Carnival Cruise Passenger Gets the Brand Ambassador's Attention in Viral Photo

Photo byJohn Heald / Facebook | Cruise Fever

If you find a luggage mat on your cruise cabin bed, it's not a free gift and it's definitely not a blanket.

A recent incident of a woman using the mat to keep her warm at the airport has captured the internet's attention.

A photo of a passenger using a Carnival Cruise Line luggage mat as a blanket in an airport has gone viral, sparking a wave of snide remarks.

The image, shared widely on social media, prompted an outpouring of laughter and creativity. Users quickly began sharing memes and photos showcasing alternative uses for the luggage mats, from pool towels to cowboy chaps.

The unexpected viral moment even caught the attention of John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line's brand ambassador, who jokingly commented on the photo.

"If you get a bit chilly at the airport, you can always wrap your legs in one of these lovely blankets. Oh FFS. And yes, we have charged this person for taking it," Heald wrote on Facebook.

While the incident has provided some entertainment and online amusement, it also underscores the importance of luggage mats in cruise ship cabins. These seemingly simple items play a critical role in maintaining cleanliness.

"They’ve been used for decades," explained a Carnival spokesperson. "The mats serve as protectors – saving the white bedding from dirt and debris that luggage may have picked up, as well as limiting wear and tear."

The sheer number of cabins on even the smallest Carnival ship highlights the significant workload involved in maintaining the bedding. With thousands of staterooms to clean, preserving the bedding is a top priority for the cruise line's housekeeping staff.

"If guests didn’t use the luggage mats, the housekeeping staff would have a lot more laundry to do," the spokesperson added.

Given their importance, it's unsurprising that the cruise line takes the removal of these items seriously.

While the exact amount of the fine imposed on the passenger remains undisclosed, Carnival does place a hold on passengers' credit cards upon embarkation to cover any potential damages.