Carnival Cruise Line bans upside-down pineapple decorations after deciphering their meaning

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Images: Irinayeryomina and Alexander Shapovalov | Dreamstime.com

 

Carnival Cruise Line has decided to flip the script on some of its guests' decorations. The cruise line recently announced a ban on upside-down pineapple decorations, which have become infamous for signaling an interest in swinging.

 

While pineapples—and upside-down pineapple cakes—might seem innocent enough, displaying one crown side down has taken on a meaning that doesn't quite align with Carnival's goal of maintaining a family-friendly atmosphere onboard.

 

The announcement came via John Heald, Carnival's Brand Ambassador, who responded to a guest inquiry about organizing singles meetups through the Carnival Hub app. Heald noted that the popularity of singles events has declined over the years, and when someone suggested using the upside-down pineapple as a signal for singles, he was quick to put the idea to rest. Heald stated, “Such decorations are definitely no longer allowed on the ships and they will be removed from any cabin door.” The move is so all passengers—from families to couples—feel comfortable and respected while cruising.

 

Carnival still allows themed door decorations like magnets or whiteboards—so long as they adhere to safety standards, like being fire retardant and not damaging the doors. However, symbols that could easily be misinterpreted or make others uncomfortable are now off-limits. The cruise line's decision to ban the upside-down pineapple aims to prevent any unintended awkward encounters that might arise from guests not in the know about the symbol's connotation.

 

Heald also reiterated that decorations that do not follow the guidelines will be removed—although he acknowledged that enforcement might not be entirely consistent across the fleet.

 

The upside-down pineapple has long been used within certain communities as a discreet symbol of openness to partner-swapping or swinging. While this might have once been a subtle signal understood by few, its meaning has become more widely known. As a result, displaying this symbol in public areas, like cruise ship corridors, has the potential to lead to unintended misunderstandings, creating an uncomfortable situation for some guests.

 

• https://local12.com/news/nation-world/carnival-announces-ban-on-upside-down-pineapple-decorations-cincinnati-swinger-culture-lifestyle-cincinnati-spreading-awareness-crackdown-confirmed-comfortable-environment-family-friendly-image-alignment-consumer-the-habit-unintended-misunderstanding 
• https://www.cruisehive.com/carnival-removing-upside-down-pineapple-door-decorations/152227 
• https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/travel-news/carnival-cruise-line-bans-upside-down-pineapples-as-swingers-seek-meet-ups/36AMV5AFN5HPLAGUHLENHJIV6Y/