Key Aspects:

• One guest has complained about supposedly suggestive artwork aboard Carnival Pride.
• Yes, Renaissance artwork is displayed onboard in stateroom corridors, but is it not family-friendly?
• This is not the first nudity-related controversy for the Spirit-class cruise ship.

It’s not uncommon for different activities onboard a cruise ship to be deemed adults-only, such as casino tournaments, late-night comedy, or racier production shows. But what about the hallways themselves?

One Carnival guest has found that the stateroom hallways on Carnival Pride might not meet their personal family-friendly standards.

The guest reached out to the Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, to verify the rumors they heard and to express their opinion on the family-friendly nature of the situation.

“I’m reading reviews from passengers on the Pride who are saying that there is nude artwork all over the ship. How has this happened?” the guest asked.

“[Another guest] wrote that she has been putting sticky notes to cover up anything she thought was not family friendly. I support her in this. I am bringing my three children there for a Christmas cruise. This is not family friendly as Carnival says they are Mr. Heald!”

The Spirit-class Carnival Pride debuted in 2002 during the “Fun Ship” era with bold colors and fun designs. I have sailed on Carnival Pride myself, and yes, there is indeed some eyebrow-raising artwork onboard.

Nevertheless, it isn’t nearly as dramatic as the guest might be imagining, as Heald explains.

“I had not heard about a guest putting Post-It notes over any hummmm………things,” he noted. “The ship is of course beautiful and yes, there are some pieces of corridor art that are slightly suggestive but done in a tasteful and fun way which was always at the heart of the ship’s architect Joe Farcus-designed ships.”

Some of the artwork can be a bit racy, but not anything that ought to be concerning. It is representations of Renaissance artwork with more matronly figures sans-fig-leaf, as it were.

“Some of the original artwork on board does remain and while I understand it is not for everyone I am sure it will not spoil your experience, upset your children and your Fun on board, not in the slightest,” Heald said.

The guest is not receiving support from other cruise fans, who note that the ship’s artwork is not likely to be the most provocative imagery seen onboard.

“She is better off not cruising on any ship then. The [sights] she and her kids will see, of the people, on the ships will leave nothing to the imagination,” one guest noted.

Other commenters also noted that this type of artwork is frequently on public display in museums and public spaces, particularly in Europe. Not to mention Art History and Art Appreciation classes, students of any age may take!

Carnival Pride is homeported year-round from Baltimore, Maryland, offering 7-night Bahamas itineraries and occasional sailings to Bermuda, the Caribbean, Greenland, and Panama.

In Baltimore, guests might enjoy the Baltimore Museum of Art or the Walters Art Museum. Both facilities offer extensive collections that include Renaissance paintings and sculptures similar in style to the illustrations onboard Carnival Pride.

Not Carnival Pride‘s First Nudity Controversy

Interestingly, this is not the first time nudity and artwork have caused controversy aboard Carnival Pride.

When the ship debuted in 2002, a replica statue of Michelangelo’s David was the centerpiece in the ship’s steakhouse restaurant, appropriately named David’s.

Over the years, that anatomically-correct artwork was the subject of criticism more than once, and eventually a fig leaf was added to conceal his more controversial bits.

In May 2023, Carnival Pride was revitalized and at that time, David’s was rebranded to the cruise line’s signature steakhouse. The statue was removed as it no longer fit the restaurant’s theme.

Later that year, it was announced that the iconic statue would reappear aboard Carnival Firenze when the Italian-style ship debuted in April 2024.

As the former Costa Cruises ship is even named for Florence, Italy where the original David resides in the Galleria dell’Accademia, the installation is very appropriate and welcomed for the ship’s Renaissance vibes.

Key Aspects:

• Carnival has listened to concerns about the Carnival Rewards program and is now adjusting some parts of the program in response.
• Adjustments include lifetime Diamond status, a Platinum points boost, and loyalty earning for young cruisers.
• More adjustments may yet be forthcoming as the program continues to be refined.

Carnival Cruise Line’s upcoming changes from the Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) program to the new Carnival Rewards program have been outstandingly controversial.

Ever since the new program was first announced in mid-June, guests have registered complaints with their travel agents, via social media, to brand ambassador John Heald, and through various emails.

Now, Carnival has listened and made several fixes to the new program in an attempt to honor the requests of their most loyal guests.

“The announcement left some of our most loyal guests with the impression that their loyalty was being overlooked, which certainly was not our intention,” the cruise line explained. “As a result, we are pleased to share some modifications that address the concerns expressed.”

This does show that Carnival Cruise Line is listening to its most loyal guests, even if the adjustments might not be what every single guest has hoped for.

“We greatly appreciate the loyalty of our passionate guests and the years of dedication many have exhibited in order to achieve higher tiered loyalty status with Carnival Cruise Line,” said Christine Duffy, Carnival Cruise Line president.

Permanent Diamond Status

The biggest adjustment is that now, any Carnival VIFP guest who has already earned Diamond status will keep that status, permanently.

“Reflecting upon what it takes to achieve Diamond status, we are permanently extending Diamond level status to all guests who have earned it by May 31, 2026,” Carnival confirmed.

To become a Diamond level VIFP guest under the existing program, guests must sail with the line for 200 days, the equivalent of more than 28 7-night cruises. For many guests, it has taken many years, even decades, to reach that goal.

This can be a great incentive for guests who are already close to, but not quite at, Diamond status to book a few more Carnival cruises in the next few months so they can earn the status for life.

Platinum Points Boost

Unfortunately, Platinum VIFP guests will not get the same permanent status under the new program. There are just too many guests who have already earned that loyalty level to make a lifetime grant possible.

Instead, Carnival Cruise Line is offering a points “boost” for Platinum guests by automatically giving those travelers 10,000 “stars” in their Carnival Rewards account at the start of every two-year earning cycle.

This means these guests will start each new earning cycle not at zero, but already at Gold status, giving them an immediate boost toward earning back either Platinum or Diamond status more easily.

Rewards for Children

While it isn’t legal for children under the age of 18 to be enrolled in the Carnival Rewards program, it has been unclear how the cruise line might (or might not) offer rewards and earning status to young cruisers.

Now, that has been clarified and even the youngest Carnival guests will enjoy some rewards, depending on whom they are sailing with.

“We’re pleased to confirm that children will be able to enjoy the same status as their parent or adult that is designated as their responsible party on the booking for that sailing,” Carnival explained.

The cruise line is also going to note any young cruisers who will have earned Diamond or Platinum status before the new program begins on June 1, 2026. That status will be kept on file, and when the young guest turns 18, they will be invited to opt-in to Carnival Rewards at that loyalty level.

Milestone Rewards

Another question high-level VIFP guests have had is about their Milestone Rewards. These one-time-only perks celebrate the 25th, 50th, 75th, and 100th sailing guests enjoy aboard Carnival Cruise Line.

The new Carnival Rewards program made no mention of milestone acknowledgement, which the cruise line has now corrected.

“All existing VIFP Milestone awards earned through May 2026 will be fully honored through May 2030, giving us the honor of celebrating those special achievements with you,” the cruise line confirmed.

Read Also: Just How Long Has Carnival Been Considering the Rewards Plan?

More adjustments are coming to the Milestone program, which will now be based on overall days sailed rather than total number of cruises. This can make the program more fair, considering 25 3-night sailings is just 75 nights, whereas 25 7-night cruises is 175 nights onboard – a very significant difference.

Further Milestone details are yet to be announced.

Program Still Applies Only to US Residents

At this time, Carnival Rewards still only applies to guests who are US residents. Many loyal Canadian and Australian guests have expressed dismay and feelings of being excluded despite their loyalty.

The cruise line is still exploring different options to offer similar programs in those countries, but no further information is available at this time.

“The passion and loyalty of our guests is something that motivates our team every day to deliver the best cruise experience at sea,” said Duffy.

“We appreciate the support of our guests as we move forward with a new loyalty program that has been designed to create more rewards and recognition for our guests.”

Undoubtedly, these adjustments will do a great deal to mollify passionate Carnival fans. It will be impossible to please everyone, but perhaps this is just a start and more adjustments may yet be made in the next eight months before the new program begins.