Latest news with #MattLupoli
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Did Carnival Cruises Really Make Major Rule Changes? Here's What We Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Carnival Cruise Line is facing criticism after supposedly updating onboard rules that some argue unfairly impact Black travelers. However, the cruise line says the claims are unfounded as the rule changes in question have been in place since February 2023, and items like clack fans that some users say are banned are just not allowed on indoor dance floors anymore. Clack fans are still allowed on the ships' Lido decks, where there is more space for larger groups. Stock image of a Carnival Cruise Line ship. Stock image of a Carnival Cruise Line ship. Photo by Alexander Shapovalov / Getty Images "Unfortunately, various media outlets have misconstrued the matter and blown it out of proportion," Carnival spokesman Matt Lupoli told Newsweek in a statement. "Carnival has always had a wide variety of entertainment options, and recent adjustments like expanding themed nights at the nightclub have already been popular with guests on board." What To Know Carnival's "Have Fun. Be Safe" guidelines include: Curfew for minors: Passengers under 18 must now leave public areas by 1:00 a.m. unless participating in supervised activities or accompanied by an adult. Guests are also banned from running and making noise in hallways. Passengers under 18 must now leave public areas by 1:00 a.m. unless participating in supervised activities or accompanied by an adult. Guests are also banned from running and making noise in hallways. Bluetooth speakers banned: The use of personal speakers in public areas is no longer permitted, with the cruise line writing, "For safety reasons, public announcements must be heard by all guests and crew." The use of personal speakers in public areas is no longer permitted, with the cruise line writing, "For safety reasons, public announcements must be heard by all guests and crew." Handheld fans restricted: Carnival noted that the non-battery kind of fans used in social dances pose a safety hazard. Carnival noted that the non-battery kind of fans used in social dances pose a safety hazard. Narcotics: The cruise line says no cannabis product is allowed on board, and purchasing and using illegal substances ashore could get passengers arrested. According to Carnival, any guest who violates these policies "will be fined, disembarked at their own expense, and banned from sailing on Carnival in the future". What People Are Saying User @haileystel said she "will never sail with Carnival Cruises again". "It's to a point I feel uncomfortable on the ship because I feel like I'm not welcome," she said. "I feel like as a brown person, everybody will be looking at me, either waiting for me to slip up, looking for a reason, or just judging me the entire time. I would not feel comfortable on that ship." User @I_am_Austin_512, however, was sympathetic to the cruise line. "Y'all wanna call them people racist for having to put some real restrictions and rules in place to get some order on this damn cruise?" she said. She continued, "I get it, Carnival Cruise. Do what you've got to do to protect your business, honey. I know you're not racist. I know, I get it." Newsweek reached out to multiple users requesting further comment. What's Next Enforcement of these rules has been active across the Carnival fleet for two years, and the cruise line maintains that these efforts aim to preserve a safe and enjoyable environment for all passengers. "Enhancing the guest experience is an ongoing effort, and for the past three years, we have communicated our expectations about guest behavior," Lupoli said. "Our ships are shared spaces, and we create a friendly environment for all who sail with us."
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Don't board a Carnival Cruise without knowing these top game-changing rule updates
If you're planning a Carnival cruise, don't be misled by rumors. Carnival Cruise Line has updated a few key rules and policies, including those governing theme-nightclub music, fan use, and public behaviour. While online rumors have caused controversy, Carnival clarifies that many of these policies are not new but are simply more visible now. The Cruise Line points out that many other policies have been in place for a number of years and claims that they are motivated by race are completely untrue, as quoted in a report by Cruise Critic. According to Matt Lupoli, senior vice president of public relations, "unfortunately, a number of media outlets have misinterpreted the matter and blown it out of proportion." "Carnival has always had a wide variety of entertainment options, and recent adjustments like expanding themed nights at the nightclub have already been popular with guests on board. 'Enhancing the guest experience is an ongoing effort, and for the past three years we have communicated our expectations about guest behaviour. Our ships are shared spaces, and we create a friendly environment for all who sail with us,' as quoted in a report by Cruise Critic. Live Events While some popular songs and party staples have changed, the cruise line says it's all part of improving the guest experience, not reducing the fun. Are clack fans really banned onboard? Clack fans have been used as a form of expression for decades and are a common sight at Pride events and within the LGBTQ+ community. They are also used in clubs to create a visual effect and an auditory flourish to break up the beat of the song. Since 803Fresh's song "Boots on the Ground" became a line dance, the use of clack fans in the Black community has skyrocketed in popularity. The fact that Carnival has banned clack fans since 2023, a full year before "Boots on the Ground" was released in 2024, is likely surprising to many. "Handheld clack (or clap) fans are not permitted in the nightclub or any indoor dance floor," the statement reads in its terms and conditions. Large line dances are more enjoyable on the Lido deck, so you can still dance to "Boots on the Ground" with your fan. Which rules are new and which aren't? Critics point out that not all the other restrictions are new. Perhaps the regulations are being applied more strictly on some ships. By the end of 2024, Carnival had banned Bluetooth and personal speakers. The line states in its terms and conditions that this is done to ensure that public safety announcements are heard by all passengers. Teens under the age of 17 who are not with a parent or legal guardian are subject to a 1 a.m. curfew in Carnival's public areas and since 2022, the curfew has been in effect. In a time when almost half of the states have legalized cannabis, many people are unaware that cruise ships are prohibited from serving marijuana, THC products, and even CBD. This is due to the fact that these substances are still classified as controlled substances under federal law, which applies to cruise ships. Before boarding, a number of cruise lines, such as Carnival and Disney, have drug-sniffing dogs at embarkation ports, as per a report by Cruise Critic. ALSO READ: Prices set to explode: Trump's tariffs could make your tomatoes cost more than steak — starting today What's actually happening with the music? Speaking of line dances, the internet gossip site also claimed that Carnival had banned V.I.C.'s wildly popular song "The Wobble." "The Wobble" is typically played a lot on cruise ships, and for many people, the earworm begins during the Sail Away party. This is evident to anyone who has been on a mainstream cruise ship since the song's 2008 release. However, every playlist undergoes modifications. "The Wobble" is no longer on Carnival's most recent version of their Sail Away playlist. However, the line stated that the song is not prohibited. It is performed upon request, at other events, and at the White Party. Are the Nightclub theme nights expanded? Many people have been asking about the nightclubs on Carnival Cruise Line on social media, where there are a lot of rumors. Carnival has allegedly reduced the quantity of hip-hop and rap music played in nightclubs, according to another TikTok rumor. According to the line, the nightclub's genre themes have actually been extended from the first hour to the entire evening. The following themes have been depicted on a typical weeklong voyage: Latin Night; R&B and Soul; Dance, House, and Pop; 70s and 80s; 90s and 2000s; and Caribbean and Afrobeats. Given that it can be challenging to switch genres during a theme party, Carnival brand ambassador John Heald informed guests that theme nights were on the horizon and suggested that they politely ask the DJ to do so. Heald himself statted that there have been many rumors, and we still play all kinds of music. FAQs Is "The Wobble" banned on Carnival cruises? No, it is still played at themed parties and on request, but not during Sail Away anymore. Is it allowed to bring a Bluetooth speaker or clack fan onboard? Bluetooth speakers are prohibited throughout the fleet, and clack fans are not permitted inside or in nightclubs.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Carnival Cruise's new rules spark backlash: Black travelers ask if they're being targeted—company says no
The Carnival Cruise line addresses backlash amid new rules enforcement that some critics complain are targeting Black customers. Is Carnival Cruise, once synonymous with the word 'party,' toning it down? Recent cruisers seem to think so. The cruise liner is addressing the backlash it's receiving after announcing a new set of rules and regulations that many have accused of being anti-fun at best and anti-Black at worst. Among the notorious cruise line's new 'Have fun. Be Safe.' guidelines are bans on specifically non-electric handheld fans on dance floors, along with drinks, children under 18 in public areas after 1 a.m. unless accompanied by an adult or at a designated teen event, Bluetooth speakers, loud music, cannabis, smoking, and more. Meanwhile, recent cruisers with the cruise line have begun to complain on social media about what they claim is an unofficial ban on rap and hip-hop music. While it's true that a wide swath of the rules have always been firmly in place, the reaffirming of them at a time when more and more Black line dances requiring the 'clack, clack, clack' of a handheld fan take over dancefloors is interesting timing to say the least. In a statement to the Daily Dot, a Carnival spokesperson denied that the brand has any explicit bans on genres of music. 'Our DJs play a wide variety of music, including hip-hop,' they said. While speaking to Parade, Matt Lupoli, Senior Manager of Public Relations at Carnival Cruise Line, said, 'Unfortunately, certain media outlets have blown this matter out of proportion.' Carnival Cruise Line has developed a reputation not just as a party ship or budget-friendly cruise line but as a cruise line where unsavory shenanigans, including theft and fights, can sometimes go down. Black patrons aren't standing idle as the new rule enforcement gets underway. Many online have been calling out the brand and even going as far as canceling their upcoming trips with the cruise line. 'When people book Carnival, they know what they're booking,' said TikTok user @Kiarajaxn, who said she recently canceled a cruise she and her friends had planned a 30th birthday celebration. 'They know they are booking a 'turn up' cruise. Period. Everybody on there is looking to have a good time, party, and have fun.' More must-reads: DNC's Malcolm Kenyatta kicked off NewsNation by host who pushed him on Mamdani question Ms. Lauryn Hill and Essence set the record straight about her performance at Essence Fest 2025 Angel Reese debuts signature Reebok shoe on the cover of NBA 2K26 WNBA Edition
Business Insider
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
No, Carnival Cruises is not banning rap music
The cruise line has responded to claims circulating online that DJs aren't including hip-hop music in their sets or honoring song requests, with some social media users saying the alleged move is racially motivated. Matt Lupoli, the senior manager for public relations, denied the allegations. "Unfortunately, certain media outlets have blown this matter out of proportion," Lupoli told BI in a statement. "We have always had a wide variety of entertainment options and for the last several years we have communicated our expectations about guest behavior." It's not just the music claims — two notices about Carnival have also been making the rounds and fueling misinformation. A snapshot of safety guidelines from Carnival was posted on social media in June and includes a curfew for minors, a ban on handheld drinks and fans on dance floors, and a prohibition on radios. Some online criticized the supposedly new rules — but Lupolisaid that though the snapshot is authentic, those rules rules have been in place for more than two years. A video from Carnival posted in February 2023 outlines some of the rules. Lupolitold BI that the only recent addition is a prohibition on "clack fans," which are handheld fans that make a loud sound. To make matters more complicated, another graphic circulating on TikTok is entirely fake, Lupoli told BI. It reads "Effective June 2025" across the top and lists some of the same rules. Versions of the fake graphic include typos— minors must follow curfew unless they're with an "ault" and "solo cruslers must be 21+ or sall with someone 25+" — but nonetheless got significant pickup online. Some TikTok users also said that Carnival implemented a 15-drink daily limit on its Cheers! drink package, and ramped up enforcement. Lupoli told BI that the limit has existed for years. A Pew survey last year found that American adults are less concerned about disinformation on TikTok compared to other social media platforms. Of those surveyed, 71% reported seeing inaccurate news on TikTok "sometimes" or "extremely or fairly often," compared to 76% on Instagram, 84% on Facebook, and 86% on X. In April, TikTok announced that it's piloting a new feature called "footnotes," which are similar to the community notes on other social media platforms. The feature lets users add context to videos and is first being trialed in the US. Unlike Meta and X, TikTok is not getting rid of professional fact-checkers. Earlier this year, TikTok made changes to its US Content Advisory Council, adding three new members with libertarian or conservative backgrounds. One of them co-authored a blog post for the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, that argued, "The First Amendment does protect misinformation and hate speech."
Business Insider
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
No, Carnival Cruises is not banning rap music
You can still dance to rap on Carnival Cruise Lines, but your social media feed might indicate otherwise. The cruise line has responded to claims circulating online that DJs aren't including hip-hop music in their sets or honoring song requests, with some social media users saying the alleged move is racially motivated. Matt Lupoli, the senior manager for public relations, denied the allegations. "Unfortunately, certain media outlets have blown this matter out of proportion," Lupoli told BI in a statement. "We have always had a wide variety of entertainment options and for the last several years we have communicated our expectations about guest behavior." It's not just the music claims — two notices about Carnival have also been making the rounds and fueling misinformation. A snapshot of safety guidelines from Carnival was posted on social media in June and includes a curfew for minors, a ban on handheld drinks and fans on dance floors, and a prohibition on radios. Some online criticized the supposedly new rules — but Lupoli said that though the snapshot is authentic, those rules rules have been in place for more than two years. A video from Carnival posted in February 2023 outlines some of the rules. Lupoli told BI that the only recent addition is a prohibition on "clack fans," which are handheld fans that make a loud sound. To make matters more complicated, another graphic circulating on TikTok is entirely fake, Lupoli told BI. It reads "Effective June 2025" across the top and lists some of the same rules. Versions of the fake graphic include typos— minors must follow curfew unless they're with an "ault" and "solo cruslers must be 21+ or sall with someone 25+" — but nonetheless got significant pickup online. Some TikTok users also said that Carnival implemented a 15-drink daily limit on its "Cheers!" drink package, and ramped up enforcement. Lupoli told BI that the limit has existed for years. A Pew survey last year found that American adults are less concerned about disinformation on TikTok compared to other social media platforms. Of those surveyed, 71% reported seeing inaccurate news on TikTok "sometimes" or "extremely or fairly often," compared to 76% on Instagram, 84% on Facebook, and 86% on X. In April, TikTok announced that it's piloting a new feature called "footnotes," which are similar to the community notes on other social media platforms. The feature lets users add context to videos and is first being trialed in the US. Unlike Meta and X, TikTok is not getting rid of professional fact-checkers. Earlier this year, TikTok made changes to its US Content Advisory Council, adding three new members with libertarian or conservative backgrounds. One of them co-authored a blog post for the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, that argued, "The First Amendment does protect misinformation and hate speech." TikTok is still trying to find a US owner to comply with a divest-or-ban law. Multiple bidders have emerged, and the app might end up selling to a group of US investors.
