Flower of the Day

Watterson Lowe, a regular Cruise Lecturer on board Caronia has distributed “The Flower of the Day” to more than 950,000 passengers. The idea originated from regulations barring the wearing of real flowers on entering West Indian and South American ports. His artificial boutonnieres are popular wherever he goes.

On an 18-day cruise he will have 18 different kinds of flowers. Many save them as souvenirs of their voyage. During the past 20 years, Watterson Lowe, Official Humaniser and Lecturer for the Cunard Line has distributed upwards of 950,000 tiny artificial bouquets to travellers on cruises, They range from a single little rose to a complete boutonniere.

The idea was born years ago on his first cruise to the Caribbean. He found that real flowers were contraband at some ports. He saw customs officials pluck them from the apparel of men and women alike. It was done as a precaution against pests such as the Japanese beetle, for instance.

Some time later, when Mr. Lowe joined the staff of the Cunard Line, he instituted an innovation which called for a passenger to wear a different flower every day of the cruise. He presented the flowers gratis, even supplying the pin. The idea was popular and in a short time, every passenger on his ship would be wearing what grew to be called the “Flower of the Day.”

The first day out he would distribute blue flowers, in keeping with the colour of the ocean. As the tropical isles came nearer, he would change to gayer colours and when foreign ports were reached, his flowers would reflect the types found in the countries visited. At present the “Flower of the Day” might be said to serve the passenger as a landing card, making the wearing of a badge, button or other mark of identification unnecessary.

In all West Indian ports and in the cities of the countries on the Northern coast of South America, many friendly courtesies are extended to the people who wear these flowers; shop keepers, hotel people and natives recognising the wearers as visitors from the United States or Canada. They win their wearers free cocktails, samples of perfumes, and other courtesies.

Many people preserve all the Flowers received during the cruise, making their collection into a bouquet, which is kept as a souvenir - one that frequently brings to mind many pleasant memories. Ship's officers and stewards mail the Flowers home to their loved ones. Ashore, natives beg for them to decorate their wayside shrines. They call them “Good-Luck Flowers.”