Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, has once again firmly noted that any type of gambling onboard Carnival cruise ships is not permitted outside the casino. This comes after another inquiry about the popular game, Left-Center-Right, which is often played for a cash pot.

Heald’s clarification is in response to an inquiry from an upcoming guest who will be sailing aboard Carnival Radiance on the ship’s February 9, 2025 departure, a 14-night Carnival Journeys Hawaii cruise from Long Beach.

“LRC is the most popular card game after poker for Americans aged 50 plus. You answered [another guest’s] question saying Carnival would not allow this to be played and enjoyed,” the guest explained. “I played LRC on [another cruise line] with 10-12 people for money [and was] provided a private room. Where is the actual harm in this?”

The idea that LRC (or LCR) is the “most popular card game after poker” is a bit of a stretch, considering it is a dice and chips game and does not feature cards in any way.

Nevertheless, the game is often played using pennies, quarters, or even dollars in place of chips. Another variation is for every player to contribute to a central pot and the winning player gets all the cash.

When playing the game with cash – no matter what the denomination – this is most definitely a form of gambling, which Carnival Cruise Line does not permit.

“We actually had a discussion on this subject some time ago and to clarify, we do not allow gambling outside of the casino in any way, shape, or form,” Heald confirmed. “There are very [strict] rules about this.”

To be clear, the game itself is not banned, and guests are welcome to play LCR as much as they like, so long as no cash or betting is in any way involved.

“You can play for fun or mini Twix bars but not money,” Heald said. “Thank you for your understanding.”

As Heald suggested, variations on the game may be playing just for fun and bragging rights, or using other non-cash alternatives such as candies. On a cruise, travelers could even use cruising ducks as prizes!

Carnival Cruise Line has addressed this issue previously, with the same response and rules. In April 2024, Heald responded to a large group game for money being played on the Lido Deck of Carnival Luminosa.

“Gambling with dice or cards for money organized by a group leader is not allowed,” Heald said at that time. “It is really truly that simple.“

Why Can’t Cruise Guests Play for Money?

It isn’t the fun gameplay that Carnival Cruise Line won’t permit, it is the exchange of money for such play that is prohibited. The cruise line must abide by all local gambling and betting laws in the countries it visits, and there are also different laws that govern how the ships themselves offer gambling.

Bets and wagers do not have to be made in order for a game to be considered gambling.

Any play that involves a cash prize, no matter how big or small, is considered gambling. This is true no matter whether the money is exchanged during the play action or as a prize at the conclusion of a game.

Read Also: 15 Mistakes to Avoid on a Carnival Cruise

It should be noted that prohibiting the gambling aspect of the game is not a for-profit motive on the part of Carnival Cruise Line. It is simply a legality issue of the definition of gambling and what is and is not permitted outside the ship’s casino.

Heald even noted that tables can be set aside for card playing and other games on the upper level of the main dining room. This ensures that guests can enjoy games of their choice without taking up space in the Lido Marketplace when other passengers need room for dining.

“The ship will have tables in the upper level of the dining room for card players so space is not taken away for those wishing to eat there,” Heald explained.

Guests can also find other quiet places for board games, card games, puzzles, crafts, and other fun. Some Carnival ships still have libraries and those can also be great choices for enjoying games with other travelers.

Empty lounges are also a popular choice (if they aren’t being used for meetings or needed to set up for other activities), and seating along the ship’s promenade is a great option.

In 1984, Carnival became the first cruise line to launch a national television advertising campaign. As part of that campaign, Kathie Lee Gifford famously sang “Ain’t We Got Fun” while promoting the original “Fun Ships.”

Not only is Gifford’s performance still considered iconic decades later, but that commercial was groundbreaking for the cruise industry and really helped to establish Gifford as a TV personality.

But through a collaboration with the Miami-based cruise line, Hallmark Star Jonathan Bennett paid tribute to the singer-songwriter and American TV host in a modern remake of Gifford’s famous commercial. 

The new video is a scene-by-scene recreation of the original advertisement – with Bennett using the same or similar choreography, singing his own cover of “Ain’t We Got Fun,” and wearing almost the same costumes as Gifford (but using a modern man’s wardrobe). 

The video, which was posted jointly on Carnival and Bennett’s Instagram pages on January 2, 2025, received over 10,000 likes in just the first several hours – with viewers seeing it as the perfect way to kick off a new year of fun. 

“This is exactly what I needed to see on January 2! Well done and thank you!” one Instagram user wrote. 

“Wow even the wardrobes match! Well done,” another person commented, along with a clapping hands emoji. 

Some liked the commercial so much, they even asked for more recreations of Carnival’s most famous advertisements from the past. 

“Next up, “If They Could See Me Now” commercial, please,” author Chad Beguelin replied, referencing another one of Gifford’s commercials that was filmed onboard the original MS Celebration.

Watch Bennett’s Version of the “Ain’t We Got Fun” Commercial Below: 

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A post shared by Carnival Cruise Line (@carnival)

But while this video was meant to honor Gifford and her extensive connection to Carnival, Bennett is also important to the family friendly cruise line. 

Not only is the American Actor the godfather of Carnival Firenze, which entered service in April of 2024, but he and his husband, actor and singer Jaymes Vaughan, take an annual Carnival Cruise to celebrate their anniversary.

Kathie Lee Gifford’s Extensive History With Carnival

The former Today show host has had a more than 30 year relationship with Carnival Cruise Line – during which time she has served many roles on behalf of the brand. 

In addition to starring in multiple famous TV commercials, Gifford effectively acted as a full-fledged Carnival spokesperson in the 1980s and 1990s. 

She also served as the original Godmother to two early Carnival ships that are no longer sailing: the original Celebration (in service from 1987-2008) and Carnival Ecstasy (1991-2022).

While Gifford hasn’t served as Godmother again, she has continued to play a role in milestones for Carnival’s ships. For example, she participated in the naming ceremony of the transformed Carnival Sunrise on May 23, 2019. 

Read Also: Carnival Cruise Ships By Age: Newest to Oldest

But more recently, Gifford got to pass on the family tradition of being Godmother to a Carnival ship to her daughter, actress Cassidy Gifford. 

The American celebrity got the honor of personally asking her daughter to become the godmother to Carnival Celebration, which launched at the end of 2022. 

She also returned to Carnival as a business-savvy owner of GIFFT Wines – which Carnival ships began carrying in 2015. She launched the brand through a partnership with Scheid Family Wines – which is one of the largest vineyard owners in Monterey County, California. 

A decade later, GIFFT wines are still served across Carnival’s fleet in the main dining rooms and at most (if not all) bars. They can also be ordered as part of the Cheers! Drink Package or purchased through the “Cruise the Vineyards” Wine Package.

A new Fleet Cruise Director is set to make his mark on future cruise directors for Carnival Cruise Line, as popular cruise director Leon Smith has announced his amazing new promotion just as the new year begins.

Smith has been with Carnival Cruise Line for almost a decade, having joined the fleet of cruise directors in October 2015. Now, he is moving up the ranks to Fleet Cruise Director and will bring his energy and fun to upcoming cruise directors in the new leadership position.

“#2025 is off to a fantastic start! New year, New position—I’m beyond thrilled to step into my new role as Fleet Cruise Director. Excited for this new chapter in my career,” Smith announced on his popular social media channels.

His announcement on January 2, 2025, was greeted with much enthusiasm from Carnival cruise guests as well as Smith’s colleagues at the cruise line, as hundreds of congratulatory messages flooded his accounts.

In just three hours of posting about his promotion, Smith’s Facebook message had received more than 750 comments and 1,600 positive reactions. On Instagram, he received more than 1,300 “likes” to the news.

Smith’s promotion follows the retirement of two fellow Fleet Cruise Directors in the past few months. Chris “The Flying Scotsman” Williams retired from the position in August 2024, just months after receiving the promotion.

The cruise line’s first Fleet Cruise Director, Mike Pack, then announced his own retirement from the job in November 2024. Pack had held the title since January 2022.

Smith has become well-known among Carnival cruise guests for his vibrant energy and enduring positivity as he’s served aboard various vessels. He has been the cruise director for Carnival Paradise, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Dream, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Glory, Carnival Vista and more – a total of more than a dozen ships in the fleet.

During his tenure as cruise director, Smith has received a variety of awards, including “Top Overall CD Service,” “Top Overall Fun Squad,” and “Cruise Director of the Year.”

He was slated to join Mardi Gras as cruise director in March 2025, though that assignment will likely now be reassigned to a different cruise director. At this time, no replacement has been confirmed, but Rainier Scholtz is serving aboard the ship during that time period and may simply take over the duties as a solo cruise director.

Current Fleet Cruise Directors

With two retirements in recent months and now Smith’s promotion to the Fleet Cruise Director position, Carnival Cruise Line has three active leaders in this pivotal role.

Chris “Donkey” Salazar joined the ranks of Fleet Cruise Directors in March 2023, the second person (following Mike Pack) in the role. Erin Weigand was also promoted to the leadership spot in February 2024.

The most recent promotion was Lee Mason, who was raised to Fleet Cruise Director in September 2024.

This makes Smith the fourth active Fleet Cruise Director. As the position is relatively new – just having been introduced in early 2022 – it is possible that Carnival Cruise Line is still determining how many Fleet Cruise Directors is optimum and what their overall duties and responsibilities need to be.

Read Also: Carnival Cruise Director Schedule

At the moment, Fleet Cruise Directors help oversee the full crew of cruise directors on Carnival’s ships, offering training, encouragement, program development, and other support for the critical position. Cruise directors are the “face of fun” aboard each ship, leading the way for awesome entertainment and activities on every cruise.

While Fleet Cruise Directors do not serve lengthy contracts aboard individual vessels, they may travel between ships to support, train, or evaluate the onboard cruise directors or to cover contract gaps when necessary.

Cruise passengers often get creative to ensure that everything they pack can be unpacked in pristine condition, but this isn’t always possible when clothing is crammed into luggage for a long trip to the ship.

Sprays such as wrinkle releasers are often lifesavers for formal wear, but not every type of spray is permitted onboard.

Or rather, the manner in which the spray is packaged can make a great deal of difference about whether or not it can be taken onto a cruise ship, as some guests have learned.

The issue has been brought to the attention of John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador, with a unique question about such sprays.

“We are driving to the port so no TSA limits to deal with. I’d like to bring a full size spray aerosol cans (wrinkle releaser and Lysol spray),” the guest asked. “Was told on [a Facebook page] that that these are allowed on board? What is the right info?”

While the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) limits travelers to only small sizes of bottles, cruise guests who drive to the ship’s homeport don’t have such limits. A full-size can of spray can be very useful, particularly for longer sailings when more clothing may need de-wrinkling.

Many guests also bring their own Lysol or other sanitizing sprays onboard for an extra cleanliness safeguard, using such sprays in their staterooms. Heald has noted, however, that aerosol cans of any size are not permitted onboard.

“While we do allow deodorant and hair products in aerosol form we do not allow flammable aerosols such as the ones you mentioned,” Heald confirmed.

Carnival Cruise Line’s prohibited items list does specifically mention aerosol cans as well as flammable substances and hazardous chemicals as not permitted.

Aerosol cans containing “personal grooming products” are an exemption, however. Cruisers could therefore bring deodorants, hair spray, styling mousse, and similar products in aerosol cans.

Wrinkle releasers and sanitizing sprays, however, remain banned when packaged in aerosol cans. Aerosols are pressurized containers that use propellants to expel the contents, and those propellants may themselves be flammable. Furthermore, the pressurization of the canisters could be hazardous if they aren’t treated carefully.

Worth Reading: Do Cruise Ships Have Irons and Ironing Boards?

Heald does offer an alternative option that travelers are permitted to bring.

“If you wish to bring wipes instead of spray then that’s fine,” he mentioned.

Other commenters also noted that spritzer or pump bottles of both products are available. Because they are not pressurized and do not use potentially hazardous propellants, those full-sized bottles are permitted.

Carnival cruise ships do have self-service laundrettes, excluding the Excel-class ships. Guests could also use the irons within those rooms to eliminate any annoying clothes wrinkles. There’s also the option of using Carnival’s valet laundry services for a fee. We do have a full guide on laundry right here.

Choosing clothing with wrinkle-resistant fabrics, packing more lightly so clothing is not as firmly squished, and using steam in the showers onboard to help fabrics relax are other tactics for wrinkle-free clothing that don’t require packing extra chemicals along.

Why Some Common Items May Be Prohibited

It can be surprising to many cruisers what sorts of items are banned by cruise lines, but it is important to remember that such prohibitions are always done for safety.

For example, in November 2024, Carnival Cruise Line completely banned Bluetooth speakers. At first, this may seem to be as a courtesy to guests who don’t want to listen to others’ music, but it is actually a safety consideration in case onboard emergency announcements can’t be heard.

Read Also: What Can You Not Bring on a Cruise?

Even some obvious banned items can generate controversy. While no one would disagree about a ban on weapons, weapon-like toys aren’t permitted either, even when they may be holiday gifts. One family recently discovered this when the Nerf gun they bought for their son for Christmas was confiscated before a holiday cruise.

It should be noted that confiscated items are typically returned to travelers at the end of the sailing rather than being discarded, provided the items are not overall illegal in any way.

After slashing the discount on Carnival gift cards twice in just over a month, AARP has now announced that the cruise line has decided to discontinue the offering through them.

AARP, which is a non-profit that caters to and advocates for people over 50 years old, previously offered a 10% discount on Carnival Cruise Line gift cards – which dropped to 8% in November of 2024. 

In late December, that discount was again decreased from 8% to 5% off. While cruisers were annoyed by the change, they still saved at least a little bit of money by using the discounted gift cards to pay for their sailing or book onboard experiences and packages. 

But as of January 1, 2025, the Carnival gift cards will no longer be available for purchase in any capacity through AARP.

“Carnival Cruise Lines has decided to discontinue offering their gift cards through the AARP Rewards Program. We understand that this may be disappointing news, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We remain committed to providing you with valuable rewards and appreciate your understanding,” reads the AARP website.

Understandably, members of the cruise community were livid at the decision – expressing anger at both Carnival and AARP.

“Hearing from someone on the inside, this was a money grab for the Carnival beards and their decision to end it with AARP. Pure greed as shown by them lately on all fronts,” another person shared.

But while AARP (and many cruisers) have placed the blame on Carnival, it’s unclear how much of a role the Miami-based cruise line actually played in making the decision. 

When the discounts first began decreasing, Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald said that AARP functioned independently from Carnival. 

“I have received a large amount of bollockings this morning about a change to the percentage of something to do with the gift cards. This has nothing to do with the cruise line, this is all decided as all gift cards are by the people that distribute them,” he wrote on his Facebook page at the time.

We reached out to Carnival for a statement, and only received a brief response: “Effective Jan. 1, Carnival gift cards are no longer available for purchase through AARP.”

They did not provide any additional insight into why the AARP gift cards were discontinued.

How to Get Discounted Carnival Cruises

Unfortunately, it’s the way of the world for discounts to come and go. Although the AARP discount on Carnival gift cards has been around for a while, it was never meant to last forever. 

Even while available, AARP clearly displayed the caveat that the gift cards were a “limited time offer, while supplies last.” It’s unknown if the gift cards will ever be brought back in the future.

That said, AARP is continuing to offer discounted gift cards for other cruise lines and discounted cruise packages on Carnival-owned cruise lines, such as Princess Cruises and Holland America Line. 

Additionally, that doesn’t mean other discounts aren’t available – with most cruise lines offering promotions for different times of year and the major holidays.

As of the time of writing, for example, Carnival is offering 40% off cruise rates and reduced deposits on select cruises, including sailings bound for Celebration Key – which is the cruise line’s new private island destination in the Bahamas that is expected to open in July 2025. 

We are also now at the very beginning of Wave Season – which is essentially an extended Black Friday sale event for cruising. 

Peak Wave Season typically takes place in the first quarter of the year (January through March) – during which time the cruise lines offer deals, discounts, and extra perks to reward future guests for booking during what is usually a slower time for new bookings.

Read Also: Carnival Cruise Gift Cards: What You Need to Know

For cruisers who would prefer to stock up on Carnival gift cards, they can still be purchased directly through the Carnival Website (but not at a discounted rate) – and are often found at regional and nationwide chains like Lowes, Office Max, Publix, Target, and Walmart. Other discount websites and cash back websites may also offer better rates.

It might also be worth keeping an eye on Costco and AAA – which have both sold discounts on gift cards for a variety of things in the past (not just for travel) and offer discounted cruise packages through their travel services. 

Similarly, reputable travel agents may have access to discounts and deals that the general public wouldn’t be able to use on their own.