Cruises might not make headlines as often as airlines or hotels, but when they do, it’s usually something big—and this time, Carnival has made waves for all the wrong reasons.
The cruise giant recently banned a couple for five years from all eight of its brands, and honestly, the reasoning feels a little over the top.
Let’s dive into what happened, why it matters, and what it could mean for cruise content creators moving forward.
A Five-Year Ban for Cruise Content Creators
Imagine running a cruise blog, YouTube channel, and a print magazine about cruising, only to find yourself suddenly blacklisted from the world’s largest cruise company.
That’s exactly what happened to Jay Cannon and Daniel Wailing, the duo behind Sail Away Magazine and a growing online presence in the cruise space.
The trouble started after one of their recent trips aboard the Carnival Miracle, which they publicly criticized in a detailed video review.
Soon after, they received a formal letter—surprisingly not from Carnival directly, but from P&O Cruises, another Carnival-owned brand—letting them know they were banned from traveling with any Carnival brands for five years.
Here’s what the letter said in summary:
“After reviewing your interactions with us, we believe we can’t provide the holiday experience you're looking for. As a result, it’s no longer appropriate for you to sail with us or any Carnival-owned brands, including P&O Cruises, Cunard, and Princess Cruises. This decision is final and will be reviewed in five years.”
Ouch.
What Triggered the Ban?
So what did the couple do to deserve such a dramatic response?
Their review of the Carnival Miracle was brutally honest—and pretty damning. They described standing in a three-hour embarkation line, only to find their cabin in a disgusting state, including visible pubic hairs on the counter. Gross, right?
To be fair, Carnival did try to make things right: they upgraded the couple to a suite and comped their entire cruise.
But that didn’t stop them from publishing a no-holds-barred video calling out the ship’s design as “the most hideous we’ve ever seen,” and commenting on the bizarre effort it must’ve taken to make it that unattractive.
While harsh, they were reviewing their personal experience—and that’s kind of the point of influencer content, isn’t it?
Interestingly, their past review of a P&O Cruises ship was also negative, though not as scathing. So it’s unclear why this particular review was the final straw.
Carnival’s Reaction Feels… Off
Here’s where things get murky. Jay and Daniel aren’t just regular passengers—they’re influencers who blur the line between customers and brand partners.
In fact, they got married onboard a Holland America ship (another Carnival brand), and Carnival comped their wedding as a gesture of goodwill, likely due to their status in the cruise community.
When their Carnival Miracle experience started off poorly, they were again given VIP treatment—an upgrade and a free cruise.
It’s hard not to assume the cruise line recognized their names and tried to keep things smooth.
So what changed?
It seems like someone at Carnival got tired of their consistent criticism, especially after the company had gone out of its way to accommodate them in the past. But here’s the thing:
- 🚫 It’s one thing to cut ties with influencers from a partnership or marketing standpoint.
- ❌ It’s something else entirely to ban them as paying guests, especially when they’ve had positive things to say about other Carnival experiences, like their wedding cruise.
The official reasoning—that Carnival “cannot offer the holiday [they] are looking for”—rings a bit hollow.
These guys clearly do enjoy cruising; they just don’t sugarcoat bad experiences. And that honesty is part of why their followers trust them.
A Risky Move for Carnival’s Image
Let’s be real—this isn’t a great look for Carnival. Banning someone over a negative review can make the brand seem insecure or unwilling to accept feedback.
It gives off the vibe that you’re only welcome if you post glowing praise. Most seasoned travelers understand that no cruise is perfect.
They follow creators like Jay and Daniel because they want honest reviews, both good and bad.
And while the couple’s language may have been sharp, it reflected real frustrations that many cruisers have faced—long wait times, cleanliness issues, and inconsistent service recovery.
From a PR perspective, this feels like a decision made by a frustrated middle manager rather than a calculated move from Carnival’s leadership.
Unfortunately, it’s now a headline—and it could discourage other influencers from being fully transparent in their reviews for fear of retaliation.
Final Thoughts: Was This Ban Really Necessary?
At the end of the day, Carnival’s decision to ban this couple feels more personal than professional. Sure, they were harsh critics.
But they were also loyal cruisers who spent time documenting and promoting the cruise lifestyle. Instead of constructive feedback, their reviews were treated like disloyalty.
🚢 As someone who lives and breathes cruise culture, here’s a thought: The cruise industry is built on relationships—between crew and guests, brands and bloggers, travelers and storytellers.
If that relationship can be severed so easily, it sends a message that honesty has limits.
Let’s hope this isn’t the start of a trend
🗣️ What Do You Think?
Would you be nervous to post a negative cruise review after hearing about this?
