Cruisers usually understand the idea that you should avoid certain topics on cruise ships. That usually starts with politics and religion.
Yes, there are always a few people wearing overly political T-shirts (and almost always one man over the age of 80 in head-to-toe Donald Trump gear) but most people try to keep those things off the ships. That's a good idea because it helps passengers make friends with people who may not agree with them on every issue.
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In the real world, people tend to be very tribal. On ships, passengers learn that having differences with people does not mean they don't also have common ground.
You might vote for different people, and pray in different venues (or none at all), but you might also both love the same band, comedian, or knows what else. Cruises tend to be an escape from real life, so passengers try really hard to leave their prejudices at home when they board a ship.
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So, when you start seeing gender-related terms being used on Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald's Facebook page, some alarms start to sound. Heald, however, was not discussing gender-related bathroom politics, or touching on any other political third rail.
Instead, he was surprised by the idea that baseball hats are considered by some to be gender specific.
Image source: Carnival Corp.
Carnival created its hat controversy
Heald shared that Carnival's new onboard gift for Diamond and Platinum members would be a baseball hat. That touched off a fairly charged debate that considered both the merit of the gift compared to past offerings.
"I was on the Breeze last week and got a tote — used it the whole time and absolutely loved it! A baseball cap, not so much. I still appreciate the thought and will just give it to someone who will enjoy it. I get you can’t please everyone all the time, but everyone should be thankful for the effort to give a thank you gift and either use it or give it to someone else to use," wrote Lisa Cunningham.
That was a common refrain among the over 2,400 people who commented on the original post. A number of people, however, thought that baseball hats were a male item.
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Heald was surprised by that idea and made a second post on Oct. 18.
"OK, not to keep on about this, but I always thought baseball caps were unisex. Judging by some of the comments I’ve been sent, I’m completely wrong," he posted.
Over 1,500 people shared their thoughts on whether baseball hats are male, female, or unisex.
Carnival passengers have serious hat opinions
"They may be sold as “unisex” but some are definitely not. We all have different ideas of what that is," shared Marina Patey. "It comes down to personal preference. Some people want feminine items, and others don't. It's not wrong…we should all be able to wear what makes us feel good."
Some people had very specific ideas as to how you know a hat's gender.
"There are 2 basic kinds of ball caps. The higher more structured front kind and the smaller more form-fitting kind. The first kind is more of a men's hat. While the second is more of a women's/unisex hat. At least that is my experience," posted Allen Waterman.
Becky Atkinson also sees baseball hats as being largely for men.
"Traditionally they are menswear. Some women do wear them casually but not many from my experiences. I might wear a ball cap to go fishing or out in the garden simply to keep my hair from blowing around but I never wear one casually out in public. Older women, like myself, rarely if ever wear a ball cap. It messes up our hair," she wrote.
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Trina Soper, however, had a very different view.
"I’m so excited about the cap. In January I’m cruising with 2 other widows. One of these ladies fought for her life against cancer, before losing her beloved husband to cancer. She has very little hair due to her cancer treatments. I’m the platinum cruiser among us. My dear friend will be receiving this cap, to protect her head from the sun. Thank you John," she shared.
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