Bring that cabin surprise home. This pillar walks you through three classic cruise towel animals… the swan, the elephant, and the hanging monkey. You will see the tools we use, step by step folds, quick fixes, and easy ways to display each animal so it lasts all week.

Watch the fold along Our video covers all three animals with real time fixes. Swan, Elephant, and Hanging Monkey tutorial.

Key Takeaways

• Use mid weight cotton terry. Skip fabric softener so loops grip and folds hold.
• Build tight tubes, set a belly band early, and make key creases last for sharp profiles.
• For long necks and trunks, add a short dowel spine inside the roll.
• Display with removable dots, soft ties, and the binder clip hanger hack for the monkey.

Niko’s Note 🐾 Snap a quick photo when your pose looks perfect. Rebuild to the photo after laundry day.

Tools and Setup

Towels

• Bath Towel about 28 × 53 in (70 × 135 cm) for bodies
• Hand Towel about 20 × 39 in (50 × 100 cm) for heads and details
• Face Towel about 12 × 12 in (30 × 30 cm) for shims and minis
  Sizing refresher Towel Sizes… Bath Sheet, Towel, Hand, Face

Helpers
Soft ties (elastic hair ties), short wooden dowels or chopsticks (6 to 8 in), removable gel dots, non slip hanger, two medium binder clips

Swan… Elegant in 6 Moves

You need 1 × Bath Towel
Time 4 to 6 minutes the first time

1. Square the towel Lay it flat. Align edges so rolls stay straight.
2. Double roll to center Roll each long side tightly toward the middle to create a V valley.
3. Fold in half Bring the two roll ends together so the valley faces out.
4. Form the neck Hold the joined end and pull the valley up and forward to make a neck tube. Tighten the roll as you go.
5. Seat the body Set the base down and curve the neck into an S shape.
6. Key crease the beak Pinch the tip to a point. Hold for 2 seconds for a crisp line.
   Display Place two gel dots under the base tips. Add a small face towel pad under the belly for lift.
   Fixes Neck sliding back add a small washcloth shim under the chest. Beak looks soft re crease last and hold.

Elephant… Sturdy and Photo Ready

You need 2 × Bath Towels and 1 × Hand Towel
Time 8 to 10 minutes

Body and legs

1. Body roll From the long edges of a bath towel, make a double roll to center. Fold in half so the valley faces out.
2. Set the stance Pull the four corners down to suggest legs. Add a soft tie belly band under the body to stop unrolling. Hide the knot under the back.

Head and ears
3) Head tube Roll the hand towel tightly from a long edge to make a tube.
4) Ears Open the ends slightly and pinch corners to form ears.
5) Trunk curl Insert a short dowel or chopstick inside the center to help the curl.
6) Join Make a shallow cradle fold on top of the body and press the head in so it seats firmly.
Display Place on a tray. Add gel dots under the front feet if the surface is slick.
Fixes Belly unrolls tighten the belly band. Ears sag add a tiny locking tuck behind the head edge.

Hanging Monkey… Clip Rig and Balance

You need 1 × Bath Towel, 1 × Hand Towel, 2 binder clips, non slip hanger, 1 soft tie
Time 6 to 8 minutes

1. Build the body Roll the bath towel into a long tube and fold into the classic monkey shape.
2. Head Roll the hand towel into a tube and shape a round head.
3. Rig the hanger Set two binder clips on the flattest part of the hanger shoulders. Angle pads slightly toward the hook.
4. Seat the hands Clamp each “hand” fully into a clip so loops are not pinched by metal edges.
5. Balance the torso Add a soft tie around the waist behind the back to stop slow slips.
6. Hang and face the room Place the hanger on a rod and twist a quarter turn so the monkey faces forward.
   Deep dive Full rig steps and photos Binder Clip Hanger Hack for the Monkey
   Fixes Hands slip add painter’s tape inside clip pads. Head tilts add an inside fold to stiffen the roll.

Display and Care

• Choose a dry room. Long hot showers relax folds.
• Use removable dots under feet and a small riser under bellies for shelf displays.
• Refresh routine re pinch key creases, tighten belly bands, and dust with a hand pump duster.
• Laundry wash warm with a small amount of detergent. Skip fabric softener so loops stay grippy.

Keep Learning

• Terms Folding Terms You Need for Towel Animals
• Fixes Fixes to Common Towel Animal Mistakes
• Styles by cruise line Towel Animal Styles… Royal vs Carnival vs NCL

FAQ

Do I need bath sheets No. Standard bath towels work for these builds. Use a bath sheet only if you want a larger display.
Will supports damage towels Not if you use soft ties, rounded dowel ends, and removable dots. Avoid pins or adhesives that leave residue.
Can I hang the monkey on any hanger A non slip flocked hanger is best. Smooth plastic works if you add grip and use binder clips.
How long will these hold shape About a week in a dry room with a quick refresh every couple of days.

Sources

• Royal Caribbean towel folding booklet step diagrams and classic styles. Download the booklet PDF

Picking the right towel size makes folding easier and your shapes cleaner. This guide shows common sizes in inches and centimeters, how each size behaves in folds, and which animals we use them for in our tutorials.

Key Takeaways

• Bath Towel is the workhorse for most bodies. Aim for about 28 × 53 in (70 × 135 cm).
• Hand Towel is perfect for heads and details. Aim for about 20 × 39 in (50 × 100 cm).
• Face Towel works for shims and minis. Aim for about 12 × 12 in (30 × 30 cm).
• Bath Sheet is optional for oversized builds. About 40 × 63 in (100 × 160 cm) gives dramatic volume but needs stronger supports.

Niko’s Note 🐾 Mid weight cotton terry grips better than plush spa towels. Skip fabric softener so folds hold.

Comparison Table… Common Sizes and Uses

Sizes vary by brand. The “Our go to” column matches the towels we fold with in our videos and photos.

Which Size For Which Animal

• Swan 1 × Bath Towel body… optional Face Towel under the belly as a base pad when displaying on a shelf.
• Elephant 2 × Bath Towels for body and legs… 1 × Hand Towel for head and ears… short dowel inside the trunk when you want a strong curl.
• Hanging Monkey 1 × Bath Towel body… 1 × Hand Towel head… two binder clips and a non slip hanger for the hands.
• Minis Hand or Face towels for quick practice shapes.

Fit, Weight, and Fabric

• Weight Choose mid weight cotton terry. Ultra plush looks luxe but fights tight rolls and relaxes faster.
• Weave Standard loop terry grips well. Waffle or microfiber is slick and will loosen quickly.
• Conditioning Wash towels before first use to remove coatings. Skip fabric softener. A tiny splash of white vinegar in the rinse can help keep fibers grippy.
• Color Bright white photographs well. If you prefer color, avoid dark dyes that may transfer when damp.

Measuring and Converting

If your towel tag lists centimeters, divide by 2.54 to get inches. If it lists inches and you need centimeters, multiply by 2.54.
Examples

• 70 × 135 cm → 27.6 × 53.1 in (we round to 28 × 53 in)
• 50 × 100 cm → 19.7 × 39.4 in (we round to 20 × 39 in)
• 30 × 30 cm → 11.8 × 11.8 in (we round to 12 × 12 in)

Storage and Care

• Keep a dedicated folding set so display towels stay bright and grippy.
• Wash warm with a small amount of detergent. Do not use fabric softener.
• Dry fully, then store flat in a tote with your small tools… binder clips, soft ties, gel dots, short dowels.

Keep Folding

• Pillar: Cruise Towel Animals… Swan, Elephant, Hanging Monkey
• Hanging: Binder Clip Hanger Hack for the Monkey
• Styles: Towel Animal Styles… Royal vs Carnival vs NCL
• Display: Display Ideas… Keep Your Towel Animals Alive Longer
• Starter kit: Towel Animal Starter Kit… What to Buy

FAQ

Are bath sheets required No. They are fun for larger animals but add weight and need more support.
Can I mix sizes from different brands Yes. Check the tags and aim for the “Our go to” specs so folds match our tutorials.
Is microfiber ever useful Microfiber can work for a quick practice, but it slides in tight folds and will not hold a crisp crease.
What if my towels are slightly smaller or larger Use them. Adjust roll tension and add hidden supports when needed.

Cruise towel animals are part craft and part surprise. This comparison looks at how Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian Cruise Line approach towel animals today, what styles you will likely see, and how to request them if they are not automatic.

Key Takeaways

• Royal Caribbean still features towel animals on many sailings. Frequency can vary by ship and schedule. Royal even shares an official folding booklet online.
  Reference: Royal towel folding booklet PDF
• Carnival continues the tradition fleetwide, though you may not see them every night. Guest demand, time, and local restrictions can affect frequency.
  Reference: Carnival explains frequency
• Norwegian Cruise Line stopped default nightly towel animals in 2019 under a sustainability effort. Availability today is often by request and can vary by ship and steward. Some reports mention priority when traveling with younger kids.
  References: People article on NCL change · TPG overview

Niko’s Note 🐾 If towel animals make your day, tell your room steward on day one. A friendly request and a thank you note go a long way.

Side by Side Snapshot

Events and frequency vary by ship and sailing. Always confirm with your steward once onboard.

Does NCL still do towel animals

Short answer There is no fleetwide nightly program today. In 2019 Norwegian removed default towel animals during turn down service to reduce laundry and water use. On many sailings you can request towel animals from your steward and the team may provide them when time allows. Families with younger children sometimes report better success after requesting politely.
References for the change and current context

• Press coverage of the 2019 shift: People
• Broad overview of which lines still do them and how to request: The Points Guy guide

Tip On NCL, make the request on day one, mention any kid birthdays in your party, and leave a kind note. Thank the steward if they are able to make it happen.

Royal Caribbean… What You Will See

• Style Classic cruise animals with a tidy silhouette.
• Where to learn Royal publishes a public towel folding booklet with step by step diagrams. Use it to practice at home and match the onboard style.
  Link Royal towel folding booklet PDF
• How to ask Tell your attendant you enjoy them. If frequency dips, a friendly check in is fine.

Carnival… What You Will See

• Style Playful and frequent, often with a towel folding demo on sea days. Some sailings also do a towel animal takeover where chairs or venues fill with critters for photos.
• Frequency note Carnival has stated that frequency can change based on time, logistics, and local restrictions.
  Link Coverage of frequency context
• How to ask If you did not receive one, ask your steward and mention any kids or special occasions in your cabin.

Norwegian Cruise Line… What You Will See

• Style Case by case, typically when requested.
• Background The brand moved away from default towel animals in 2019 under a sustainability effort to reduce laundry.
  Links People article on the change · TPG overview
• How to ask Make a polite day one request with your steward. Thank them if they can accommodate.

How To Photograph Each Line’s Style at Home

Use our Pillar tutorial for base folds, then style to match brand photos.

• Royal Clean edges, bright white towels, animals perched on the bed.
• Carnival Fun poses and props, place animals in playful spots.
• NCL Keep it simple and tidy, then add a small note card to thank your steward if you received one onboard.

Side by Side Photo Placeholder

Paste your photos of each line’s animals into this simple grid.

<div class="rtm-grid rtm-grid-3" style="display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr);gap:12px;">
  <figure>
    <img src="/images/royal-towel-animal.jpg" alt="Royal Caribbean towel animal on a stateroom bed"/>
    <figcaption>Royal Caribbean style… clean lines</figcaption>
  </figure>
  <figure>
    <img src="/images/carnival-towel-animal.jpg" alt="Carnival towel animal posed for photos"/>
    <figcaption>Carnival style… playful and frequent</figcaption>
  </figure>
  <figure>
    <img src="/images/ncl-towel-animal.jpg" alt="Norwegian Cruise Line towel animal, available by request"/>
    <figcaption>NCL style… usually by request</figcaption>
  </figure>
</div>

Keep Folding

• Pillar: Cruise Towel Animals… Swan, Elephant, Hanging Monkey
• Sizing: Towel Sizes… Bath Sheet, Towel, Hand, Face
• Hanging: Binder Clip Hanger Hack for the Monkey
• Display: Display Ideas… Keep Your Towel Animals Alive Longer

FAQ

Are towel animals guaranteed on any line No. They are a tradition and a treat, not a guaranteed room amenity.
Can I ask for a specific animal You can ask, but it depends on the steward’s time and training.
Will asking for towel animals reduce my steward’s time for cleaning Room teams balance many tasks. Be kind with requests and express thanks.
Do any lines offer classes so I can learn onboard Yes. Look for towel folding demos on sea days in the daily schedule.