Keeping thousands of people happy on a cruise ship presents some unique challenges for cruise lines.
Everything from how loud the music should be in common areas to how many announcements the captain and cruise director make must be considered. And since not every cruiser has the same expectations, some people won't be happy with the choices the cruise line makes.
Related: Carnival defends key boarding rule that many passengers break
Maybe you'd rather not have the party band playing while you're in the pool. Or perhaps you don't love it when the main-dining-room waiters put on a show,
Keeping everyone happy is impossible, so every cruise line aims its choices at keeping as many people happy as possible. This includes the temperature on the ship.
Many couples who share a home can't agree on the temperature at which to set their thermostat. So it's simply impossible for Carnival, Royal Caribbean and any other cruise line to find a setting for air conditioning that will please all their passengers.
In addition, as the weather gets hotter in the Caribbean, some aspects of temperature control on board are beyond the cruise lines' control.
That's something Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) Brand Ambassador John Heald addressed in a recent post.
Image source: Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line talks air conditioning
With temperatures rising as summer takes hold, Heald explained why some areas of Carnival's ships may be hotter than many passengers expect.
"As the summer temperatures increase please remember that in port parts of the ship may feel warmer than usual," he writes. "This is because the doors are open for gangways, stores to be brought on or off, and for other operational reasons. This of course allows the heat of the day into those parts of the ship."
Heald shared tips for how passengers staying in balcony cabins can keep their rooms cool.
"Please remember to always keep your curtains closed when you leave the cabin during the day," he added. "And most importantly please remember that if you leave your balcony door open or ajar it will turn off your air conditioning. It does not affect any other cabin but yours but it will reduce the air con flow in your cabin."
The brand ambassador pushed back on an often-heard refrain and explained how passengers should address any issues about on-board conditions.
"Most importantly please ignore anyone who says the ship’s air conditioning is not working," he posted. "Secondly please, if you have any concerns tell someone while you are there. Tell your stateroom attendant. Call 7777 or visit Guest Services."
Heald also made clear that passengers need to address any heat-related issues while on the ship.
"Please don’t wait until the cruise is over and tell me it was too hot or too cold. There is nothing I can do then and it is frustrating for me I admit because I know the wonderful crew would have done all they can to have helped you," he added.
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Carnival passengers beat the heat
Heald noted that people have different expectations when it comes to temperature.
"Some like it hot. Some like it arctic cold and most like something in between and for the most part I think that is what you will experience," he explained.
More than 800 people commented on Heald's post. Some offered their own tips for beating the heat.
"Great information John," Deborah Jameson wrote. "As a person who sleeps with a fan on 365 days a year, I recommend taking a fan to circulate the air in your cabin. Carnival policy is 12” in diameter or smaller. Also, Carnival has limited fans, so don’t count on getting one from your cabin steward."
Some passengers saluted their room stewards.
"I have terminal breast cancer and so I am always having personal summers," posted April Curtis. "I have traveled with Carnival over 5 times since my diagnosis. Carnival crew is always ready to help me with the temp in my balcony room. (I do balconies cause I can sit outside and not be around a bunch of people). Carnival is the only company that truly has any empathy and helps me."
Some passengers, however, did have their complaints.
"I wish I could sleep in the MDR where it would be perfect under a cozy blanket," wrote Pennie Shaw. "The cabins however are way too warm for sleeping. 69 degrees F is the perfect sleeping temp for me. It is however 74/75 which is not good. It does no good to complain because they come with their thermometer and declare that it is all as it should be."
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