Cruise passengers sometimes like to keep an eye on what others on board are doing. Sometimes that makes sense because other people's behavior can affect your vacation.
If people let their kids play loudly in the adults-only pool or people leave their towel to store chairs near the pool and there aren't any available for people who really want to relax, those are reasonable times to get angry. Rules exist for a reason. However, realistically, Carnival (CCL) and real caribbean (RCL) Cruise lines generally don't have time to enforce minor violations.
Related: Royal Caribbean cruise line plans major upgrades to its ships
In many cases, the rules are a kind of honor system because lifeguards, waiters and people who clean the pool deck are not law enforcement officers on board. It doesn't make much sense for them to have a negative interaction with a passenger, even if they are technically enforcing the rules.
Typically, cruise ship security officers only intervene when the situation escalates. They will intervene when passengers appear ready to fight or when someone has had too much to drink and becomes abusive or aggressive.
That leads to many of the rules on a boat being more a matter of courtesy than someone actually enforcing them. That's usually not a problem since most people on a boat tend to be courteous and understand that everyone just wants to have a good time.
In some cases, however, it can become a problem when passengers think that one of the cruise line's rules affects their fun. That's something Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald addressed on his Facebook page on February 8.
Image source: Pixabay
Carnival has a rubber duck rule
On family cruise lines, hiding rubber ducks has become a tradition. Generally, people hide ducks for other people to find, and it all happens anonymously. In other cases, people attach contact information so the person who finds the duck can respond.
Sometimes that means sharing a photo of a happy child or posting a picture of the duck once he returns home. However, sharing that information is against Carnival policy. Heald shared a recent exchange he had on this topic.
Message: Perplexed and angry with your response to ——–. Why can't we put business cards with the ducks we hide on every cruise? Our cards say *You're in luck! You found a DUCK – Keep it or hide it ~ You decide* This is on our business card with details of our business, which is a ———- in ——. Where is the harm in this? Why do every cruise line except yours allow us to laugh at the ducks we hide and get nothing in return for doing so?
In reality, Royal Caribbean, Disney, and other cruise lines prohibit what the email describes for the same reason Heald shared that it is not allowed on Carnival.
Sigh, thank you, and since this person wrote this, a few others have said they agree and that we should allow this. To be honest, I don't know if we really have time to keep an eye on this, and in fact, let's be honest, we don't. The reason I said no is because we don't allow any kind of request. And isn't attaching your business card to a duck application?
It's a rule that Heald admits will clearly not be enforced. And, to be clear, sharing contact information is allowed, but not including your company information.
Carnival passengers have mixed opinions
The general concept of hiding ducks always provokes a strong response from Carnival passengers. Heald's post received more than 2,000 comments.
“I just don't understand the whole duck thing. But if others enjoy it, I don't bat an eye at it. However, they are hijacking something that others find fun just to promote their own business. And I sure as hell wouldn't patronize a company that made that. It's in very bad taste,” wrote Tom Pecena.
However, many responses opposed the idea of including advertising.
“No real harm, but it changes (in my opinion) the reason they hide them. Instead of just wanting to share the fun they advertise. I'm not sure I agree with that,” Ellen Vandenborn posted.
“If I found a duck with a business card, I would make sure not to frequent that business because they are trying to cash in on a fun vacation,” Kate Dupin added.
Some passengers want the unofficial cruise business to maintain its innocence.
“I love looking and finding ducks, I also love the excitement when a child finds one. Allowing business cards would open the door to all kinds of business. Keep it as is, innocent fun,” wrote Diane Kretzer. .
