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Cruise vacations are all about fun, relaxation, and making unforgettable memories—whether you’re soaking up the sun, eating your weight in buffet food, or putting your way to victory on a miniature golf course. But as we all know, not everyone sees eye to eye on what makes a cruise perfect.

Recently, a disgruntled guest suggested that Carnival Cruise Line should transform its popular mini golf courses into adults-only lounging spaces for guests 55 and older. The reasoning? A rogue golf ball incident left them in pain, and they weren’t too thrilled about sharing the space with kids.

So, is Carnival actually considering this drastic change? Spoiler alert: absolutely not.

Let’s dive into what happened, why some cruisers want kid-free zones, and why Carnival isn’t budging.

A Golf Ball Gone Rogue

It all started when one guest, clearly still feeling the sting of their unfortunate encounter with a golf ball, reached out to Carnival’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, with a rather bold suggestion.

According to the guest, they were struck by a golf ball hit by a child, and—brace yourself—it actually hurt. They also claimed that nearby crew members did nothing about it, refusing to boot the child and their parent from the mini golf area.

Now, let’s be real. If you’ve ever played mini golf, you know that accidents happen. Kids get excited, someone swings a little too hard, and next thing you know, a golf ball is making a break for it like it’s got places to be.

But instead of just accepting this as an unfortunate mishap, this guest had a master plan for making the cruise experience “better.”

The Suggestion That Sunk Like an Anchor

So, what was this grand idea? The guest proposed getting rid of mini golf entirely and replacing it with an exclusive lounging deck for passengers aged 55 and older.

“This golf area is a waste of space. At best it’s a pale imitation of the land-based versions. It takes up a good chunk of valuable deck real estate,” the guest wrote. “These should all be changed to decks for 55+ [passengers] only. This is the second time I have written this to you, John Heald. Still waiting for the courtesy of a response!”

Whew. That’s quite the take.

Let’s break this down:

• Mini golf isn’t good enough? Okay, it’s not Pebble Beach, but it’s a fun, free activity that keeps families and groups entertained.
• Valuable deck real estate? Carnival has already designated space for adults-only relaxation.
• A second time writing in? Someone is really passionate about banning mini golf.

Carnival’s Response: A Hard No

John Heald, in classic diplomatic fashion, quickly shut down any speculation that the cruise line would be making such a change.

“The mini golf course is massively popular and so there are no plans to change it to a 55-plus deck as suggested,” he confirmed.

Translation: nice try, but it’s not happening.

Carnival already offers adults-only Serenity areas for passengers who want a quieter, kid-free zone. These spaces are for guests 21 and older and feature comfortable loungers, shaded cabanas, and even whirlpools. Plus, there are plenty of other places onboard where kids aren’t allowed—like the casino, the spa, and late-night comedy shows.

The Golf Ball Incident: A Case for Overreaction?

Now, let’s get back to that runaway golf ball.

While the guest felt that action should have been taken against the child and their parent, Heald provided some level-headed insight.

“I do know that after speaking with the ship, the parents of the child did offer their apologies,” he said. “I am sure the child did this by mistake and not on purpose and I am sure felt bad, as did the parents. Asking them to leave would have been, in my opinion, an overreaction.”

Honestly? This is probably the right call. Kids make mistakes, and unless the child was intentionally aiming at people like a sniper, there’s no need for a full-blown exile from the mini golf course.

Why Mini Golf is Here to Stay

Mini golf has been a staple of Carnival’s onboard activities for years, and for good reason.

• It’s fun for all ages – Families can play together, teens can challenge their new cruise buddies, and adults can let out their competitive side.
• It’s free – Unlike some other activities on board, mini golf doesn’t come with an extra charge.
• It’s low-maintenance – Guests don’t have to sign in, and on most ships, the golf clubs and balls are available right at the course entrance.
• It’s open for long hours – Depending on the ship, mini golf is available almost all day and night, as long as weather conditions permit.

Sure, some courses are fancier than others, but they all offer simple, outdoor fun with a view of the ocean. And honestly, that beats another generic lounging area any day.

Final Thoughts: Mini Golf vs. 55+ Lounge – The Verdict

At the end of the day, Carnival is in the business of keeping all guests entertained, not just one particular age group.

While some travelers might prefer more kid-free spaces, completely removing an already popular family-friendly attraction just doesn’t make sense. The cruise line has plenty of areas designed for adults, and if mini golf isn’t your thing, there are literally dozens of other ways to relax onboard.

So, to the guest who suggested this idea: You might have to take another cruise to let this one go. Just remember to duck next time you walk past the golf course!

What Do You Think?

Should Carnival consider more age-restricted areas onboard? Or is mini golf a staple that should stay for all ages? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!