Cruise ship cleanliness has long been a concern of passengers and cruise lines. Disease spreads quickly on ships and people not taking proper precautions makes the odds of that happening significantly higher.
That's why both Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean famously have workers singing about the virtues of washing your hands at the entrance to the respective buffets. Both companies also have easily-accessed hand-washing stations in those locations as a way to make it much easier for passengers to do the right thing and wash their hands.
Related: Carnival Cruise shares adult beverage rule with no exceptions
In addition to hand-washing, every cruise line has increased its cleaning and sanitization efforts. Walk around any public area on a Carnival or Royal Caribbean ship — especially ones where people eat — and you see crew members with cleaning supplies waiting to swoop in when a passenger leaves in order to sanitize before someone else sits down.
If you pay attention onboard, you will also notice crew members sanitizing stair railings, elevators, and any other high-touch buttons. Keeping passengers healthy through a commitment to cleanliness has become a key hallmark for Carnival and Royal Caribbean.
Two Carnival passengers recently asked Brand Ambassador John Heald two very different cleanliness questions. His response to the second may surprise you.
Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise.
Image source: Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival takes a stance on hand sanitizer
Vanessa Haynes asked Heald about whether Carnival has changed its commitment to one anti-illness measure.
"Good Morning, I just have a question. Why are the hand sanitizer dispensers on Carnival Cruise ships, and I have been on three different ships in 30 days, and they’re all empty. Now I’m trying to get well to get back on the Jubilee Nov. 2. I do believe that has something to do with people getting off the ship with Covid and people like me coming home with a cough. I do pack my own sanitizer, but IMO I believe the ship should have some in the sanitizer dispensers," she posted.
Heald shared a lengthy answer that outlined Carnival's commitment to keep passengers healthy.
"I can absolutely promise you that it’s not. Good morning, the best defense, the only defense against any cold, flu or Covid is washing your hands with warm water and soap. This comes directly from the United States Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control," Heald shared.
He did not directly address why the passenger found empty hand sanitizer dispensers.
"It’s also important to remember that there are no Covid protocols in place anymore. It is not considered a pandemic or anything as it was before. That’s why we consistently promote the washing of hands with warm water and soap not just against cold, but also against any possible gastro illness which again hand sanitizer does not protect," he shared.
Heald made it clear that hand sanitizer was not a priority, and he tried to explain why while throwing shade at another cruise line.
"It’s a cruise line that has crew members, dancing and singing, and pushing people to use the hand sanitizer had a large outbreak of Gastro illness recently. We have not," he added.
The Brand Ambassador also had a suggestion for Haynes.
"If hand sanitizer though is something that you need to use then I would highly suggest please that you bring your own. We will have some stations around the ship, but again I have been asked to mention every time this is brought up that it is washing your hands that will protect you," he wrote.
Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise.
Carnival has service animal cleaning protocols
Judy Freese Harrell asked Heald a question about service animals and what the protocol is for them on Carnival ships.
"Hi John, Thank you for all your informative and also entertaining Facebook posts. I've questions concerning service animals. Are certain rooms set aside and only used for people who have service animals? If not, how are rooms used by people with service animals cleaned," she asked.
More Carnival:
- Carnival Cruise Line takes on main dining room controversy
- Carnival Cruise Line adds a new homeport, shares new itineraries
- Carnival Cruise Line shares a passport rule for most ports
- Carnival Cruise Line defends its beloved towel animals
Heald's response was direct and clear.
"Thank you, most of the guests whose cruise with us who have serviced animals with them stay in a ADA cabin. And of course, there are enhanced cleaning protocols after that cruise. Thank you, it’s absolutely nothing for anybody to be concerned about and if I can ever do anything for you I hope you will let me know," Heald answered.
Are you taking a cruise or thinking about taking one? Visit our Come Cruise With Me website to have all your questions answered.
There are also very strict standards for anyone who wants to bring a service animal onboard. These have to be actual, trained and certified service animals not emotional support animals. It's actually somewhat rare for service animals to be on ships at all.
