Carnival Brings Back ‘Adult’ Activity on Some Louisiana Sailings

If your cruise vacation begins at the Port of New Orleans, Louisiana chances are you've already seen some things. And since most of us like to go on cruises with our families, the kids have probably seen some things too, especially if you toured that bastian of bawdy nightlife, Bourbon Street in the Big Easy's French Quarter.

As a veteran of many cruises, a lot of them done with my kids, I can tell you almost every activity on board a cruise ship is planned with your family, you're entire family, in mind. Granted there are comedy shows that get a bit "blue" and even some musical performances that might make a parent uncomfortable they are still not off limits when a parent or guardian is accompanying.

Carnival Cruises Do Offer Certain Adults-Only Activities 

While most cruise ships designate certain areas of the vessel as adults only, it's usually a pool or spa area, there are very few activities that are designed to play into the mindset of "adults on vacation". But now, Carnival Cruise Lines is bringing back one of those activities. It was quite popular on some sailings, even those out of Louisiana in the world known as pre-Covid, but since "normal" is "normal" again they are bringing it back.

The Quest as it's called is an adults-only activity that happens when all of the little ones should be in bed. Okay, it happens around 11 p.m. on sailings where The Quest is offered. Think of it as an adults-only, perhaps risque, scavenger hunt. 

John Heald, Carnival Brand Ambassador, discussed The Quest and where it is happening and not happening during a recent live chat on social media. Heald told those gathered online that The Quest had not been canceled. It is still offered on most Carnival sailings.

The reason The Quest isn't offered on all ships or all the time has to do with the vessel's Cruise Director. Carnival has given the Cruise Directors power to "read the room" and see if such an adult-oriented activity is warranted. In many cases, the Cruise Directors are choosing not to host The Quest because they don't feel comfortable in doing so.

Instead, your sailing might offer a different kind of late-night adult fun, such as a "spicy" version of Family Feud or one of the other cruise ship games that audiences love to participate in and watch.

There is One Activity That Carnival Will Not Be Bringing Back

That would be nudity on board. There was a time when the top deck of most cruise ships was adults only and most cruise lines offered guests the option of tanning topless. Not a big deal for the guys but for the ladies, it was something to consider. However, John Heald, in his social media livestream, suggested that attitudes toward nudity have changed not only in the cruise industry but across the globe so you'll have to tan with a top on.

Now, there are Nude Cruises but those sailings are usually chartered trips and not on the itinerary of the cruise line itself. But if I may editorialize, I have seen how most cruise guests are very lackadaisical about washing their hands, I can only imagine what the seating and the lounge chair situation would look like if these same people were allowed to sit "au naturel" on the pool deck during the belly flop contest.