10 Common Customer Complaints About Carnival Cruise Line

From its private island resort with a freshwater lagoon to some of the best-rated cruises in the Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line actually has a lot to offer, especially for budget-conscious cruisers. The cruise line is significantly less expensive up front than competitors like Royal Caribbean, which appeals to millions of vacationers annually. Still, no cruise line is perfect, and Carnival receives certain recurring complaints from guests. Most of these aren't dealbreakers, though. In fact, many issues can be minimized if you know what to expect before you embark.

That's where this guide comes in. Below, we'll look at 10 common customer complaints about Carnival Cruise Line, as well as provide solutions that can help you prepare before your trip or better handle situations onboard. Even if everything is not smooth sailing on your next Carnival trip, our goal is to make sure you're equipped to deal with whatever may come your way. That way, you can still make great memories with your loved ones.

To put together this guide, we used Carnival's official website, as well as first-hand accounts from Facebook, Reddit, Cruise Fever, and Cruise Critic. We also turned to blogs like Travel Host and some news sites, including The Express, for additional details about specific situations.

For some Carnival Cruise Line guests, the most frustrating part of their trip is getting on and off the ship. While embarkation and debarkation days often go smoothly, delays can happen, and if they do, they can throw a wrench into your travel plans. As one cruiser on Cruise Critic's forums shared, they received a notice that their ship, which was arriving from Belize, would be late due to additional screening processes for current passengers. Customs processing is just one of many issues, including mechanical issues and weather, that can lead to delays.

Another person on Reddit shared a tale in which a weather delay meant they "didn't get on the ship till 11:00 pm ... Stood in line for 5 hours to get on the ship and finally got to our room at 1:00am." That particular guest also lost a port day and received just a $50 restitution credit. Technology glitches can also lead to embarkation and debarkation delays. In one instance shared by Cruise Fever, three ships in Carnival's fleet were impacted by a "systems error" that saw guests waiting two extra hours to board.

Fortunately, there are some things you can do to make the situation less stressful if your cruise is delayed on either end of your trip. For embarkation delays, sign up for Carnival's text and email alerts. In most cases, this will give you enough advance notice that you can do something fun in your departure city rather than milling around the port for hours until your new boarding time. To prevent debarkation stress, make sure you build in buffer time before your flight home. This way, if you get stuck on the ship, you won't also miss your plane.

If you've spent any time researching social media or reading Carnival Cruise Line reviews, you've probably already heard about the brand's famously (or, perhaps, infamously) crowded pool decks. As one Cruise Critic guest noted, their deck "was crowded elbow to elbow because they just had so much open space taken up" with attractions like mini golf and other seemingly random items. This frustration is echoed on other review platforms, with someone on Reddit sharing, "I just experienced my first cruise with carnival and I'm so so far from impressed," largely due to extreme crowding in pool and hot tub areas to the point they couldn't even use the facilities.

One issue that has become fairly major cruise industry news is the battle for deck chairs on Carnival, as well as on other cruise lines like Norwegian. Guests claim others "hog" deck chairs, reserving them with a towel or other personal items, for hours on end, leaving no space available for lounging. The problem was so widespread that it prompted Carnival to update its official policies regarding deck chair usage. Official policy dictates that crew members can remove belongings from unoccupied loungers after 40 minutes. Although some cruisers on Facebook say the policy is not enforced across the entire fleet, the majority of guests seem to agree with the rule.

If spending the day by the pool is a priority for you, your best bet is to head to the deck early in the morning and never leave your chair unattended for more than the allotted 40-minute time period. Another option for those traveling without children is to enjoy the adults-only Serenity area, which offers a more peaceful atmosphere than the traditional pool deck.

For first-time cruisers, in particular, there are plenty of things on cruise ships that are unexpectedly expensive. From WiFi packages to shore excursions to spa treatments to photo packages to specialty dining, "nickel-and-dime" costs can quickly add up onboard. Although cruise fares generally include accommodations, certain entertainment, and many dining venues, Carnival and other cruise lines offer lots of add-ons, as well.

A fair number of complaints about Carnival Cruise Line come from people who were not prepared for unanticipated extra costs during their vacations. In one situation shared by The Express, a Carnival guest was left appalled after being charged to have their blood pressure checked. After reaching out to the brand's ambassador John Heald online, they were informed that "there is a charge for every medical service onboard the ship." Another person on Cruise Critic's forums was appalled when they were asked to pay $20 for a letter confirming the cancellation of a cruise they could no longer take.

In general, Carnival Cruise Line enthusiasts around the web do understand that the less expensive a cruise line's base fares are, the more add-on fees there are likely to be. However, this doesn't make it less frustrating for some travelers who don't expect to pay for things like soda and espresso-based coffee. As one person on Reddit pointed out, though, "From the moment you step onto the ship until you step off of it, you don't have to spend another cent." If, however, you are interested in extras like internet access or upscale dining, planning your budget accordingly ahead of time can help you avoid sticker shock when you leave the ship.

While it's not entirely uncommon to deal with noisy cruise cabin neighbors, and every cruise ship has certain staterooms that are louder than others, Carnival passengers complain about noise levels particularly frequently. One person on Cruise Critic shared a situation in which "the cabin I was given was directly under the galley. For the whole cruise, I could hear the noise above." The location of your stateroom is extremely important when it comes to noise reduction on cruise ships. Cabins situated beneath the Lido Deck, kitchen, or nightclubs tend to be particularly noisy.

Carnival Cruise Line guests also often comment that stateroom walls are fairly thin. On the Cruise Critic forums, one cruiser detailed an experience with neighbors who were "making noise smoking and partying until at least 3 am." Upon calling security on night two of their cruise, the neighbors remained quiet until the security guards went away, then resumed their revelry. On Facebook, people also advised avoiding adjoining rooms unless it's with your actual party. One person wrote, "Could hear them talking, tv on most of the night."

Fortunately, it is fairly easy to avoid shipboard noise, at least, with careful planning. Intentionally choosing a stateroom that is located away from high-traffic, high-noise areas is an easy way to ensure you have a quieter vacation. Furthermore, you should think twice about booking a cabin on a lower deck near the anchor, as it can make a great deal of noise. Mid-deck, mid-ship rooms tend to be quietest overall. As for dealing with overly loud neighbors, you might have to have a conversation with them or alert a crew member.

While slow elevators are a recurring complaint across the cruise industry, not just on Carnival Cruise Line, this issue absolutely does impact Carnival passengers. Guests specifically notice slowdowns in the elevator banks during peak periods like mealtimes and embarkation day. Some cruisers are convinced that Carnival's elevators themselves are slow. One Facebook user clocked their wait time at nine minutes for an elevator carriage on the Carnival Panorama, while a Redditor called the Panorama's setup "the SLOWEST system I have ever experienced."

The constant demand, however, can also lead to bottlenecks. When elevators are full of families with strollers, people using mobility devices, and general bodies, it's not exactly rare for several carriages to pass before one has space for additional passengers. One passenger on the Carnival Firenze called the ship's elevator system "ridiculous" on Cruise Critic. They went on to say one shouldn't "even bother using them unless you wanna wait 5-10 mins just to go down 2 floors."

Fortunately, experienced Carnival cruisers have an easy solution for those who are physically able: take the stairs whenever possible. In most cases, getting some extra steps in will also save you time and help you arrive at your shipboard destination faster. If you must venture to the elevator banks on your ship regularly, try to catch them at off-peak times for the shortest possible wait time.

As a general rule, modern cruise ships do have Wi-Fi, and the overall quality of onboard internet has actually improved dramatically in recent years, yet Carnival passengers still say the cruise line's onboard Wi-Fi fails to meet expectations in some cases. Although the entire Carnival Cruise Line fleet was updated with Starlink satellite internet services that were supposed to noticeably improve speeds as of 2022, in October 2025, one Facebook user reported that they were "not able to go live on any platform without the 'trying to reconnect'" error appearing.

In a January 2026 Facebook thread, some Carnival cruisers noted that Starlink service worked decently for them, but the high price was a problem. Several people encouraged the original poster to look at their cell phone provider's internet access options to save money over choosing Carnival's plans. Currently, the least expensive onboard internet option, called "the Social Plan," runs over $20 per day per person. The priciest Carnival Cruise Line internet package is $90 daily for a maximum of four devices.

If reliable internet is important during your next cruise vacation, be aware that you might experience download and upload problems, particularly if you're trying to stream. It's wise to download any movies, music, or TV series you consider must-haves to your device ahead of time. You may also want to use Starbucks or another establishment with free public internet if you need to get work done in port.

Lack of cleanliness, unfortunately, is an issue that arises in Carnival Cruise Line reviews on a fairly frequent basis. One person on Cruise Critic experienced a laundry list of problems with their stateroom including dirty bathroom faucets, hair and dust bunnies in electrical sockets and the air conditioning unit, stained carpeting, and damaged closets. The traveler acknowledged that they "knew not to expect 5 star" on a Carnival ship, but they were appalled by the general condition of their cabin.

Another poster on Reddit had a traumatic incident in their stateroom bathroom on the Carnival Mardi Gras. They gave a rather graphic account about blood and urine stains all over the bathroom, stating, "honestly feel I have some ptsd lingering from being unable to shower immediately after. I had that strangers dried pee on my body for hours ..." While the intense nature of this particular story is a bit of an outlier, a Facebook user had a similar experience with blood stains throughout their room, including on the sheets. Meanwhile, a parent on Reddit reported finding a prescription medication bottle left in their cabin.

Bear in mind that cruise ship cleaning crews must turn over hundreds of rooms in a matter of hours in some cases, so oversights can occur. However, Carnival does seem to have more than its fair share of complaints regarding cleanliness concerns, including a nearly-failed CDC health inspection on the Carnival Breeze. If you're concerned about hygiene in general onboard, make sure to pack disinfecting wipes or hand sanitizer so that you can easily wipe down surfaces at will.

Carnival Cruise Line offers nearly 30 complimentary restaurants across its fleet, but getting a table can take longer than expected, according to past cruisers. Long waits at the buffet, for example, are quite common, particularly on embarkation day. In fact, one Reddit user dedicated an entire thread to this topic, asking if they would be making a "huge mistake" if they braved the crowds. Other commenters confirmed that it would indeed be busy, "but if you're hungry and not doing anything else, who cares?"

Another Redditor took a different approach, noting that crowds severely bother them, so they eat lunch off the ship at a restaurant, then board after the throngs have thinned. Once a cruise is underway, things can still get packed at restaurants that are included with one's fare. On Cruise Critic, someone noted that they "waited in an hour line for guys burgers 3 days and a 45 min line for the deli 1 day." A Facebook user echoed this sentiment, sharing that they had a hot dog for dinner after a three-hour wait and never being seated. That person was so miserable with the dining experience they said they would "rather be at work" than on the ship.

Fortunately, if you have an upcoming cruise, there are ways to cut down on wait times. Try to eat outside of the most popular mealtime windows, if you are able. Eating dinner at 4 p.m., for instance, is much different than trying to get a prime table at 7 p.m. And, if your budget allows, reserving tables at specialty restaurants can be a good way to avoid the masses of people that tend to descend on complimentary spots.

Carnival Cruise Line has long had a reputation for offering fun, energetic cruises, which is actually what makes the brand appealing to a certain demographic of cruise enthusiasts. Because the brand tends to offer a lower price point than competitors like Disney Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line, it often attracts a younger crowd that can't afford more luxurious liners in their current phase of life. Carnival knows their audience, offering onboard nightclubs, themed deck parties with names like the "White Hot Night Party," and some of the best comedy and live music on the high seas.

All this to say that Carnival can attract a rowdier crowd than some other cruise brands. This has lead to complaints from travelers who were hoping for a quieter vacation. One regular Carnival cruiser on Facebook shared their thoughts on a specific itinerary that went downhill: "Physical fights. Loud verbal arguments in common areas. Karaoke in Red Frog Pub in the afternoon in nothing but a thong bikini." Additionally, brawls involving multiple individuals broke out on both the Carnival Elation the Carnival Sunrise, making national news.

These types of situations became so intrusive to people's vacations, in fact, that Carnival added a "disruptive behavior" clause in its code of conduct. The brand now reserves the right to fine those who engage in poor public behavior. However, this doesn't mean that every Carnival cruise feels like a floating version of Woodstock. Typically, longer itineraries are less raucous. Three- and four-night cruises and Spring Break itineraries tend to cater to the rowdiest groups.

Carnival Cruise Line's customer service reviews vary widely. While guests typically have good experiences with their stateroom stewards and many members of the wait staff, onboard Guest Services teams and Carnival's main customer support department seem to get as many complaints as other crew members do compliments. The complaints range from passengers saying they waited in hours-long lines at the Guest Services desk to a bride who didn't even receive a response from customer service when her wedding photos, taken by a Carnival Cruise Line photographer, were "amateurish" and wholly disappointing.

One Reddit user shared a situation in which they paid for early boarding, were told to arrive at port at an incorrect time, and never received more than a "Sorry about your experience" from Carnival's customer relations department. Travelers also complain about receiving inconsistent answers about onboard issues or dealing with Carnival staffers who don't make an effort to find proper responses to their inquiries.

Another person on Reddit discovered that an incident report was not filed by the crew after a heavy glass shower door fell on his daughter, though she was thankfully not injured due to her parents' quick intervention. While other situations run the gamut in terms of seriousness, the bottom line is that Carnival Cruise Line's customer service is not consistent from one guest to another. However, it is important to remember that in all customer service interactions across industries, the outcome largely depends on the nature of the issue at hand and the specific person handling the problem.