Carnival Cruise Line recently added Bluetooth speakers to its list of banned items, ending a lengthy debate on whether they should be allowed onboard.

Andrea Santillan

 

(Photo courtesy of Carnival and Pixabay)

“All speakers (including Bluetooth, portable, and wireless types) and radios are prohibited and will be held and returned at the end of the cruise,” the webpage reads.

The guideline explains that messages delivered over the public address system must be heard by everyone onboard. It adds that guests can still use earphones to privately enjoy music, shows, and movies while occupying public spaces.

Bluetooth speakers were previously allowed onboard Carnival vessels, but guests were discouraged from using them in common areas like pool decks, lounges, and dining venues.

Since cruise ships feature limited shared spaces, an overly loud speaker can easily drown out important announcements, clash with someone else’s musical preferences, or bother another passenger.  

Guests In Favor of Banning Bluetooth Speakers

The inappropriate use of Bluetooth speakers has annoyed enough people to become a hot topic online. Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald even conducted a poll last August asking the public if such devices should be allowed on ships.

An overwhelming 88 percent of respondents—over 20,000 Facebook users—believed they shouldn’t be permitted onboard. 

Heald expressed the same preference. “My personal opinion and it is a personal opinion is that we should not allow Blue Tooth speakers on board at any time,” he wrote on social media. 

Others chimed in with their frustrations. “I love music as background noise,” a netizen began. “But when someone, like one gentleman on a cruise I took, has a large Bluetooth speaker turned up so loud even his own party have to yell at each other while they walk around the pool deck, that’s then just disruptive.”

Some travelers, however, believe Bluetooth speakers are acceptable if used considerately. “As long as it’s used INSIDE the room, at a level that doesn’t bother the neighbors, or off the ship, it shouldn’t be an issue,” another person remarked.

Knowing What You Can and Can’t Bring

Packing for a cruise can be tricky, especially when understanding what’s permitted. While certain items—like marijuana and weapons—are obvious no-gos, the rules for other belongings can be less clear and vary between cruise lines and destinations.

For instance, Royal Caribbean permits only USB power adapters on its ships, while baby monitors are strictly prohibited. Meanwhile, Carnival Cruise Line issued a reminder in September about destination-specific restrictions, noting that camouflage clothing is banned in certain Caribbean ports of call.

To avoid any surprises during your vacation, it’s important to check the guidelines of your cruise line and the rules of your ports of call before packing. These policies ensure passenger safety and compliance with local regulations.