Sometimes companies make choices that they know their customers won't like because of public pressure.
McDonald's (MCD) , for example, stopped using styrofoam packing way back in 1990 because of activists who argued that it was bad for the environment. Styrofoam had a lot of negatives for the planet, but it had a lot of positives for your Big Mac.
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The old styrofoam packaging simply did a better job keeping your sandwich warm. It was a better product that had a downside that the chain, after years of fighting it, simply could not ignore.
Environment versus works well has not been an argument limited to McDonald's. We no longer use aerosol hairspray and even asthma inhalers had to change to a much less effective method of propelling the needed medicine into your lungs.
There are countless cases where public sentiment has forced businesses to make changes from effective solutions to ones that work less well. Many companies, for example, have replaced plastic straws with paper ones that melt in your drink.
People who don't like those and would prefer a classic plastic straw, aren't making a move against the planet, they're generally making a choice that they would prefer to enjoy their $6 iced latte without their straw falling apart.
Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) passengers have largely taken a similar stand.
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Carnival passengers don't like its straw options
Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald addressed the plastic straw issue on his Facebook page.
"Some time ago the Beards decided that we had to do more to protect the environment and help Teddy the Turtle, Delia the Dolphin, Norman the ummm Octopus, and all of the creatures that call the ocean home," he wrote. "One of the ways to dop this was to stop serving plastic straws with every Kiss on the Lips, Slippery Nipple, and Pina Colada. The fact that we put the environment before straws should either be applauded or at least, understood."
The Beards are Heald's way of referring to Carnival management including its female — and very much non-bearded — president.
Carnival is not alone in banning plastic straws. Its closest rival Royal Caribbean (RCL) has done the same thing.
Not all passengers are happy with that decision, Heald noted.
"I received a post this past week of such mind-boggling selfishness I wondered if it was a troll post. It wasn’t. It was someone who after inspection had cruised with us twice in the last two years. The post demanded that we bring back plastic straws for his Bourbon Smash. The author of the post threatened that 'Carnival will never see any of my money again until plastic straws are back,'" he added.
That post, Heald noted, had 40 plus likes and thumbs up.
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Heald took offense at the criticism.
"Oh FFS You would stop cruising with us because there are no plastic straws? My reply was professional and reminded him about the Fun and all the other reasons he surely loved cruising with us. I wanted to say Why the sodding heck do you need a sodding straw at all? They’re the grown-up’s sippy cup," he wrote.
FFS is "for fun's sake" in Heald speak.
Passengers don't like Carnival's alternative straws
The issue may not be that Carnival has opted to drop plastic straws, it may be its choice of replacement. With some drinks, the cruise line offers up an edible candy straw.
Heald polled his followers about the straw choice onboard, and it was clear what they did not like. The poll which was simply topped "straw poll," had four choices.
- I like the edible straws (8%)
- I do not like the edible straws (55%)
- I bring my own straws (32%)
- I don't drink anything where I need a straw (5%)
Royal Caribbean, it should be noted, offers biodegradable straws made from recycled plastic. Those are a recent change after its customers pushed back on the paper straws that quickly fell apart that it had been using.
Heald's poll got more than 7,000 votes. Many of the comments shared that people who bring straws are bringing the reusable kind.
"I have reusable metal straws I bring with me. They even make short cocktail ones. They have the silicone tips so it doesn't hurt the teeth. I also bring the straw cleaner and some dawn soap on board," shared Melissa Dye.
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Heald agreed with that idea.
"I know the edible straws are not a favourite of everyone but you can bring your own straw, a stainless steel or reusable straw but please, not plastic. We do not have a rule on bringing plastic straws on board but please try not to if you can," he shared.
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