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 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 illnesses 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 during sailings have sharpened. Crew members stand by to wipe down buffet and cafe tables between passengers, and someone always seems to be cleaning railings, bathrooms and other public spaces.
Covid also led all the major cruise lines to improve their air-filtration systems and add strict standards to quarantine guests and crew when they show signs of illness.
Still, even with those increased standards, many guests still make their own efforts to sanitize their rooms and wherever they may be.
Carnival Cruise Line supports those personal efforts — but it bans one health and safety item that many passengers try to bring on board.
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Carnival makes every effort to fully clean its cabins.
Image source: Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Lines does not allow key product on board
On March 7 Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald answered a question on the cruise line’s health and safety rules.
“It is farcical that I should have to become a member of this Facebook group just to get clarification and the right answer,” an unidentified passenger wrote. “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.”
Using his usual deft touch, Heald addressed the question and ignored the basic rudeness of the original post.
“Hello, and you are very welcome to this page, and I will always do my very best to help everyone I can,” he wrote. “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.”
The ever-patient brand ambassador gave some broad advice before answering the question.
“Our team members across the Carnival fleet maintain rigorous cleanliness and public health standards,” he added. “Guests are reminded to frequently wash their hands with warm water and soap and to follow other guidance provided on board.”
Heald then explained what Carnival allows and does not allow on board.
“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 explained.
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 said they brought sanitizing wipes on board.
“I have wipes with me when I travel,” posted Tonia Wright Johnson. “It is just for my own peace of mind. I will wipe down handles, the remote, the table tops, just commonly touched areas in my room/cabin. I do the same thing at home once a week or so, more often if some one is sick.”
Most of the respondents are happy with the cruise line’s cleaning efforts.
“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,” Mary Ann Capece advised.
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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