While Carnival and Royal Caribbean offer family-friendly cruises, not every aspect of your trip will be G- or even PG-rated.
Some would argue that the attire at both cruise lines' pools may cross over into being not suitable for all ages. In reality, standards for what constitutes a family-friendly bathing suit vary not just by country, but by U.S. state.
It's safe to say that if you will be offended by women of all ages wearing thongs and low-cut tops, or men in Speedos, then a cruise may not be the right environment for you. Both Royal Caribbean (RCL) -) and Carnival (CCL) -) ban topless sunbathing for women, and technically have dress code standards, but short of outright nudity, you will not see either cruise ask a passenger to change or cover-up.
In a broad sense, both cruise lines can only provide guidance to passengers about certain rules. That's why you rarely see dressing standards enforced in the main dining room (MDR) beyond not allowing bathing suits. Yes, pants are technically required for men, and hats are not allowed, but no cruise line wants to antagonize its customers unless it absolutely has to.
Standards are also very broad when it comes to entertainment. A few events, like Royal Caribbean's "Crazy Quest" game show, are strictly for those 18 and over, but most shows, game shows, and other events are for all ages. Both cruise lines, however, do offer 18 and over comedy shows as well as all-ages comedy.
All-ages, however, does not always mean fully family-friendly or designed to not offend anyone. That's not possible when it comes to comedy and that led Carnival Cruise Line CCL Brand Ambassador John Heald to issue a warning on his Facebook page.
Image source: Carnival Cruise Line
All-ages Carnival and Royal Caribbean comedy shows could still offend you
Heald, who spends most days answering questions from Carnival customers on his Facebook page chose to be proactive in this case.
"If you’re going to a comedy show on the ship, and in your mind, you’re thinking I might be offended, I probably will be offended or anything similar, please don’t sit in the front few rows," he shared. "If you stand up and leave in the middle of the show and it is obvious to the comedian, it is in the DNA that they may say something about you leaving."
Heald, who has a humorous streak himself, qualified his warning a bit.
"I hope that’s OK and I hope it’s advice that will be taken when needed," he added.
That simple warning was met with hundreds of responses.
"If people can't handle comedy, they just shouldn't go. Simple," Regnier Brian posted.
Others noted that they agreed, but approached things in a different way.
"I totally agree. I sit up front because I want to be in the show," added Gail Jankowski Wojciechowski.
Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean have dedicated, or mixed-use, comedy venues on most of their newer ships. On older ships, they generally have comedy shows in the main theater and will often offer an 18+ show in the later hours of the night.
Carnival's Heald responds to comedy criticism
Heald often shares emails he receives on his Facebook page and answers them. One recent email made a charge that you hear often from both Royal Caribbean and Carnival cruisers, that the family-friendly comedy shows aren't funny.
"All of Carnival’s comedians don’t know how to be funny for the early showtimes. Based on my last 2 cruises, it is apparent that these comedians only know how to perform in the R R-rated shows: Get rid of family shows. Let the comedians do only adult shows!! Family shows are not funny to any normal person," a person Heald identified as "G" wrote.
Heald, pushed back on that idea.
"Thanks 'G' and while I have no idea what you mean by 'normal person.' I will say this is not a normal post. Usually, when I see a post on the subject of our comedians it is that the occasional person does not like the adult nature of the R R-rated shows," he shared.
"I can tell you that standing on a stage with a microphone performing comedy to a lounge full of families is not easy, especially in today’s immediately offended world," he added. "But I disagree with you 'G' I think our comedians have superbly funny family comedy shows and relish the challenge of performing them."
