Towel Animals, Halloween, and the People Who Make Cruising Special

It's Day 3 aboard Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas, and I just realized I completely forgot to write about one of my favorite parts of cruising: the towel animals!

How could I forget?

I've made a point of photographing the towel animals that have appeared in my stateroom over the past couple of days, so I figured it was time to give them their own little spotlight.

Day 2: A Dinosaur!

The towel animal on Day 2 was a dinosaur. I think it's a T-Rex, though I'm not exactly an expert at identifying towel-based prehistoric creatures.

Either way, it's pretty impressive what someone can create with a couple of towels, some folding, and a little imagination.

Day 3: A Halloween Bat!

Today's creation was a bat, which I assume was in honor of Halloween, or as I like to call it, Spooky Day!

It's another fun little surprise waiting in the stateroom. You come back from enjoying the ship, exploring, or having dinner, and there's a new creation waiting for you.

I Couldn't Make One If I Tried

Here's the thing: I can barely make a bed. I struggle to color within the lines, and arts and crafts have never exactly been my strong suit.

Royal Caribbean even offers a towel animal folding class. I didn't even attempt it.

Apparently, making these various towel animals is one of the requirements of being a cabin steward. I have a newfound appreciation for that skill. It's one thing to clean and maintain a stateroom; it's another to turn ordinary towels into little works of art.

I think I'll leave that particular talent to the professionals.

A Little Extra Appreciation

These towel animals also reminded me of something else: the people who make a cruise experience special.

I've decided to keep the automatic gratuities in place and also provide additional cash tips.

The staff members I interact with directly deserve that extra appreciation. But so do the people working behind the scenes.

Think about the folks at the buffet, the people constantly cleaning, replenishing food, clearing tables, and making sure everything is ready for the next guest. They may not always get the same face-to-face recognition as the cabin stewards or dining room staff, but their work is just as important.

A cruise ship is a massive operation, and the experience we enjoy depends on thousands of little things happening behind the scenes.

The towel animals are a perfect example. They're not necessary, but they're a thoughtful touch that makes coming back to your room a little more enjoyable.

So, while I may not be able to recreate a T-Rex or a Halloween bat with a couple of bath towels, I can certainly appreciate the people who can.

And I can show that appreciation with a little extra gratitude.

Now, I wonder what Day 4 will bring. Maybe an elephant? A monkey? Whatever it is, you can bet I'll be taking a picture!

Happy Halloween from aboard the Radiance of the Seas!