptable (in general) that it is OK to break the rules and smoke it.  I'd be OK with them smoking it if they restricted that activity to the same places tobacco smokers are permitted, but it seems that because it's against the rules "everywhere", why bother finding the designated smoking areas?

 

Not sure how to fix this until the US Fed Gov't makes weed legal - then Carnival could just enforce smoking locations.

Since the second hand smoke from marijuana is also intoxicating and crew are under a zero tolerance standard, I hope it never is permitted.  My backyard is frequently unusable to the neighbor's stench which wasn't an issue when their use was confined to inside their house.  

[thunderingherd11]

On 7/8/2023 at 10:55 PM, Mr305 said:

I was on Conquest last weekend on a 3 Day Cruise.  Carnival’s clientele has definitely changed.  A lot of the folks on board were first timers.  Our biggest issue was weed, even with dogs at the terminal, they were lighting it up on the balcony day and night.  I’ve done about three of these cruises over the years, never seen anything like it.  Let’s just say, that was my last 3 Day Cruise, at least on Carnival.

 

I’ve also done 7 & 8 Day Cruises on Carnival, everyone is well behaved and the folks are a bit more upscale.  Lots of Gold and Platinum cruisers.  It’s a shame, all this does is destroy the product/brand.  Hopefully the upcoming price increase will eliminate some of these issues.

3 day cruises have a specific clientele.  It hasn't changed.  Different passengers on 3, 5, 7, 10 day cruises.