When you think of your best vacation aboard a cruise, a few things might come to mind: all-you-can-eat buffets, dazzling entertainment, endless ocean views, and, of course, towel animals. Yes, those cute little creatures crafted from bath towels that greet you in your cabin after a long day of snorkeling, sunbathing, or overeating at the midnight buffet. But believe it or not, these beloved towel critters have sparked quite the debate, especially among environmental advocates. Is this delightful tradition a frivolous waste, or does it add an essential touch to the cruise experience? Carnival Cruise Line is standing firm on this issue, and so are its passengers.
Carnival’s Commitment to the Environment
Before we dive into the towel animal controversy, it’s important to note that Carnival Cruise Line has taken significant strides toward reducing its environmental impact. As part of the cruise industry’s broader sustainability efforts, the company has rolled out eco-friendly initiatives designed to reduce waste and minimize harm to our oceans.
One of the biggest game-changers for Carnival has been the installation of over 600 food waste biodigesters across its fleet in 2022. These high-tech machines can break down food waste using a mix of microorganisms, processing 24 hours a day to handle anything humans consume. The company aims to reduce food waste by 50% by 2030, a lofty goal, but one that’s feasible thanks to these innovative machines.
Carnival’s environmental goals don’t stop at food waste. The cruise line is also working to:
- Expand the use of Advanced Waste Water Treatment Systems to cover more than 75% of its fleet by 2030.
- Increase waste-to-energy facility use, aiming for 100% by 2050.
- Aspire to build zero-emission ships by 2050, meaning vessels with no need for ocean or air discharges.
Not to mention, Carnival has already made waves by eliminating plastic straws fleet-wide—a small but impactful change. You’d think with all these efforts, the last thing anyone would worry about is a couple of towels twisted into the shape of a monkey. But here we are.
The Great Towel Animal Debate
Despite Carnival’s green initiatives, towel animals are causing a stir. These little towel masterpieces, which have become a staple of the cruise experience, are left in passengers’ cabins by room stewards. They often incorporate items lying around the cabin—like sunglasses or hats—for that extra cute factor. While adorable, they do need to be laundered after use, which consumes soap, water, and human energy.
One environmentally conscious passenger wasn’t pleased about the towel animals’ impact. In a fiery email to Carnival’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, the guest let their frustrations out.
“Towel animals are only cute if you are a child or have no life,” the passenger wrote. “Most adults do not like towel creatures so they end up back in the laundry using soap, water, and manpower just so children and those with childish minds are amused.”
Well, that’s a harsh way to put it, but Heald wasn’t fazed. He jumped to the defense of the towel animals—and Carnival’s tradition.
“This has been part of our Fun for 53 years and still brings a smile to so many people today,” Heald responded. “I may be an ‘old irrelevant sock puppet,’ but I do believe there’s a towel animal that will make everyone smile, even those who say they never cruise with us.”
Passengers Overwhelmingly Support Towel Animals
To settle the debate, Heald decided to let the passengers speak for themselves. He conducted a simple poll asking, “Do towel animals bring you joy and make you smile?”
The result? An overwhelming 97% of respondents said yes, with only 3% saying no. With over 7,000 votes tallied, it’s clear: Carnival cruisers are strongly attached to their towel animals. For many passengers, these towel creatures are a highlight of their trip.
“It’s a highlight of our cruise to see the smile on our grandson’s face each day. We keep them the whole time and take pictures,” one guest, Cindy Smith Adams, commented.
And it’s not just families with kids who love them. Adult cruisers, too, are fans of the towel animals.
“They are one of my favorite parts of cruising. I try to save them all week,” shared Kayla Evans.
“My wife really enjoys them. She takes pictures of them all week,” added Jerry Gibson.
Could Towel Animals Be Limited?
However, not everyone is completely on board with the towel animal craze. Some passengers think the tradition should be limited to families with children. Denise Kennedy, another Carnival cruiser, pointed out that in the small cabin spaces, storing the towel animals can be a bit of a hassle.
“I think the towel animals are cute, but with the small rooms, there is no place to store them,” Kennedy explained. “I feel like it takes a lot of time for our stewards to make them, and they care for so many rooms now. My suggestion is to make them for the cabins with children in them.”
This is a compromise some might appreciate. But for those who love the creatures, fear not: if you’d prefer your towel animals to stay away, you can simply request that your room steward skips this step altogether.
Carnival Balances Fun with Sustainability
The battle between fun traditions and environmental concerns is an ongoing one, especially in the cruise industry. But Carnival Cruise Line seems to be navigating these waters quite well. With its massive investment in sustainable technologies and a commitment to reducing waste, it’s clear the company is serious about protecting the planet. Yet, Carnival also knows what makes its guests’ experience special—and for many, that means a cute towel animal waiting to greet them in their cabin after a day of adventure.
So, as you plan your next best vacation aboard a Carnival cruise, you can rest assured that the fun—including the towel animals—is still very much alive, all while the cruise line is working hard to ensure its impact on the environment is minimal.
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