Are Older Guests Being Left Behind on Carnival Cru...

I took my first cruise after I was in my 20s, and since then, I’ve set sail with hundreds of company starting from lower than a 12 months outdated to vacationers properly into their 90s – all of whom appear to be having a good time.

Carnival Cruise Line, particularly, nonetheless, has a fame as extra of a celebration environment catering to youthful company. However is that fame deserved, and is the cruise line much less appropriate for older passengers?

One current Carnival visitor believes the cruise line doesn’t do sufficient for older vacationers and thinks it would even attain the extent of discrimination.

They shared their issues – calls for, actually – with John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s official Model Ambassador, noting the place enchancment is required.

“It’s shameful of you. You might be flawed. Carnival does discriminate in opposition to older individuals,” the visitor claimed. “These of us 70 plus are pushed away. My husband and me are each 77 this 12 months. On the Carnival ship Mardi Gras there was apparent proof of this.”

The visitor goes on to supply particular examples the place they consider older cruisers are at an obstacle onboard the Excel-class ship.

“Is it very loud in most public areas, significantly the principle eating corridor,” the visitor defined. “Cease with the loud music and dancing already. Consider these like us which have listening to aids! Cease being egocentric.”

I’ve sailed aboard each Mardi Gras and her sister ship, Carnival Celebration, and sure, it could actually get a bit loud in some areas of the ship, particularly when completely different actions are underway. I by no means personally discovered the quantity ranges within the Principal Eating Room to be troublesome, nonetheless, however maybe it’s attainable.

Different commenters additionally level out that the majority listening to aids have quantity controls and whether it is too loud, that quantity can simply be turned down by the person.

Carnival Cruise Line does observe, nonetheless, that the dancing within the restaurant – “Shoooooooooowtime!” – is a well-liked occasion that many company get pleasure from, and it is not going away.

This visitor doesn’t have only one criticism, nonetheless. They go on to notice that there are, of their opinion, no quiet locations onboard.

“NO LIBRARY – How can that be. Older individuals prefer to spend their cruises studying in peace and luxury. There isn’t a the place for this to occur,” they stated.

It’s true that Carnival Cruise Line is removing libraries from older ships and the venue shouldn’t be a part of new builds. That stated, I’ve at all times been capable of get pleasure from a very good e-book in my stateroom with all of the peace and luxury I would really like – together with the flexibility to drop proper into a comfy nap!

The adults-only Serenity space, the ahead “Secret Backyard” promenades on the Spirit-class ships, unused lounges, and different quiet nooks are considerable on all Carnival ships, even with out a devoted library area.

“No mobility scooter parking areas outdoors the principle eating corridor,” is the visitor’s subsequent concern.

Okay, true, there isn’t any important “parking space” outdoors the Principal Eating Room on Carnival ships. Company can at all times request tables nearer to the doorway in the event that they really feel uncomfortable maneuvering by the seating areas, nonetheless – a request Heald is pleased to help with.

Moreover, if every ship had been to have such a chosen scooter parking lot, that may take up invaluable public area. And the way a lot area needs to be out there?

If solely 5 mobility scooters will be accommodated, for instance, the sixth, seventh, or eighth visitor who makes use of a scooter is certain to be dissatisfied. This merely is probably not a sensible concept.

Lastly, the visitor is upset on the music choices onboard.

“No 50’s music. Discrimination once more,” they claimed. “You can’t defend the undefendable. Disgrace on you.”

I do get pleasure from 50’s music, together with Elvis Presley, the Crewcuts, Invoice Haley & His Comets, and even Sheb Wooley. The humorous factor is – I’ve heard a variety of that music onboard Carnival ships, together with the occasional 50’s music trivia contest. So maybe this upset visitor wasn’t attending the best occasions or listening in the best locations.

So, Does Carnival Discriminate Towards the Aged?

Finally, Heald responded to the visitor, noting the recognition of Carnival Cruise Line and requested for suggestions from different company who could be in the identical age bracket.

“I’ll say that we’re proud to have extra retired individuals cruise with us then some other cruise line. I perceive that a few of the newer ships wouldn’t have libraries however I can’t agree that that is discrimination,” he stated.

“So older individuals studying this who do cruise with us, what are your ideas please? What do you get pleasure from, what can we do higher for you?”

Many company remark that there are many different cruise strains with completely different vibes that could be a greater match for what every traveler desires.

Not that they’re agreeing in any respect that Carnival could also be discriminatory, however it simply isn’t essentially one of the best cruise line for company excited about a quieter, extra sedate expertise.

Learn Additionally: Top 12 Best Cruise Lines for Adults

Others observe that not all needs will be accommodated, and simply because one thing isn’t the way you would possibly prefer it, that doesn’t make it discrimination.

Finally, each traveler desires to have a very good time on their cruise trip, however not each cruise line is correct for each traveler. Discovering the best one could make a terrific distinction in having a terrific getaway!