Anyone who has been cruising for several years is very familiar with how the experience has changed over time. One such change involves the classic dinner experience, which more and more cruisers prefer to enjoy alone, rather than being seated with others.
Some cruisers still enjoy the opportunity to meet other passengers and potentially make new friends onboard, however. The distinction has been brought to the attention of John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador, who has offered insights into the changing times.
“I am writing to [find] out more information about ‘Shared Tables’ at the ‘Your Time’ dining. I went [to the Main Dining Room] three nights and chose the shared table option, and every night was sat within 5 minutes, but always sat alone,”the commenter explained.
“This is not a complaint! Just curious if the system is prioritizing wait times over the desire to not sit alone for each meal.”
While Heald acknowledges that guests’ requests are considered for dining preferences, it isn’t always possible to accommodate both timing and table requests in the Main Dining Room.
“The problem with that is that even though you requested that it, maybe other people who come into the dining room don’t want it,”he noted.“Until people say yes it’s fine to have a shared table it’s not always something that’s going to happen. I have to say it’s being requested less [and] less and that makes me sad in a way.”
This would seem to be a lose-lose situation for the cruise line and how complex dining arrangements can be. If a guest requests a shared table for example, but must wait 30 minutes or longer for other travelers to make the same request, they might be upset at such a long delay.
Being seated faster, however, might mean – as Heald explained – that it isn’t possible to offer a shared table if no other passengers have requested it at the same time.
There is a solution and a way to more easily guarantee the opportunity to meet other travelers at dinner. If guests select one of the classic seating times – early seating or late seating – it is far more likely they can be assigned a shared table.
“If you would like me to have you seated with other people on your next cruise, please write to me five days before, request this along with either early or late sitting, and I will make it so,”Heald said.
This does remove the flexibility of being able to dine at different times on different cruise evenings, however. Every traveler will have to make the choice that works best for their dining preferences.
Personally, I’ve done both Your Time Dining as well as assigned seating times, generally early seating for our family’s needs.
During Your Time Dining, we can enjoy a faster meal service and make it to different onboard activities more easily. Assigned times, however, ensures us the same table and dining team each night, which can improve the personalized service. Both choices can be excellent!
Do People Still Make Friends at Meals?
Heald followed up the dining time discussion with questions to his followers about whether or not guests enjoy making new friends during meals onboard. The responses offer even more insights into today’s cruise traveler and how they like to meet new people.
Early in the morning, many people are more likely to prefer a bit of solitude before they get started on the day.
“At brunch in the dinning room, I would be more than happy to be seated with new people/new friends,”Heald posted as a question with the answers“A. Yes, that would be fine; B. I would prefer not but … I would not make a fuss; and C. Absolutely not, I do not want to share my brunch with anybody except my immediate family/friends.”
One of the most popular responses offers a fun perspective about typical morning socialization.
“C. Do not attempt small talk before my coffee,”one guest replied.
Other guests note they just aren’t as social in the morning, or they generally dislike sitting with people they don’t know. Some guests explain that they have to be social at work, and therefore on vacation prefer a more private experience.
Heald continues the discussion with a similar question about sitting with new people at dinner, with the same choices.
Surprisingly, many people still prefer not to share a table, often finding it awkward. Some guests also note that they can feel as though their meal is delayed if they are waiting for others at the same table who might show up a few minutes late or who are having more courses.
One guest notes that mealtime is a together time for their family, especially on a cruise.
“Meals are the time we can all get together. Everyone likes to do different things when on a cruise but the meals are personal for us,”they explained.
Other guests explain that in land-based restaurants they do not sit with strangers at meals, so why would it be different on a cruise ship?
Times have changed indeed, and Your Time Dining is now the most popular option for mealtimes aboard Carnival cruise ships, with many guests using the option as a way to more easily guarantee a private table.
As an avid cruiser, I am well aware that the modern cruise ships of today are operated by hundreds – if not thousands – of different crew members.
All of these hard workers, which includes everyone from housekeepers and waiters to performers and even the captain – fulfill various roles to keep the ship in good condition and tend to the needs of each and every guest who comes onboard.
Without these crew members, I know my cruises wouldn’t be possible. This is why I try to make an effort to know who they are, what they do, and how I should interact with them before I arrive at the cruise port – especially if I can make their jobs a little easier.
What are the Different Job Categories Onboard?
While it would be impossible to cover each and every role, especially as some positions will vary by cruise line, I’ll do my best to give you an idea of the crew members you might meet on your next voyage.
Cruise Activity Staff
Carnival Cruise Line Cruise Director (Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line)
While this department can sometimes be looped in with entertainment staff, cruise activity staff refers to the enthusiastic people who lead the fun while you’re onboard, such as cruise directors, assistant cruise directors, activity leaders.
Most people are already quite familiar with cruise directors – as this is the person who is usually making safety and entertainment announcements and introducing many of the production shows and activities onboard.
As the head honcho in this department, cruise directors are supported by the rest of the activity staff.
For example, on my recent Carnival cruise, an assistant cruise director led a Harry Potter trivia event I attended with my friends because the cruise director had other engagements at the time.
On cruise ships that have unique attractions, such as the BOLT roller coaster that is found onboard Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee, attraction hosts who operate the ride or experience may also fall into this department.
Entertainment and Guest Programs
Cruise Ship Show
Most Cruise Lines these days feature big production shows that are held in a main theater onboard.
Disney Cruise Line, for example, is famous for its Broadway-caliber productions. Meanwhile, Royal Caribbean expands upon this to offer adrenaline-packed stunt shows in the AquaTheater on its Oasis-class ships.
In order to bring these shows to life, the cruise lines have to hire singers, dancers, musicians, actors, athletes, and acrobats.
Like the rest of the crew, performers also live on the ship for the duration of their contracts and will be trained to respond as part of the crew inthe unlikely event of an emergency.
In addition to production shows, these crew members may also provide other entertainment onboard – such as playing an hour of music in the ship’s main atrium.
Interestingly, these cast members often have the most freedom onboard – especially if their performing commitments aren’t until the evening – and could even be on your next shore excursion with you without you realizing it (which they pay to attend, usually at a discount).
And of course, I cannot forget the production technicians – such as costumers, stage managers, and sound and lighting techs – who make sure shows and presentations go off without a hitch.
In addition to performing in bigger shows, people who lead special events onboard – such as cooking classes or wine tastings – may also fall into this department.
Guest Services and Hospitality
Cruise Ship’s Guest Services Desk (Photo Credit: steve estvanik)
As the name suggests, these are the people who are there to welcome you onboard your sailing and make sure your vacation goes as perfectly as possible.
I don’t think I’ve ever been on a cruise ship that didn’t have a guest services desk – which is usually manned 24 hours a day and can be visited to address any issues you encounter or changes to your sailing.
I know I’ve also visited this desk in the past to adjust my account when I noticed I had been charged incorrectly for a shore excursion onboard Disney Dream.
Speaking of which, many cruise lines also have a dedicated shore excursions desk to help with changes to your port plans – which is particularly helpful if a port call gets cancelled or adjusted.
If you’re lucky enough to be sailing in a luxury suite, you may also have your own concierge – which functions sort of like a private guest services deck.
The housekeeping department is in charge of maintaining the highest level of cleanliness and sanitation in both private cruise cabins and public areas.
While housekeeping is in charge of keeping the ship clean as a whole, I tend to associate them the most with keeping staterooms orderly and with the towel animals they leave for me – as that is where I have interacted with these crew members the most in my voyages.
Within this department there are a variety of roles, such as the hotel manager, who oversees the other employees and provides customer service; bell persons who deliver luggage to and from cruise cabins; and room stewards, who clean the cabinsand make sure they are well stocked with essentials (i.e., fresh towels).
I also can’t leave out the people who work in this department in non-guest facing roles, such as laundry stewards.
These crew members handle laundry for the ship as a whole (i.e., washing dirty towels, bedding, and tablecloths), as well as laundry for guests who invest in laundry service packages – but usually won’t get to spend much time in guest areas.
In my experience, the housekeeping team contains some of the hardest working individuals onboard – and are often understaffed. But whenever I run into them in the hallways, they still smile and are eager to address any requests I might have.
I always make an extra effort to say thank you and usually leave an extra tip at the end of my sailing – in addition to pre-paid gratuities.
Food and Beverage
Carnival Cruise Line Crew (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
If there is one thing cruise ships are famous for, it’s that there is never any shortage of food. People often joke that they can’t go on a cruise without gaining at least a couple extra pounds.
The food and drinks are served in a variety of places and formats – including buffets, room service, main dining rooms, quick service stands, specialty dining venues, and lounges and bars.
Depending on the venue, the onboard restaurant will be staffed a little differently – but may include a host, waiters or servers, chefs, a bartender, bussers, and/or a runner (for room service).
On Disney Cruise Line in particular, where waiters get to know you very well through the unique rotational dining program, I was surprised to recognize my waiter from the main dining room at dinner working quick service restaurants during the lunch hour.
Since that discovery many years ago, I learned that crew members within this department will often fill multiple roles throughout the day – which is something that does carry over to other cruise lines.
All galleys are also equipped with their own stewarding department – which is in charge of ensuring meticulous sanitation in the onboard kitchens and maintaining the proper cleaning and storage of tableware, cookware, silverware, and other galley equipment.
Photography and Videography
Formal Night Photos on Royal Caribbean Cruise (Photo Credit: Solarisys)
As the name suggests, these are the crew members that you will likely see all over your cruise ship – and when you first disembark in ports of call – who are waiting to capture your memories through photos and videos.
On many of the ships I’ve sailed on, there have been photography stations set up each night with different themes and to takeprofessional portraits on formal nights.
Many cruise lines also allow guests to book designated portrait and photography sessions at their leisure – which usually take place in an onboard studio-type setting.
The photographers who take the photos are then supported by other team members who run the photography shop onboard.
These people print out the images for guests to peruse and sell photography packages.
Cruise Ship Retail
Carnival Venezia Store
Speaking of selling, the retail department is an important part of most cruise ships – with many vessels essentially sailing with their own malls onboard.
The most common crew members you’ll see here are store associates, who keep the stores orderly, track inventory, and ring up your purchases.
However, you may also meet shopping ambassadors – who sometimes also double as store associates.
Shopping ambassadors have a slightly more prestigious role, and are in charge of hosting special events.
For example, I once attended an event where I picked a number to win a piece of jewelry at the EFFY shop on a princess cruise ship – which was led by a shopping ambassador.
On my more recent Carnival cruise, I attended a one-hour designer purse sale – which was again hosted by a special ambassador.
Interestingly, these crew members may not be employed directly through the cruise line, but rather through another retailer that operates the stores onboard for the cruise line – most commonlythrough Harding Travel Retailor Starboard Cruise Services.
Onboard Salon and Spa
Cloud 9 Spa
Admittedly, I have never been one to partake in the spa treatments onboard.
As these crew members often have to meet a certain quota with the products and services they sell for each sailing, I usually find the crew members to be a bit too pushy for my taste.
That said, it is impressive that most cruise ships have a fully functioning spa onboard – which is staffed by receptionists, massage therapists, makeup artists, hair stylists, nail technicians, facialists, and more.
I even once met an acupuncturist onboard a Princess Cruises ship who said he could help with things like chronic pain and weight loss.
The Casinos
Casino Crew on Cunard Line (Photo Credit: Lucy Daniels)
Many cruise lines have casinos onboard – including Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Virgin Voyages, and more.
But these casinos don’t just run themselves. Instead, a casino manager will be at the helm, while dealers (at table games), slot technicians, and cashiers will keep the floor abuzz.
The casinos may also partner with the food and beverage teams to allow guests to order drinks and/or snacks from their slot machines – or simply have servers walking around with a tray of drinks up for grabs (usually for a price).
The Youth Department
Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line
In contrast to the adult activity of gambling, pretty much every cruise line that accepts kids will have a youth department.
Family friendly ships typically have youth clubs that are divided by age for kids, tweens, and teens – which is a safe place where minors can have supervised fun onboard – that is already included in the price of the cruise fare.
Some cruise lines, such as Disney, also have nurseries for babies and toddlers that parents can use with an additional fee.
These clubs are manned by experienced youth staff or councilors who have experience in child care or teaching. They are also usually trained and certified in first aid, often including CPR.
The Security Team
Carnival Cruise Line Getting Strict
While you may not notice them, every cruise ship has its own security team that is always monitoring guest and crew activities.
Sometimes these crew members will be dressed in uniforms, while others may go undercover to blend in with the guests onboard.
Should an issue arise – such as an unruly guest becoming a danger to themselves or others – the security team members will quickly intervene to subdue the situation.
These were the RSA supervisor, who monitors alcohol consumption onboard, and the youth security officer, who enforces security policies among guests under 18 specifically.
Medical Officers
Cruise Ship Medical Center (Photo Credit: Ihor Koptilin)
While no one wants to become sick or injured during their cruise, every ship has a fully staffed medical team – complete with doctors, nurses, and first responders – who are always ready to jump into action.
During my cruise on Regal Princess in 2023, I actually broke my ankle while exploring the port of Edinburgh, Scotland.
I didn’t want to miss the ship, so I visited the medical center onboard instead of staying behind to go to a local hospital.
The staff was kind, and able to take X-Rays and provide me with a walking boot to get me through the rest of the sailing until I could fly home and see my own doctor.
That said, I hope you never have to meet these wonderful crew members because that means you stayed healthy!
Key Officers
Officers of the Carnival Paradise Cruise Ship
These crew members are some of the most important people onboard, because they are the people in charge of steering and navigating the cruise ship.
Indeed, I am talking about the captain, and their team of deck officers and watchkeeping officers who man the bridge 24 hours a day.
As this team is quite busy, you likely won’t see them around too often – although there usually are one or two designated meet-and-greet opportunities with the captain and their senior officers.
Sometimes, VIP guests will also get the honor of being invited on a bridge tour – during which they get to meet the captain and see his team in action.
But even though the captain isn’t necessarily interacting with guests as much, many do cultivate quite the following.
For example, Captain Kate McCue, who recently departed from Celebrity Cruises, is famous in the cruise world and on social media.
Other key roles that fall into the “key officers” category include the chief engineer, who oversees the operation of the engine room and all of the ship’s machinery; and the hotel director, who manages all housekeeping, cabin needs, and passenger services.
Because cruise ships spend most of their time at sea, they need to be prepared for the possibility of anything going wrong.
This means there is an expansive team of maintenance, IT support, and technical experts onboard who can spring into action at a moment’s notice.
For example, if the ship is suffering from propulsion issues, a team of engineers already onboard would be able to dig into the issue.
Additionally, plumbers are on standby in case of any plumbing issues – ranging from surprise flooding to a clogged toilet.
If any systems go down,such as the Wi-Fi loses signal or an online booking portal for onboard services glitches, qualified IT professionals will be there to provide the fix.
Final Thoughts
Carnival Cruise Ship Crew Area (Photo: Cruise Hive)
As you can see, a wide range of roles are fulfilled on a cruise ship – ranging from entry level employees to skilled professionals with years of training.
No matter which crew members you interact with, I implore you to treat them with respectand remember that they are humans, too – just like you.
For the duration of their contract, which can last for months at a time, crew members work long hours – often with no full days off. During that time, they may also have limited contact with their families at home.
A simple smile, saying “please” and “thank you,” and acknowledging crew members by name can go a long way to brighten their day – as you never know what someone might be going through on the inside.
As someone who also used to work in customer service at Disneyland, I can attest that I was also much more excited to go the extra mile for someone who was kind to me from the get go.
It’s that time of year again, when morning becomes night and evening becomes afternoon – it’s Daylight Saving Time. For Carnival Cruise Line travelers, that means an hour lost on their vacations as clocks “spring forward” at 2 a.m. on Sunday morning, March 9, 2025.
Daylight Saving Time can already be confusing on dry land. When at sea onboard a ship that may already be sailing through various time zones it can be even more confusing.
To help ease that confusion, John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador, has confirmed that all Carnival ships (except two) will follow the convention of moving the clocks ahead.
“I wanted to confirm that we will follow the rest of the United States and that means the ship’s time will change to daylight saving time at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 9,”Heald said.“Please remember to set your clocks forward by one hour before you go to bed on Saturday night.”
The cruise directors onboard Carnival ships will likely make similar announcements to remind guests about the time change, and messages may be delivered to guests’ staterooms as an additional reminder to move clocks ahead.
This will be especially crucial for guests who will either be exploring ports of call on Sunday or who will be debarking or embarking their ships.
For example, Carnival Conquest departed PortMiami on Friday, March 7 for a 3-night Bahamas cruise and will be spending Sunday, March 9 in Nassau. Guests onboard will want to be sure their clocks are reset properly so they don’t miss out on shore tour departure times.
Even if guests aren’t taking a tour but will explore the port of call at their leisure, proper time is essential to return to the ship on time and not be a pier runner.
Likewise, guests who are debarking vessels on Sunday morning want to make sure they’re up and ready to vacate their staterooms at the right time to catch transfers to the airport or to get started on the drive home. Being late could unfortunately mean missed flights or other problems.
Similarly, guests boarding their Carnival cruise ships Sunday afternoon will want to be on time for their cruise terminal arrival appointments so they can check-in and embark smoothly to get their vacations underway. Being late to arrive could mean missing the delicious Funfetti cheesecake at the Lido Marketplace lunch buffet!
Docked Carnival Cruise Line Ships (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)
Two Carnival Ships Won’t Change Times – Yet
Only two ships in the Carnival fleet won’t be following Daylight Saving Time quite yet.
Carnival Luminosa and Carnival Splendor are both homeported in Australia, from Brisbane and Sydney, respectively. While Australia does follow Daylight Saving Time, the clocks there aren’t changed until early April, rather than in early March.
Both ships will adjust their onboard clocks as necessary when the time comes, no pun intended.
Guests on every ship should be aware that their cell phones and smart devices may “spring forward” automatically with time adjustments. It is important to be sure that this matches the ship’s onboard time, as that is how shore tours, all aboard times, and onboard activities are scheduled.
Nothing dampens the joy of a cruise vacation like a flooded cabin – especially when it happens more than once.
Unfortunately, this has been the experience of one couple that just disembarked from P&O Cruises’ Azura – which was operating simultaneous 7-night and 14-night sailings to the Canary Islands.
After the couple’s cabin flooded the first time, they were relocated to a new stateroomand figured that would be the end of their troubles.
However, it was not all smooth sailing from then on out. Their second cabin, which was located on deck 14, also flooded at around 4:30 a.m. one morning near the end of the voyage.
“Cabin was seriously flooded last night, for the second time! Wife woke up screaming as there was 4 inches of water in the cabin, she thought the ship was sinking,”the passenger shared in a cruise ship forum on Facebook.
Indeed, it wouldn’t be hard to think the worst after waking up from a sound sleep to a flooded room. But while the 3,100-passenger ship was not sinking, it still wasn’t an ideal situation.
The water did plenty of damage to the couple’s belongings – with pictures showing drenched shoes and a suitcase laid out on the bed to escape the flooding.
“Shoes and other items are ruined. Not having much luck with guest services. Now into our 3rd cabin,”the cruiser continued.
After the inconvenience of moving cabins twice in one sailing and the damage to their belongings, the couple has been seeking compensation – but has not been satisfied with the service they have received onboard.
“They just gave us a letter to speak to guest services when we return, customer service is poor,” the guest wrote in response to questions on his post.
All of Azura’s simultaneous sailings were scheduled to disembark by March 8, 2025, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands.
This means the couple is likely home or on their way there – and hopefully they’ll have more success finding a satisfactory resolution contactingthe Carnival-owned cruise line from land.
Time For Refurbishment
Believe it or not, this isn’t actually the first major flooding incident experienced by guests of Azura this year.
During the voyage that embarked from Tenerife on January 10, 2025, a burst pipe from one of the swimming pools located on deck 15 led to flooding on the higher levels of the ship in the middle of the night – including inside an estimated 20 to 26 staterooms.
One couple who was evacuated as part of this incident shared a video of what it was liketo be escorted from their cabin by crew members and reported that they had to wait nearly two hours before they were given a new, dry stateroom to sleep in.
While it’s unclear what caused the flooding on the most recent voyage, one has to wonder if it might be related to this incident – as their second soaked cabin was only one deck below the pools.
But with the 2010-launched ship now entering her next stint in dry dock, hopefully her flooding days are behind her.
At only about 15 years old, Azura isn’t an old ship. In fact, cruise ships can stay in service for 30 years or more with the right maintenance.
As part of that upkeep, cruise ships are required to go to dry dock every three to five years for routine inspections, maintenance, or even big remodels.
The 115,055-gross ton vessel was last in dry dock in 2021, which means she was due – and she has been taken out of service for a three-week retrofit from March 9 until March 27, 2025.
As part of the refurbishment, bars, restaurants, cabins, and luxury suites will all be getting refreshed, work will be done on elevators and public toilets, and six whirlpools will be replaced entirely.
Quickly following the US Department of State issuing an elevated Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution advisory for the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Caribbean island nation has responded to the warning with a clarification.
The Ministry of Tourism as well as Experience Turks and Caicos has noted that the nation has been at the Level 2 advisory since July 2023, but the addition of information about illegal firearm offences has been updated in the past week.
These offenses, which carry strict penalties, have come to light after a Royal Caribbean guest was arrested for carrying two rounds of nine-millimeter ammunition in a bag at a security checkpoint. The 31-year-old male served three weeks in jail and was assessed a $9,000 fine.
“We are committed to ensuring that every visitor enjoys a safe, secure, and seamless vacation in our ‘Beautiful by Nature’ destination,”said the Hon. Zhavago Jolly, Minister of Tourism.“While the advisory has not changed in its overall assessment, it reinforces the importance of our strict firearm regulations, which are in place to protect both residents and visitors.”
All travelers to the Turks and Caicos – or any destination – are encouraged to be aware of local laws. For example, many Caribbean destinations prohibit camouflage clothing, which might be confused as official military or law enforcement attire.
“We encourage all visitors to stay informed, exercise basic travel precautions, and carefully check their luggage to avoid any inadvertent issues,”advised Jolly.“Our goal is for every traveler to fully enjoy their time here, knowing that Turks and Caicos remains one of the safest and most desirable vacation spots in the Caribbean.”
Furthermore, all cruise travelers should always remain respectful as guests in a foreign country, no matter where their ship takes them.
It is important to note that many top cruise destinations around the world have Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution advisories. Travelers may be surprised to learn that France, The Bahamas, Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Costa Rica, Spain, Belize, and even Antarctica all have the same Level 2 advisory.
Prior to travel, cruisers could investigate the advisories of countries on their itinerary to learn why each one has that designation.
Okay, I was curious – if you’re cruising to Antarctica, beware of “environmental hazards posed by extreme and unpredictable weather and limited emergency services.” I’m not sure I needed a Level 2 advisory to alert me to that, but checking out the advisories of different countries is always smart travel preparation.
Cruising to the Turks and Caicos
The Turks and Caicos is a safe and outstanding destination (and warmer than Antarctica), one that welcomes roughly one million cruise passengers every year.
Many different cruise lines include Grand Turk on their itineraries, including Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Costa Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and more.
Cruise Passengers Visiting Grand Turk (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)
In 2025, visitors to the Turks and Caicos are currently on pace for a record-breaking year. For cruise travelers, some of that will depend on the upcoming hurricane season and whether or not storms impact the islands.
Grand Turk, the easternmost destination in the Turks and Caicos, is often part of Eastern Caribbean itineraries. Occasionally, the port may be included in broader Caribbean voyages.
When visiting Grand Turk, guests can also enjoy the nation’s rich cultural history, natural beauty, luxury shopping, and more. Want a great (and free) exhibit to see?
Check out the special monument to John Glenn’s splashdown from his first orbital spaceflight in 1962 – turn right after exiting the pier area to see the capsule recreation!
Beach getaways, jeep tours, stingray adventures, snorkeling, sailing, and other great tours are offered in Grand Turk, ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Just when the Merritt family thought there might be a light at the end of the tunnel, the saga continues. Their stolen suitcase has now been returned after weeks of strife, but was missing several important belongings.
Jason Merritt’s suitcase originally went missing during Carnival Magic’s 8-night Southern Caribbean sailing that embarked from PortMiami on February 8, 2025 – which was supposed to be a fun celebration of his anniversary with his wife, Tammy.
The suitcase could not be located during the voyage – but after weeks of tracking the suitcase to the cruise ship using a pair of AirPods inside, the luggage was finally located inside of another guest’s cruise cabin.
The passenger allegedly stole the suitcase because she liked how it looked – and it remained onboard because she had booked back-to-back sailings. For her actions, the unidentified suspect was placed under confinement in her cabin and was banned from all future Carnival Corporation sailings.
Once the bag was found, Carnival made arrangements to send the suitcase home to the Merritt household. But, the family was met with more disappointment when they looked inside and found several items were missing.
“Daddy-O’s made it home!!!!,” Jason wrote in the Daddy-O’s Facebook page, which is a reference to the name of the AirPods that were used to track the suitcase.
“Unfortunately, most of my clothes didn’t. She took my slacks, my belt, all my dress shirts, both pairs of shoes, ALL OF MY BOXERS, the key to my Bronco, my toiletry bag was empty (don’t know why she needed my toothbrush and deodorant), meds were gone, my glasses, all of my shorts, couple other shirts and my Rangers Spring Training hat,”he continued.
The Merritt’s are understandably peeved, as the items will cost a considerable chunk of change to replace. Some items, like the commemorative spring training hat, may be irreplaceable.
When the ordeal first began, Tammy estimated that the contents of the suitcase were valued at around $1,000. In the state of Florida, where the cruise embarked from, grand theft charges can be levied for stealing property valued at $750 or more.
The Quest for Compensation
If Jason’s luggage had arrived at his house intact and with no missing belongings, there is a good chance that the family would have let the incident go at that. But now that a lot is confirmed missing, the Merritts want fair compensation.
“I’m pretty ticked off. It will cost a lot of money to replace the clothes and some of it can’t be replaced,”Jason shared.
“We’ll be contacting the authorities in the coming days and see what the next step is. Thanks to everyone that helped, shared, looked and complained on my behalf. This is not over yet!”, he added.
The family is now hoping to receive compensation from the cruise line and is looking into pressing charges against the guest who stole the suitcase.
Items Stolen from Luggage (Photo Credit: Jason Merritt)
The legal consequences will vary depending on if she is charged with theft or grand theft, and if she is prosecuted in the port state (Florida)or not – which can get confusing when cruise ships sail in international waters and are registered to non-US countries.
Carnival Magic, along with the majority of Carnival’s fleet, are registered in Panama.
Per Jason’s updates, communication with Carnival’s team members has been challenging, but the cruise line did get in touch on the next step – which appears to be filling out an incident report.
“I’ve tried to post both negative and positive here throughout all of this, so, in light of that…Carnival Cruise Line reached out to me and explained how to go about getting the incident report and how I need to proceed. So I do have that information now. Thank you, Carnival,” Jason updated on March 7, 2025.
Incident reports are documented by the ship’s onboard security team, with serious crimes reported to local law enforcement as is mandated by the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act.
It’s unclear at this time what will follow the incident report in this case – and if the Merritt family will receive any additional compensation beyond the $350 that was provided onboard by the Miami-based cruise line.
Cruise Hive reached out to Carnival for a statement, and did not hear back. We will update this article if and when we receive a response.
With vaping growing in popularity, plenty of cruise passengers are now wondering if it is allowed while on a cruise ship. Luckily for those who vape, you are allowed to do so on a cruise ship, but there are many restrictions for vaping at sea.
There are general rules and cruise line-specific regulations that vary from one cruise line to the next. As a general rule, stick to designated smoking areas and specific areas approved by your cruise line, but to make sure you know what to expect, here’s a complete guide to vaping on cruises.
When it comes to vaping on board a cruise ship, most cruise lines enforce policies that are actually really similar to those you’ll find in airports and hotels. Generally, smokers using electronic cigarettes and e-cigarettes are allowed to vape only in approved designated smoking areas.
These areas are usually limited to open decks, outdoor areas, or other clearly designated areas marked with visible signage. Trust me, they’re not difficult to spot on any cruise ship, as the crew wants to make it as simple as possible for vapers and smokers to find the right spots.
The type of substances you are vaping also matters. Most cruise lines don’t allow you to bring THC vapes, even with a valid medical marijuana permit.
Generally, only regular tobacco-based vapes are allowed. Most cruise lines also stick to age-of-use rules for vaping based on where the ship has departed from.
For example, cruises departing from the USA often have a minimum age of 21 for the purchase and use of tobacco-based products, including vapes.
Another general rule across almost every cruise line is that you must refrain from vaping in staterooms, including in your private cabin or on your balcony. Plenty of cruise guests make the mistake of thinking that smoking and vaping are permitted on stateroom verandas, but it’s rarely allowed.
While they may seem excessive, these rules are in place mostly due to safety. Lit cigarettes and even electronic vapes can be a fire hazard, so, in the interest of safety, the activity has to be restricted to specific areas of the ship.
On top of that, vape clouds and cigarette smoke can be an unwelcome annoyance to other passengers if it is allowed to blow over to their cabin.
In other words, prohibiting smoking and vaping in private quarters isn’t just a safety issue; it’s a policy cruise lines have in place to ensure all guests enjoy a comfortable and welcoming travel experience.
While vaping is generally seen as a cleaner alternative to cigarettes and pipe smoking, the rules are pretty much the same, and they are also quite strict. Remember, the two main priorities of any cruise line are to ensure the comfort and safety of all passengers.
All public areas have to remain pleasant environments for smokers and non-smoking guests alike. Where smoking and vaping rules tend to be laxer on land, the rules are strictly enforced on cruise ships, including in places like bars, common lounge areas, and inside a ship’s casino.
So, don’t even try to sneak a few puffs of your vape, even if you’re pumping quarters into the slot machines.
Cruise Line Policies on Vaping
As mentioned, each cruise line has its own set of detailed smoking and vaping rules, so it’s important to know what regulations your specific cruise ship has in place.
It’s also worth noting that these policies can vary depending on where you travel. For example, vaping rules differ significantly on cruise ships sailing from American ports compared to voyages departing from places like India, Hong Kong, and Australia.
While it’s always a good idea to check on your cruise line’s policies before you depart, as these rules are updated regularly and can even vary from ship to ship, here’s a quick overview of some of the main cruise line policies so you can get a general idea of what these policies look like.
Carnival Cruise Line
Two Carnival Cruise Ships (Photo Credit: denbaim)
Carnival only permits vaping in designated smoking areas, but some of these areas include certain bars and outdoor lounges. Like the other cruise lines, Carnival fines guests caught doing so outside of designated areas.
Carnival’s fee is $500 per violation, so it also happens to be one of the strictest out of the major cruise lines. This includes those caught vaping on balconies.
Another key rule regarding smoking and vaping is the fact that Carnival prohibits it outdoors while the ship is docked and refueling. This will be announced over the ship’s PA system.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line Ships in Miami (Photo Credit: Just dance)
Norwegian treats vaping and smoking the same way. Both activities are only permitted in designated areas, including an indoor Cigar Lounge on certain ships. Certain ships, including Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Joy, also allow vaping inside their casinos, but only in the designated smoking room.
Royal Caribbean Ships Docked in Labadee (Photo Credit: BrianPIrwin)
On all Royal Caribbean cruise ships, electronic cigarettes are treated the same way as cigarettes and cigars, meaning they are only permitted in designated outdoor smoking areas with visible signage throughout the ship.
One unique exception to Royal Caribbean is that vaping and smoking are allowed inside a designated area in their Casino Royale establishments. Aside from that, you will need to locate outdoor smoking areas if you plan on vaping.
If you are caught vaping or smoking inside a stateroom, including on a private balcony, there is a mandatory fee of $250. This is a minimum charge and you could be subject to further actions, especially if you are a repeat offender.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Dream Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Adam McCullough)
Disney also only allows vaping in specific outdoor areas. Unlike other ships, some designated smoking and vaping areas are only available during certain hours, so you need to be mindful of this.
The fees for getting caught smoking and vaping inside a stateroom or on a private balcony are really steep with Disney. Not only is there an automatic $250 fee, you can be held responsible for replacing the furniture inside the room.
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises Ship (Photo Credit: Ceri Breeze)
Princess also has a strict smoking and vaping policy, with only certain open deck areas allowing it. Even their cruise ships’ casinos and outdoor bars are vape and smoke-free. Disposing of vapes improperly can also put you at risk of a steep fine.
Naturally, vaping and smoking are allowed in all Churchill’s Cigar Lounge locations, but you’ll still want to pay attention to signage regarding smoking elsewhere on any Princess Cruises ship.
Other Cruise Lines
Other major cruise lines like MSC Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Cunard Line have similar smoking and vaping rules. There is little variation between them. Most policies involve limiting vaping to clearly marked designated smoking areas.
None of the major cruise lines allow you to vape inside private quarters, so it’s something you should always avoid, especially if you don’t want to risk a steep fine.
Bringing Your Vape Onboard
Vapes
Planning to bring vapes on your next cruise? Here are some tips to ensure you don’t break any rules or risk getting your vape confiscated:
Carry-on luggage is your best friend! Always pack your vaping devices and e-liquids in your carry-on instead of checked baggage to reduce the risk of violating fire hazards and battery storage rules.
In my opinion, it’s never a good idea to try to hide any vape or smoking accessories. Just be transparent as you move through security. It’s never worth risking violating the rules, especially so early on in your vacation.
I’d also suggest limiting the quantity of your e-liquids and coils you bring on the ship. Only bring what you need, as excessive amounts might raise concerns.
Another thing that’s easy to forget but is really important is the fact that flying with vapes and vaping accessories can be an issue. So, if you plan to fly to your embarkation point, consider airport rules.
The last thing you want is to risk being late for your departure time because you were caught going through airport security with things you aren’t allowed to carry.
Remember, vaping rules are in place because the vapor can be a nuisance to other passengers. There is also a potential fire risk associated with the lithium batteries inside them. This is why it is never a good idea to try hiding them when you board the ship.
If you’re traveling with a disposable vape, it’s just as important to make sure that it is stored openly and that you follow all of the same vaping rules.
What Happens If I’m Caught Breaking the Rules?
No Vaping Terminal Sign (Photo Credit: SJBright)
It’s important to adhere to all vaping restrictions because failing to do so can have serious consequences. If you’re caught vaping in prohibited areas, the cruise staff will strictly enforce their specific conduct policy. Penalties can include a steep cleaning fee, as well as additional maintenance charges if they deem it appropriate.
You’ll also be issued a formal warning for a first-time offense. Being caught more than once can put you at risk of a much steeper series of fines and other financial penalties. In severe cases, you could even be removed from the ship and barred from traveling with that cruise line on your next cruise.
If you are carrying illegal substances in vape form, or you have violated the rules enough times to warrant additional actions, formal legal consequences could be enforced. Even if you are off the ship but violate local or international maritime laws regarding narcotics, you can still get into serious trouble.
One seasoned cruiser on Reddit mentioned, “It’s never worth the risk. I’ve seen people get fined and told they’d be kicked off the ship if they kept vaping in public areas.” My advice? Always take these policies seriously! You don’t want to put your entire vacation at risk.
Tips for Vaping Responsibly on a Cruise
Vaping During Travel (Photo Credit: Irene Miller)
Here are a few tips I would recommend if you plan on using a vape while you’re cruising:
Review Vaping Policies for Your Specific Cruise Line
As mentioned, check the rules for your specific cruise line and ship. While most of them are the same, it’s always a good idea to make sure that you are up-to-date on the latest rules.
Some specific cruise ships have even gone entirely non-smoking in their casinos and other places where you may assume you’d be allowed to smoke or vape, so it’s always worth checking ahead of time.
Be Aware of Where You Vape
We also know that vaping can be an addictive habit that some people barely even realize they’re doing, but it’s important that you only use vaping devices in approved indoor and outdoor areas. Not only can it help you avoid getting into trouble, but it’s a courtesy you should extend to your fellow cruise passengers.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
If you can’t find any visible signage directing you to a vaping area, don’t hesitate to ask a crew member or go to guest services for guidance. They’ll be happy to help!
Be Careful with Certain Destinations
Even if vaping is allowed on your cruise, rules could be different regarding vapes in certain ports that you visit. It might sound surprising, but electronic cigarettes are not legal in certain countries. You could face serious fines or worse if caught with one when you explore the port.
Countries like Colombia and Mexico have recently banned the sale of vapes, while stricter countries, like the United Arab Emirates, don’t even allow individuals to carry vapes for personal use! If you’re unsure if vapes are allowed, ask the crew, or consider leaving your vape behind while you are in port.
The Final Word!
To put it simply, yes, you can vape on a cruise ship, but only by following the detailed restrictions and regulations put in place by your specific cruise line. Always make sure you know where the designated smoking areas are, and pack your vaping devices carefully in your carry-on luggage.
Just follow the rules! Trust me; the entire cruising experience will be far more enjoyable and stress-free if you’re not looking over your shoulder constantly to make sure you don’t get caught breaking the rules.
Cruise guests with booked sailings to Grand Turk will want to be aware of a new travel advisory issued by the US Department of State. On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, the advisory level for the Turks and Caicos Islands was raised to a Level 2, urging visitors to exercise increased caution.
The travel advisory has been issued primarily due to increased crime in areas where there may be “limited investigatory services” to assist visitors.
The advisory notes that most crime occurs in the state of Providenciales, also known as the island of Provo, in the northwest Caicos Islands. For comparison, the Grand Turk Cruise Center is in the nation’s capital, Cockburn Town, in the Turks and Caicos Islands archipelago.
The two destinations are 75 miles apart, on completely separate islands.
Much of the concern prompting this advisory is due to the country’s strict policies concerning firearms and ammunition, even single bullets with no associated gun that might be found in luggage.
“Travelers face arrest, jail time, and heavy fines. Some U.S. citizens have been detained and unable to depart for several weeks or more after being found with bullets in their luggage. Offenders can face 12 years or more in prison,”the advisory explains.“The Department of State cannot guarantee your release.”
These restrictions are enforced throughout the Turks and Caicos, regardless of whether travelers arrive by plane or ship.
The guest only avoided the 12-year mandatory minimum sentence through intervention from a US Congressional delegation. Such interventions cannot be expected and may not always be successful, particularly following the highly publicized case that has raised awareness of the country’s laws.
Travelers to the Turks and Caicos are urged to check all bags and luggage carefully for any ammunition or firearms before leaving the US, as well as to practice individual safety while visiting the islands. This includes not opening doors to unknown persons and avoiding walking alone at night.
Such precautions are always prudent for travelers, no matter what the destination or what level of travel advisory may be present.
Grand Turk is a very popular destination for all major cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Virgin Voyages, and more.
There is a cruise port on Providenciales Island, but only three ship calls are scheduled to that destination in the next two years – all by MSC Cruises’ MSC Explora 3. The first visit is not until November 10, 2026, followed by calls on February 2, 2027 and March 16, 2027.
At this time, no cruise lines have announced any itinerary changes or port adjustments related to the increased advisory for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Caribbean Travel Advisories
While many travel advisories do not impact cruise itineraries, guests should always be aware of any increased concerns for the destinations they may visit.
At the moment, there are Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution advisories for a range of popular cruise destinations throughout the Caribbean, including the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica.
Grand Turk (Photo Credit: JTTucker)
Level 3: Reconsider Travel advisories are in effect for destinations such as Jamaica and Honduras.
Very few Level 4: Do Not Travel advisories are in place, though such firm warnings have been issued and are currently in effect for Haiti and several individual states in Mexico, including the state of Sinaloa, where Mazatlan is located.
All cruise lines stay updated on travel advisories, regional crime rates, and other information to ensure they are visiting safe and enjoyable destinations for their guests.
If an itinerary is changed, booked guests are notified with as much advance notice as possible, though last-minute changes are sometimes necessary.
Getting a good night’s sleep is a relaxing and refreshing part of any cruise vacation, but if the ship seems a bit too loud, it can be hard to get those hours of sleep that are so important to refuel for the next day’s fun. Fortunately, Carnival Cruise Line can help guests with one simple accessory.
A recent guest on Carnival Sunshine reached out to the cruise line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, with the unusual request for assistance because of some noisy surroundings.
“I am on Sunshine [and I am] in bed [by] 10 p.m.,”the guest explained.“People [are] walking down the corridors, laughing and shouting. Keeping me awake which is very disrespectful, [in my honest opinion].”
While it’s unlikely that other passengers were being intentional about noise in the corridors and the idea of it being “disrespectful” is questionable, there is no question that excess noise can be bothersome to sleepy travelers.
Heald notes that everyone has different bedtime routines and sleep schedules, and having fun is just part of the ambience onboard every Carnival ship.
“People are excited, people are having fun, and people do forget sometimes that maybe people are already asleep,”he said.“I don’t think it’s disrespectful on the most part. I think it’s just the sound of fun. However, I do understand.”
Fortunately, there is a fast and easy solution – one that does not involve calling security, making complaints, or causing tension that isn’t necessary.
“Does Carnival hand out ear plugs or do we have to bring our own?”the guest asked.“If I call guest Services front desk now will they give me ear plugs?”
Heald confirmed that the Guest Services desk – aboard Carnival Sunshine, on the forward starboard side of Deck 3 (Lobby Deck), in the Sunshine Atrium – will provide ear plugs upon request.
“I will be calling guest services to have a pair of ear plugs delivered today,”he said.
I am an extremely light sleeper and use ear plugs myself. Without them, simple and often overlooked noises such as pipe gurgling from an adjacent stateroom, a door slamming down the hall, a conversation from passing guests, or even noises from public areas on the deck above or below might keep me awake.
On my first cruise, aboard the former Carnival Fascination in what was then called a verandah cabin on Deck 11, we didn’t know we were right below the ship’s fitness center.
I never got to sleep in, thanks to early morning workouts that created banging and creaking noises. This was before I knew how helpful ear plugs could be.
More recently, I was aboard Mardi Gras and realized on the first night that I’d forgotten my ear plugs. I was facing a 7-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary and might not get a good night’s sleep the whole time!
Fortunately, a trip to the Guest Services desk quickly solved the problem, as I was given several pairs of neon yellow 3M ear plugs, and I was able to sleep perfectly.
Guests Offer More Quiet Sleep Tips
Regardless of when one prefers to retire for bedtime, there are different ways to enjoy a night of quiet sleep. While several other commenters chimed in with Heald to share their own ear plug preferences, other tips were also offered.
Bringing along a small fan (not a large fan that is prohibited) or white noise machine can be helpful to cover up small sounds that might be disruptive.
Guests should also be careful when booking their stateroom and choose a location away from public areas, elevators, and other potentially noisy spots – a tip I could have used on my first cruise!
Noise-cancelling ear buds or lightly playing music from a cell phone are other tips that can help travelers sleep better if unknown noises are a bother.
As for me, I keep one of those extra pairs of ear plugs from Mardi Gras tucked in my go-to luggage bag permanently, so I’ll never forget my ear plugs again!
