There are some topics companies try really hard to avoid. That's a situation that has become even worse in recent years as brands have faced a backlash for selling Pride Month merchandise, trying to have an inclusive bathroom policy, or, in one well-known case, making a small marketing deal with a transgender social media influencer.
Politics is a minefield that can cost executives their jobs and cost a company millions of dollars — sometimes hundreds of millions of dollars. People especially don't want to mix politics with their vacation.
Related: Carnival Cruise Line shares news on cruise ship ducks
That's a challenge Walt Disney (DIS) has faced as it has dealt with severe blowback from Florida's right-wing Governor Ron DeSantis. The failed presidential candidate took over the former Reedy Creek Improvement District and replaced it with a board filled with his own hand-picked cronies.
DeSantis made his war with Disney part of his campaign and the focus of one of his commercials.
"Once upon a time, Disney films were for kids, not secret sexual content. Target and Bud Light didn't sell extreme liberal agendas and schools taught the ABCs not CRT. This isn't a fairy tale. It's a nightmare. But one man stood up: Ron DeSantis," according to the ad.
It doesn't matter that Disney doesn't actually do that, DeSantis is speaking to an audience that's not going to fact-check him. It's also a really hard allegation to refute — a bit like the old "prove to me you're not cheating on your spouse" trap.
Politics are to be avoided at all costs whenever possible, but Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald recently had to get very close to a political third rail while answering a question from one of his Facebook followers.
Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise.
Carnival shares a clear adults-only policy
Where women should be able to breastfeed their babies is one of those topics companies really want to avoid having to comment on. Heald, however, had to do exactly that, but he walked a careful line.
"I am not answering questions today, and that means a few people who had on going issues will have to please kindly wait until Monday when I am back. One of these issues are crew related. One from a lady who, although not on the actual ship where this allegedly happened, gave me both barrels about a lady breastfeeding her baby on Serenity Deck," he wrote.
Serenity deck is an adults-only 21-and-over pool deck that has an adjacent bar.
"There are few things with this. First of all the lady who wrote to me a few times about this was very upset despite not being on the ship. I guess that kind of makes me scratch my head and wonder why this would have incensed her so much?" Heald shared.
But then, assuming this actually happened, he explained the cruise line's policy on it.
"Secondly, the lady who was allegedly breastfeeding on Serenity deck should not have been doing so. It’s not about the breastfeeding, that is a natural as anything on God’s green earth. But as children of any age are not allowed on Serenity Deck she should have perhaps found another area on the ship to do so," he added.
Want the latest cruise news and deals? Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter.
Carnival's Heald shares when cruise crew won't intervene
"What upset this lady who wrote to me about this was the fact that the crew that work on the Serenity deck had not told the lady to stop breastfeeding and leave the Serenity deck," Heald shared.
The Brand Ambassador explained why crew might not get involved even if they see someone breaking a rule.
"My answer to that is, yep, your right, they didn’t and I am not surprised. I have worked with our crew for almost 40 years now and I know them as well as anyone. And I know that a housekeeping attendant from the Philippines, or a deck steward from Indonesia or a bar server from Thailand or any of our brilliant, kind, loving, caring and considerate crew are never going to approach a breast feeding lady and say – 'you cannot do this here,'” he posted.
Crew members will generally enforce the age-based policies, according to Heald.
"They will politely tell children to leave, and parents that try to bring children to spend time in the sun with them on Serenity deck to leave – but a young mum with a baby at the breast – they just won’t. it is not in their DNA," he added.
Related: Get the best cruise tips, deals, and news on the ships from our expert cruiser
