Swinging on a Cruise

[FreyaGersemi]

"Carnival Cruise Line has banned a decoration with a very specific meaning in certain circles: upside down pineapples."

I just saw this headline. I've never taken part in swinging (I have gone on a few cruises, though), but I say live and let live. What do you all think about banning these symbols? Is it a freedom of speech (freedom of sex) issue?

 

[Bigaug]

"Carnival Cruise Line has banned a decoration with a very specific meaning in certain circles: upside down pineapples."

I just saw this headline. I've never taken part in swinging (I have gone on a few cruises, though), but I say live and let live. What do you all think about banning these symbols? Is it a freedom of speech (freedom of sex) issue?

your stories are amazing!!

 

[Justfantasies]

I don't know about upside down pineapples but an old girlfriend of mine went on a cruise and she says it turned into a sex adventure

 

[Gr82meetu2]

I can see why carnival banned them.

I think that carnival is more of a family type Cruise.
I think that they would be second only to Disney for family oriented, cruising

There are certainly a lot of adults, cruise lines out there where I think that the upside down pineapple would be very welcome

 

[easyoff]

Marilyn Chambers use to organize swingers cruises

 

[mortis]

We have had several propositions during a cruise. From couple swap to full blown gangbang.

The motion of the ocean

 

[bobb_sledd]

We cruise often - we're booked on four over the next 12-months. So far, we've only sailed on Disney but one of our bookings is on NCL in July. There's a lot of door decorating on Disney cruises, but I've yet to see any upside-down pineapples - and I've looked - or anyone sporting a pineapple pin. Not that I expected to find any on Disney.

 

[FreyaGersemi]

your stories are amazing!!

Oh, thank you so much!! I'm glad that you've enjoyed them. And there's more to come!!

 

[UnexpectedLuggage]

Is it a freedom of speech (freedom of sex) issue?

Not in any legal sense. As a private organization they reserve the right to say what one can and can't wear during one of their cruises.

Do I think it's a bit silly? Yeah. Is it violating people's freedom of speech? No.

 

[FreyaGersemi]

Not in any legal sense. As a private organization they reserve the right to say what one can and can't wear during one of their cruises.

I wasn't sure either way. It doesn't have anything to do with me, but interesting nonetheless!

 

[Niceguy2000]

Probably they see it a bit TOO unsubtle.

I really doubt if 95% of the public would even a ascertain the meaning.
One could have a "Bon voyage" theme drawing with a ship and fruit basket...with an extra large pineapple or two and no one would be the wiser. I doubt if anyone on the ship cares one way or the other...sounds like a company HQ initiative to stem off any criticism by watchdog groups.

I can't imagine how it would really affect the ship operations one way or another, all the sheets get washed at the end of the cruise. (We hope).

And I'm sure the odd couples swapping goes on without any door designs...and no one is the wiser.
Interestingly, I bet they would not ban other images if they were applicable to specific groups (LGBT, Poly, Parents without partners, Single Accountants of America, etc) where the groups could claim discrimination or bias... even true intent were the same (knock on the door so we can meet and might want to play).
No one will force the issue with a lawsuit or publicity campaign because they don't want to be publicly identified as swingers.

 

[Elypep1980]

You don’t have to have a sign on the door for people to figure it out lol. Doesn’t take long and you will find like minded people

 

[FreyaGersemi]

I doubt if anyone on the ship cares one way or the other...sounds like a company HQ initiative to stem off any criticism by watchdog groups.

I'm sure. I mean, if someone is on a cruise and has a Hawaiian shirt featuring pineapples, are they really going to make the person go back to their cabin and change? What is this? Middle school?

 

[gtnlynn]

The pineapple symbol means nothing to me. My wife went on a cruise with her lady friends a few years ago, and I gave her permission to find a hot young man for fun. She said that nothing happened, but her friends said there was a hot younger man who spent a lot of time with her.

 

[SCSon1961]

I have been on many cruises, and have looked for women that would like to play. Have yet to find any. A clandestine way to meet would be fantastic.

 

[Elypep1980]

Can always try a “singles cruise”. We have thought that could be a fun dabble for either of us as kind or a gift from one to the other. Doesn’t always have to be together

 

[policywank]

It is not a freedom of speech issue. The right to express one's self doesn't oblige others to provide their private platform to do it. It is roughly analogous to a passenger wanting to express their political views. Freedom of speech means that they can express themselves in public or on their own boat. It doesn't mean the cruise liner is obliged to turn over the mic in the karaoke bar to make political speeches.

Most private businesses set parameters to appeal to their customer base, which is perfectly acceptable as long as they are not discriminating against an identifiable group.

If a significant portion of their customer base is uncomfortable with the idea of a "sex cruise" I don't think that it is offside to have parameters that appeal to that customer base. I think it is a bit narrow-minded, but there is no law against that.

With all of that said there are some interesting questions around what constitutes an identifiable group and what constitutes offensive behaviour. Is being a swinger a sexual orientation? Surely if they banned gay people or rainbow flags there would be a problem. But if gay people were engaging in lewd behaviour it would probably be viewed as reasonable to ban that on a family cruise. Surely wearing an upside down pineapple - something pretty obscure and unlikely to mean anything to most people - is innocuous. Sounds like a few too many Karens trying to be a buzzkill, but that isn't illegal even if it is silly.

 

[tonyreid]

We have had several propositions during a cruise. From couple swap to full blown gangbang.

The motion of the ocean

How did you respond ?

 

[NCWSLvr]

We cruise often - we're booked on four over the next 12-months. So far, we've only sailed on Disney but one of our bookings is on NCL in July. There's a lot of door decorating on Disney cruises, but I've yet to see any upside-down pineapples - and I've looked - or anyone sporting a pineapple pin. Not that I expected to find any on Disney.

Maybe an upside down hidden mickey?

 

[ZfrkS62]

Seems a little ridiculous tbh. Ban one symbol, they'll find another.

Does the article explain the motive behind the move?

Freedom of speech constitutes freedom of speech and expression towards government and it's representatives, not in general life. If the cruise live was run by the government, it would be a freedom of expression issue.

I doubt it will ruin the small percentage of passengers vacations. Kinksters seen you be able to find each other without flying flags.

 

[bobb_sledd]

Maybe an upside down hidden mickey?

Now you're talking...

 

[LMWM321]

It's not surprising swingers want a tell tale sign that another couple is "in the lifestyle" so as to avoid all sorts of potential awkwardness and possibly even a slap to the face or a kick to the nuts.

But even if such a sign exists, it's not a guarantee that couples will pair up without the same potential for awkwardness and embarrassment. Afterall, just because I put a sign on our door doesn't mean the RIGHT couple will be the first to come knocking. I can just imagine two minutes after hanging the sign getting a never ending series of knocks from couples that stir ZERO interest in either my wife or me. Talk about embarrassment! "Well, yes, as the inverted pineapple suggests, we do swing... but we're not interested in swinging with YOU!"

I think it is better to just go to the bar late at night and look for a couple you both find attractive then engage them in conversation. Do they want to talk about their children and church activities? ..Or are they more interested in talking about racy Netflix shows? Are they both equally engaged, or is one constantly looking at their phone or watch? ...Use a little perception. Then use subtle body language and other hints to convey your interest. ..A suggestive smile with lingering eye contact, maybe a touch on the shoulder, then... muster the courage and ask them straight-up if they are monogamous. ....Yep, it could still end with red-faced embarrassment after being angrily rejected, but you stand a much better chance of pairing up with a couple where there is mutual attraction than putting a stupid sign on your door.

Look, if your hope is to fuck another man's wife as he fuck's yours, then you should probably be brave enough to facilitate the hook-up without relying on an inverted tropical fruit.

 

[MaturemanAJ]

"Carnival Cruise Line has banned a decoration with a very specific meaning in certain circles: upside down pineapples."

I just saw this headline. I've never taken part in swinging (I have gone on a few cruises, though), but I say live and let live. What do you all think about banning these symbols? Is it a freedom of speech (freedom of sex) issue?

Well on one side of the coin it's wtf what do they care but I can also imagine the jealous spouse thing happening and then it becomes their problem

 

[Trimjob69]

I was on a cruise where they frowned upon all sex on board. I was in the Navy.

 

[sexymanfun]

I was on a cruise where they frowned upon all sex on board. I was in the Navy.

Boat loads of seamen