A shocking video showing two teenagers climbing between balconies on a cruise ship has gone viral, sparking fierce debate online about passenger safety – and whether private balconies should even remain an option on cruise ships.
The clip, posted on TikTok by user @dvandzzedsw, shows the youths balancing on the narrow railings of their stateroom balcony before inching along to the neighbouring cabin.
At one point, one teen can be seen dangling over the open ocean, gripping the underside of the balcony above him for support while wearing what appear to be flimsy sandals.
Though the ship has not been officially identified, commenters and the original poster claim it took place aboard Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas – one of the world’s largest cruise ships.
The balcony design seen in the footage is consistent with Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class vessels.
@dvandzzedsw Repost cause the last one got taken down #cruise #wonderoftheseas ♬ original sound – dvandzzedsw
The stunt, which could easily have ended in tragedy, clearly breaches cruise safety regulations.
A single misstep could have sent one of the teens plummeting into the sea or onto a lower deck, either of which could have been fatal.
Where Were the Parents?
It’s not known whether the teens’ parents or guardians were aware of what was happening.
Like most major cruise lines, Royal Caribbean requires minors to share a cabin with an adult aged 21 or over, or to be booked into a connecting cabin for proper supervision.
Carnival Cruise Line and other mainstream brands follow similar policies.
Balcony Cabin Ban Call Ridiculed
As the video continues to circulate, some online users have questioned whether cruise lines should ban balcony cabins altogether to prevent passengers from climbing railings.
However, the overwhelming majority of cruise fans have rejected that idea – arguing that irresponsible guests, not balconies, are the problem.
“Balcony cabins should always be an option. No need to ban them because of a few teenage idiots – their parents should be responsible,” one cruiser wrote.
“They should not ban balconies because of a few stupid people. Ban the stupid people for life,” another added. “That was extremely dangerous.”
A Serious Safety Breach
Climbing or sitting on balcony railings is a serious safety violation across all major cruise lines. Such behaviour can result in immediate disembarkation and even a lifetime ban from the cruise brand.
In less severe cases, the offending guests may simply lose access to their balcony, with crew removing the door handle or locking the door for the remainder of the voyage.
Security teams also have the authority to relocate guests to an interior cabin or, in extreme situations, confine them to their stateroom until the next port.
It’s unclear what, if any, consequences the teenagers in this video faced – but the incident serves as a stark reminder of how dangerous this kind of behaviour can be.
Cruise Lines Take Balcony Safety Seriously
Balcony cabins remain among the most popular stateroom options at sea, offering guests private outdoor space and ocean views.
However, cruise lines routinely remind passengers to avoid leaning or climbing on railings and to supervise children at all times.
In the end, a few seconds of reckless fun could have cost two young people their lives – a chilling example of why safety rules at sea exist for a reason.
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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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