5 Carnival Cruise Rules Passengers Break Within The First 10 Minutes

Boarding a cruise ship is an exciting time, whether you're about to embark on your first cruise or you're an old hack at it. In those first minutes aboard the boat, there is so much to take in that it can be hard to stop and think about all the rules that cruise ship passengers are expected to follow. Oftentimes, the problem isn't that people don't care about the rules; it's that many passengers don't have any idea what they are. 

For cruise lines like Carnival, there are actually quite a few, and many of them aren't even new; they are just being enforced more strictly than they were in the past. Some, like the nighttime curfew for minors, don't necessarily come up until you are well on your way, but some happen within the first ten minutes, if not sooner, of passengers going aboard. Some of Carnival's rules may seem a bit silly, but even if you don't think it's a big deal, they are in place for a reason, and Carnival and its crew can still enforce them. Some, like not smoking in your cabin (or anywhere else that isn't a designated smoking area), are no-brainers and are in place to prevent disasters at sea. 

But whether you think the rules are ridiculous, totally agree with them, or don't even know about them, breaking them can have a variety of consequences, depending on how severe the misstep is. You might just get a stern warning, be kicked off the ship, or even be arrested. Some cruise ship rulebreakers actually get banned from the cruise line for life. You're better off knowing what not to do than having to have your entire vacation ruined by a bad decision. 

There's a good chance your room may not be ready yet when you first board the ship. That means you've got time to wander and check things out before you can actually get into your room, which is all fine and good unless you want to drop your carry-on off in your cabin. Carnival allows guests who have high loyalty program status and guests who have paid extra for extra privileges to drop off their carry-on as soon as they board. Other passengers have to keep their carry-ons with them until they are allowed into their cabins. For those who get early access to drop off a bag, Carnival expects those passengers to then vacate the cabin while the crew finishes cleaning and preparing it for the journey. 

Cruise passengers are only human, and humans tend to have a "rules are made to be broken" approach, which means that some passengers try to stay in their room after they drop off their carry-ons. While some rules may be a bit lax, this one is getting a lot of reinforcement from the corporate level all the way down. The crew wants to do their jobs, and those passengers who want to hang out in their rooms right away prevent that from happening. Instead, just drop your bag and head to the pool so you can start relaxing right away. 

Some rules get broken before passengers even get on the ship. There are a lot of prohibited items on cruise ships, but that doesn't stop people from trying to sneak things on board. We aren't talking about the little rubber ducks that get hidden around cruise ships. This polarizing tradition is one that some major cruise lines are putting a halt to, but Carnival still supports it. 

What we are talking about is booze and drugs. This one is a steadfast rule across the industry, not just with Carnival. Drugs aren't allowed no matter what the local laws are at your home port, and the cruise line doesn't want you bringing your own alcohol on board for a number of reasons ranging from safety to ensuring the ship is making as much money as possible off alcohol sales. Carnival does allow you to bring one unopened bottle of wine or champagne, but only if you're over 21 and the bottle is no bigger than 750 milliliters. If you are hoping to save a few bucks by sneaking in your own vodka, just look for the best drink passage. It's not worth the fine, getting kicked off the boat, or worse. 

Another rule that tends to get broken immediately (actually, before you even board) is not being honest on any health questionnaires you might be asked to fill out. It's pretty understandable that most people don't want to share information about chronic conditions, but contagious illnesses are a different story. 

After you've spent hard-earned money on a cruise and taken time off for a vacation, the last thing you want to do is miss the trip because you are sick. It's awfully tempting to just keep it to yourself and power through. After all, cruise ships have doctors on them, right?  But the risk to other passengers can be great, depending on what illness you may be carrying, especially for elderly or very young passengers. You don't want to be the reason an entire ship has to be quarantined because of an outbreak of Norovirus.

When you board a cruise ship, it takes a while before the boat actually leaves port. That gives passengers plenty of time to roam the ship and enjoy the views from the decks and their rooms (and it gives the crew plenty of time to size you up). If you're tempted to hop on one of the railings (even the one in your room) and relax in the fresh air, you will more than likely get a stern talking-to from a crew member. It seems harmless enough, especially if the boat is still docked, but it's a no-no. The crew, and especially the captain, are there to ensure your safety as much as they are to make sure you enjoy your vacation. They don't want to have to fish you out of the water. 

If you think you can get away with sitting on the railing because no one is watching, think again. Cruise ships have cameras everywhere. In fact, there is even a website that lets you watch live feeds. These cameras are there for your safety and for the safety of everyone else on the ship. They aren't in private places like restrooms or passenger rooms, but they are all over the ship, so if you're blatantly breaking a rule, chances are that someone is watching. 

One of the first things you have to do when you board a cruise ship is go to your muster station. This is your assembly point if an alarm sounds during the cruise. Every passenger is assigned one and instructed to either visit it once they are aboard the ship or attend a muster drill when told to do so, but it's easy to get caught up in all the excitement and completely skip this step. However, it is a requirement for a reason — safety on board a cruise ship is a big deal, and you need to have an idea of what to do and where to go in an emergency.

There are plenty of rules you have to follow, but there are also plenty of other things that may not necessarily be steadfast rules. Instead, they are common courtesies that make cruising a better experience for everyone. Using your cell phone as a speakerphone in public, for example, is an unpleasant habit that is upsetting more and more cruise passengers these days. If you need to take a call, either use your headphones or head to your room so you won't intrude on other people's peace of mind. 

It's really easy to let loose and have fun well into the night on a cruise ship, but some people tend to take the fun too far and forget that not everyone is having the same party, especially at night. Keeping the noise level to a minimum when you're going to and from your room so that people who want to sleep can do so peacefully is important. The last thing you want to do is upset your neighbors in such close quarters.