Carnival Cruise Line bans popular health and safety product
The cruise line has a rule that may surprise some passengers.
Cruise lines have long been especially conscious of cleaning and sanitizing rooms and public spaces. When one group of passengers disembarks, the room stewards do a full cleaning of every cabin while other workers make every effort to clean and sanitize the rest of the ship.
Before the Covid pandemic, protocols were a little looser. Cruise lines were very aware of norovirus, flu, and other viruses that could spread, but the 16-month Covid shutdown of the entire cruise industry caused the cruise lines to revisit and rethink their policies.
Related: Carnival, Royal Caribbean cancel voyages, ships stuck at sea
After the Covid shutdown, cleaning standards got more rigorous. If a ship has an outbreak of any sort, crews take longer between passenger groups to do a deep cleaning.
In addition to increased cleaning efforts between cruises, standards have been increased during a sailing. There are crew members waiting to wipe down buffet and cafe tables between passengers, and it seems like there's always someone cleaning railings, bathrooms, and other public spaces.
Covid also led to all the major cruise lines improving their air filtration and adding strict standards as to quarantining guests and crew when they show signs of illness. Despite those increased standards, many guests still make their own efforts at sanitizing their rooms or wherever they may be.
Carnival Cruise Line supports that, but bans one health and safety item that many passengers try to bring onboard.
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Carnival Cruise Lines does not allow key product onboard
Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald answered a question on the cruise line's health and safety rules on March 7.
"It is farcical that I should have to become a member of this Facebook group just to get clarification and the right answer. Why is this not something specifically written on the Carnival.com site? People like me want to avoid germs. On my upcoming cruise I want to bring Lysol and spray down my cabin. Is it allowed to bring aerosols or not? I have been told yes and I have been told no. There is no clarity at Carnival. Perhaps you sir are not concerned with germ prevention onboard," wrote an unnamed passenger.
Heald tried to both address and ignore the basic rudeness of the original post using his usual deft touch.
"Hello, and you are very welcome to this page, and I will always do my very best to help everyone I can. There is no public health situation that should cause guests to be concerned about cruising on Carnival. The CDC estimates that approximately 20 million norovirus cases occur in the U.S. each year and less than one percent of these occur on cruise ships," he wrote.
The ever-patient brand ambassador shared some broad advice before answering the question.
"Our team members across the Carnival fleet maintain rigorous cleanliness and public health standards. Guests are reminded to frequently wash their hands with warm water and soap and to follow other guidance provided on board," he added.
Heald then explained what Carnival allows onboard and what it doesn't.
"You can bring Lysol (Other brands are welcome too) wipes on board. You cannot bring Lysol (other brands are also not welcome) aerosols on board," he shared.
Most Carnival passengers seem to understand
Nearly 400 people responded to Heald's post, and most of them seemed supportive.
"I sometimes bring wipes and end up not using them. The crews do a fabulous job keeping the ships clean" Pam De Marco posted.
Many people admitted to bringing sanitizing wipes onboard.
"I sometimes bring wipes and end up not using them. The crews do a fabulous job keeping the ships clean," posted Tonia Wright Johnson.
Most of the respondents are happy with the cleaning job done by the cruise line.
"I bring wipes for my hands when I'm not able to wash them. (Something is better than nothing) I have never found a reason to clean my cabin on arrival. Wash your hands and wash them often. Don't touch your face," shared Mary Ann Capece.
Dave Dowling seemed generally dismissive of the idea of wipes or aerosol sprays.
"I don’t have disinfectant spray or wipes or hand sanitizer at home. I don’t need it on a ship. I survived the plague without it. I have only used that stuff was when it was required to enter a business after the Covid lockdown," he wrote.
Related: Royal Caribbean drops popular cruise departure port
Most passengers seem to believe that the crew does a good job cleaning.
"No need to bring them. The crew does an outstanding job keeping the ship clean. If one feels better they can bring wipes," added Thomas Jebb.
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