'No washy, no food': Meet Washy Washy, Royal Caribbean's singing public health character

Some of the best entertainment on Royal Caribbean International’s cruise ships happens at the sink.

Crew members throughout Royal Caribbean's fleet play Washy Washy, a character who reminds guests to stop at hand-washing stations when they enter various dining venues. They perform public health-themed covers of popular songs. Videos featuring their takes on hits like Bob Marley and the Wailers’ “No Woman, No Cry” (“No washy, no food”) and the Pussycat Dolls’ “Don’t Cha” (“Don’t cha wish your girlfriend washy washy like me”) have gone viral on social media in recent months.

The role – whose actual title is host or hostess of the venue – has been around for more than 15 years, with cruise ship employees adding their own spins, according to Rebecca Burns, the line’s Senior Manager of Restaurant Operations.

“Over time crew members have gotten very creative incorporating costumes, dances, and songs bringing excitement and happiness to guests,” she said in an email. “We love that there is an opportunity for each of them to make it their own and bring out their personalities.”

Washy Washy also helps the cruise line promote good hand hygiene. “The health and well-being of our guests, and the overall guest experience, are top priorities for Royal Caribbean,” Burns added. “Washing hands before dining is an important step to staying healthy, and this unique approach of integrating entertainment reminding guests to do so has made it more effective.”

USA TODAY spoke with five crew members who play Washy Washy on the line’s newest ship, Icon of the Seas: Neilbert Mar Morilla Saluta, 34; Jay Arenas, 33; Argel Symbol, 36; Jester Javier, 30; and Aaljon Nogaliza, 30. The employees, who are all from the Philippines, answered questions via email about their typical days, their repertoires and more.

Question: What does a typical day as Washy Washy look like? What are your responsibilities in that role?

Answer: We welcome guests to the restaurant we are attending and encourage them to wash their hands before dining by taking popular tunes and creating new words to include “washy washy” or “wash your hands.” A typical day for some of us starts as early as 6 a.m. at the opening of breakfast and, for others, continues through to the end of dinner.

Our goal as Washy Washy is to make this important task something fun for guests of all ages. Hand washing is very important for health.

How do you come up with the funny takes on popular songs (like “Don't Cha,” for example)? What other songs have you put unique spins on?

We choose songs that are popular for all our different guests – little kids, older kids and the adults; all the ages. Then, with each song, we find how to sprinkle in the important reminder to “wash, wash your hands” before coming in to eat with your family. This way, everybody has music that is familiar and catches their attention – we do songs in Spanish, too. The best is the smiles and dancing at the washy washy station.

We have so many favorite songs and all different types because our guests come from all different places, they are all ages and we like to have something for everyone, from kiddie music to popular songs today and from many years ago. Some songs we do washy, washy versions of are “Mamma Mia” and “Dancing Queen” by ABBA; “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins; classic family songs like “Hokey Pokey” and “Y.M.C.A.” by the Village People; and we do “La Bamba” in Spanish, “para lavarse las manos, para lavarse las manos…”.

The five of us who are part of Washy Washy make up lyrics on our own, we do it together, whenever we have ideas. Many times, lyric changes happen and new lyrics happen when we are performing because of reactions we see. We like to do music that matches the season; for December, for example, we sing Washy Washy holiday songs.

What is the response from Icon guests to Washy Washy?

They absolutely love it! And we love it! Washy Washy has been part of Royal Caribbean for a long time. It is different across the ships because the Washy Washy teams are all different – some crew members play an instrument, sometimes it’s about funny accessories – but most important is that we are friendly and happy, and we remind people to wash their hands. Because Icon is the best family vacation with lots of “wows,” we wanted Washy Washy to be a “wow,” like Icon.

Before Icon, vacationers were surprised when they encountered Washy Washy. Now guests come find us because of all the beautiful videos guests put on social media.

People really like the Washy Washy teams because it’s unexpected – happy, jolly songs that make you dance while washing your hands – most important is for everyone to wash hands. No one thinks they’re going to find us there singing and dancing about washing hands – and people can’t help but smile. We see guests of all ages, but especially kids, singing and dancing along. Sometimes they even request us to repeat songs they’ve already heard us sing or ask for an autograph!  We feel so special!

Do you have any favorite memories from interacting with guests as Washy Washy?

Interacting with kids and seeing their faces light up is priceless. Recently, there was a little girl who came into Windjammer with her parents, crying, and when she saw our Washy Washy performance, her mood totally shifted – she turned that frown upside down!

We also love it when guests recognize us in other venues around the ship, on Perfect Day at CocoCay when we are not wearing costumes, or even on different Royal Caribbean ships. This is extra special because we know we’re helping people make memories with us, and that’s what this is all about! We form bonds with guests and love making them happy. We’re always sad when they leave at the end of their vacation.

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What do you hope guests take away from their interactions with Washy Washy?

We want to inspire our guests to have fun and enjoy every part of their vacation, even things like washing their hands. That’s why we created Washy Washy, and we are most happy when people smile and dance with us. We hope to be a lasting part of their Icon memory and that they’ll still be singing our catchy tunes when they go home.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Royal Caribbean's Washy Washy reminds guests to wash hands with songs