Cruise line bans secret swingers symbol used by couples looking to swap partners

The world's largest cruise line has revealed it has banned a secret symbol used by swingers on board its ships.

An ordinary cruise is one of the most unique holidays in its most basic state, travelling the world and visiting many of the most amazing places on the planet.

Alongside this, others like to spice things up - especially if they're from the swinging community.

So-called 'spicy' cruises have become incredibly popular with those who like to share sexual partners, with these holidays becoming a haven for those in the community. From their exclusive red rooms to nude pool areas, they are definitely for people who are more in to embracing polygamy.

People from this community don't always opt for the 'spicy' variety, though, with many advertising their status on ordinary cruise ships.

But Carnival Cruise Line, a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation & plc, has said one major symbol used by swingers to show off their lifestyle is now being banned.

What symbol is being banned?

Enter the world of the upside down pineapple. While knowledge of what it means is becoming more mainstream, many are still completely unaware of what it might indicate should you come across it.

How is it used on a cruise ship? Well, people like to decorate their cabin doors.

Pineapple doormat. If you know, you know. (@4ourplay.com /TikTok)

One major reason for this is to give your holiday that personal touch, with your cabin your home for however long you're travelling on the open seas for. Another might be to easily locate it on the ship's long corridors should you have one too many and forget your room number.

A third, though, is to show off your lifestyle choices.

This is where you might find the upside down pineapple on someone's cabin door. It's purpose? To tell other swingers that they might find what they are looking for inside the pineapple'd up cabin door.

John Heald confirming the ban (Facebook)

Upside down pineapples no more, Carnival says

Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, often takes to Facebook to discuss matters concerning the cruise ship industry where he will respond to fans asking questions.

Responding to one follower complaining about the lack of events to help singles meet up while on board, Heald asked his followers how they might have met a significant other while cruising.

In one tongue-in-cheek reply, one follower said that an 'upside down pineapple will do the trick'.

If you know, you know (Getty Stock Images)

But in response to this, Heald thanked them for posting about the topic, writing: "Thank you for mentioning that, those are definitely no longer allowed on the ships and they will be removed from any cabin door.

"Thank you for reminding me to mention that. Hope all is well."

Some followers joked about using other symbols now instead of the pineapple, clearly showing that such a policy would be futile with another symbolic gesture arising in time.

But others said it was welcome, citing times when the symbol had been stuck on their door by someone else, leading to unsolicited advances from other passengers.