Cruise lines cut back toiletries

[1Melanie]

Heads up! On two cruises since December - 1 on Norwegian, 1 on Carnival - the usual complimentary toiletries were nonexistent. They no longer provide shampoo & conditioner, lotion, mouthwash or soap. The only soap in the cabin was the combo liquid body wash/shampoo and a hair conditioner in the wall dispenser in the shower. With the expectation that they would be provided as usual, I didn’t pack these toiletries on the December trip, where, needless to say, the first port we hit included a trip to the nearest drugstore. I was glad I included them in my most recent trip.

 

[dioxide45]

Heads up! On two cruises since December - 1 on Norwegian, 1 on Carnival - the usual complimentary toiletries were nonexistent. They no longer provide shampoo & conditioner, lotion, mouthwash or soap. The only soap in the cabin was the combo liquid body wash/shampoo and a hair conditioner in the wall dispenser in the shower. With the expectation that they would be provided as usual, I didn’t pack these toiletries on the December trip, where, needless to say, the first port we hit included a trip to the nearest drugstore. I was glad I included them in my most recent trip.

This isn't anything new. This is how it has been for as long as I remember cruising and we took our first cruise in 2009. Depending on the ship you will either have bar soap or a pump soap beside the sink. We have always taken our own bars of soap for in the shower.

 

[Luanne]

This isn't anything new. This is how it has been for as long as I remember cruising and we took our first cruise in 2009. Depending on the ship you will either have bar soap or a pump soap beside the sink. We have always taken our own bars of soap for in the shower.

When we took an RCCL cruise in 2016 they provided all of those toiletries.

 

[dioxide45]

When we took an RCCL cruise in 2016 they provided all of those toiletries.

We've only sailed a few cruises on RCCL. I seem to always remember shampoo on the shower walls. I never remember mouthwash being provided on any cruise. Though I may not be remembering correctly. That said, this isn't unique issue to cruise lines. Hotels and resorts have moved away from providing individual toiletry items in favor of bulk wall dispensers.

 

[jackio]

We just returned from a Princess cruise. The shower gel and shampoo/conditioner were in pumps in the shower. There were 2 pump bottles on the counter, one liquid hand soap and one lotion.

 

[rboesl]

For me resort/ship supplied soaps and shampoos are an issue. I'm allergic to some very common, supposedly, hypo allergenic ingredients like aloe vera. And, since most of those dispensers don't list ingredients, it makes it easier for them to switch to cheaper suppliers, I ALWAYS bring my own.

 

[Luanne]

We've only sailed a few cruises on RCCL. I seem to always remember shampoo on the shower walls. I never remember mouthwash being provided on any cruise. Though I may not be remembering correctly. That said, this isn't unique issue to cruise lines. Hotels and resorts have moved away from providing individual toiletry items in favor of bulk wall dispensers.

I think you are right about there not being any mouthwash. I do remember having pumps in the shower for soap, shampoo and conditioner.

 

[VacationForever]

Celebrity had always provided nice individual bottles, and L'Occitane in our cabins. Our last cruise, in December (Christmas holiday), they only had the communal bottles. Since I always bring my own toiletries due to allergies, I never used whatever that they provided.

 

[Brett]

At least they don't use used soap like some hotels

 

[dioxide45]

At least they don't use used soap like some hotels

Huh? Not sure where this video states that hotels are using used soap. This soap is going to places in the world where it is needed.

 

[mdurette]

I was on a DIsney Cruise last week - can report large refillable containers of shampoo, conditioner and body wash in shower. Body lotion and liquid soap at sink.

I typically bring my own bar soap, shampoo and conditioner. But this time I didn't bring hair products and of course the TS we were in for the last 3 nights of our trip didn't supply. That was a first.

 

[beejaybee]

Off a Celebrity cruise earlier this month. In the shower were refillable bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body wash. Bar soap and refillable body lotion by the sink.

 

[1Melanie]

This isn't anything new. This is how it has been for as long as I remember cruising and we took our first cruise in 2009. Depending on the ship you will either have bar soap or a pump soap beside the sink. We have always taken our own bars of soap for in the shower.

I miss having the little bottles of lotion. They are easier to carry around. I’m not crazy about the body wash/ shampoo combo. I’ll be taking my own stuff from now on. Humbug especially when you’re doing carry on luggage. At least TSA allows 4 ozs vs 2 now.

 

[1Melanie]

At least they don't use used soap like some hotels

I had no idea!

 

[dioxide45]

I miss having the little bottles of lotion. They are easier to carry around. I’m not crazy about the body wash/ shampoo combo. I’ll be taking my own stuff from now on. Humbug especially when you’re doing carry on luggage. At least TSA allows 4 ozs vs 2 now.

I am not aware of any change to the 3-1-1 rule. I believe it is up to 3.4oz or 100ml and has always been that way.

 

[Eggrollcreative]

If you shower in the spa locker room they often have upgraded product there. Lux!

 

[PigsDad]

At least TSA allows 4 ozs vs 2 now.

I am not aware of any change to the 3-1-1 rule. I believe it is up to 3.4oz or 100ml and has always been that way.

Correct. The limit was never 2 oz. Nothing has changed.

Kurt

 

[1Melanie]

Correct. The limit was never 2 oz. Nothing has changed.

Kurt

We were pulled out of the TSA line once and had one of those little bottles confiscated. Good thing we weren’t in a hurry. Took awhile to dig around, find it and repack my over stuffed carry on suitcase! I guess it depends on who’s doing the checking.

 

[1Melanie]

When we took an RCCL cruise in 2016 they provided all of those toiletries.

I’m usually loyal to NCL but perhaps I need to rethink that! How’s the food? NCL’s isn’t even as good as Carnival.

 

[Passepartout]

I’m usually loyal to NCL but perhaps I need to rethink that! How’s the food? NCL’s isn’t even as good as Carnival.

We're Celebrity loyalists. You couldn't pay me to take a Carnival 'Spring break type' cruise and NCL has waay too many 2-top tables in the dining room. Even when we asked, they just seated us alone. I LOVE my wife, but she's heard all my stories. I want to meet new people. RCCL has too many kids. Celebrity is like '3 bears'. JUST RIGHT.

 

[Ken555]

I’m usually loyal to NCL but perhaps I need to rethink that! How’s the food? NCL’s isn’t even as good as Carnival.

Are you suggesting you would change cruise lines, after being “loyal”, due to a reduction in toiletries?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Passepartout]

Sometimes, on TUG, we get all wrapped up in the minutia of a travel experience and forget what REALLY matters. As to bathroom supplies, is it REALLY important to have what they supply, rather than bring our preference from home? Personally, I'll use the supplied shampoo, and bring my own bar soap. (I REALLY dislike liquid body wash)

 

[bizaro86]

I’m usually loyal to NCL but perhaps I need to rethink that! How’s the food? NCL’s isn’t even as good as Carnival.

Things have changed on RCL since 2016 then. We're on them now and our bathroom has one "all-in-one" product in the shower and a bar of handsoap at the sink.

The food isn't up to much, imo. My go-to previously on other lines was always the Indian meal, but they managed to make that bland. They're also restricting orders (1 app/entree/dessert) - I was denied a soup and salad with a steak in the MDR, had to pick one. And when the entrée came it was 4oz of beef with 3 tbsp of mashed potatoes and 2 asparagus spears. In fairness I think the desserts have been excellent, better than any other line I've sailed.

We mostly sailed NCL pre-kids but haven't cruised before this year since 2015 (when we did the Getaway), so I can't compare to recent NCL.

 

[dioxide45]

Are you suggesting you would change cruise lines, after being “loyal”, due to a reduction in toiletries?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Yeah, the toiletries are way down the list for me. We used to love NCL but soured on them after a couple cruises with them last year. We still have one booked for late summer this year to use up a couple CruiseNext deposits, but not sure when we will sail them again. Our new favorite is Celebrity Edge class, though we also do like the Carnival XL class of ships.

 

[Ken555]

Yeah, the toiletries are way down the list for me. We used to love NCL but soured on them after a couple cruises with them last year. We still have one booked for late summer this year to use up a couple CruiseNext deposits, but not sure when we will sail them again. Our new favorite is Celebrity Edge class, though we also do like the Carnival XL class of ships.

I haven’t tried Carnival yet, but I’m sure I will.

I was on Celebrity in January and I thought it was fine, though not great.

I have D+ status on Royal and got convinced to go on one in Sept and a couple more next year…but I think it’s seriously gone downhill in the last few years.

I’ll be on Virgin Voyages again next month, and other than the ship trying to kill me and my friends it’s great! (There are some obvious new build issues…floors misaligned, insufficient signage, wood by the bed - which caused me to still feel pain in my arm since I hit it, etc).

All of these cruise lines have the large liquid soap dispensers. On Royal I’m supposed to get the upgraded toiletries, but they’re also crap so I bring my own (and have since I started traveling).

Who has the best toiletries, you may ask? Windstar. L’Occitane.

Among other items, I’ve bought this for travel:

Aveda Refreshing Bath Soap. Lot of 20 Bars. Total of 25oz

https://a.co/d/6BXE2Y7

It’s just so easy to bring your own and know you’ll be happy.

And btw, the “loyal” reference was partly in jest since cruise fanatics use it all the time as a means to justify their status and expectation that the company will be loyal in return…which it never is. Royal and NCL and all the others are in it for one reason and one reason only: profit.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk