Many Carnival cruisers also get by with the help of an onboard chat option available in the Carnival HUB app. The onboard messaging feature costs $5 per passenger for the voyage and offers Carnival cruisers a way to communicate with family and friends who are also on board the ship.

After a passenger was offended by adult content aboard a Carnival ship, the cruise line addressed the issue via its ambassador, John Heald.

Cruise lines are no exception, with QR codes now commonly found on dining tables and no paper menus provided unless there is a specific request. To be fair, there is a lot to like about using QR codes and app-based menus when in Carnival’s main dining room.

And for those who want to celebrate their special day with family and friends, a cruise can be the ultimate birthday party. Even if you don’t want a party, there are plenty of ways to treat yourself on a birthday cruise — from pampering yourself at the spa and indulging in a specialty dining experience to embarking on a bucket-list shore excursion.