Carnival Cruise Line’s recent crackdown on illegal onboard gambling has ruffled some feathers, igniting a flurry of accusations on social media suggesting the move was profit-motivated.
Navigating the Maze of Cruise Ship Laws
Cruise ships departing from U.S. ports are governed by U.S. federal laws, but they must also adhere to the regulations of the ports they visit. This dual layer of legal requirements can sometimes lead to confusion among passengers.
For instance, the legal drinking age onboard cruise ships operated by Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Lines, Virgin Voyages, and Margaritaville at Sea is 21. Although passengers under 21 may be able to drink in certain ports where the legal age is lower, they’re strictly prohibited from doing so onboard.
On the other hand, the gambling age onboard cruise ships is generally set at 18, in contrast to the 21-year requirement in most U.S. land-based casinos. Cruise lines use passengers’ room keys to regulate access to alcohol and gambling, and breaking these rules can lead to serious consequences.
Carnival’s Crackdown on Gambling
Cruise ships are often filled with passengers playing card games or other activities like canasta or mahjong. While these games might involve small stakes, the cruise lines cannot permit cash-based games outside of designated casino areas. This policy recently came to the forefront on a Carnival Cruise Line ship.
John Heald, Carnival’s brand ambassador, had to step in during a trans-Pacific cruise aboard the Carnival Luminosa. He shared the incident on social media:
“I would like to send a message to a group currently sailing on the incredible trans-Pacific cruise aboard Carnival Luminosa,” he wrote. “Yesterday, I was informed that the group leader had been arranging a card game played on Lido each day where quite large amounts of money were changing hands. This was reported to me, and as brand ambassador, it was my duty to report that to the ship.”
Handling the Backlash
Heald faced significant backlash for his actions, being labeled a “snitch” and other less flattering terms. However, he stood by his decision, explaining that gambling outside of the casino is strictly forbidden on Carnival ships.
“I do understand the disappointment. I’m sure that the card game was a lot of fun and perhaps you can play without money changing hands. I hope so. But I hope you understand that I had to report this,” Heald added.
Addressing Accusations of Profit Motivation
When cruise lines make policy changes or enforce rules, they often face accusations of being profit-driven. A similar uproar occurred when Royal Caribbean revised its wine policy, limiting solo travelers to one bottle of wine on embarkation day instead of two.
Heald faced similar accusations regarding the crackdown on illegal gambling. Some passengers suggested that the enforcement was meant to drive more people to the onboard casino. Heald responded:
“And for those in the group saying that we only are banning this so people would go running to our casino and spend their money there, well that is not the case. There are various laws about gambling on our ships and as the company representative, I had no choice but to report it,” he wrote.
A Sympathetic Stance
Despite the backlash, Heald expressed sympathy for those affected by the enforcement:
“I am sure that all she wanted to do was provide some extra fun but when we see people holding fistfuls of dollar bills then this is just not something we can allow. Gambling with dice or cards for money organized by a group leader is not allowed. It is really truly that simple,” he concluded.
Thoughts
While the enforcement of gambling rules on Carnival Cruise Line may not be popular with all passengers, it’s essential for maintaining order and compliance with regulations. And let’s face it, rules are rules—even when you’re cruising on the high seas. So, next time you’re planning a high-stakes card game, make sure it’s in the casino. Or better yet, stick to playing for bragging rights—those are priceless and legal everywhere!
Leave a Reply