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Have you ever wondered how many people go missing on cruise ships? Out on the open seas, a cruise ship is a very safe environment but it’s also away from prying eyes which makes them the perfect location for a murder mystery story or even a real-life crime. 

You may have seen TV shows like ‘Cruise Ship Killers’ or ‘Disappeared – Troubled Waters’ and wanted to know more about people going missing on cruise ships. It really is a rare event, but in this post, we will take a look at some disappearances at sea. 

How Many Go Missing On Cruise Ships?

Around 400 people have gone missing from a cruise ship since 2000. This has included both cruise ship passengers and members of the crew. To put this into context, many millions of people have cruised in that time – likely over 500 million.

It is hard to get an exact figure for the number of cruise ship disappearances as there is no single source that collects this data, and many disappearances go unreported. The figure I have used has been extrapolated from Marketwatch data on cruise ship missing person statistics to account for a longer time period [Source]

How Often Does Someone Disappear on a Cruise Ship?

People very rarely disappear on a cruise ship. On average, it’s around 19 people that go missing each year. This is out of the many millions of cruise ship passengers that travel aboard one of the 300+ cruise ships that sail the world’s oceans each year.

Why Do People Disappear on Cruises?

There are many reasons why people might disappear on a cruise ship. They may have fallen overboard or jumped off, or simply left the ship when it was in port. There have even been rare instances where people have been thrown off the ship.

What Happens If Someone Goes Missing on a Cruise Ship?

If someone goes missing and is known to have gone overboard, the ship will circle around and try to rescue them (around 1 in 4 people survive going overboard). If it’s not known where the person has gone then the ship’s Security Director will coordinate the search efforts. 

If a person cannot be found on board the ship after a search, the cruise liner should return to the location that they were last known to have been on board the ship. There are no police on a cruise ship, but crew members will report disappearances to the local authorities.

Famous Cases of Missing People on Cruise Ships

Let’s take a look at some cases of people going missing from cruise ships that you might have heard of in the news or on the TV.

Merrian Carver

Merrian Carver disappeared from a Royal Caribbean Cruise to Alaska in August 2004. She had gone on the trip alone and used her cabin only on the first night, before disappearing on the second day of a seven-day Alaskan tour. 

One of the crew members reported that Carver appeared to be missing, but the ship made no effort to find her. They argue that it’s not uncommon for passengers to sleep in other people’s cabins or even disembark at one of the ports. At the end of the cruise, they found her belongings and donated them to charity. They told no one that she was missing.

Her disappearance was not reported to the police until Carver’s family filed a missing person report after not hearing from her for several days. When they filed the report, they were not even aware that she had gone on a cruise. 

Royal Caribbean ruled the disappearance a suicide, but without a proper investigation, Carver’s family will never know. 

(Source)

Amy Bradley

Amy Bradley was a 23-year-old woman from Virginia who went missing while on a Royal Caribbean International cruise with her family in March 1998.

Amy Bradley had spent the evening on board the ship where she had spent time in a club. She made friends with the house band and spent time drinking with them until around 1 am when she went off on her own. She was seen by her father later that morning, sleeping on the balcony of their cabin. This was at around 5.30 am, but by 6 am she had disappeared.

Soon after this, the ship docked in Curaçao and the search for her began. Some tourists reported seeing her in Curaçao but she could not be found.

Since this time there have been reports that suggest that she had been kidnapped and sold into sexual slavery. In 1999 a Navy man claimed to have met her in a brothel where she told him her name and that she was being held captive. She was also reported to have been seen in Barbados in 2005 whilst Amy’s parents were sent a photo of a scantily clad woman that could have been her. 

Despite these potential leads, Amy Bradley has never been found. 

(Source)

Rebecca Coriam

Rebecca Coriam, 24, was an employee on the Disney Wonder cruise ship who disappeared on May 22, 2011. At the time the ship was sailing off the coast of Mexico. 

In the last sighting of her, she was seen on surveillance video talking on one of the ship’s internal phones. She appeared to be upset. A passenger approached her and asked her if she was okay, it looks like she replied to say yes. She then hung up the phone and walked away never to be seen again.

Exactly what happened is unknown. The most common theory is that she was swept overboard from the crew pool, or that she jumped or fell from the ship. Her family states that she would never willingly have gone overboard but it’s not clear whether this was a simple accident or something more sinister.  

(Source)

George Smith IV

George Smith disappeared from the MS Brilliance of the Seas in July 2005 whilst on honeymoon with his new bride Jennifer. They were on a two-week Mediterranean cruise and were headed from Greece to Turkey. It’s thought that George Smith went overboard, but how that happened remains unknown.

The newlyweds had eaten dinner before embarking on a long night of drinking with both of them getting very drunk.

Their onboard neighbours reported hearing loud talking, arguing, and a thud coming from the Smith’s cabin. Investigations found blood on the canopy beneath the cabin, indicating that Smith had fallen or had been pushed. 

Jennifer had not been with George before he went missing as she had wandered off and passed out in a hallway. Crew members helped her back to her cabin in the morning but nobody noticed that anything was wrong. 

Nobody is sure what happened to George Smith; it may be that in his drunken state, he simply fell off his balcony. But this doesn’t explain the raised voices. Another theory is that he was pushed overboard by some men that he had met in the casino. Four men claim to have helped him back to his cabin, but the neighbour says that he only saw three men. No one admits to knowing what happened that night. 

Turkish police opened an investigation and concluded that Smith accidentally went overboard.

(Source)

Fariba Amani 

Fariba Amani, a 47-year-old Canadian woman, vanished in February 2012 whilst on a Bahamas Celebration cruise with her boyfriend Ramiz Golshani.

Ramiz Golshani said he last saw Amani at the ship’s gift shop at around one in the morning. He then went to the casino on his own. When he returned to their cabin, she was not there and he went to sleep. When he couldn’t find her in the morning he looked for her on the ship before reporting it to the ship’s crew. 

A search was conducted but nobody has ever seen Fariba Amani since. 

Amani’s sister has claimed that her sister’s relationship was troubled and that Golshani had been cheating on her. There isn’t any evidence of any foul play and the events that led to the disappearance of Fariba Amani remain a mystery.

(Source)

Micki Kanesaki 

Micki Kanesaki, 52, disappeared from a Mediterranean cruise in May 2006, she had been travelling with her ex-husband. Her body was found days later near Italy. An autopsy conducted on her body revealed that she had been strangled and killed before her body was thrown overboard.

Because she died before she hit the water her lungs were filled with air, not water. This meant that Micki’s body floated and allowed it to be discovered.

Eventually, 14 years after her death, Micki Kanesaki’s ex-husband, California lawyer Lonnie Kocontes was convicted of her murder. His new wife had initially testified on his behalf in 2006, but in 2013 she revealed that Kocontes had murdered Kanesaki in order to inherit her million-dollar estate. 

(Source)

Annette Mizener 

Annette Mizener was 37 when she won a Carnival cruise to the Mexican Riviera in December 2004. She went on the trip with her teenage daughter and her parents.

On the night of her disappearance, she sang karaoke with her daughter and visited the casino, but she failed to meet her parents to play Bingo as arranged. Her father began to search for her and discovered that her handbag had been found close to the railings. This has led many people to think that she somehow fell, jumped, or was pushed overboard. 

There was a surveillance camera that could have filmed the location but its view was obscured by a map placed in front of the lens. This has led her family to suspect foul play. Further investigations found spots of blood near the scene and beading from her bag was scattered across the deck which suggests there could have been a struggle. 

Before her disappearance, Annette had reported being repeatedly harassed by an unknown man, but nothing was done by the crew of the ship. 

A 16-hour search of surrounding waters was carried out involving the U.S Coast Guard, aircraft, and a naval ship, which covered approximately 833 square miles. However, Annette Mizener was not found and her fate remains a mystery.

(Source)

Hue Pham and Hue Tran 

One of the more widely reported Carnival cruise ship missing person stories, Hue Pham, 70, and Hue Tran, 65, went missing whilst on a Carnival Cruise ship heading from Barbados to Aruba in May 2005. The couple were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on the cruise and were travelling with their daughter and granddaughter. 

Shoes belonging to the couple were found on the ship’s deck but they have never been seen again. 

Some have speculated that the couple jumped overboard to commit suicide, but their son doesn’t believe this saying that they were happy and had been planning a trip to Vietnam to see family.

(Source)

The Bottom Line

Stories of people going missing on cruise ships are fascinating and there is certainly quite a lot of intrigue behind these disappearances. It seems likely that we will never know the true fate of the people who have disappeared whilst on a cruise. 

It’s worth emphasising that these cases are incredibly rare and if you are sensible, there is no real danger of falling overboard. 

Millions of people go on cruises each year and virtually all of them come home safely. A few hundred people going missing over two decades is a very small percentage and it’s most definitely not something that you should worry about, so please don’t let it put you off from cruising. 

But, if you have had a few drinks, maybe don’t try climbing about on the railings. Actually, please don’t do that, even if you are stone-cold sober. 

Related Posts:

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

If you’re an eagle-eyed cruise passenger, you might have spotted your ship flying a few different flags. And if you’re good with your flag knowledge, you might recognise one of those flags as that of the Bahamas. 

There are a lot of ships that fly under the flag, meaning that the ship was registered in the country despite being part of a US cruise line, and being built elsewhere in the world.

So why are cruise ships registered in Bahamas? Let’s take a look… 

Why Do Cruise Lines Register Their Ships in The Bahamas?

A lot of cruise lines register in the Bahamas due to some of the relaxed rules of the country. Cruise lines will point to the fact that they prefer to build ships in locations across the globe, and that US-registered ships must be built in the US, but other benefits also play a part.

The United States has strict regulations around employee wages, the rights of passengers to go to court and other important issues. By registering cruise ships in other countries outside of the US, the cruise lines can get around some of these. This is called sailing under a flag of convenience.

How Many Cruise Ships Are Registered in The Bahamas?

There are over 100 cruise ships registered in the Bahamas, making it the most popular location for cruise lines to register their ships. Some of the biggest cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line and NCL, have all of their cruise ships registered in the Bahamas.

Luxury cruise lines including Seabourn and Silversea follow suit, along with one of the newest cruise lines in the world – Virgin Voyages. Smaller ships, including Windstar Cruises’ tall ships and the SeaDream yachts, are also registered in the Bahamas.

Some cruise lines split their registrations over different countries. Some of the older Carnival cruise ships are registered in the Bahamas, but the majority of the fleet is registered in Panama. Regent Seven Seas Cruises has ships registered both in the Bahamas and in Bermuda.

The British cruise line Cunard even transferred the registration of its ships from the UK to Bermuda to take advantage of regulations around weddings at sea (source).

When you count all kinds of ships – not just cruise ships – there are over 1,500 ships registered in the Bahamas, meaning it has the world’s third-largest fleet of ships (source).

Where Are Most Cruise Ships Registered?

1. Bahamas

The Bahamas is the most popular country for cruise ship registration, but there are others that also have a lot of ships registered under their flag.

2. Malta

Malta is the second most popular, with almost all Celebrity Cruises ships registered here (there are a couple of expedition ships registered in Ecuador). TUI, Hapag-Lloyd and Azamara also have all of their ships registered in the European island nation, for a total of 55 cruise ships.

3. USA

The USA is the next most popular, but only if you’re counting small ships, a lot of which don’t offer extensive itineraries. There are 50 ships classed as cruise ships registered in the US, including Lindblad and various smaller US-themed lines. The biggest ship registered in the country is NCL’s Pride of America.

4. Panama

There are 29 cruise ships registered in Panama. This includes most of the Carnival fleet and some MSC Cruises ships.

5. Bermuda

There are a total of 26 cruise ships registered in Bermuda. Most of these are the Princess cruises fleet, but there are some P&O Cruises ships as well.

Some other notable registration nations include:

• Italy – 26 ships as well, including the entire Costa and AIDA fleets
• Norway – 23 ships despite Norwegian Cruise Line not registering their ships here. Instead, all Hurtigruten ships and Viking Ocean ships are registered in the country
• Netherlands – 13 ships including the entire Holland America fleet
• Marshall Islands – 12 ships are registered here including Oceania’s luxury fleet, the Seven Seas Explorer and Hebridean Islands Cruises’ ships
• Ecuador – 9 ships, mainly expedition ships designed to sail the Antarctic including Celebrity Xploration and Celebrity Xpedition 
• UK – 6 ships. It used to be the registration country for Cunard, but the line moved its registration to the Bahamas so that it could marry couples at sea.

Why Do Ships Sail Under Foreign Flags?

Ships sail under foreign flags to enjoy more beneficial regulations on topics such as employment, taxes and weddings. There are various tight restrictions in place for ships that are registered in the US, which cruise lines want to avoid.

Here’s more of a breakdown of the main reasons why ships are flagged in other nations:

Construction and Maintenance

Cruise ships are pretty huge – so huge that many of them couldn’t be built in the shipyards of the US without extensive costs, as they require specialist facilities.

But according to the Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886, only ships that are built in the US can sail under the US flag. Also, any maintenance must be carried out in the US, and if a ship can’t make it back to America to be serviced then it will be charged a 50% duty.

It would, therefore, not be cost-effective for cruise ships to be built and maintained in the US, so cruise lines prefer to register their ships elsewhere.

Note that most other countries don’t have the same tight restrictions, so a ship could be built in Italy, registered in the Bahamas and then repaired anywhere.

Suggested read: How Much Does A Cruise Ship Cost To Build?

Employment

Another reason that cruise lines prefer to sail under a flag of convenience is down to US employment law. Ships that register in the US must hire American citizens, whereas cruise lines prefer to hire globally. This helps to keep salaries down and means that employees can work for longer hours with fewer breaks.

They aren’t horrendous working conditions – otherwise, people would quit. But they can be tough at times, with a lot of time spent working without a day off. So it makes sense that cruise lines prefer to search for workers around the world, instead of being limited to the US.

Suggested read: How Much Do Cruise Ship Workers Get Paid?

Taxes

A lot of cruise ships – and even cruise lines – are registered in foreign countries in order to take advantage of more lenient and favourable tax laws. Cruise lines are able to save millions of dollars by registering their ships in a country that charges less for tax.

It also affects the headquarters registration of some cruise lines – that’s why Royal Caribbean Group is registered in Liberia despite having its base of operations in Miami, and why Virgin Voyages was established in Switzerland.

Weddings

The laws around weddings are not the same on land as they are at sea, and so by registering ships in foreign countries, cruise lines are able to provide ceremonies that they would not have been able to, had they registered in the US or the UK.

Cunard even moved the registration of their ships to the Bahamas to be able to offer weddings at sea, which are a good source of income.

Celebrity Cruises moved its registration to Malta after the country legalised same-sex weddings – it is now the largest cruise line to offer same-sex marriages at sea.

Suggested read: How Much Is A Cruise Wedding?

Do Foreign-Flagged Cruise Ships Pay US Taxes?

Cruise ships registered in a foreign country are not subject to Federal Income and Branch Profit taxes. So they don’t pay US taxes, although they do pay docking fees for the time spent in US ports.

This is due to Section 883 of the Internal Revenue Code.

While this is seen as a massive win for cruise lines – where taxes in foreign countries are often a lot lower – there is one major downside to it. It means that cruise lines are exempt from federal financial support during any economic crisis.

And that’s why many cruise lines suffered so much during the shutdown in 2020. They weren’t able to claim any of the financial aid that the US was providing to businesses to keep them – pardon the pun – afloat. And the countries where they were registered were not in a position to offer anything like that.

To Conclude

Flying under a flag of convenience offers a lot of benefits to a cruise line, although as we’ve seen with the global pause, it doesn’t come without risks.

Don’t expect things to change anytime soon, though – the costs that would be incurred by transferring ships to the US, and employing only American staff, would be huge. The Bahamas, Malta, Panama and others will continue to be the countries of choice for ship registration in the future.

Related Posts:

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

For many, cruising is about relaxation, exotic destinations, and indulgence. But for Bella and Jase, the creators of 4OURPLAY, their latest trip on a Temptation Cruise aboard Celebrity Summit was a world apart from traditional vacations.

This wasn’t just any cruise – it was an adults-only, spicy experience filled with themed parties, exclusive events, and an unexpected element that lifestyle cruisers take to a whole new level.

They shared their experienced on their YouTube channel to give a behind-the-scenes look at what really happens on a swingers’ cruise, from playrooms to pyjama parties and, of course, the ultimate tradition that puts regular cruisers to shame.

The one (surprising) thing that swingers do better: epic door decorations!

If you thought regular cruisers took door decorating seriously, wait until you see what happens on a swingers’ cruise!

As Bella explains, decorating your stateroom door is practically a rite of passage, with guests going all out to make their rooms stand out. Their door was covered in hilarious memes, pineapple-themed décor (a subtle nod to the lifestyle), and custom magnets.

“This year, Jase made all the memes himself, and they’re absolutely hilarious,” Bella shared. “We also added some pineapple decorations inside our room, just to keep the theme going.”

Beyond fun decorations, these creative displays serve another purpose – helping fellow cruisers identify who’s who and making it easier to connect with new friends.

Gifting & goodie bags

Another unique tradition? Goodie bags! Bella and Jase, who bring groups along on their cruises, put together custom swag bags for attendees who booked through them. This year’s bag included:

• A custom “Let’s Get Naughty” t-shirt
• A naughty girl bandana
• A fun magnet for door décor
• Personalised name necklaces, which are huge in the lifestyle community

“It’s always so fun seeing people wear our shirts around the ship,” Bella said. “The name necklaces are a huge hit every year—people love having that little touch of personalization.”

Themed parties: from PJs to togas

Each night brings a new theme, and Bella and Jase love to go all out. Their first-night theme was a pajama party, and while they didn’t record much that evening, they gave viewers a sneak peek at their outfits.

Later in the week, they transformed for the Toga Party, where Bella incorporated Shibari rope work into her look, elevating the classic toga into something far more unique.

“We love putting together creative outfits for theme nights,” Jase added. “It’s such a huge part of the cruise experience.”

A glimpse inside the playroom

While Bella and Jase couldn’t film inside the ship’s playrooms when they were in use (for obvious reasons), they did give viewers a quick glimpse of it on day one, before guests were in there.

For those unfamiliar, these exclusive spaces are designed for consenting adults looking to ‘explore and connect’.

With meetups, pool parties, specialty dining, and even a trip to the spa, Bella and Jase made the most of their time on the ship.

Whether it was sipping cocktails at Café Al Bacio, playing basketball on the top deck, or just enjoying quiet time in the sauna, they shared how they loved the mix of relaxation and adventure.

Final thoughts: would you ever be interested in a spicy cruise?

Swinger cruises like Temptation and Bliss are growing in popularity, and Bella and Jase’s experience shows exactly why.

Whether you’re in the lifestyle or just curious, these cruises offer a judgment-free, fun-filled environment where passengers can express themselves, meet like-minded people, and take themed events to a whole new level.

So, what do you think? Would you ever go on a spicy cruise? And how does your door decorating game compare to the pros? Let us know in the comments!

Or for more info, take a look at this list of the best cruises for swingers.

For more exclusive lifestyle insights, check out Bella and Jase’s channel, 4OURPLAY.

Related posts

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

Cruises bring together people from all walks of life, and with that comes a fascinating variety of fashion choices. Some of which aren’t what you might call typical…

I asked my Facebook followers to share the most unusual things they’d seen someone wear on a cruise, and the responses didn’t disappoint.

From the quirky to the downright bizarre, here are some highlights.

1. The dressing gown formality

One responder recalled a man dressed in a white towelling dressing gown during White Night, an evening typically known for its elegance and flair.

While others were decked out in their finest white ensembles, this gentleman seemed more ready for a lazy spa day than a glamorous soirée. Casual chic? Maybe. Appropriate? Debatable – but it was definitely memorable!

Suggested read: 6 Places You Can Wear A Bathrobe On A Cruise (And 4 You Can’t)

It’s always a good idea to check your cruise line’s website, app or even forums to find out what kind of themed nights you might get to experience on your cruise.

That way, you won’t have to resort to more unusual choices such as this just to feel like you’re fitting in!

2. The 17-day wetsuit

Imagine spotting someone in a black wetsuit – not just at the pool, but for the entire duration of a 17-day cruise.

This observer admitted they couldn’t believe their eyes.

Perhaps the person was preparing for a sudden snorkelling emergency or just found it unusually comfortable.

Whatever the reason, it left a lasting impression on their fellow passengers.

3. Proud in a Scottish Kilt

During formal night, one observer noticed a man sporting a traditional Scottish kilt.

While it initially stood out as unexpected, the look quickly earned admiration for its style and cultural pride.

Others chimed in, noting how kilts are often a show of great pride at events like Scottish weddings.

It was a reminder that “unusual” can also be classy and deeply meaningful. It doesn’t have to mean something negative!

4. The Neon Lime Green Showstopper

This responder described a woman in a neon lime green, cut-out jumpsuit that left little to the imagination.

Adding to the spectacle was the fact that it was as tight as could be.

Another observer mentioned spotting a similar outfit, but in neon pink and without a bra.

Subtle? No. Conversation-starting? Absolutely.

5. The Blow-Up Doll Companion

One passenger reported seeing a woman who carried a blow-up doll everywhere she went for the entire week-long cruise.

Whether it was a joke, a statement, or just a quirky travel companion, it certainly got people talking.

As one commenter put it, “It was definitely a conversation starter!”

Typically inflatables aren’t allowed on cruise ships but maybe this one got past security by being inflated and dressed!

6. Shirtless at the buffet

While enjoying a meal at the buffet, one observer noticed a trend they couldn’t unsee: men wandering around shirtless.

While it’s not unusual poolside, seeing someone grab their food bare-chested in a dining area struck them as more than a little inappropriate.

Sure, it’s a holiday, but maybe throw on a T-shirt before piling your plate high?

7. The Richard Branson wannabe

One responder couldn’t help but notice a man who dressed entirely in white for the entire cruise, seemingly emulating billionaire Richard Branson.

I mean, I’m not sure there’s anything wrong with looking like Richard Branson. Richard’s pretty cool, right?

Maybe it wasn’t the outfit so much as the overly intense vibes it gave off? Instead of classy and effortless, it ended up being more “sad and creepy,” according to the observer.

Now this one’s definitely subjective and maybe they just liked white a lot? As long as you dress appropriately then I think this one’s fine, but I agree it’s unusual to wear just one colour throughout your cruise.

8. Barefoot in the Dining Room

Another passenger shared their disbelief at seeing a man dining barefoot in the ship’s formal restaurant.

Apparently, he subscribed to a “no-shoe” lifestyle and even accessorised with foot jewellery in the evenings.

While going barefoot may feel freeing, many agreed it’s better suited to the beach than the main dining room.

And I don’t think this one’s subjective either. You should always have footwear on when walking around a ship. Even just for your own safety – sometimes, people may drop and break a glass!

9. Sundresses that leave nothing to the imagination…

Sundresses are a popular option on cruises. And apparently not just for ladies – some gents like to wear them too.

The problem is if you pair them with, well, nothing.

Hanging out on a cruise deck is fine, but ‘hanging out’ is not fine. You need to make sure you’re always covered, and so if you want to wear something short then you absolutely must make sure you’ve got something suitable on underneath.

The only time it’s OK to let your privates become public is if you book a nude cruise.

10. The dancing T-Rex

At 1 a.m., one observer was treated to the sight of someone dancing their heart out in a full T-Rex costume.

The image of a prehistoric creature busting moves on the dance floor is one that likely stayed with them long after the cruise ended.

Sometimes, it’s all about embracing the fun.

And while again, I think these costumes would normally be banned, you can grab one here if you want to try your luck and copy this passenger:

11. It’s-a him, Mario

A man in a full Super Mario costume, complete with cap and moustache, was spotted wandering the ship.

The sight was made even stranger by the fact that his wife was dressed completely normally.

Whether it was a themed night or just his everyday attire, this outfit definitely had heads turning.

Also I’m making the assumption that this person was referring to the Nintendo character, rather than Mario Salcedo, an American businessman who has become somewhat of a cruise celebrity due to the fact he essentially lives on cruise ships, and has done for around 20 years or so.

Though maybe someone did dress up as ‘Super Mario’ the cruiser?

12. Fur boots with a bikini

One observer described someone on the Lido deck wearing knee-high fur boots paired with a bikini.

It was June, the sun was shining, and yet this passenger clearly felt the need for furry footwear.

Fashion? Maybe. Not sure it’s the most practical choice, but you do you.

13. Rocking the PJs… all day

From the daring to the downright cosy, another responder shared their shock at seeing someone who spent the entire cruise in pyjamas covered in a cruise ship print.

Whether these choices were about comfort, confidence, or something else entirely, they were certainly unforgettable.

I’ve heard some people argue that they should be allowed to wear PJs for breakfast on a cruise, but it certainly splits opinion.

Personally, if you’re under the age of seven then it’s probably okay.

But I don’t think most cruisers would find it appropriate at all past breakfast time!

14. The Speedo Formal

One brave soul wore a Speedo to formal night, leaving little to the imagination. They even admitted to it themselves.

While most passengers opted for suits, tuxedos, and dresses, this gentleman decided that less was more. It’s safe to say he stood out.

Speedos are definitely a controversial topic when it comes to cruise attire:

A lot of stereotyping here, but what do you think? Are Europeans generally more comfortable wearing speedos regardless of their body size?

Is it an issue or should people be allowed to wear what they like?

15. Flip-Flops in Iceland

On an excursion in Iceland, where the weather is famously chilly, one passenger spotted someone wearing flip-flops.

While the rest of the group bundled up for the cold, this individual seemed determined to keep their toes out.

It might not have been the warmest choice, or one that was even remotely sensible for a walking excursion in a country where terrain can often be rugged, but it’s certainly one to remember.

More suggestions

Here are some of the other unusual items of clothing that cropped up in the comments:

• Football (soccer) shirts – are these unusual? Maybe it’s just embarrassing because of the team
• Underwear… in the pool. Put on some actual swimwear
• Woollen swimwear. I can’t imagine that worked well after a dip
• Mankinis (this got several mentions!)
• Actual heavy-duty farming clothing
• Pasties only
• Vests and cargo short combos in the dining areas

Final word

Cruises are always an adventure, and it’s not just the destinations that make them interesting – people bring their own unique flair to the experience.

These fashion choices, while unusual, are a reminder of the joy of individuality. In most cases. Some are a little gross.

Have you ever witnessed or worn something unforgettable on a cruise? Share your stories in the comments!

Related posts

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

Cruising can be a time for relaxation, but for one crew member working aboard a cruise ship, a simple question about a couple’s jewellery led her to uncover a hidden world of symbols and codes.

In a candid video on her YouTube channel Cruising As Crew, Lucy shared an eye-opening story about how she learned the meaning behind black rings and pineapple jewellery – items commonly worn by swingers on cruise ships.

A curious question sparks an unexpected discovery

It all started years ago when she was working in the spa aboard a cruise ship.

A couple came in for a couples’ massage, and when the crew member saw that they were both wearing matching silver upside-down pineapple necklaces, she was curious.

“I loved your necklaces. I think it’s so cute that you’re both wearing matching necklaces,” she recalled saying. “But why the pineapple? What does that represent to you in your relationship?”

The couple burst out laughing, and what she learned next left her both embarrassed and intrigued. “They were like, ‘Look, we’re swingers, and this is how people can identify us as swingers,’” she explained.

The secret of the pineapple

Little did she know, the upside-down pineapple was a subtle signal that swingers used to identify each other, a practice that had been going on for years.

From this moment, the crew member was introduced to the world of swinging symbols on cruise ships, a world that many cruisers may not be aware of.

She explained how the upside-down pineapple, often worn as jewellery or displayed on cabin doors, is a commonly recognised sign for swingers.

However, she also delved into other less obvious signals, like the black ring worn on the right hand. Although this is sometimes seen as a signal, it can also just be a fashion statement, so she cautioned not to read too much into it unless other clear signs are present.

“The black ring on your right hand… can you imagine if you went up to someone and you’re like, ‘Hey, I can see that black ring on your right hand?’ And they’re like, ‘Yes, it’s just a black ring on my right hand,’” she said with a laugh.

But it’s not just rings and pineapples – there are other signs that may indicate someone is part of the swinging community. She mentions that some swingers may wear gender symbols, often combined in a specific way, to subtly indicate their preferences.

These symbols are much more explicit, she notes, and aren’t as commonly worn, making them a clearer sign of a swinger’s lifestyle.

Swinger lingo

In her video, she also shared her education into the specific language used among swingers, including terms like “unicorn” (a woman who wants to swing alone with a couple) and “rainbow” (someone who is open to swinging with all genders).

Through her candid and often humorous storytelling, she explained how these terms help define various roles within the swinging community.

Virgin Voyages’ unwarranted reputation

As she wraps up the video, she also addresses misconceptions about Virgin Voyages, an adult-only cruise line she works for.

Some people believe that Virgin is a “swinger’s cruise,” but she clarifies that while swinging may happen aboard, the cruise line doesn’t promote or advertise itself as catering specifically to swingers.

“You are just as likely to find swingers on Virgin as you are on Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Celebrity, Viking, you name it,” she explains.

Her message is clear: cruising is about enjoying what makes you happy, and that can include exploring different lifestyles.

“Life is about living and doing what makes you happy,” she says, embracing the diversity of preferences found on cruise ships.

For those who are curious about these hidden meanings or simply want to learn more about cruising culture, her Cruising As Crew channel offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at life on the high seas.

For more insights into life as a cruise crew member, check out Lucy’s channel, Cruising As Crew.

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

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