The common travel item being restricted by a major cruise line
A recent guideline on the dos and don'ts of behaving on a major cruise line has featured a rather unusual restriction.
The "Have Fun, Be Safe" letter is posted under the door of all passengers who sail on a Carnival Cruise Line ship.
It has the usual restrictions like no drugs, only smoke in designated areas, and don't run up and down the corridors making noise.
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Carnival places the "Have Fun, Be Safe" letter under the doors of cabins on board. Supplied/Carnival
But it also has this: "For safety reasons, handheld fans are not permitted in the nightclub or on any indoor dance floor."
Initially, there was some confusion on the exact meaning of 'handheld' and whether that included small portable battery-powered fans.
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But in a video on Facebook, Carnival's official brand ambassador John Heald confirmed it is the paper or folded fans that are being banned on the dance floor.
So why is the clacky-style fan being restricted?
Carnival doesn't specify, but some cruise blogs suggest it is down to the viral Boots on the Ground line dance. Having lots of dancers using fans in a small enclosed place could cause injuries.
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The latest note was shared on Facebook. Facebook
Guests will still be allowed to bring small electric handheld fans onboard Carnival Cruise Line ships.
Heald said: "Are fans allowed on board? Yes they are. We have not changed any rule regarding the fans that some of you like to have in your cabin.
"The electric fans - no bigger than 12 inches - they are allowed, of course. Please make sure they are in good working order. But you can, of course, continue to bring fans.
And although some guests were confused by the rules, Heald added the majority of passengers had reacted positively to the letter.
All passengers need to acknowledge the code of conduct upon check in. Supplied/Carnival Cruise Line
Another restriction when busting a move, is that no booze is allowed on the dance floor either.
A Carnival spokesperson told Stuff Travel that the letter to passengers had been updated ahead of the busy summer season: "It has been part of our standard communications across the fleet for more than two years.
"It reminds guests about some of the guidelines we have in place to support a safe, friendly, and fun environment on board."
The cruise line says all passengers "must acknowledge and commit to our code of conduct during the check-in process, and any violation may result in a fine of $500, possible stateroom confinement and removal from the ship.
"Guest may also be liable for reimbursement of expenses incurred by Carnival as a result of the detainment or disembarkation."
This story was originally published by Stuff and has been reproduced here with permission.
