Carnival Cruise Line Makes a Controversial Health & Safety Change

Carnival Cruise Line has made many changes for 2025, but this latest change has even the most devoted cruise-goers wondering what could come next.

According to Come Cruise With Me, longtime brand ambassador John Heald recently raised eyebrows when he answered a Carnival Cruise Line fan who noted that hand sanitizers were no longer omnipresent throughout the ship during a recent voyage.

“Thank you. Yes, it is hand sanitizer that has been removed from many of the places at the request and recommendation of the medical professionals. Hand sanitizer is not a deterrent against Gastro illness,” Heald wrote. “To prevent that and other surface-borne illnesses, we recommend washing hands with warm water and soap. That’s why this is promoted. That’s why we do have handwashing stations. And we are very, very glad to say that at the time of my writing this, we’ve not had any outbreaks for many, many years.”

The presence of hand-washing stations in place of hand sanitizer is in accordance with the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Cleaning hands at key times with soap and water or hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to those around you,” the agency reports.

Carnival Cruise Line No Longer Offering Discount Cards on AARP

Earlier this month, Carnival Cruise Line declared it will no longer offer discounted gift cards to senior passengers using AARP.

According to Cruise Hive, AARP has disclosed that the cruise line has discontinued selling the cards through them after reducing the Carnival gift card price twice in less than a month.

In November 2024, AARP, a charity that supports and encourages people over 50, lowered the 10% discount on Carnival Cruise Line gift cards to 8%. In late December, that discount was again lowered from 8% to 5%. Cruisers might save money using discounted gift cards to pay for their trip or reserve onboard events and packages, even though the change annoyed them.

However, AARP no longer sells Carnival gift cards in any way as of Jan. 1, 2025.

“Carnival Cruise Line has decided to discontinue offering their gift cards through the AARP Rewards Program,” read the AARP website at the time of the announcement. “We understand that this may be disappointing news, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We remain committed to providing you with valuable rewards and appreciate your understanding.”