The well-known cruise reviewers Dan Wailing and Jay Cannon are no longer banned from sailing with Carnival Cruise Line, after the company stated that its earlier letter “only” covered three UK-managed brands – Cunard, P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises.
A team leader at P&O Cruises’ guest-relations department sent the clarification nearly two weeks after the pair had gone public with what they believed was a blanket ban from all eight brands in the Carnival Corporation group.
“The letter you received only refers to Cunard, P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises, no other Carnival brands,”
The late correction has left the Sail Away Magazine founders angry and out of pocket. They’ve written an article about the latest confirmation on their ban and the impact it’s had on them.
Because they thought the ban applied worldwide, they cancelled a September holiday on Princess Cruises and pulled out of a mid-June charter on Holland America Line’s Rotterdam, losing deposits and filming costs.
Dan and Jay are now asking Carnival UK for a public explanation of how the mix-up happened and why the ban was imposed.
“It’s now clear that our ban does not include Carnival Cruise Line, but only Cunard, P&O Cruises, and Princess Cruises. Some believed Carnival Cruise Line was behind it, but this came directly from P&O Cruises, who decided to extend the ban across the two other lines, claiming they can’t offer us “the holiday [we] are looking for.” We will continue to push for clarity on the reasons behind this ban across these three cruise lines.”
Dan & Jay
What happened first
- 9 June 2025: Carnival UK wrote to Wailing and Cannon saying they had “clearly demonstrated that we cannot offer the holiday you are looking for”, and therefore could not travel with “any of the Carnival group brands” for five years. The letter added that “no further correspondence will be entered into on this matter.”
- 10-14 June: The two influencers released a podcast and YouTube video describing the ban. Other cruise fans, YouTubers and travel writers shared the story, calling it an extreme response to negative reviews.
- Last week: PR staff at Holland America, based in Seattle, told the couple they were not on its no-sail list. That led Wailing and Cannon to contact the other brands directly, sparking the fresh statement from P&O Cruises.
Why were they banned at all?
Dan and Jay – whose print magazine, podcast and YouTube channel reach more than 40,000 cruise fans – are known for frank and honest reviews.
Recent stories criticised:
- Cuts to room-service perks on Cunard ships
- A last-minute cruise cancellation by P&O Cruises on Aurora
- Results of a reader poll suggesting cruise standards had fallen under Carnival UK president Paul Ludlow
After calling their first Carnival Cruise Line voyage on Carnival Miracle “the worst cruise we’ve done”, they received the June letter.
They believe P&O Cruises pushed for the ban, though they have not sailed with that line since November 2023. The clarification that the ban does not cover Carnival Cruise Line suggests that they may be right.
Carnival UK has not explained the specific reason, and has yet to comment on Monday’s clarification.
Carnival ownership isn’t obvious
It doesn’t help that the structure of the Carnival Corporation isn’t the clearest.
Carnival Corporation is the main company that encapsulates all Carnival brands. And originally, Dan and Jay thought the ban came from them and covered all of those brands.
It’s now clear that the ban has instead been issued by Carnival UK – a smaller entity which covers the UK brands, specifically Cunard and P&O Cruises.
But what about Princess Cruises?
It definitely has different management branches in the UK and US but is broadly the same company.
However Princess UK is not listed as being part of Carnival UK, so Dan and Jay’s ban covering Princess Cruises as well as Cunard and P&O Cruises is even more confusing.
What’s next?
Dan and Jay say they will keep asking for answers while continuing to post cruise news and reviews.
For now, the pair remain barred from Cunard, P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises until at least 2030 – but they are, once again, free to book with Carnival Cruise Line and the group’s other brands, including Holland America, Seabourn, AIDA and Costa.
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
See the latest Carnival cruise offers…
Related Posts
- Cruise Critics BANNED from 93 Ships After Negative Reviews
- This Carnival Cruise Passenger Is BANNED For Life For Her Prohibited Item
- Banned For LIFE! Real Stories Of Cruise Guests Who Are No Longer Welcome
Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Cruise Ships Returning To Island Nation After Earthquake Devastation
Cruise tourism is officially returning to Vanuatu, just eight months after a powerful earthquake devastated parts of the island nation. Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Adventure will be the first vessel…
Carnival President Defends New Rewards Program After Backlash
As controversy over Carnival Cruise Line’s overhaul of its Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) loyalty program continues to stir strong reactions, company president Christine Duffy is stepping in to address…
Seabourn Revamps Loyalty Program With Important Caveat
Carnival Cruise Line frustrated many loyal guests earlier this summer by announcing the new Carnival Rewards program, set to replace the existing VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) loyalty program. Now…
Fake Cruise News Warning After Princess Fire Story Spreads
In an age where AI can write headlines faster than a journalist can fact-check them, the public is increasingly at risk of being misled by fake or sensationalised news stories…
