Key Aspects:
- Carnival crew members aren’t always able to repair personal belongings, especially electronics or specialized equipment.
- Liability and equipment warrantees must be considered before any repairs can start.
- Guests should take steps before and during their cruise so their belongings stay working and protected.
It’s well known that cruise ship crew members do their very best to respond to all sorts of requests nearly every day.
This might be as simple as providing a bucket of ice or a few extra pillows, or as unique as softening butter before dinner.
Sometimes, such requests are pleas for help when something breaks. Crew members have helped sew buttons on shirts or even repair broken luggage.
But crew members can’t do everything. There are certain things they absolutely can’t manage, and some repairs they aren’t permitted to attempt.
Carnival’s brand ambassador, John Heald, addressed fix-it requests in one of his daily videos, which he often uses to comment on guests’ concerns.
“In the last week or so, I’ve been asked for help to have our crew repair the following,” Heald said. “A mobility scooter, a personal hair dryer, an iPhone that was dropped in the ocean while taking selfies.”
Heald noted that these guest requests come directly to him, without the guests first asking for assistance onboard their respective ships. Some requests are polite, some are better classified as demands.
“Our crew are fabulous, they always try. But sometimes, they have to say no,” he said.
“None of them have been trained in repairs of mobility scooters, they haven’t. We don’t have a mobility scooter repair officer onboard.”
It isn’t just scooters that are outside the expertise of Carnival crew members.
“None of them have been trained in the inner workings of a Dyson hair dryer,” Heald noted. “We don’t have an IT officer who comes running to the information desk to meet the guests with a manual for the iPhone 15 and a massive bucket of rice to put it in. We don’t.”
Heald explains that crew members really do try, but there are occasionally liability reasons why repairs aren’t possible.
Worth Reading: Crew Member Removed From Cruise Ship After Giving Notice
For example, if a crew member attempted to repair a mobility scooter but did so incorrectly, that individual and the cruise line might be considered at fault if the scooter failed again and injured the guest.
Unauthorized repairs might also void equipment warranties, creating more trouble for guests in the future.
EXCLUSIVE Cruise Hive Booking Offer: Up To $1,500 Visa Gift Card Per Cabin – Learn More!
Ultimately, guests should be aware that repairs aren’t always possible and may not even be attempted, depending on the item and its damage.
“Please, don’t be angry at them if they can’t repair your personal belongings,” Heald urged. “Sometimes, they just can’t repair it.”
Of course, crew members will always try to help if they can. In May 2025, a Carnival Breeze engineer took a few minutes from his day to help a guest with a detached walker wheel during debarkation.
This was a simple repair and didn’t involve electronic components, and is just one example of crew members going out of their way to help whenever possible.
How to Protect Your Belongings
The best thing guests can do is to ensure all their essential equipment is in top condition before setting sail.
In the case of scooters or other assistive devices, this might involve visiting a local repair shop before the cruise for a quick tune-up.
Tightening screws and inspecting luggage seams, checking clothing buttons, ensuring cords are in good shape, and other simple steps can be sure belongings are ready for a cruise.
Of course, guests must also protect their items while onboard. Take care when driving scooters to avoid inadvertent crashes and keep a firm grip on phones for those all-important selfies!
