Carnival Clarifies Important Safety Concern for Louisiana Cruises

Whether your embarkation takes place in New Orleans, Louisiana, or Galveston, Texas if you're going to be setting sail on a cruise there is an important safety concern that you need to be aware of. Not only is addressing and understanding this concern important for your safety on board your cruise ship. It can also help protect your modesty if you're someone who values that.

One thing you should know as a guest on any of the major cruise lines that serve the Gulf South is this. Your safety is the most important concern of the cruise line and the crew on board. They all put safety ahead of fun and that's important when you're going to be on "an island" hundreds of miles from shore.

Cruise ships have a lot of safety features built into their design to keep you safe from wind, water, and other elements. They also have, like luxury hotels often do, a surprising number of ways for you to secure your belongings and your personal space. But a recent comment on a Carnival Cruise Lines Social Media Site has guests asking less about the stateroom safe and more about the sign that you can put on the door.

What Does "Do Not Disturb" Really Mean on a Cruise Ship?

I am sure your answer is probably along the lines of " It means no one can come into my stateroom nor should anyone be knocking on my stateroom door".  I would hazard to guess that about 100% of you feel that way about the "Do Not Disturb" sign. Not surprisingly 100% of you are wrong in what that sign actually means to the stewards and housekeepers who keep your stateroom clean and tidy.

The reality of the "Do Not Disturb" sign is this. It's really only good for a few hours. On most cruise lines, Carnival is one of them, stewards and housekeepers take note when the "Do Not Disturb" sign has been placed on a stateroom door. And they usually honor that request for a certain period of time.

Why "Do Not Disturb" Lasts Only 24 Hours

If it was up to me, I'd hang to the Do Not Disturb sign out for the entirety of my time on board the cruise ship. But as we mentioned cruise lines have your personal safety at the top of their list so if that DND sign has been on your stateroom door for more than 24 hours they are coming in to do a "safety and wellness check".

Here's what Carnival Cruise Lines John Heald had to say on the subject of Do Not Disturb and barging in unannounced.

Let's face it, many cruise passengers are older, and older folks can and do die on cruise ships. That's why the stewards and attendants will "violate your wishes" and knock and then come in anyway. If you don't want them to come in and you're in the room, simply tell them so when they knock, because they always knock.

And remember, just because you're "on a cruise" you didn't suddenly become better than everyone else. If a crew member knocks on the door, answer it. If they come into your room after you don't answer their knock, it's your own fault. They are just doing their jobs.