Key Aspects:
- Carnival Cruise Line will be returning to the old safety briefing format for an upcoming sailing onboard Carnival Miracle.
- Meanwhile, guests of Carnival Radiance and Carnival Firenze have been warned of limited parking at the Long Beach Cruise Port.
- Finally, future passengers of Carnival Venezia are being reminded about the policies for sailing with mobility scooters.
Safety briefings, parking, and scooters, oh my!
Carnival Cruise Line is diving into the new year with updates and reminders for several January sailings, including parking advisories, the scooter storage policy, and a revised safety briefing.
Carnival Miracle Returns to Old Safety Briefings
Carnival Miracle’s January 4, 2026, sailing, which is a 7-night cruise to the Western Caribbean embarking in Tampa, will return to the old safety briefing format for this one specific voyage.
Ever since cruising resumed after the Covid-19 pandemic, Carnival has primarily used a self-mustering process through the HUB App to complete the mandatory safety briefing process on embarkation day.
Read Also: What to Expect During a Cruise Ship Muster Drill
But occasionally, certain sailings are randomly selected to undergo the traditional group muster drills from years past.
“Shortly before departure, a full safety drill will take place on your upcoming sailing. This is a mandatory procedure, and all guests will be required to participate in this brief but essential exercise,” Carnival wrote in a heads-up to passengers.
“Ship-wide announcements will provide guidance on the process, which will include collective gathering at your assigned muster station to familiarize yourself with the necessary steps to take in the unlikely event of an emergency,” the letter continued.
While the e-muster process is generally faster (and the preferred method), it’s still important to occasionally revisit the old process as part of the cruise line’s ongoing commitment to safety and ensuring crew members are fully trained.
Another Parking Warning in Long Beach
The parking struggles are continuing in Long Beach, California, where Carnival Radiance and Carnival Firenze both currently homeport.
Guests of Carnival Radiance’s January 5 sailing and Carnival Firenze’s January 8 cruise have been warned of limited parking at the port, and are strongly encouraged to make other transportation arrangements.
The on-site parking structure has 1,450 spaces, which is simply not enough for the thousands of passengers drawn to the port by these ships.
Because of this, soon-to-be guests have been advised that they may be directed to overflow parking at a nearby offsite facility if they have to drive and park at the port.
“The parking facility at the cruise terminal has very limited capacity. Please make plans to use alternate transportation that does not require parking,” Carnival advised.
“If driving (and parking at the port) is your only option, please be prepared to be directed to park at an offsite location operated by the City of Long Beach (not the pier),” the cruise line added.
Offsite parking will cost $20 per day, which is slightly less than the $23 charged per day by the onsite structure.
Directions and information about accessing the overflow parking will be given to guests when they arrive at the main cruise port on embarkation day.
Carnival Venezia Guests Reminded of Scooter Storage Policies
The behavior of scooter users onboard is always a source of controversy, and lately Carnival has been cracking down on enforcing its policies for mobility scooter storage.
This is to ensure the safety of all onboard, but also to prevent unpleasant surprises on embarkation day.
Guests of Carnival Venezia’s January 11 sailing, which is a 14-night sailing to the Caribbean and Panama embarking in Port Canaveral, received a reminder letter with the current policy.
“The safety of everyone on board is our priority. As stated in the terms and conditions of the Ticket Contract, due to safety considerations, mobility devices (including strollers) cannot be stored in corridors or public areas,” the letter reads, in part.
Mobility devices cannot be left unattended, and when used in public areas, cannot obstruct emergency exits or fire and safety equipment.
In order to safely stay in a standard stateroom, mobility scooters must also be 21” or less in width. Guests with a wider scooter or parties with multiple scooters must purchase a fully accessible stateroom.
Scooter sizes will be checked during the embarkation process, and those that do not safely fit will not be allowed onboard.
