Cruise guests are always looking for the best deals and ways to get special perks for their upcoming sailings in order to make the most of their oceangoing vacation.

One supposed “hack” to get special privileges, however, is only a scam – and one that Carnival Cruise Line is wise to.

The scam centers around Carnival’s exclusive Havana Retreat, the ship-in-a-ship concept that includes Cuban-inspired staterooms and exclusive spaces for the use of Havana guests.

Guests booked in Havana staterooms are issued silicone wristbands that permit them access into the exclusive spaces. The colorful “Havana Experience” wristbands are an easy way for crew members to check that only permitted guests are allowed into that coveted part of the ship.

John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, has noted that some less-than-scrupulous guests may sell the wristbands on online auction sites. Upcoming guests who purchase them, however, do not get Havana privileges and instead are just scammed out of their payment without any perks.

But how does Carnival know whether the wristbands are legitimate or not? Heald has explained.

“Some very naughty people have been selling their Havana wristbands on Eeeeeeee Bay and other auction sites. These bands are checked by the staff working in the Havana area,” Heald explained.

“Someone silly decided to buy two of these and tried to wear them to get into the Havana area on one of the ships. They were denied and I am sure were embarrassed because the wristband was the wrong color.”

Read Also: Carnival Cruise Line Cabins and Suites – What Are the Options?

Havana wristbands come in various colors, including brown, green, yellow, blue, red, and white. What inexperienced guests may not realize, however, is the colors aren’t just decorative.

“We used to have just two colors for these cabins,” Heald said. “[Now], we have different colors. They are changed at random each cruise.”

Guests who purchased the used wristbands were denied entrance to the Havana area. While Heald noted that they were likely embarrassed by the incident, he doesn’t elaborate if there were any other consequences for trying to circumvent the cruise line’s rules.

A quick perusal of online auction sites does show some Havana wristbands for sale, with prices ranging from just a few dollars to $30 and higher.

Depending on the seller, some are described as used or collectible only, but there is no mention that the wristbands do not guarantee Havana benefits on upcoming Carnival cruises.

Worth Reading: Carnival Guest Warns Others After Being Targeted by Scam

Auction sites are not responsible for the truthfulness of individual listings, as that information is up to the seller to disclose. Furthermore, there is nothing wrong with previous Havana guests selling the wristbands as unique souvenirs, so long as they are not being dishonest and claiming that buyers will receive the benefits.

In addition to the wristbands, Carnival crew members may ask to see guests’ Sail & Sign cards to verify their Havana status, just to ensure the exclusive area remains exclusive.

Is The Havana Worthwhile?

The exclusive Havana area is only available on select Carnival cruise ships. At this time, the premium area is found on Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon, and Carnival Panorama, as well as all three of the cruise line’s Excel-class ships – Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee.

The Havana features old-time Cuban-inspired decor with a relaxed tropical vibe. Each stateroom – and there are different types available to book, from interiors to balconies to suites – has a branded robes and towels for guests to use.

Guests booked in The Havana also have exclusive access to their own pool or hot tub area (depending on the ship), and plenty of sun-drenched lounging space – without the massive crowds in public areas.

The Havana Bar is also available exclusively for booked guests to use. Previously, that venue was open to all guests during the evening hours, but that policy was changed in recent years and now is only available for Havana guests.

All guests booked in Havana staterooms must be age 12 or older, which makes the area even more desirable to guests who prefer quieter, more adult-oriented spaces.

Have you stayed in The Havana? Share your experiences and tips on the Cruise Hive boards!

Traveling with mobility challenges can be difficult, but cruise lines do make every attempt to ensure all guests are welcome and accommodated as much as reasonably possible. But what is and isn’t possible?

One Carnival Cruise Line guest has reached out to John Heald, the line’s official brand ambassador who handles hundreds of requests, questions, and complaints each week, with their mobility experience and disappointment.

“There needs to be more care for your mobility scooter users. I was on the Valor last week for the [transatlantic cruise]. We had some bad weather one night. I tried to get through the corridor to my cabin,” the guest explained.

Carnival Valor just recently completed the transatlantic cruise from New Orleans to Barcelona ahead of her dry dock renovation in Cadiz, Spain.

She will return to service with her June 11 departure, a return transatlantic sailing back to New Orleans from Barcelona, visiting Malaga, Cadiz, and Punta Delgada along the way.

It’s unclear, however, what the ship’s itinerary or route has to do with the guest’s concerns, as bad weather can happen anywhere, on any cruise length, in any sailing region. From the guest’s continued explanation, it seems the weather was the cause of their difficulties.

“There were people not using the hand rails. They were just slowly weaving down the corridor oblivious that they were holding me up,” the guest said. “I know they knew I was trying to get past. I was too polite to say anything. It is another example, John, of how Carnival must try to do more for mobility scooter users.”

The guest offers no suggestions for what, exactly, Carnival Cruise Line should try to do. It seems like they might be expecting a right-of-way for mobility scooters, or that the cruise line should have a policy that scooters are always permitted to pass at any speed.

Other commenters did chime in with suggestions and thoughts on the confusing scenario.

Many noted that because the guest chose not to say anything such as “excuse me” or “could I pass, please?” they didn’t take any responsibility themselves, but instead expect the cruise line to manage even such minor inconveniences as a crowded corridor.

To be clear, the original poster did not indicate there was any need for them to rush to their stateroom, nor how much extra time it took them to move down the corridor.

Other guests felt the scooter user ought to have more consideration for travelers who don’t have a stable scooter to move about on in rough seas, and simply should be patient.

One commenter rightly noted that if they had to rush to give more space to a scooter, they might fall themselves and then it could be even longer before the hallway might be clear!

How Carnival Helps Guests With Mobility Scooters

Carnival Cruise Line actually does a great deal to ensure that guests who require mobility scooters, wheelchairs, rollators, or other assistance devices can still enjoy their cruise.

While it is true that there are limitations on the scooter size and style that can be permitted onboard the ship, this is due to safety regulations for the scooter to fit into the cabin and not block doorways or emergency access.

With ongoing dry dock updates, the cruise line is adding more accessibility features – including fully-accessible cabins – to many ships, giving even more selection to travelers who use scooters.

Heald is always willing to assist guests with dining room seating requests so they can feel comfortable using a scooter, whether they need a table assignment near a door or prefer a different location so they can maneuver their scooter more easily.

Most Carnival cruise ships also have some handicap-accessible seating in the main show lounge, with space available for scooters to be accommodated. Similarly, the onboard casinos can create scooter-friendly tables or machine space as needed.

One thing guests using mobility scooters cannot do is park their scooters overnight in hallways or public spaces. This is a violation of onboard safety procedures and guests need to be able to move their scooters into their staterooms.

There is one often-requested accommodation that just isn’t possible. Heald often receives requests for a dedicated elevator for scooter users, or alternatively, for a crew member to be manning elevator banks in order to ensure that scooters are permitted to board elevators first.

These requests are simply not possible to meet, given the necessary manpower that would be necessary to ensure success.

As for a corridor being blocked by weaving guests? Heald has the perfect response.

“If this couple had been ‘weaving down the corridor’ I would have said, ‘Get a loom,'” he suggested.

Toilets may not be a completely polite issue for common discussion, but they’re becoming more and more of a top topic for Carnival cruisers.

Despite the cruise line’s recent admonition against flushing wet wipes, some travelers continue to believe Carnival is being deliberately deceptive about why these items aren’t actually flushable.

One disgruntled guest, convinced about insider expertise that countermands Carnival’s claims, reached out to John Heald with entitled demands and their own – completely unrelated – experiences.

“Wet wipes are what many of us use John! Where do we put them?” the guest asked. “Why doesn’t Carnival provide those scented disposable bags that are used for diapers or dog poop so we can put the used ones in them for the cleaners to take away?”

Why doesn’t Carnival provide something for convenience that guests can pack themselves? Shouldn’t the cruise line offer each guest’s brand of coffee, sunscreen for skin protection, or slippers for stateroom use?

We already talked about that one – with the same answer, that the cruise line doesn’t provide slippers. And they certainly aren’t going to provide “scented disposable bags” for travelers who might use them.

Granted, putting used wet wipes in a bag rather than flushing them is an improvement, and sanitary product disposal bags are provided in every stateroom. If guests run out of bags, they can request more from their cabin attendant, no problem.

Scented products? That’s not going to happen (I don’t even use scented bags for my dog), especially when it could just lead to more entitled complaints from guests who don’t like that particular scent or who are sensitive to different perfumes and aromas.

The guest goes on to provide “evidence” to Heald that wet wipes are, in fact, safe and ideal for cruise ship use. They referenced a message board thread with a similar discussion.

“The author is … a marine engineer. He clearly says that wet wipes break down almost immediately and will not clog the ship’s toilet systems,” the guest claims. “The same as they do in my Newell Coach RV. Is this just a way to hide the fact that Carnival buys the cheapest toilet tissue they can?”

Never mind the fact that anyone can say anything on the internet with no need to provide proof of experience, training, or other expert credentials.

There is no knowing if the individual cited actually is a marine engineer as claimed, nor what their exact field of expertise within that broad category might be.

Unless they were a cruise ship engineer with plumbing expertise, and specifically from Carnival Cruise Line, their experience doesn’t much matter to the cruise line’s technical requirements with respect to toilet paper.

Is Carnival Just Being Cheap About Toilet Paper?

It’s hard to believe conversations have come to this, but indeed, could Carnival Cruise Line be attempting to save pennies on toilet paper?

Heald responded to the claim with his characteristic blunt wit, leaving no doubt about what he thinks of such claims, and rightfully so.

“Firstly let me say that I had to ask Uncle Google what a Newell Coach RV was and secondly and most importantly let me say this,” Heald began. “Despite what this … link you included may say, I respectfully need to mention that the author does not know his ship … of in this case…shi*.”

Read Also: How Do Cruise Ships Get Fresh Water?

Heald goes on to firmly and without room for debate, close the discussion on such a very base topic.

“If you flush wet wipes down the toilet then it will block your toilet and the toilets in the [adjacent] cabin section too, sometimes 20 plus,” he confirmed. “Please do not flush anything down the toilet except the paper we provide. The end.”

There is signage posted in every stateroom bathroom, as well as the public restrooms onboard, reminding guests not to flush inappropriate items.

Anyone who has been on the receiving end of a blocked cruise ship toilet will undoubtedly agree – that’s enough of this, well, you know.