You know that delightful moment when you return to your cruise cabin each evening, wondering what towel creature will be waiting to greet you?
For 24-year-old Matt Kortelainen, that magical anticipation took an unexpectedly amusing turn during his recent four-night Carnival cruise from Sydney to Moreton Island.
While searching for somewhere to stash their suitcases, Matt peered under the bed and discovered something that would forever change how he viewed those charming terry cloth companions.
Tucked away in a plastic bag were several pre-made towel animals—a penguin, an elephant, and a butterfly—all neatly folded and ready for their starring roles.
A tradition born from genuine care
What Matt stumbled upon reveals the fascinating reality behind one of cruising's most beloved traditions. Carnival Cruise Lines pioneered towel animals back in 1991, and passengers loved them so much that towel animals became a mainstay of the cruise ship experience.
The tradition has deep roots in hospitality, with ancestors of towel animals perhaps being handkerchief animals or napkin folds.
Today, major cruise lines including Norwegian, Disney, Royal Caribbean, and Holland America all place towel animals on patrons' beds as part of their nightly turndown service.
'We weren't disappointed, but it was like finding out Santa's not real'
'We were like, what on earth?' Matt laughed while sharing his story with Yahoo News. His good-natured response to the discovery speaks volumes about the endearing nature of cruise traditions—even when the curtain is pulled back on how the magic happens.
The towel animal tradition
Carnival published a how-to book featuring 40 different towel animal configurations
The most recent edition was published in 2011
Available both on Carnival ships and through Amazon
Guests can purchase the book before their cruise or in the onboard Formalities shop
The reality behind the magic
Matt's discovery sheds light on the incredible logistics that make cruise ship hospitality possible. Each housekeeping staff member is typically assigned around 20 cabins, and their working day usually ends between 9 and 10pm.
Source: @mynamesmattt / Tiktok.
Consider the maths: on a ship carrying 3,000 passengers, that's potentially 1,500 cabins requiring daily attention. Embarkation day is without doubt the busiest, with passengers typically asked to clear their cabins no later than 9am so staff can prepare for new passengers boarding just hours later.
The pre-made approach Matt discovered makes perfect sense when you consider the logistics involved. Making towel animals is not an official part of a cabin steward's duties—these charming touches are extras that hardworking staff add to enhance guests' experiences.
Efficiency meets enchantment
The cruise industry has been grappling with balancing operational efficiency and guest expectations. Royal Caribbean follows Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line by moving from twice-a-day to once-a-day cabin cleaning, aimed at reducing costs, being more sustainable, and reducing crew workload.
Norwegian Cruise Line eliminated towel animals on its ships in 2019 as part of an effort to become more environmentally sustainable, citing water wastage and the costs associated with extra laundry and housekeeping. However, families cruising with children aged 12 and under can still request towel animals by calling housekeeping or chatting with their room steward.
What this reveals about cruise operations
- Cabin stewards manage approximately 20 rooms each
- Towel animals aren't required duties—they're thoughtful extras
- Pre-made animals help staff maintain quality while managing heavy workloads
- The tradition reflects genuine care for guest experiences despite operational pressures
Matt's cheeky response to his discovery perfectly captured the spirit of cruise adventures. He decided to display all the towel animals at once, leaving a playful note for the staff saying 'Haha! I know what you're up to.' His lighthearted approach shows that sometimes the behind-the-scenes reality can be just as delightful as the magic itself.
The Australian cruise connection
The Sydney to Moreton Island route that Matt travelled is a popular four-night cruise option, taking passengers north along the coast with a day stop at Moreton Island before returning to Sydney. Australians love cruising, with the country considered one of the leading cruise markets in the world.
For Australian cruisers, Matt's discovery offers a charming reminder that cruise magic comes in many forms—both the carefully crafted experiences and the genuine effort of hardworking crew members who go above and beyond their basic duties to create memorable moments.
The tradition continues
Despite industry changes, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney and Holland America currently have no plans to eliminate their beloved towel animal traditions. As one Carnival executive noted: 'When we started this fun tradition, with guests finding whimsical dogs and elephants in their staterooms, we could not have imagined it would set off a tradition that's now beloved across the industry. Our guests love our towel animals and so we plan to continue warmly embracing this tradition.'
Did you know?
Did you know? Towel dodo birds reportedly made appearances on the Titanic, suggesting that creative towel folding has been part of maritime hospitality for over a century.
The next time you spot a towel elephant perched on your cruise cabin bed, you might smile knowing there's both artistry and efficiency behind its creation. Whether folded fresh or prepared in advance, these terry cloth companions represent the genuine desire of cruise staff to add a touch of wonder to your holiday experience.
Matt's discovery reminds us that sometimes the most delightful cruise moments come from understanding the care and creativity that goes into making our holidays special—even when we peek behind the curtain and find a bag of pre-made penguins waiting for their moment to shine.
What's your most memorable towel animal encounter from a cruise? Have you ever made an amusing discovery in your cabin that changed how you viewed cruise operations? Share your stories in the comments below—we'd love to hear about your own cruise adventures and surprises.
Original Article
https://au.news.yahoo.com/carnival-...covery-under-bed-what-on-earth-021303777.html
Towel animal—Wikipedia
Cited text: Carnival debuted its first towel animal in 1991.
Excerpt: Carnival Cruise Lines pioneered towel animals back in 1991
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Towel_animal
Cruise towel animals: Everything to know about this treasured terry cloth tradition—The Points Guy
Cited text: According to the line, Carnival hospitality team members began making towel animals for guests in 1991.
Excerpt: Carnival Cruise Lines pioneered towel animals back in 1991
https://thepointsguy.com/cruise/cruise-ship-towel-animals/
Cruise towel animals: Everything to know about this treasured terry cloth tradition—The Points Guy
Cited text: Passengers loved them so much that towel animals became a mainstay of the cruise ship experience.
Excerpt: passengers loved them so much that towel animals became a mainstay of the cruise ship experience
https://thepointsguy.com/cruise/cruise-ship-towel-animals/
Towel animal—Wikipedia
Cited text: The ancestors of the towel animals are perhaps handkerchief animals or napkin folds.
Excerpt: ancestors of towel animals perhaps being handkerchief animals or napkin folds
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Towel_animal
Towel animal—Wikipedia
Cited text: Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Disney Hotels and Holland America Line cruises will often place towel animals o...
Excerpt: major cruise lines including Norwegian, Disney, Royal Caribbean, and Holland America all place towel animals on patrons' beds as part of their nightly turndown service
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Towel_animal
Towel animal—Wikipedia
Cited text: Carnival published a how to book on creating 40 different towel animal configurations. The most recent edition was published in 2011. The publication ...
Excerpt: Carnival published a how-to book featuring 40 different towel animal configurations, with the most recent edition published in 2011, available both on Carnival ships and through Amazon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Towel_animal
Towel animal—Wikipedia
Cited text: Carnival offers their guests a book by pre-ordering before the cruise, or on board ship in the Formalities shop.
Excerpt: The cruise line offers guests the opportunity to purchase the book before their cruise or in the onboard Formalities shop
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Towel_animal
How Cruise Ships Work (Part 2): Laundry, Housekeeping and Kitchens | The Shipyard
Cited text: A cabin steward preparing a bed on the Queen Mary 2 · Each member of the housekeeping staff is assigned a number of cabins, usually around 20.
Excerpt: Each housekeeping staff member is typically assigned around 20 cabins
https://www.theshipyardblog.com/how-cruise-ships-work-part-2-laundry-housekeeping-and-kitchens/
How Cruise Ships Work (Part 2): Laundry, Housekeeping and Kitchens | The Shipyard
Cited text: The working day of the stewards usually ends between 9 and 10pm.
Excerpt: their working day usually ends between 9 and 10pm
https://www.theshipyardblog.com/how-cruise-ships-work-part-2-laundry-housekeeping-and-kitchens/
How Cruise Ships Work (Part 2): Laundry, Housekeeping and Kitchens | The Shipyard
Cited text: Embarkation day is without doubt the busiest day for housekeeping. Passengers are typically asked to clear their cabins no later than 9am so that staf...
Excerpt: Embarkation day is without doubt the busiest, with passengers typically asked to clear their cabins no later than 9am so staff can prepare for new passengers boarding just hours later
https://www.theshipyardblog.com/how-cruise-ships-work-part-2-laundry-housekeeping-and-kitchens/
Towel Animals to Look for on Your Cruise
Cited text: These fuzzy friends are a fun extra stewards add to guest cabins to make a cruise more enjoyable and memorable, but making towel animals is not an off...
Excerpt: Making towel animals is not an official part of a cabin steward's duties
https://www.cruisehive.com/towel-animals-to-look-for-on-your-cruise/24007
Royal Caribbean Cuts Back on Housekeeping Service
Cited text: This move is in line with the policies of other major cruise brands, including Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line, and is aimed at reducing costs, bei...
Excerpt: Royal Caribbean follows Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line by moving from twice-a-day to once-a-day cabin cleaning, aimed at reducing costs, being more sustainable, and reducing crew workload
https://www.cruisehive.com/royal-caribbean-cuts-back-on-housekeeping-service/95567
Cruise towel animals: Everything to know about this treasured terry cloth tradition—The Points Guy
Cited text: In 2019, Norwegian Cruise Line eliminated towel animals on its ships as part of an effort to become more environmentally sustainable. The line cited w...
Excerpt: Norwegian Cruise Line eliminated towel animals on its ships in 2019 as part of an effort to become more environmentally sustainable, citing water wastage and the costs associated with extra laundry and housekeeping
https://thepointsguy.com/cruise/cruise-ship-towel-animals/
Cruise towel animals: Everything to know about this treasured terry cloth tradition—The Points Guy
Cited text: However, if you're cruising with kids ages 12 and under, you can request a towel animal visit. Just call housekeeping or chat with your room steward o...
Excerpt: families cruising with children aged 12 and under can still request towel animals by calling housekeeping or chatting with their room steward
https://thepointsguy.com/cruise/cruise-ship-towel-animals/
Australia Cruises—Book Australian Cruise Deals 2025 & 2026 | Flight Centre
Cited text: For example, a popular four-night cruise from Sydney travels north along the coast, stops at Moreton Island (off Brisbane) for one day and then return...
Excerpt: The Sydney to Moreton Island route that Matt travelled is a popular four-night cruise option, taking passengers north along the coast with a day stop at Moreton Island before returning to Sydney
https://www.flightcentre.com.au/cruises/au
Major cruise line makes shock departure from Australian shores
Cited text: It’s no secret that Australians love cruising. In fact, Australia is considered one of the leading cruise markets in the world.
Excerpt: Australians love cruising, with the country considered one of the leading cruise markets in the world
https://au.news.yahoo.com/major-cru...parture-from-australian-shores-225930041.html
Cruise towel animals: Everything to know about this treasured terry cloth tradition—The Points Guy
Cited text: Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney and Holland America currently have no plans to take the beloved tradition away from cruisers.
Excerpt: Despite industry changes, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney and Holland America currently have no plans to eliminate their beloved towel animal traditions
https://thepointsguy.com/cruise/cruise-ship-towel-animals/
Cruise towel animals: Everything to know about this treasured terry cloth tradition—The Points Guy
Cited text: 'When we started this fun tradition, with guests finding whimsical dogs and elephants in their staterooms, we could not have imagined it would set off...
Excerpt: As one Carnival executive noted: 'When we started this fun tradition, with guests finding whimsical dogs and elephants in their staterooms, we could not have imagined it would set off a tradition that's now beloved across the industry.
https://thepointsguy.com/cruise/cruise-ship-towel-animals/
Pictures: 11 of the Best Cruise Ship Towel Animals
Cited text: (The towel dodo bird reportedly made an appearance on Titanic.)
Excerpt: Towel dodo birds reportedly made appearances on the Titanic
https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles/pictures-11-of-the-best-cruise-ship-towel-animals
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