On a hot-weather cruise, the various pool areas and sun decks can get crowded and it's difficult to accommodate the needs of thousands of people.
Queues at bars are long, waiters are hard to find and even space at pools and hot tubs is at a premium. Perhaps most famously, sun loungers become almost impossible to find and people get upset when chairs have stuff on them but no one is around.
Related: Carnival Cruise Shares a Strict Rule Some Passengers Don't Like
Technically, this is a violation of regulations: Every cruise line has rules limiting how long a chair can be unoccupied. However, those rules are rarely enforced, since removing people's personal belongings turns one group of angry passengers into another.
Carnival Cruise Line has a warning system on the pool and sundeck loungers designed to warn passengers. It works when used, but it is not always used, even on busy ships.
However, the cruise line has another problem, which a passenger raised in a message to brand ambassador John Heald. The note raised some interesting questions about how the cruise line names its areas on board.
Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or first) cruise.
Image source: Carnival Cruise Line.
Carnival has a problem with the Serenity deck
Carnival cruise ships feature multiple areas designed to cater to different audiences. Some people are looking for a festive atmosphere, while others prefer a family-friendly setting.
On smaller ships, the cruise line must manage expectations throughout the day through its pool area programming. Larger ships have spaces dedicated to different audiences. These include an adults-only area, which typically features lounge chairs, a pool, a bar, and a hot tub.
Carnival calls that area Serenity Adult-Only Retreat. The name hints at what the atmosphere will be like, but one passenger emailed Heald with a key question. (Heald is currently sailing on Carnival Mardi Gras with his wife and daughter.)
“John, please go check something since you're on the ship I'm going on. Is the Serenity deck on the Carnival Mardi Gras totally quiet or is there noise from people or the pool and music?” wrote one anonymous passenger. “I'm thinking of taking my dad on Mardi Gras as a gift and I didn't use the Serenity the last time I was there.”
The sign said they wanted a truly serene atmosphere.
“He can have fun at night, but during the day he likes to sit in a chair in the shade, where there are no noisy people, no music, just quiet so he can read. That's how it should be, John. If not, why not?” they added.
Heald responded by engaging his more than 500,000 followers.
“I haven't been there today but will take a look when I have time,” she wrote. “Serenity decks. Should they be as described or is it OK for people to 'have fun' there?”
Carnival guests debate what 'Serenity' means
This is how Carnival describes the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat on its website.
“Look, you'll still be in the same boat as the kids, the hustle and bustle and all the Carnival-style excitement… but you could easily forget about it because when you're in Serenity you couldn't be further away from it all.
“The world you'll find yourself in is one of absolute peace, with sea breezes and, of course, a bar nearby. It's the place to do the kinds of things you can't seem to do anywhere else: reconnect with your partner, finish that book, or do absolutely nothing.”
That implies a quiet zone, but Carnival passengers debated exactly what a serene environment offers.
“It's for adults to have fun without kids running around. I'd like some shade and more music,” Debbie Peterson posted.
Some complained that the rules were not enforced.
“I like the quietness of the Serenity Terrace. If you have a group that brings their own music and is talking loudly, it's annoying. Loud music is for Lido,” wrote Jenni Griffith Cobb. Serenity “was created for those who like a quiet, relaxing outdoor space.”
Most agree that, given the name of the area, it should be quiet.
“I think talking quietly would be fine with no music or with soft music,” Jackie Holt posted.
READ ALSO: Top travel agents share how to get the best price on your cruise
Ben Sides agreed with that.
“I don't think there is absolute silence on a fun boat, but there shouldn't be any parties or craziness on the deck or deck area of the Serenity. Most boats I've been on were quiet and a relaxing place to sit or lay down,” he wrote.
Related: Get the best cruise tips, deals and news from our cruise experts.
