As summer cruising season begins in North America, Carnival Cruise Line, which operates “the Fun Ships,” is reminding guests of its shipboard rules. 

The “Have Fun. Be Safe” guidelines reinforce policies on curfews, noise, smoking, and illegal drugs.

The cruise line shared a letter with passengers boarding new cruises on June 1, 2025, outlining several safety and conduct-related expectations.

Among them is a curfew that requires guests 17 and under to be out of public areas by 1 a.m. unless they’re with an adult over 21 from their cruise group.

Carnival states the curfew will be “strictly enforced.”

Guests are also asked to keep noise to a minimum in guest corridors. That includes refraining from running or shouting in hallways, as this may disturb others in their staterooms.

For safety reasons, the cruise line also bans handheld fans on dance floors and in nightclubs, along with any beverages.

Public spaces require earphones when using personal devices, and all speakers or radios are prohibited and will be confiscated if found, since the cruise line officially banned Bluetooth, portable, and wireless speakers in November 2024.

Carnival Cruise line also reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on illegal narcotics, including marijuana and its derivatives.

“Do not attempt to purchase or use any illegal substances ashore, as you may be arrested and not allowed back on board,” the letter from the cruise line states.

Carnival also emphasized that smoking, including vaping, is only allowed in designated areas. Smoking in cabins or on balconies is banned and could result in fines or removal from the ship.

“Additionally, reimbursement costs for damages or destroyed Carnival property will be posted to the guest’s Sail & Sign account,” the company reiterated.

The letter ends with a reminder that “Any guest who violates these policies or whose conduct affects the comfort, enjoyment, safety, or well-being of others will be disembarked at their own expense, and banned from sailing on Carnival in the future.”

Cruise Line Crack Down

Carnival Cruise Line already details these policies on its website, including costs of violations, such as a $500 fee for breaking its smoking policy.

The letter follows a number of inquiries made to the cruise line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, who often receives complaints and concerns about the topics and addresses them on his social media.

Read Also: 14 Cruise Etiquette Rules You Need to Know About

For instance, last month, Heald discussed passengers smoking on balconies and told guests it is more than okay to report when they smoke violations, as it could lead to a fire, which is extremely dangerous on a ship at sea with limited firefighting capabilities.

In fact, in February 2025, a small balcony fire broke out on Carnival Glory, when a chair became engulfed in flames.

The cruise line isn’t messing around when it comes to violations, keeping true to its word of kicking passengers off a sailing when catching someone in an illegal act. 

One passenger learned his lesson last month when he was arrested in Galveston for possession of marijuana, fentanyl, and heroin.

Another shared by posting on TikTok that she had gotten away with smuggling alcohol onboard, but Carnival was watching! The cruise line banned her for life for breaking the rules and attempting to teach others her trick.

The cruise line even employs drug-sniffing dogs and reminds passengers it follows federal laws, meaning what may be legal in one state may not be legal aboard its fleet.

The majority of guests sharing the letter across social media channels are in favor of the reminder and just want the cruise line to enforce its policies and fellow passengers to follow the rules so that everyone can enjoy their voyages.