Carnival has one of the most loyal fan bases in cruising. Plenty of guests sail with the line year after year, sometimes clocking up dozens of cruises on the same brand.
That loyalty also means Carnival cruisers aren’t shy about voicing their frustrations when something changes or doesn’t live up to expectations. Spend a few minutes in any Carnival Facebook group and you’ll quickly spot the same complaints appearing again and again.
Some are long-running criticisms that have followed the cruise line for years. Others are newer issues that have sparked heated debate among regular guests. Either way, these are the complaints that come up most often when Carnival cruisers start discussing what they’d like to see improved.
1. Carnival Rewards Replacing VIFP Club
Few recent Carnival announcements have generated as much discussion as the decision to replace the long-running VIFP Club loyalty programme with Carnival Rewards.
For years, VIFP status was simple. The more days you spent cruising with Carnival, the higher your status climbed. The new programme introduces a points-based system that also rewards onboard spending.
Many loyal Carnival guests have argued that the change shifts the focus away from cruise loyalty and towards how much money passengers spend. Some worry it’ll become harder to achieve top-tier status, while others feel years of loyalty are being devalued.
Not everyone is unhappy with the change, but it’s easily the biggest topic of conversation among Carnival’s most dedicated customers right now.
Read more: Carnival Rewards Explained – Your Full Guide To Carnival’s New Loyalty Program
2. The Party Atmosphere On Some Sailings
Carnival has spent decades building a reputation as the “fun ship” cruise line.
For many guests, that’s exactly why they book. They want lively pool parties, late-night entertainment and a social atmosphere.
The downside is that some guests arrive expecting a more relaxed experience and find certain sailings noisier than anticipated. Short three- and four-night cruises attract the most criticism, with complaints often focusing on excessive drinking, loud behaviour in public areas and noise in the corridors late at night.
It’s worth noting that this reputation isn’t consistent across every Carnival cruise. Longer itineraries tend to attract a different crowd, but the party atmosphere remains one of the line’s most frequently discussed topics.
3. Kids Running Wild Around The Ship
Carnival is one of the most family-friendly cruise lines at sea, offering attractive fares and popular youth programmes.
That popularity with families brings a complaint that appears regularly in reviews and social media groups.
Rather than objecting to children being onboard, many guests complain about groups of unsupervised kids running through hallways, playing games in elevators, gathering in stairwells or knocking on cabin doors.
The issue tends to be more noticeable during school holidays and on shorter cruises when the ships are packed with families.
Most cruisers understand that children are part of the holiday atmosphere, but many feel the problem comes down to a minority of parents not keeping a closer eye on them.
Suggested read: The Children’s Cruise Curfews You Need To Know About
4. Packed Pool Decks On Sea Days
When Carnival ships are at sea, the pool deck quickly becomes one of the busiest places onboard.
Sea days often bring complaints about crowded pools, packed hot tubs and limited space around the main deck areas. On the line’s newer and larger ships, thousands of guests can all be looking for somewhere to relax in the sun at the same time.
Many passengers say the issue is most noticeable during Caribbean sailings, where warm weather encourages everyone outside.
The irony is that the crowding often reflects Carnival’s popularity. The ships are sailing full because plenty of people want to be there.
5. Chair Hogs Taking Over The Best Loungers
Every cruise line deals with complaints about chair hogs, but the issue seems particularly common among Carnival guests.
The typical complaint involves passengers placing towels, books or personal belongings on loungers early in the morning before disappearing for hours.
Guests then struggle to find a free sunbed despite large numbers appearing occupied.
Carnival does have policies designed to discourage the practice, but enforcement can vary depending on the ship and sailing.
For many cruisers, there’s nothing more frustrating than circling the pool deck searching for a lounger while dozens sit empty but unofficially reserved.
Suggested read: 11 Ways I Beat Chair Hogs On Cruises
6. Long Buffet Lines On Embarkation Day
Experienced Carnival cruisers often share one piece of advice with first-timers: avoid the buffet immediately after boarding.
The Lido Marketplace becomes incredibly busy during embarkation because thousands of guests arrive hungry and head to the same place at the same time.
Complaints usually focus on long queues, difficulty finding a table and a generally hectic atmosphere.
The issue typically settles down once the cruise gets underway, but embarkation day remains one of the busiest periods for Carnival’s buffet restaurants.
Veteran guests often head straight for alternative dining venues instead.
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7. Comedy Clubs Filling Up Too Quickly
Carnival’s comedy clubs are among the most popular entertainment venues at sea.
Unfortunately, that popularity creates one of the cruise line’s most common complaints.
Many guests report arriving well before showtime only to discover the venue is already full. Others find themselves standing in long queues without making it inside.
The problem isn’t usually the quality of the shows. In fact, the opposite is true. The comedy acts are generally regarded as some of the strongest entertainment available onboard.
A small number of cruisers also complain about the content of the adults-only performances, which can include strong language and more mature humour. However, that’s far from a widespread criticism. Most Carnival guests point out that these shows are clearly labelled for adults and argue that anyone worried about being offended can simply choose one of the family-friendly performances instead.
8. Elevator Wait Times On The Biggest Ships
As Carnival’s ships have grown larger, elevator complaints have become more common.
Passengers on Mardi Gras, Celebration and Jubilee frequently mention long waits during peak periods, particularly around meal times and after major shows.
The issue is often made worse by guests travelling only one or two decks rather than using the stairs.
While elevator congestion isn’t unique to Carnival, the line’s largest ships generate more discussion about it than many older vessels in the fleet.
Guests staying in cabins located high above the main public decks tend to notice the problem most.
9. Smoking In And Around The Casino
Casino smoking remains one of the most divisive topics among Carnival cruisers.
Carnival still allows smoking in designated casino areas, something many loyal guests appreciate. Others, however, regularly complain that smoke drifts beyond the casino itself and into nearby public spaces.
The criticism appears particularly often from non-smokers who feel they have to pass through casino areas to reach other parts of the ship.
It’s a debate that resurfaces on almost every sailing and one Carnival has never fully resolved to everyone’s satisfaction.
Read more: Cruise Ship Smoking Rules
10. Feeling Nickel-And-Dimed Compared To The Past
Long-time Carnival cruisers often argue that more extras now come with an additional charge than they did years ago.
Complaints commonly focus on specialty restaurants, premium attractions, upgraded internet packages and various optional add-ons available throughout the ship.
Whether Carnival has changed dramatically or whether cruising as a whole has evolved is open to debate, but the perception persists among repeat guests.
New cruisers often don’t notice the issue because they have no previous experience to compare against. It’s mostly a complaint from passengers who remember sailing with Carnival years ago.
Read more: 7 Big Changes Coming to Carnival Cruise Line in 2027
11. Short Port Calls In The Caribbean
Another recurring criticism involves the amount of time spent in port.
Some Carnival itineraries feature shorter visits than guests would ideally like, particularly on Caribbean routes.
Passengers occasionally complain about arriving later in the morning, departing early in the afternoon or having only a limited window to explore ashore.
For travellers hoping to enjoy beaches, excursions and local attractions at a relaxed pace, shorter calls can feel restrictive.
Others are happy to trade longer port visits for lower cruise fares, which is often part of the equation.
12. Debarkation Day Chaos
Ask frequent Carnival cruisers about their least favourite part of the holiday and many will give the same answer: going home.
Debarkation mornings often attract complaints about long lines, crowded elevators, busy luggage collection areas and bottlenecks while passengers leave the ship.
The experience can feel especially frustrating after a week of relaxed cruising.
To be fair, debarkation is rarely anyone’s favourite part of a cruise regardless of the line. But because Carnival carries so many passengers and often sails at very high occupancy levels, the final morning can sometimes feel particularly hectic.
It’s a short-lived annoyance, but it’s one that appears in countless reviews after the cruise is over.
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Final Word
Reading through this list, it’s worth remembering that most of these complaints come from people who have chosen to cruise with Carnival in the first place – and often from guests who keep coming back.
Some criticisms, such as the backlash against Carnival Rewards, are specific to the cruise line and have generated genuine concern among loyal customers. Others are really side effects of what makes Carnival popular. Affordable fares, lively entertainment and a family-friendly atmosphere inevitably bring larger crowds, busy pool decks and the occasional noisy corridor.
That’s why it’s important to keep these complaints in perspective. The same features that frustrate some guests are often the exact reasons others book Carnival over a competitor. A packed comedy club usually means the entertainment is excellent. A busy pool deck is often a sign that people are enjoying themselves.
No cruise line is perfect, and Carnival certainly isn’t immune from criticism. But understanding the most common complaints before you sail can help set realistic expectations – and make it much easier to decide whether Carnival is the right fit for your holiday style.
