Carnival Cruise Line adds powerful solution to solve cabin problem
It's amazing how a seemingly small improvement to the design of a basic item can sometimes dramatically increase its value for users.
In a cruise ship cabin where space is very limited, thoughtful design that equips a room with multipurpose features and devices makes the small room so much more manageable for passengers.
Related: Carnival and Royal Caribbean are making major cruise ship upgrades
As cruise lines introduce new innovations to ship design, tiny staterooms get more comfortable with each new ship class.
But it's not just new ships that get these enhancements. Older ships can often be updated with innovative new features that elevate the passenger experience.
Carnival Cruise Line's latest upgrades to some of its 20-year-old ships prove that.
The cruise line's brand ambassador, John Heald, recently showed off one new cabin enhancement on his popular Facebook page that stirred excitement among thousands of the cruise line's loyal guests.
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The brand ambassador posted a photo of a new bedside lamp that the cruise line recently added to staterooms on Carnival Valor, as well as other cruise ships in its fleet that were recently updated during routine dry dock maintenance.
"We added these new lamps on the Carnival Valor during dry dock and will be doing this to other ships in future dry docks. They have USB and the smaller one [USB-C] and a power plug for things like CPAP perhaps," Heald said.
As he often does with ship features and enhancements, Heald asked his followers for feedback on the new lamps and their charging ports to determine if the majority of passengers would find them useful.
Related: Carnival Cruise Line testing new dining option passengers want
More than 12,500 Carnival cruisers weighed in through comments on the post, and the results were overwhelming in favor of putting the lamps on as many ships as possible.
"I've been waiting for this moment my whole life," Julie Jebaily commented. "And I'll only use it for my cell phone charger because the USB outlets never charge my devices."
"Best change made to cabins in 20 years," Keith Bruce agreed.
Many Carnival passengers insist that there are never enough power outlets in cabins, especially on older ships.
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Heald's post about the new lamps was especially popular with cruisers who use CPAP machines when they sleep. These passengers typically have to pack extension cords for their cruises to meet their CPAP power needs.
"As a CPAP user it will make things much easier because I won't have to have an extension cord stretched across my cabin floor at night. That makes midnight potty runs really dangerous," Mick Kyte explained.
"I love the functionality. I can charge my phone and plug in my CPAP all in one lamp - and I don't have to bring an extension cord with me," Jeremy Rynca added. "That will help give me (my wife) more room to overpack clothes."
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Some passengers noted though that it would be more helpful if the lamp was not bolted down in the middle of the table as they're currently positioned on the ships that recently received them.
"They should be towards the front or the back so you actually have room for the CPAP or whatever you are plugging into the outlet," Avril Lawshé suggested.
Hopefully, after reviewing the helpful passenger feedback gathered by its brand ambassador, Carnival will make an adjustment to improve the lamp placement as they're added on more ships.
(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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