While a cruise vacation ought to be a happy getaway, there are times when it’s a more solemn occasion for remembrance. Many cruise guests arrange ashes scattering ceremonies for their loved ones, perhaps to remember the individual’s love of cruising or to share one last voyage with them.

Some recent disappointment aboard a Carnival ship, however, has the cruise line clarifying exactly what is needed for such a ceremony and what guests can expect at the event onboard.

Furthermore, there is a strict limit that guests might not expect when arranging that last goodbye to their loved one.

The details come from John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, who arranges many such events for grieving guests each week. He notes, however, that not everyone can attend such events.

“I help to organise many of [these ceremonies] each week and do so I hope with humility and with genuine care for those who wish to say their final goodbye from a ship,” he explained. “This ceremony takes place in a small but quiet crew area of the ships. The maximum number of guests that can attend is twelve.”

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It is that limit of 12 guests for each ashes scattering ceremony that has caused dismay to some guests.

“A lady was very angry with me and more importantly with my colleagues on the ship for refusing to allow all 30 people in her group of family and friends to attend,” he noted. “The words used included ‘cruel’ and that this decision was ‘inhuman.'”

Heald does acknowledge that he hasn’t been too clear on the capacity limit previously. While he doesn’t confirm why such a limit is in place, it likely concerns general logistics for large crowds in smaller crew spaces.

Bringing too many guests into the crew spaces might also present a security risk or require too many crew members to guide the group.

A very crowded ceremony would also be less respectful as it might require shouting or cramped standing to accommodate everyone, creating a situation where those in attendance would be unhappy at the event’s organization.

In an age when more large families may be sailing together or even cruising with family reunions or other celebrations, it’s important to know that bidding farewell to a loved one cannot be as large of an event.

As a matter of note, there is no charge for ashes scattering ceremonies onboard Carnival cruise ships.

What Guests Need to Know About Carnival’s Ashes Scattering Ceremonies

Heald goes on to outline exactly what guests need to know about arranging to scatter their loved one’s ashes from a Carnival ship, including what documentation is required and what to expect.

For example, a copy of the deceased’s death certificate must be brought along, and any container that will be going into the ocean (if applicable) must be biodegradable.

Heald can help make arrangements for these delicate ceremonies but guests must contact him via his popular Facebook page three days before setting sail.

Carnival’s website also offers more details, including noting that the location onboard may not be accessible and guests might need to be able to navigate steps safely in order to attend.

While Carnival Cruise Line will take into account a guest’s suggestions for the time and location of the scattering, the ship’s operational requirements and local regulations must also be taken into account. Ashes cannot be scattered while a ship is in port.

“The date and time will be based on environmental restrictions and must be performed beyond twelve nautical miles from land and outside any special areas,” the cruise line explains.

While there are limitations to how ashes scattering ceremonies can be performed, Carnival does try to accommodate religious preferences and the crew members coordinating the event step away to permit guests privacy during their last moments with their loved one.

Following the event, guests will be presented with a special commemorative folder with the coordinates of exactly where and when their loved one’s ashes were released, including the captain’s signature.

Scattering ashes at sea can be a fine way to enjoy one last voyage with someone special, but it’s important to understand exactly what is and is not possible so no one is disappointed.

Just because you saw something on the internet doesn’t mean that you should try it at home – or on your next Carnival cruise.

A TikTok of a cruise guest dragging their bedding onto their cabin’s private balcony is making the rounds on social media. While the passenger was not sailing with Carnival, the cruise line is still nipping this trend in the bud before it can take hold.

“Can I once again cover the absolutely bonkers act of moving, dragging your mattress onto the balcony,” Heald began a Facebook post on March 3, 2026.

“I see that someone has done this again and it’s all over TiT Tock.. It was NOT on one of our ships and I hope that nobody ever tries to do this when they cruise with us,” Head said.

This action is definitely not allowed, and Heald joked that any guests caught moving their bedding to their balcony would be forced to “work the rest of the cruise as a state room assistant making beds and cleaning cabins.”

More realistically, guests would receive a warning or consequences in line with violating Carnival’s Code of Conduct, which can include a fine of up to $500 for bad behavior.

While relocating your bed or bedding may seem cute or aesthetic for your social media reel, it actually poses significant safety concerns, such as blocking exit routes, creating a fall hazard, and violating hygiene standards.

It also inevitably leads to more work for crew members when guests fail to put their room back how they found it. Bedding or furniture that is put outside when it is not meant to be may also need a deeper clean or to be replaced entirely.

How Common is This Trend?

Heald did not specify which specific TikTok he was referencing, but there are plenty of viral videos out there of guests relocating their beds and bedding.

For example, Cruise Hive shared a viral video of a passenger who moved their bedding to their balcony during a frigid Antarctica sailing in 2024.

The guest received a lot of criticism from the cruise community because the stunt was a life threatening risk given the below freezing temperatures.

More recently, Cruise Hive reported on a passenger who moved their entire bed onto the balcony of a Royal Caribbean ship in 2025. Unlike the Antarctica-bound guest, this woman moved her entire mattress and base onto her balcony.

Carnival guests haven’t been caught in the act of relocating their bedroom in the recent past, but one guest did get caught trying to sneak lounge chairs from the Lido deck to their stateroom in October of 2025.

Heald Offers Permitted Alternative

If guests want to fall asleep amidst the fresh air and ocean sounds, they are allowed to snooze with their balcony door open. They just can’t move their beds onto their balconies.

“If you want to sleep in the night air then you can sleep with your balcony door open, that is absolutely fine to do,” Heald confirmed.

However, the trade-off is that sleeping with the cabin door open will shut off the air conditioning in that stateroom – though guests wouldn’t have air conditioning anyway if they were choosing to sleep outside.

It’s also important to be aware that you might wake up in the morning side-by-side with another ship or visible from land.

Carnival guests have complained in the past about being caught in various states of undress because they didn’t think about how they may be visible to others when their ship docked at a port the next morning.

Alternatively, consider booking an interior cabin where the temptation to relocate your bedding won’t exist and there is no chance of accidental indecent exposures.