When something goes wrong that a cruise ship can't handle with onboard personnel, drastic steps are often taken. Sometimes, the ship changes its itinerary and heads for a port that has whatever is needed to solve the problem.

Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald recently responded to a question about his cruise line's piano bars and a potential change in their operating hours. Want the latest cruise news and deals? Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter.

I went on my first Carnival Cruise in September of 2024 - and encountered both good and bad surprises while onboard Carnival Radiance.

Cruise lines reserve the right to change itineraries as needed, and it’s not uncommon for some of the details of a cruise you’ve booked to change before the ship actually sails. As an example, I took my family on a Christmas cruise a couple years ago on Carnival Magic.

Carnival Cruise Line cruise directors work with various department leaders to set the entertainment schedules on the ships. Scheduling can be tricky as some choices force others. A parade that goes through the central areas of the ship,

While cruise ship passengers can't really get in the way of operating the ship, they can cause disruptions. In many ways, it's like a person in the back seat of the car making a lot of noise or kicking the driver's seat.