Carnival Cruise Line does not allow this (even for a good cause)

Carnival and other cruise lines have no solicitation policies for good reason.

Even something that seems like harmless fundraising to some can have a negative impact on the cruise experience for others. Most people don’t want another passenger asking them to donate to a cause or buy something from them while they’re trying to enjoy a carefree vacation at sea.

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Selling much-loved treats to support a beloved youth organization is no exception. Cruise lines need to protect their passengers from unwanted solicitations, no matter what the cause.

Plus, allowing one group to sell something would encourage others to do the same, making way for cruise ships to turn into floating marketplaces for passengers to sell products to each other.

So, with Girl Scout cookie season underway, Carnival Cruise Line passengers just got a reminder that a cruise ship is not the place to set up cookie booths to sell Thins Mints, Samoas or any other tasty treats.

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Passengers can’t sell Girl Scout cookies on a Carnival cruise ship

Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald recently received a question on his popular Facebook page from a passenger requesting permission for their daughters to sell Girl Scout cookies during their cruise.

Heald said no to the passenger’s request. Technically, it would go against the cruise line’s ticket contract, which states that “guests shall not solicit anyone on the Vessel for any commercial, professional, illegal, or illicit purposes.”

The passenger was not happy to receive a “no” from Heald however and thought the cruise line should make an exception for “innocent” Girl Scout cookies.

Related: Carnival Cruise Line turns down key passenger request

“Girl Scout cookies are an innocent little thing and refusing my girls to be able to sell theirs is probably the most non-Christian thing I’ve ever heard,” the passenger wrote. “All we want is to allow them to do this twice during the cruise in a public space like the foyer.”

In a poll on his Facebook page, Heald invited passengers to vote on whether they thought he made the right decision regarding Girl Scout cookie sales.

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Carnival cruise fans weigh in on cookie sales

More than 28,000 people voted in support of Heald’s decision to say no to Girl Scout cookie sales. About 600 people voted that they thought Carnival should allow the girls to sell their cookies on board.

The poll results and comments show that a majority of passengers understand that the cruise line can’t allow one group to sell something without opening up the door for others to do the same.

“I have nothing against GS cookies, but if you allow them to sell, then you have to allow all other groups to do the same,” said one commenter. “The whole ship would be one big garage sale. No thanks. I can buy my GS cookies from the kids in my neighborhood.”

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Other passengers echoed the sentiment.

“I don’t want outside vendors (especially children!) trying to sell me things on the ship,” one passenger chimed in. “Where would it end??”

One passenger with strong ties to the Girl Scouts organization proposed an alternative for Girl Scouts sailing during cookie season.

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“Make friends on the ship. Scouts can talk about all the great activities they’ve done,” the passenger suggested. “People know it’s cookie season, have private conversations and teach scouts to communicate than a table in the foyer. Spend your vacation earning a badge if you need Scout time.”

Rather than selling, Girl Scouts can also consider packing some cookies to share with new friends made during their cruise. Carnival Cruise Line does permit passengers to bring their own treats on board, as long as they are pre-packaged and unopened.

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