Carnival Cruise Line rep addresses adults-only cruise controversy
Adults-only cruises have been a big hit for the hip Virgin Voyages cruise brand.
These kid-free cruise vacations have become so popular that many cruisers have begun to wonder whether other cruise lines would break with classic cruise tradition to test out the new style of sailing, too.
Related: Carnival Cruise Line gives passengers Titanic-like warning
Loyal Carnival Cruise Line fans often write to the cruise line's brand ambassador, John Heald, on his popular Facebook page with questions and requests about adults-only cruises.
Few people expected that the family cruise line would actually add adult-exclusive sailings, though. On his page, Heald even told passengers he didn't think that would ever happen.
But then it did.
Why the sudden shift? Is Carnival Cruise Line moving toward becoming an adults-only cruise line?
Those were some of the questions swirling around the internet after Carnival recently announced a series of casino-exclusive sailings and SEA cruises - sailings exclusively for adults.
Sailing from Miami on select dates this summer and fall aboard Carnival Conquest and Carnival Magic, these specialty itineraries are casino-focused cruises featuring expanded casino access and other perks for Carnival Players Club casino loyalty program members.
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After the release of these specialty sailings led to rumors that Carnival is moving to become an adults-only cruise line, John Heald was quick to set the record straight.
"Please ignore that; we are a proud family cruise line, we have been and I'm sure we always will be," Heald insisted in a video message posted on his Facebook page.
Heald assured his followers that the only reason Carnival is offering adults-only casino cruises is because of schedule changes for Carnival cruise ship dry docks - maintenance and refurbishment that cruise ships undergo every few years.
Related: Carnival Cruise Line answers controversial tipping question
"This all is because we moved Carnival Magic's dry dock and the casino have taken a couple of cruises and made them adults only. They're making special casino offers to people," Heald explained.
Since both Carnival Magic and Carnival Conquest won't be out of service as originally planned for a few weeks later this year, the cruise line decided to offer some special invitation-only casino cruises to fill the void.
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The reason these sailings are adults only is simply because they're casino cruises.
"Now, because they are casino offers, we cannot make those casino offers to children, which is why these cruises are for adults only because they are casino-based offered cruises and they are very popular," Heald pointed out.
These new offerings have made the brand ambassador more open to entertaining the possibility of future adults-only Carnival cruises, however.
"I understand why people are saying, 'Oh, we need an adults' cruise,'" Heald noted. "So listen, I don't know what the future is going to hold, but let me just tell you we are not moving to an adults-only cruise line now."
More Carnival cruise news:
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Those who want to continue to enjoy Carnival cruises with kids shouldn't fret.
"This is not something that you should be concerned about because for every one person who says, 'I would love an adults-only cruise,' there are many who have written and said, 'What do I do with my children, my grandchildren?'" Heald explained.
"No, we are a proud family cruise line," the brand ambassador reiterated. "These were cruise-specific situations, so please ignore what some people have been highlighting."
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.)
Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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Time Business News
12 hours ago
- Time Business News
Masquerade Ball Dresses: The Art of Dressing for Disguise in the 18th and 19th Centuries
For centuries, few social occasions offered women the same freedom of expression as the masquerade ball. Wrapped in mystery, glittering in candlelight, and filled with playful intrigue, masquerades allowed guests to step beyond the rigid expectations of everyday society. At the heart of these grand events were the costumes themselves, and especially the Masquerade Ball Dresses that offered women a rare chance to blend historical fashion with personal fantasy. Though masquerade balls originated as part of Carnival traditions in Renaissance Italy, they became deeply woven into the social fabric of European aristocracy during the 18th and 19th centuries. Across grand palaces, ornate theaters, and exclusive private salons, they created temporary spaces where identity could be concealed, challenged, or reinvented entirely. The Setting: Where Fashion Met Fantasy Masquerade balls were elaborate affairs, often held in ornate venues filled with music, dancing, and lavish décor. They attracted royalty, nobility, and the wealthiest members of society who eagerly embraced the opportunity to wear costumes inspired by mythology, history, or faraway lands. The anonymity of the mask added an element of suspense, allowing participants to play roles they might never adopt in everyday life. While men might dress as kings, soldiers, or mythical creatures, women's costumes were particularly elaborate. For many, the creation of Masquerade Ball Dresses was an event in itself, blending courtly fashion with inventive themes and ornate details that set these garments apart from conventional eveningwear. offers a rich source of inspiration for those who wish to explore the artistry, elegance, and history of these extraordinary costumes. 18th Century Styles: The Height of Opulence During the 1700s, masquerade ball dresses reflected the extravagant tastes of the Rococo period. Silhouettes followed the prevailing court fashion but allowed for even more dramatic flourishes. Panniers widened skirts to breathtaking proportions, while luxurious fabrics like silk taffeta, velvet, and brocade shimmered in candlelight. Bodices were tightly fitted with low necklines, revealing the décolletage, while sleeves might be short, puffed, or layered with ruffles. Elaborate embroidery, metallic threads, and gemstone embellishments added depth and texture. Lace trims, satin ribbons, and artificial flowers brought even more dimension to the gown. Rather than simply replicating current fashion, many masquerade ball dresses drew from historical or theatrical references. Some women arrived dressed as classical goddesses, while others chose pastoral themes, dressing as shepherdesses or maidens from imagined pastoral landscapes. Exotic costumes inspired by Ottoman, Chinese, or Egyptian styles also became fashionable, reflecting Europe's fascination with distant cultures during this era. Victorian Interpretations: Formality Meets Imagination By the 19th century, as masquerade balls continued to evolve, the style of Masquerade Ball Dresses also shifted in step with Victorian fashion. While still elaborate, the silhouette changed dramatically. The massive side panniers of the previous century were replaced by crinolines in the 1850s and later by the bustle silhouette of the 1870s and 1880s. Victorian masquerade dresses maintained the tradition of elaborate embellishment, often featuring rich fabrics like satin, silk faille, and velvet, trimmed with lace, pearls, and intricate beading. However, these gowns often balanced fantasy with greater modesty in accordance with Victorian values. Necklines remained low but were typically framed with lace or tulle. Sleeves varied from fitted long styles to dramatic puffed shapes, depending on the period. Themes continued to draw from history and mythology, but Victorian masquerades also reflected growing interest in literary characters, medieval revivalism, and romanticized historical periods. For women attending these events, the opportunity to temporarily embody queens, fairies, historical heroines, or mythological figures offered a rare chance to play with identity while remaining within socially acceptable boundaries. The Mask: Essential Symbol of the Masquerade While the gowns themselves were extraordinary, the mask was equally central to the masquerade experience. Women often wore delicate eye masks made of lace, silk, or papier-mâché, sometimes decorated with feathers, sequins, or tiny jewels. The mask's ability to obscure one's face without fully hiding one's identity offered a subtle thrill. It created a charged atmosphere where whispered conversations, bold flirtations, and carefully veiled observations became part of the night's entertainment. 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The Decline and Legacy of the Masquerade By the turn of the 20th century, the popularity of formal masquerade balls declined as social norms shifted and modern entertainment took new forms. Yet the fascination with masquerades and their opulent costumes endures to this day. Vintage fashion enthusiasts, historical reenactors, and costume designers continue to draw inspiration from these extraordinary events. The Masquerade Ball Dress remains a symbol of artistic freedom within the constraints of rigid social structures, where creativity and craftsmanship allowed individuals to momentarily step into another world. Final Thoughts: Dressing for Imagination Masquerade balls offered more than a chance to dance. They provided an opportunity to blur the lines between reality and fantasy, allowing women to inhabit identities that might otherwise remain inaccessible. The dresses worn to these events stand as rich historical artifacts, revealing not only the evolving aesthetics of fashion but also the enduring human desire for transformation, mystery, and playful disguise. At the legacy of historical costuming continues to inspire. The timeless appeal of masquerade ball gowns reminds us that fashion, at its most enchanting, offers a portal to worlds of elegance, creativity, and endless imagination. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Buzz Feed
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Kerry Kennedy allegedly getting $1M+ to save family's reputation — as cousin Caroline is ‘virtually blacklisted' over son's odd behavior
For decades, the Kennedys — America's so-called royal family — were known for politics, scandals and tragedies. Today, they're earning a schoolyard reputation for infighting, with mean-spirited attacks on siblings and cousins, bizarre social media rants and revelations of historically bitchy personal feuds. Hoping to quell the embarrassing, reality show-worthy drama and bring the family together before it implodes, Kerry Kennedy has signed what sources describe as a seven-figure deal for a book paying tribute to her mother, family matriarch Ethel Skakel Kennedy who passed last October at 96. 10 Kerry Kennedy is writing a new book about family matriach Ethel Kennedy. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP This is somewhat ironic given that penned by Kerry, the seventh of Ethel's and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy's brood of 11, is one of the most vocal leaders in the family's current display of bad blood. 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In fact, sources said, RFK's staunchly Democratic widow, Ethel, who died of a stroke, would have 'savored and enjoyed the very public attacks and controversy' involving some of her children — including the verbal assaults on Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. — when he briefly ran for president last year and later became Donald Trump's Secretary of Health and Human Services. At least some of the 'attacks and snubs against Bobby Jr. were actually at the behest of Ethel,' alleged the insider. 'She also was behind the photo [taken March 2024, just before RFK Jr. announced his presidential run] of three generations of her family with a smiling Joe Biden in their midst — all as a subtle [message] to Bobby. He was her least favorite son.' 10 Jack Schlossberg, the only grandson of former US President John F. Kennedy, has mocked cousin RFK Jr.'s vocal disorder and made strange jokes about Second Lady Usha Vance. Ron Sachs – CNP for NY Post It was alleged favorite daughter Kerry who, on her mother's instructions, posted the photo on X, declaring of Biden, 'You make the world better.' In addition to six of RFK Jr.'s living siblings — former Maryland Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy, former US Rep. Joe Kennedy II, human rights activist Kerry Kennedy, filmmaker Rory Kennedy, lawyer Max Kennedy and businessman Christopher Kennedy — rebuking his presidential campaign by calling it 'dangerous' and publicly endorsing Joe Biden, his cousin Caroline also made her feelings known. Early this year, Caroline, now 67, and. the former US Ambassador to Japan and then Australia, wasn't very diplomatic when it came to her first cousin, calling him a 'predator' and hypocrite and unqualified to run HHS. She also claimed: 'Bobby expropriated my father's image and distorted President Kennedy's legacy to advance his own failed presidential campaign and groveled to Donald Trump for a job.' 10 John. F Kennedy and wife Jackie Kennedy Onassis. Getty Images Nonetheless, according to insiders, Caroline has been 'virtually blacklisted' by some of her cousins over the bizarre social media postings of her son, Jack Schlossberg. The 31-year-old has posted videos of himself making fun of RFK Jr.'s spasmodic dysphonia, a neurological disorder that affects his speech and which other members of the family may also have. Schlossberg has also called the health secretary a 'liar' and a 'guru shaman figure who runs a cult' and taunted Vice-President J. D. Vance and his wife, Usha, joking about having a baby with her and writing, 'True or false: Usha Vance is way hotter than Jackie O' — his maternal grandmother. 10 Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1968 at a hotel in Los Angeles. Getty Images His various remarks prompted RFK Jr.'s daughter, Kathleen 'Kick' Kennedy to previously tell The Post: 'I hope he gets the help he needs.' Sources say Schlossberg's behavior has led to Caroline — whose parents and brother are deceased — being completely isolated from the Kennedy tribe, which 'is hurtful to her.' The Post has reached out to Caroline for comment. 'Jack's more Schlossberg than Kennedy in attitude,' a close source said, referring to Schlossberg's father, the very private and eccentric artist and designer Edwin Schlossberg, 73, who comes from a prominent Jewish New York family. 10 RFK Jr. shocked and upset many members of his own staunchly Democrat family when he first supported Republican Donald Trump's election then joined his government at secretary of Health and Human Services. REUTERS Snarky Spy magazine once called Edwin 'a well-to-do hippie-yuppie who's self-consciously interesting… Camelot's egghead-in-residence.' Although little known publicly, the current feuds within the Kennedy family have a long history going back to Ethel and her late sister-in-law, John F. Kennedy's widow, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, whom Ethel ruthlessly attacked. 'She thinks she's a queen. When Jackie once mentioned she dreamed of being a ballet dancer, Ethel stared at Jackie's slender size-11 feet, muttering to her face, 'With those clodhoppers of yours? You'd be better off going into soccer,' ' a source commented for my book 'The Other Mrs. Kennedy: An Intimate and Revealing Look at the Hidden Life of Ethel Skakel Kennedy.' 10 RFK Jr.'s daughter Kick Kennedy waded into the fray to call out cousin Jack Schlossberg. Getty Images for RFK Human Right Meanwhile, Jackie, sources added, considered Ethel 'crude and boorish,' and referred to her as a 'baby-making machine — wind her up and she becomes pregnant.' Jackie's revenge against the insults was to distance her own children, John Jr. and Caroline, from Ethel's children. When Ethel extended an invitation to her niece and nephew to stay for a couple of weeks at her family's home Hickory Hill in McLean, Virginia, Jackie declared, 'No way!'' And through the generations the feuding continues. JFK Jr. also got his digs in when he was founding editor of the political magazine George in the mid-1990s. 10 The Kennedy family compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. AP In a signed editorial, he pilloried his Kennedy cousins — Ethel's sons Michael (who died as the result of a skiing accident in 1997) and Joe — as 'poster boys for bad behavior' regarding their marital scandals. While Kerry Kennedy's planned book is said to paint her mother as a virtual saint, and the Kennedys as a close and loving family, an insider told The Post that 'dysfunction rather than perfection' was a way of life for the late matriarch. As Ethel's fourth-born, David Anthony Kennedy, who died of a heroin overdose in 1984 at 36, once revealed, 'Those stories about what a big, happy family we had at Hickory Hill were all bulls—t. Life at home was mayhem, a mess. 'My mother was always having screaming rages. The house looked like a shithole. She didn't know how to deal with so many kids.' 10 RFK Jr. originally ran for president himself in 2024, before dropping out and endorsing Trump. Paul Martinka A child-care sitter retained by Ethel once even admitted that the middle children — Courtney, David and RFK Jr. – 'were virtually left to fend for themselves, with little or no supervision.' The sitter also called Ethel a 'distant, detached, and standoffish mother. When popular Look magazine decided to do a cover story on Ethel, then pregnant, as the possible next future first lady when RFK began his ill-fated 1968 presidential run, the bi-weekly's crack photographer-reporter team, Stanley Tretick and Laura Bergquist, were assigned. The magazine ran an upbeat story, but Tretick and Bergquist were privately shocked by what they witnessed. Tretick later revealed: 'I never thought she was a great mother… The kids all went their separate ways. It was like bedlam, everyone running around crazy… one night Ethel was going to fix food for us, but she said 'I don't know how to fix s—t!' She couldn't handle anything in the kitchen. Bobby looked at her and said, 'Mother of the year.' 'Our view of Ethel was, 'God, it's going to be bedlam, just nuts, if she goes to the White House, because that place will become a real zoo.''
