Carnival Guests Are Split: “Boredom on Port Days” vs. “Too Much at Night!”

Carnival Cruise Line receives thousands of comments from passengers every year — but two recent pieces of feedback stood out because they were total opposites.

One cruiser said there wasn’t enough to do on board during port days. Another said activities ran too late at night.

Together, they highlight just how tricky it is for Carnival to keep every type of guest happy.

Bored on Port Days

A guest who sailed on Mardi Gras recently messaged Carnival brand ambassador John Heald with a surprising complaint:

“Why are there never enough activities on the boat when the ship is at one of the islands? At least half the ship stayed on board all three of the islands. Boredom!!”

The passenger wanted more shows, trivia, and competitions while the ship was docked.

It’s true that most cruise lines scale back entertainment on port days, assuming most guests are off exploring, enjoying excursions, or relaxing ashore. Crew members also take breaks or shore leave during these hours, meaning fewer staff are available to run activities.

Still, Carnival typically offers puzzles, trivia, games, and workshops even while in port. Heald promised to share the comment with Carnival’s teams and ran a poll asking followers if they disembark at ports.

Most said yes — though some admitted they stay onboard if the weather is bad, they’ve already visited the port, or they’re not feeling well. In this case, another guest pointed out that the sailing in question had storms and rain, leaving more people than usual onboard, and expecting extra entertainment.

“Everything Starts Too Late!”

The second complaint was the exact opposite — this time about evening activities starting too late.

“We are in our early 40s… 10 pm bedtime is perfect. Everything — dinner, shows, and events — needs to start two or three hours earlier,” one passenger wrote.

Carnival is famous for its nightlife, with late-night comedy, deck parties, and nightclub events running into the early hours. But most shows already have early and late performances, and dining options begin as early as 5 pm.

When Heald ran another poll, over 11,000 people responded. Around 2,000 agreed events should start earlier — but more than four times that number said they are rarely in bed before 10 pm on a cruise. Many guests commented that flexibility is part of the fun, with some nights ending early and others stretching past midnight.

The Balancing Act

These two complaints reveal Carnival’s constant challenge: creating a schedule that works for early-to-bed cruisers, night owls, and everyone in between.

With thousands of passengers on every sailing, Carnival already offers a wide range of activities across the day and night — but no schedule will please everyone.

Still, feedback like this helps Carnival refine its famous “fun for all” approach across the fleet.

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