Cruise & Cruise Line

Carnival Takes a Stand on Upside Down Pineapples

Image: PHOTO: A sunlit Carnival Sunshine steaming to her next port-of-call. (photo courtesy of Carnival Corporation & plc)
Image: PHOTO: A sunlit Carnival Sunshine steaming to her next port-of-call. (photo courtesy of Carnival Corporation & plc)
Eraine Wessler
by Eraine Wessler
Last updated: 2:05 PM ET, Sat November 30, 2024

The website CruiseHive is reporting that Carnival Cruise Line is no longer allowing upside down pineapples as decorations for stateroom doors.

While the pineapple symbol has long been a common symbol for hospitality in general, the upside pineapple is considered risqué, as it generally refers to a different kind of welcoming environment.

The upside-down version of the fruit is a often used reference to symbolize that the home (or in this case, the room) is occupied by a couple that participates in swinging, or some version of partner swapping. 

The issue was raised on the cruise line’s app, when a user asked about adding single cruiser meetups; at one time, single events were popular aboard ships, but their popularity has waned, possibly because of the prevalence of dating apps. 

CruiseHive noted that Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador John Heald confirmed that upside down pineapple decorations are not permitted as decorations on cabin doors and that they will be removed.

The line publishes a list of other rules relating to door decoration, which include:

• Decorations may consist only of fire-retardant materials. 
• Decorations may only be placed on the stateroom door and not the surrounding frame, walls or railings.
• Magnets or Command Strips are allowed, but adhesives such as tape or glue are not.
• Over-the-door hanging organizers must hang inside the stateroom and cannot damage the door.
• No decorations of any kind are allowed on balconies.
• No decorations or items may be placed over light fittings or fixtures. This may restrict the airflow and cause the item to ignite.
• No string lights of any kind are allowed.

Carnival notes that stateroom decorations purchased via their Fun Shops online at www.carnival.com/funshops are made of fire-retardant materials. 


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