It’s not uncommon for cruise passengers to turn to Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, with requests for the cruise line to crack down on rude behavior on board its ships. From cutting in line at the elevator to letting kids run wild around the ship, some behaviors vacationers exhibit during cruises are frustrating to other passengers.
Carnival does have a number of rules to promote a safe and comfortable environment for all on board, and is even known to ban passengers for disorderly conduct. But discouraging certain behaviors that are just major nuisances can be tricky.
For some passengers, speakerphone use in cruise ship dining rooms is getting out of hand as the annoying habit becomes more common in public spaces in general. About 75% of U.S. adults say using speakerphone in public places is unacceptable, according to a recent tech etiquette survey conducted by PC Mag. But is it something that should be banned on cruise ships?
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Video calls in restaurants are becoming increasingly common. Image source: MIA Studio / Shutterstock
Carnival cruiser makes request for phone ban in dining rooms
Speakerphone use has become such a nuisance on Carnival cruise ships that one passenger recently called for the cruise line to ban phones completely from its dining rooms. John Heald shared the message in an Oct. 18 Facebook post.
“I have noticed that in the recent cruises that more people are talking on their cell phones out loud at dinner time. I have witnessed people have long video calls with family/friends or just watch a video or watch a game while they wait for their meal. Perhaps it is getting more acceptable to use a speakerphone in public,” a passenger identified as B wrote to Heald.
B suggested that Carnival could promote a more respectful environment on board by banning phones from its dining rooms.
Related: Carnival Cruise Line cracks down on dining room latecomers
“When I commented this to other passengers, they were also bothered by this, but blamed it on passengers who cruise Carnival and the type of person they are. Please show them you are not that cruise line and ban all phones from the main dining rooms and specialty restaurants,” B urged.
In response to B, Heald pointed out that Carnival’s dining rooms are smartphone-friendly so a phone ban isn’t practical. But while he often jokes about the calls he receives for dress code enforcement, the brand ambassador wouldn’t be opposed to a ban on speakerphone use during dinner.
“We, of course, promote the idea of bringing your iPhone to dinner so you can view the app, scan the QR code or, as last week, send me a photo of someone who wearing Crocs with no socks at dinner on elegant night. Ruined her meal, apparently,” he noted.
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A ban on speakerphone use in dining rooms wouldn’t be unreasonable
Although a full ban on phone use in Carnival cruise dining rooms isn’t likely, the cruise line could consider ways to discourage speakerphone use with Heald’s support.
“Look, I know it is never going to happen but I think it would be brilliant if people were told they could not speak on their phones, video their sister back home in Cleveland, Ohio to show them their Beef Wellington or to watch reruns of ‘Three’s Company’ while nibbling on a spring roll,” the brand ambassador noted.
“Perhaps at least the dining room managers could make an announcement not to video call or use speakerphone,” he suggested.
A rule against speakerphone use would make sense considering Carnival does ban portable speakers. The cruise line even has a rule that passengers must wear headphones when listening to music or watching shows/movies on personal devices in public spaces.
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Comments on the post showed that many passengers would appreciate a speakerphone ban, too.
“I have no problem with phones in the dining room. I do have a problem if it’s on speakerphone. That’s why ear buds were made! I don’t think it’s out of line to post that speakerphone isn’t allowed in the main dining room out of respect to fellow cruisers,” Krista Richardson Mitton commented.
Others added that the speakerphone ban should extend to all public spaces on the ship.
“Anyone using speaker phone in any public space on the ship should be made to walk the plank,” Jeff Sampson joked.
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This story was originally reported by TravelHost on Oct 20, 2025, where it first appeared in the Come Cruise With Me section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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