Cruise Animals

One of the daily smiles while on my cruise was the towel animals the cabin stewards made for us daily.  My cabin stewards, when they found out I was from Maine, even made me a lobster.  I was traveling on Holland America cruise lines, and they have found such a warm reception to the towel animals that they have even  published a book on how to make the animals.  On the last  day of the cruise, they had a demonstration on how to make them, and sold their book to those interested.  (Hint:  they said not to use fabric softener on the towels used to make these animals, as they won't stay in their shapes, but will slide apart).

The cabin stewards on this cruise line are from Indonesia.  (The food staff was also, the bar staff were from the Phillipines, the Spa staff were British and South African, and the navigation crew seemed to be from Europe, and all over.).  They take courses in being cabin stewards, which includes training in making these towel animals. 

Then the stewards get creative and start making their own versions and own animals to add in.  My stewards said they know how to make 40 some odd animals, and there is a different one each day of the cruise.

I purchased the book, and plan to get some colored towels from Sprawl-Mart.  Then when my "from away" kids come home for a visit, I can surprise them (hopefully) with these towel animals on their beds at night.