It’s been several years since cruise lines began ditching single-use plastics, including straws, but is it time to reconsider what alternatives they use?

One recent Carnival Cruise Line guest feels that certain types of straws are literally the last straw and make-or-break their enjoyment of a cruise vacation.

They were so upset at what was offered for their beverage of choice that they reached out to John Heald, the cruise line’s brand ambassador, about their options.

“John are you aware that —– and —– have brought back plastic straws. Why does Carnival still have [these] god awful edible straws that fall apart. Paper straws are disgusting too,” the guest said.

While Heald redacted the names of cruise lines that have supposedly returned to using plastic straws, any such shift in policy from other lines has been quiet indeed, as none have noted such a change.

“I was on the Celebration and ordered a drink from the Guy Fieri pub,” the guest continued.

“I requested a straw with my Moscow Mule, and they would not give me one stating they were only for frozen drinks only. I have never had that happen on any other cruise line ever! I won’t be back until Carnival changes this outdated policy.”

The guest does not identify their exact sailing date, but the Excel-class Carnival Celebration offers 7-night Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean sailings year-round from PortMiami.

To be clear, there is no “Guy Fieri Pub” onboard Carnival Celebration, though they might be referring to Guy’s Smokehouse Brewhouse on Deck 8 aft, in the Summer Landing zone, where craft beers are brewed onboard.

Nevertheless, it is true that straws are not offered with most drinks onboard, as Heald confirmed.

“Some years ago The Beards rightly decided that we had to do more to protect our oceans,” he explained. “One of the ways to do this was to stop serving plastic straws.”

“The fact that we put the environment before straws should either be applauded or at least, understood.”

Read Also: What Is the Carnival CHEERS! Package?

Heald goes on to sympathize with the guest, noting he doesn’t care for edible straws himself. He does not claim to be the most environmentally-minded individual, but the step is a necessary one.

“I can say that after working and for many months living on the seas for almost 40 years that we must do this, we must protect our oceans,” he said.

Edible Straws Not a Guest Favorite

Heald and this vocal Carnival guest are not the only ones who don’t care for the edible straws. In fact, Heald posted a “straw poll” asking for guests’ opinions.

Of more than 4,740 votes in just a few hours, 56% of responses (roughly 2,650 votes) do not like the edible straws.

“They don’t hold up in drinks. They end up falling apart, and you can’t touch them to stir your drink because they’re sticky,” one guest noted.

How quickly the straws get slimy or fall apart, impacts on drink tastes, and the amount of sugar in candy straws are all complaints about the unpopular straws.

Roughly 7% of voters (approximately 330 votes) do enjoy the edible straws, typically for the sweeter drinks or milkshakes where the sugary flavors can actually be a fun addition.

Can Guests Bring Their Own Straws?

Heald does note that guests are free to bring their own reusable straws onboard to use in any drinks they order, but with one request.

“You can bring your own straw, a stainless steel or reusable straw but please, not plastic,” he said. “We do not have a rule on bringing plastic straws on board but please try not to if you can.”

Reusable straws are available in silicone, metal, and glass, with different sizes and designs for different types of drinks. Bent straws, collapsible travel-friendly styles, and even curly straws for whimsical sips are all options.

In the poll, 31% of cruise guests (roughly 1,470 votes) do claim to bring their own straws onboard. Do you?

Carnival Guest’s Complaint Over a Simple Straw Sparks Big Reactions