A cruise passenger was outraged after discovering the unexpected reason why so many people were "flirting with him" during the trip.
Ricky Bobby, a TikTok creator known as @prericky, and his partner recently discovered why they were suddenly getting so much attention on their cruise, and it wasn't because of the destination.
In a now-viral video, Ricky shared footage showing strangers approaching him, brushing past his poolside lounge chair, whispering suggestive comments, and openly flirting.
“They would walk by sometimes, staring at us. Even sometimes flirt with us. They would whisper things under their breath,” read the overlay text on footage of Ricky wearing a shirt covered in pineapple prints.
Watch the video below:Ricky and his girlfriend were initially baffled by the behavior until a single comment about his shirt clued them in.
Pineapples, especially upside-down pineapples, are a well-known symbol among cruisegoers, signaling openness to “swinging,” or partner-swapping.
Even though the pineapples on the TikToker's shirt weren’t upside-down, the implication stuck. “Oh,” he says in the video, followed by visible frustration and embarrassment, while his partner bursts into laughter.
The clip quickly struck a chord on the social media platform, racking up nearly 19.2 million views and prompting users to chime in with their own stories.
“I wore pineapple earrings my last cruise and didn't know why people kept coming up to us to say hi and to tell me how pretty I was," one user shared.
Another said: "I was wearing an upside-down pineapple belt and my boss asked if I knew what it meant. I looked it up and haven’t [worn] the belt since," while a third commented: "Ahaha I learned the pineapple meaning on my first cruise as well. Never knew of it, until I walked passed a few rooms with the upside-down pineapple magnets, asked, and wish I minded my business."
Some even wondered how anyone could wear pineapple prints on a cruise without knowing the meaning. “How do you take the pineapple shirt on a cruise and not know?” one asked.
Apparently, cruise lines are catching on, too. Carnival Cruise Line recently banned upside-down pineapple door decorations to curb confusion, fights, and inappropriate pranks, citing their family-friendly atmosphere.
According to Travel Plus, the company also introduced new rules for all door decorations. These guidelines state that only fire-retardant materials can be used, and decorations must be limited to the stateroom door - any use of magnets or Command Strips is allowed, but tape or glue is strictly prohibited, and over-the-door organizers must hang inside the cabin to avoid door damage.
Passengers are not allowed to place any decorations on balcony fixtures, walls, or light fittings, as these may block airflow or pose fire risks. Additionally, string lights of any kind are now banned across the ship.