Carnival Cruise Line is asking passengers a key safety question

In August, Carnival Cruise Line had to evacuate Grand Turk early due to weather.

This was during Hurricane Ernesto and the Carnival Magic had to leave the dock before the storm arrived. This is a rare situation, but it does happen, and the cruise line pulled out all the stops to let passengers know what was going on because the departure change happened after people had left the ship.

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Carnival brand ambassador John Heald even shared the information about his change on Facebook, as some passengers might see his page in port or receive an alert about his post.

“This is an update for Carnival Magic guests only. If you are ashore in Grand Turk, please return to the ship by 2.30pm,” he wrote. “Weather conditions are expected to deteriorate this evening and the ship will have to sail earlier than planned.”

At that time, the cruise line sent emails and text alerts to all passengers. It also sent crew members to the island to alert passengers of the change.

The company was successful and managed to get everyone on board, but it raised the question of how Carnival can communicate with passengers when they disembark. This is a safety question as anyone left in Grand Turk would be stranded on an island about to be hit by a major storm.

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When people go to the beach, they may not have their phones nearby or even on.

Image Source: Carnival Cruise Line.

Carnival poses a communication question

“If we were to call you on your cell phone while you were ashore in port,

would you have your phone on to receive calls and texts?” Heald asked on his Facebook page. “Thoughts please.”

More than 3,300 people commented on the post.

Many said their phones would be on but probably not answer.

“Yes. Texting is free. However, I usually don’t answer calls (especially ‘unknown’ callers) so it’s doubtful I will,” wrote Erika Easton.

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Many US cell phone plans offer limited calling and texting in most Caribbean ports. All cruise passengers should check what their plan covers before going on their cruise, as some plans require an upgrade or the purchase of day/week passes to cover foreign coverage at cruise ports.

Some passengers said they never turn on their phones even when in port for fear of unexpected charges.

“Absolutely not, unless it’s a port in my service area. Otherwise, it’s airplane mode for the entire cruise,” Dean Grassino said.

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Melamie Lulue agreed.

“Also, I don’t like expensive surprises,” she added.

A commenter may change the way she uses her phone in port because she has not considered the safety issue of the vessel contacting her.

“No, once we’re sailing my phone is on airplane mode so I don’t get ridiculous charges from my carrier. However, I see your point for an emergency or something important the ship needs to be able to contact us .” Sheryl McCauley Chase posted.

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