Carnival and other cruise lines do not have a bidding policy, and for good reason.
Even fundraisers that may seem innocuous to some can have a negative impact on others. Most people don’t want another passenger asking them for a donation or buying something from them while they are trying to enjoy a carefree vacation at sea.
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Selling a beloved treat to support a beloved youth organization is no different. Whatever the reason, cruise lines need to protect their passengers from unnecessary tendering.
Additionally, allowing one group to sell something will encourage others to do the same, turning the cruise ship into a floating market for passengers to sell products to each other.
So as Girl Scout cookie season begins, Mardi Gras cruise line passengers just remind you that cruise ships are not the place to set up cookie stands selling mint mints, samoans, or any other delicious treat.
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Passengers can’t sell Girl Scout cookies on Mardi Gras cruise ship
Mardi Gras Cruises brand ambassador John Heald recently received a question on his popular Facebook page from a passenger asking that his daughter be allowed to sell Girl Scout cookies during the cruise.
Heard said no to the passenger’s request. Technically, this would violate Cruise Line’s ticketing contract, which states: “Guests shall not solicit any person on board for any commercial, professional, unlawful or unlawful purpose.”
Passengers, however, were not happy to receive a “no” but thought the cruise line should make an exception for “innocent” Girl Scout cookies.
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“Girl Scout cookies are an innocent little thing and denying my girls the ability to sell their own is probably the most un-Christian thing I’ve ever heard,” the passenger wrote. “We just want them in like the foyer Did it twice in a tour of public places like this.”
In a poll on his Facebook page, Heald invited passengers to vote on whether they thought he made the right decision regarding Girl Scout cookie sales.
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Carnival cruise fans weigh in on cookie sales
More than 28,000 people voted in support of Heald’s decision to ban Girl Scout cookie sales. About 600 people voted in favor of what they believed should be a Mardi Gras allowing girls to sell cookies on boats.
Poll results and comments indicate that most passengers are aware that cruise lines do not allow one group to sell something without opening the door for others.
“I have nothing against GS Cookie, but if you allow them to sell, you must allow all other groups to do the same,” one commenter said. “The whole boat is going to be one big garage sale. No thanks. Me Can buy my GS cookies from kids in the neighborhood.”
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Other passengers echoed the sentiment.
“I don’t want outside vendors (especially kids!) trying to sell me stuff on the ship,” one passenger chatted. “Where does it end?”
One passenger with strong ties to the Girl Scout organization proposed an alternative for Girl Scouts sailing during cookie season.
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“Make friends on board. Scouts can talk about all the great activities they do,” suggests a passenger. “People know it’s cookie season, have personal conversations and teach Scouts more than just communicating at the table in the foyer. If you need scouting time, spend the holidays earning badges.”
Girl Scouts may also consider packing some cookies to share with new friends they make during their cruise. Carnival Cruise Line does allow passengers to bring their own snacks on board as long as they are pre-packaged and unopened.
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