Over the course of 13 years, Mike Pack became one of the most beloved Carnival cruise directors – and continued to gain popularity once he was promoted to fleet cruise director in 2022. 

But of course, all good things must come to an end – and Pack has decided that it’s time to retire from his role at Carnival. 

The news was formally announced during a celebration commemorating the fourth quarter for Carnival Cruise Line Entertainment on November 20, 2024 – during which Pack received a standing ovation for his contributions to the cruise brand.

The official announcement was followed up with a personal post from Pack on his public Facebook page. 

“From the team members and friends I’ve worked alongside, to the guests who’ve made my time with Carnival so rewarding, it’s the memories and experiences we’ve created together that mean the most to me,” Pack wrote, in part.

“Whether it was sharing a laugh at an event, being on stage with a microphone, or simply connecting with so many wonderful people, it’s been an honour to share these experiences with you and of course meeting my incredible wife, Emma,” Pack continued.

Over his more than a decade at sea, Pack rose from a Fun Squad entertainment staff member to an assistant cruise director, and eventually, became a fully fledged cruise director. 

He is perhaps best known for bringing the fun on Carnival Horizon as the inaugural cruise director when the Vista-class ship entered service in April of 2018.

Pack would have also been the inaugural cruise director for Mardi Gras – but chose to extend his time at home in England, as he and his wife had recently welcomed a baby girl. Even so, Pack played a big role in overseeing the launch of the flagship in July of 2021.

He also still joined the Excel-class ship before summer was over – where he served as cruise director until he was promoted to fleet cruise director in January of 2022. 

As fleet director, Pack was responsible for overseeing cruise directors across Carnival’s ships and training new cruise directors.

What’s Next for Mike Pack?

According to the newly-retired cruise director, his top priority is returning home to England to spend time with his wife, Emma, and their daughter, Immy. 

Even in a role that essentially makes him an onboard celebrity, working on cruise ships can be hard. Pack would still be spending several months at a time working long hours away from his loved ones. 

Likewise, Pack’s family is ready to have him home for good – and not just for the break between cruise ship contracts. Emma Nixon, who met Pack while she was also a Carnival cruise director, posted a sweet message to her husband on her Facebook page.

“Your hard work and passion is nothing short of inspiring but we are so, so excited to have you home! Working on ships is such a huge sacrifice but it’s also created the most remarkable memories for us and our families, we will be forever grateful to Carnival,” Nixon wrote.

Cruise Hive: What to Expect When You Go on a Carnival Cruise

So, what does Pack’s exit mean for Carnival Cruise Line? While his absence will certainly be felt, other cruise directors are stepping up to the plate to fill the big shoes he is leaving behind. 

Lee Mason, for example, was promoted from cruise director to fleet cruise director in September of 2024 – and has been personally trained by Pack. 

“I’ve had the privilege of training with Mike these past two weeks, and I can’t thank him enough. Mike, you’ve done so much for Carnival and for all of us who’ve had the honor of working alongside you,” Mason wrote in a tribute to Pack on Facebook.

The fleet will also be in good hands with Carnival’s enthusiastic cruise directors – with popular personalities like Kyndall “Fire” Magyar leading the fun.

For guests hoping to return from their cruise with a new tan, catching the rays from the pool deck is typically the way to do it.

But while some guests aren’t afraid to mingle with their fellow cruisers while scantily clad in tiny bikinis and speedos, the key is that they are at least wearing something.

As with many of the mainstream cruise lines, Carnival prohibited topless – or nude sunbathing – a long time ago. However, false rumors that topless sunbathing could be making a comeback on Carnival ships threw some future passengers into a panic.

“——-Cruise News page said in their broadcast today that there is topless sunbathing allowed now. This is disturbing. John can you tell me if there is a topless deck on the Horizon? I don’t believe this and really don’t want my teenager sons venturing to sneak a peak,” a concerned mother wrote to Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald on his Facebook page.

Per her post, the concerned cruiser and her family will be onboard Carnival Horizon’s 8-night Southern Caribbean voyage that embarks on November 23, 2024, from Miami, Florida – where it would certainly still be warm enough for some more risque sunbathing.

That said, Heald was quick to ease her mind and reassure the future guest that topless sunbathing has not been permitted on Carnival ships for over 20 years – and likely never will be allowed again in the future.

“Topless sunbathing is of course something we used to have on our ships 20 plus years ago,” Heald replied.

“Back then all our ships had topless sunbathing decks and for the most part the guests seemed to enjoy it and certainly didn’t feel a sense of shock and horror because we had a place where our female guests could get an all over tan,” continued Heald.

Worth Reading: Nude Cruise to Set Sail from Miami in 2025

Guests are of course still welcomed to relax and get that special vacation glow on the pool decks – but may perhaps want to put some extra thought into their swimwear to remain covered enough but also avoid weird tan lines.

Where Can Guests Sunbathe Topless?

In response to Heald’s post, many of Carnival’s more loyal, long-time followers actually remembered when they could sunbathe topless on past voyages – with some reminiscing fondly and others happy that those days are behind them.

“I recall the crazy days of the topless deck! Fortunately for me the only thing topless in the sun is my convertible!”, one cruiser joked.

“I loved the topless deck back in the day. Got the best tan to wear my strapless evening gown,” another person added.

Others also clarified that one couldn’t simply stumble upon nude sunbathers. Indeed, the designated area was sectioned off with clear signage and a barrier.

“Boobie deck! …Such a relaxed vibe and if a curious kid came up for a peek… well that was on the parents as the sign was pretty clear. You couldn’t accidentally turn a corner and get there. I miss the old days…,” another commenter reminisced.

“I cruised on the days of ‘the sun deck’. It had a gate so you couldn’t accidentally end up there,” someone else added.

Read Also: 11 Ways You Can Be the Most Romantic During a Cruise

But cruisers who really want the topless tanning experience may not be entirely out of luck. Depending on where their voyage is sailing, the ports of call they visit may have designated nude beaches where this activity is allowed.

Topless sunbathing is allowed throughout the Caribbean, for example, on designated beaches on the islands of St. Martin, Antigua, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico.

Additionally, guests who opt for a cruise cabin with a private balcony may also be able to sunbathe there.

However, keep in mind that not all balconies are entirely private – and your next door neighbors or onlookers from land (while in port) might still be able to catch a glimpse.

The United States has a big birthday coming up. 

Celebrating her 250th (a Quarter Millennial!) in 2026, Carnival Cruise Line is going to throw a party like never before.

In 2026, the cruise line will sail 10 special voyages to mark America’s big 2-5-0, giving guests a chance to honor the occasion at sea.

The cruises, ranging from 3- to 8-days, will depart from Miami, Port Canaveral, and Jacksonville, Florida; New York City; and Long Beach and San Francisco, California.

The highlight will be when seven east coast ships gather near the cruise line’s newest private destination, Celebration Key in the Bahamas, set to open in July 2025, and three west coast ships converge near Ensenada, Mexico, on July 4, 2026 – the day of America’s independence.

Independence Day celebrations will include patriotic-themed deck parties, onboard entertainment, and special food and drink options to enhance the festivities, with more details to come in future months.

“We’re America’s cruise line, and we’re commemorating this milestone in a big way!” said Carnival Cruise Line’s President Christine Duffy. “Uniting our ships will multiply the fun and make America’s 250^th birthday even more memorable for guests who celebrate at sea.”

The special sailings opened for booking on November 21, 2024.

Coast-to-Coast Carnival Cruises Bring the Party to Sea

The special birthday voyages aboard Carnival Cruise Line ships begin on the East Coast, where itineraries include several 3- and 4-day options for partygoers seeking a shorter getaway. 

Carnival Conquest and Carnival Glory, which can each accommodate 2,980 guests, will sail 3-day cruises to Celebration Key from Miami and Port Canaveral, respectively, both departing July 3, 2026.

Four-day options include the 2,984-passenger Carnival Sunrise from Miami and the 2,190-guest Carnival Elation from Jacksonville, with departures on July 2, 2026. These routes will also visit Celebration Key as well as Nassau, Bahamas.

Read Also: Amber Cove, Dominican Republic: Everything You Need to Know

Longer options are also available, such as a 7-day Eastern Caribbean cruise aboard Carnival Celebration, departing Miami with up to 5,374 passengers on June 28, 2026.

This itinerary, which also stops in Celebration Key, calls on Carnival’s other private destination, Amber Cove near Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. It will also visit Nassau and Grand Turk in the Turks & Caicos.

Carnival Vista and its 3,934 guests will depart from Port Canaveral on June 27, 2026, for an 8-day itinerary that includes San Juan, Puerto Rico, and St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. Of course, it will also spend a day in both Amber Cove and Celebration Key.

Northeastern guests can get in on the party by spending 8 days with Carnival, departing New York City on July 1, 2026. The 4,090-passenger Carnival Venezia’s voyage will visit Nassau, Celebration Key, and Half Moon Cay, the private destination owned by Holland America Line, which is owned by Carnival Corporation.

On the west coast, options include the 4,126-guest Carnival Firenze’s 3-day Baja Mexico cruise from Long Beach, departing July 3, 2026, and Carnival Luminosa’s 4-day sailing from San Francisco with up to 2,826 passengers, departing July 2, 2026. Both itineraries feature a stop in Ensenada.

Meanwhile, 2,984-passenger Carnival Radiance will sail a 5-day Mexican Riviera cruise departing Long Beach on June 30, 2026, with calls at Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada.

Alas, although Carnival also homeports in Galveston, Texas; Baltimore, Maryland; Tampa, Florida; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Seattle, Washington, departures are not coinciding with the celebration.