We took a 4 day Carnival cruise 4 or 5 years ago that left out of New Orleans. I would say about 50% of the cruisers looked and acted like they either snuck aboard or received free tickets.
I was really curious at the time as I worked hard all year and saved a couple thousand dollars to take my family for a nice vacation. It seemed these people just rolled out of bed and walked aboard. All trip they were shouting and swearing at each other like they were hanging out on the street corner and it made us all very uncomfortable.
I don’t know if it was because it left from New Orleans or if it was because it was Carnival or what but it certainly left a bad taste in my mouth.
Before I ever took a cruise again, I would need to know it wouldn’t be like that or like what happened in this story.
My brother in law and his family went on one like that too. I’ve heard this happens often.
That is sad because it used to be such fun.