A passenger claims one word is "banned" on a cruise ship after he accidentally said it during a conversation.
TikToker and content creator Marc Sebastian - who previously sailed the South America-Antarctica leg of Royal Caribbean’s nine-month world cruise - documented peculiarities of cruise life.
From paying $8 to use an iron to spotting framed photos of Whoopi Goldberg (the ship’s designated “godmother”), his updates have uncovered plenty of quirks. But none caused quite the stir as what happened during one routine lunch.
In a now-viral video, Sebastian recalled the moment he casually mentioned what some passengers consider a strictly forbidden word: Titanic.
Watch the video below:“I brought up to an entire room of people having lunch that our ship is only 100 feet longer than the Titanic,” he said in the video. “When I tell you that, utensils dropped, okay. Waiters gasped. Dead silent.”
It turns out that referencing the infamous 1912 disaster is not lunchtime conversation. “Who knew that? I didn’t,” Sebastian said in disbelief. “The cruise doesn’t come with a f***ing handbook.”
One of his friends even had to lean across the table to let him in on the unwritten rule, hinting that Titanic talk is strictly taboo on board.
While it might seem like an overreaction to some, others on social media were quick to point out that cruise ships, much like theatres, have their own lore.
"Is the Titanic thing for cruises the same as like Macbeth for theatre," one user questioned, while another said: "It is considered extremely bad luck to mention a sunken vessel on another one out at sea."
"Not being able to talk about the Titanic would definitely ruin the experience for me," a third added.
Still, not everyone was put off by the superstition surrounding the ill-fated RMS Titanic, which tragically sank during its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York after hitting an iceberg on April 14, 1912.
“I’m sorry, if I’m going on a boat, I’m talking about Titanic and OceanGate,” one declared.
Beyond superstition, Sebastian also highlighted other strange maritime traditions. As aforementioned, one involves assigning each ship a “godmother” - a ceremonial figure said to bring good fortune and protection.
For Serenade of the Seas, that honor belongs to EGOT winner Whoopi Goldberg, whose image is proudly displayed on board.
There’s also a more recent tradition known as “ducking,” where passengers hide rubber ducks around the ship for others to find, just for fun. "The hiding of the ducks. I don't get it. And I love a fun scavenger hunt," Sebastian said. "Why ducks? Because they float? I just don't get it."
"And people are crazy about the ducks, they are searching, I'm seeing b****es in these goddamn artifical plants," he quipped.
When you’re spending weeks at sea with the same group of strangers, that kind of harmless entertainment goes a long way.