Carnival apologizes, says cruise passengers can dress in drag or, if still angry, can collect refunds

Carnival Cruise Lines of Miami has apologized to gay passengers on an upcoming drag cruise who were told Monday they would be kicked off the liner Glory if they cross-dressed in public.

"Anyone who wishes to dress in drag may do so," writes Carnival President and CEO Gerry Cahill, adding that any passengers who are still unhappy and choose not to travel will be given full refunds.

Here's the letter:

Within the last 24 hours, we became aware of a miscommunication between Carnival Cruise Lines and AlandChuck.travel, who have booked a large special interest group on the upcoming Carnival Glory cruise departing December 2, 2012.

The group, "Drag Stars at Sea," includes several performances by stars from Logo TV as part of a series of private events onboard.  When the group was presented to us we were advised that only the performers would be dressed in drag during the private events. However, we are now aware that this was not clearly communicated to members of the group and therefore anyone who wishes to dress in drag may do so.  Please keep in mind that our safety and security procedures require guests to present government-issued ID, and to be recognizably that person.

At Carnival, we are proud to carry more than 4.5 million guests every year and we welcome them all aboard.  We do not practice any form of discrimination against the LGBT or any other community.  We sincerely apologize for the miscommunication and for any unintended offense we have caused. 

Given this misunderstanding, anyone on this cruise who wishes to cancel for any reason may do so and will receive a full refund of their cruise fare, as well as reimbursement for any non-refundable travel related expenses.

We constantly strive to provide our guests with a fun and memorable vacation.  We look forward to welcoming everyone onboard Carnival Glory and again want to apologize for the misunderstanding and for any offense we have caused.

Sincerely,

Gerry Cahill
President and CEO
Carnival Cruise Lines

Comments

[LarryF]

So Carnival chalks it up to a "miscommunication". I doubt they would have accepted this special group if they knew the facts in the first place. Ms. Vicky should be FIRED for her hateful, tea bagger style mandate letter! ... and the entire company should have to enroll in a sensitivity training program.

[stephen]

well said. its time to get over it and go have fun

[Tam]

I can see how this could have gone down. She suddenly realizes that a bunch of queens are going to be on the shop, fears a parade might break out spontaneously in the middle of bingo, freaking out the norms that make up the bulk of their clientele, and sends off a letter without really thinking about it. Conniption ensues, and the management steps in.
Really, Carnival's customer service has always been pretty on it...this woman doesn't represent the whole line, as the letter from the president suggests. And my xdressing former partner never once had an issue with wearing a dress to formal dinner or just around the ship. Or 'costumes' either...the goth cruise sailed with them for a lot of years, and we freaked out plenty of norms, and no issue. Had a great time with Carnival! Don't let this one woman put you off them.

[Steve Sallis]

I say well done, they did the right thing. Cheers to Carnival!

[cakedaddy]

No, the travel company did not want the guests in drag because they had no control of what they would be wearing or how they would act.

[grag jones]

al and chuck travel.... good luck with anything going right!!

[Linda]

For the sake of other families who would like a chance at conservatism...keep it clean people...come on homosexuals seriously, quit making such a big deal out of EVERYTHING! the world does not revolve around unnatural ways :/

[Kenn]

Bravo to Carnival for doing the right thing irrespective of its motives. As for Linda and the other righteous and bigoted homophobes whom even Jesus would probably repudiate with their hateful ways for their "unnatural" ways, just stay home in your isolated cocoon. Discrimination IS a big deal. If YOU did not make such a big deal out of the fact that homosexuality is a minority but natural state of being, these issues would not come up in the first place and we could all get on with living decent lives. Get over it.

[David Horwitz]

Good job for apologizing, Carnival, regardless of the full set of circumstances. My husband and I have sailed on many of Carnival Corp's brands, including an RSVP cruise, and have never felt discriminated in any way. (That said, we've never seen a gay couple chosen for the Not So Newlywed game.)

[Joe]

Oh. Linda. You are so ignorant. How I wish you could have grown up in another era where WOMEN were persecuted. You deserve no less for your narrow minded and bigoted comments. My way is just as natural as your way, except I do not spew hatred. Obviously YOU were not raised correctly. I blame your parents. Now, go away.
Joe

[Roger Rabbit]

Ok, I thought all along it was those LOGO b*tC$s that didn't want to be shown up and so imposed the rules from the chuckanddweeb.com site.

Sounds to me like Carnival just confirmed it.!!
Go have Dragloads of fun everyone!!!

Roger Rabbit

[Kyle]

I still don't understand. So Carnival is still not OK with guys in drag, even on advertised "drag cruises" unless they are hired performers, and they are just making a special allowance this once because of a "miscommunication"? Carnival can suck it. Don't pretend you're so cool with gender and sexuality if your so uncomfortable when anyone shows the slightest gender nonconformity. Carnival is soooo out of touch with the entire way they have handled this. It's really just another disappointing reveal of yet another company that will take gay's money but thinks that we're a threat to families and children. How offensive.

[Campus Security Systems]

Oh, that's what we call a discrimination to the gays. :) Im not a gay but i think the gay should know where to put themselves. They should not act according to their will.