Every cruise traveler daydreams about their upcoming sailing, hoping for an amazing vacation with beautiful weather, delicious food, outstanding entertainment, spectacular service, and more.

Unfortunately, even a seemingly perfect cruise can have bad experiences, but that doesn’t mean the cruise line is at fault.

One recent Carnival cruiser disagrees and believes the cruise line should have a greater responsibility for guest safety – for something absolutely outside of Carnival Cruise Line’s control.

The guest reached out to John Heald, the official brand ambassador, with their grievance.

“I got a extreme sunburn with a big sort of blister starting (not really a blister so far but it is thicker then my normal skin, rippled, but same color as my skin) on my right leg and hurts when I touch it,” the guest explained.

The guest notes that they did go to the ship’s Medical Center, but they disagreed with the charge for treatment. They do not clarify, however, whether they accepted that treatment or not.

“I was on the Serenity area for the day when I got this sunburn,” they continued. “There was no water spritzer bottles to cool the skin. There were no places to buy sunblock. Carnival’s refusal to help me is wrong. There was not any warnings or signs.”

There’s no denying that sunburn can be very painful and can certainly put a damper on one’s vacation experience.

Furthermore, if one isn’t accustomed to summer rays, a severe sunburn can happen more quickly than expected. While the guest doesn’t indicate where their ship was sailing, such burns can happen anywhere the sun is strong – from Alaska to the Caribbean to Antarctica.

But is Carnival Cruise Line responsible? Is the cruise line doing enough to let passengers know that sitting out in the sun might – surprise! – result in a sunburn?

Heald responded, but not in the way the guest might have wished.

“I truly feel so very sorry for this chap. Anyone who has had sunburn and sported blisters as big as Steakhouse dinner plate deserves some sympathy,” he acknowledged.

“I can only hope that this [guest] has now learnt two valuable lessons — 1) always apply sunscreen when on your cruise and 2) when things go wrong it isn’t always Carnival Cruise Line who is to blame.”

Was Carnival Responsible for the Sunburn?

Let’s go a bit further. The guest claims that “water spritzer bottles to cool the skin” would have been helpful, but sunburn isn’t actually caused by heat.

There is no evidence that misting water on exposed skin can have an impact on a sunburn, though it can help you stay more comfortable in the hot sun.

That might actually have the opposite effect, however. If you’re more comfortable basking in the hot sun, you would be more likely to stay in the sun longer, increasing the risk of a bad sunburn.

Next, the guest claimed that “There were no places to buy sunblock.” This might be true directly on the adults-only Serenity Deck, but different types of sunblock are indeed available onboard in the Fun Shops. The price might be high and it might not be one’s preferred brand, but it is in fact there.

The guest also asserts that Carnival refused to help with their burn. They contradict that assertion, however, by noting they went to the medical center and were offered treatment – they just didn’t want to pay for that treatment.

Read Also: What to Pack for a Cruise Vacation (Hint – Sunblock!)

Finally, the guest claims there were no warnings or signage, presumably about the dangers of sun exposure and need for sunscreen.

Really? You need to be told that? Undoubtedly, many other guests nearby would have been applying sunblock, and it’s certainly no secret that excessive sun exposure can result in painful burns.

Furthermore, I have seen notes in the Fun Times newsletter urging guests to wear sunscreen, and have heard cruise directors including such warnings in their morning announcements. This may not be consistent on different sailings or ships, but it does happen.

This guest’s comments would be similar to complaining that Carnival doesn’t have signs in every stairwell that falling down stairs can result in injuries. Well, duh.

The original poster did not receive sympathy from other guests who noted there are many ways to prevent sunburn.

Putting a towel over one’s legs, seeking shade, or even just realizing “wow, it’s really hot, maybe I should get out of the sun” are all obvious answers.

Some guests also note that there are not usually sunblock or sunburn warnings posted at lakes, beaches, or pools, so why should Carnival Cruise Line be responsible?

Cruise Guest Complains to Carnival Over Sunburn – Who’s to Blame?