Towel animals: Everything you need to know about this precious tradition of terry cloth

For many cruise people, the charming menagerie of towel animals that appear in your cabin each night is a highlight.

That really rings true for me. I’ve been an avid towel animal fan for as long as I can remember – from family cruises when our daughters were little, squealing with delight at each new character, to our recent “nester-nester” trip where I came down with a gazillion photos. all animals one towel.

How did towel animals become such a thing in the world of sailing? Are people really like bananas on a towel monkeys like me? Read on to find out the answer and everything else you might not know about those adorable beach towel animals.

What are towel animals?

Also called towel origami, towel animals are an enduring cruise ship tradition. Housekeepers fold towels into animal shapes and leave them in your room during housekeeping service.

They create everything from floppy-eared elephants and stingrays that sit on your bed to monkeys and bats that hang from the wardrobe rails. The characters are often decorated with paper eyes and nose buttons but can also sport a few accessories. Your elephant might hold the next day’s planner or a few pieces of chocolate while you wear your sunglasses or baseball cap.

Despite their name, cruise towel animals are not always made of towels. Sometimes, they are made from a blanket, a washcloth or a t-shirt that you left in bed that morning.

When did towel animals become a cruise ship tradition?

Although the story of the origin of the ship’s towel animals is unclear, Carnival Cruise Line is often credited with ending the practice. According to the line, members of the Carnival hospitality team started making towel animals for guests in 1991. Passengers loved them so much that the towel animals became a mainstay of the ship’s experience.

“It’s been great to see the evolution of the towel animals, the great creativity shown by our team members and the incredible reception from our guests over the past few decades,” said Stefan Christoffersson, Carnival’s vice president of housekeeping.

The ship’s towel animals are still very popular with passengers and have become ingrained in the culture of cruise ships. You’ll find plenty of magnets, t-shirts, keychains, barn door decorations and stickers dedicated to towel animals on websites like Amazon and Etsy. I even found a little “How to make a towel animal” kit for your Elf on the Shelf doll on Etsy, which might be perfect for families traveling for the Christmas holidays.

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Until I came across the Carnival Towel Animals fan page on Facebook, I was followed by people who wanted to share their love of towel animals with like-minded cruisers.

Which travel routes offer towel animals?

Carnival may be the undisputed leader in the over-the-top cruise towel animal experience. However, Holland America, Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean also create towel animals for passengers.

In addition to the amazing overnight towel pet, Carnival goes all out with a pet towel every morning you sail. Passengers wake up to hundreds of towel animals on every upper deck of the ship – lining the pools and relaxing on the loungers. It’s one of my favorite mornings on the Carnival cruise. Carnival riders can also pose for photos with the life-size towel animal mascot.

Holland America cabin managers leave towels for guests as part of the turndown service. Additionally, pet “zoos” often appear throughout the ship on long voyages. Taking a vacation with Holland America? Expect a special twist on towel animals – something new for 2024, according to the line. Check out the holiday-inspired towel creations, including Santa and his reindeer.

Passengers sailing with Disney can expect daily towel animal surprises in their cabins, as well as pieces of the line’s chocolate candy. You can also buy plush stuffed animal toys – an elephant and a monkey – in stores.

Royal Caribbean also treats cruisers to towel animal shenanigans every day.

Will cruise lines ban towel animals?

Rumors of towel animals being completely banned from cruise ships are being circulated from time to time. (Apparently, Carnival’s towel animals do not take the threat of extinction lightly, as evidenced in the photo above.) It’s true that some lines no longer offer them.

In 2019, Norwegian Cruise Line removed animal towels from its ships as part of an effort to become more environmentally friendly. Laini cited water wastage and the costs associated with extra laundry and housekeeping as reasons to stop the practice. However, if you are traveling with children aged 12 and under, you can request a pet visit. Just call the housekeepers or chat with your room manager once you board.

Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney and Holland America currently have no plans to remove the beloved tradition from cruise travelers.

“When we started this happy tradition, when the guests get dogs and elephants and chameleons in their homes, we did not think that it would take away the tradition that is loved by the whole industry,” said Christoffsson. “Our guests love our towel animals so we plan to continue to embrace this tradition.”

How to make animal towels

If you’re traveling with Carnival, Royal Caribbean or Disney, you can join an on-board towel making class, which is offered at least once during the cruise (and usually on a beach day). Check the towel animal activities on your cruise line’s daily schedule.

The Carnival book “Towel Creations” contains step-by-step instructions for making a variety of animals. You can buy it on board ($14.95) during a towel wrap class or at the ship’s Entertainment Store. Also available on Amazon. The line donates a portion of book sales to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Royal Caribbean passengers can join a “Folding Artistry” class to hone their napkin- and towel-folding skills. The line also offers a free downloadable towel folding booklet (PDF) that provides easy-to-follow steps for making lobsters, an elephant, a monkey, a duck, and other animals.

You’ll also find tons of YouTube tutorials on how to make your own flock of towel animals when you return home from your travel vacation.

Bottom line

Although few cruise lines are available from them, those attractive terry cloth products are synonymous with the cruise experience.

You’re never too old to appreciate the creativity and cuteness of beach towel animals. For me, a new towel character waiting for me in my closet is the perfect greeting after a long day by the pool or exploring the harbor.

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