The Most Shocking Incidents on Cruise Ships: True Stories and Tales from the Deck

Cruising can be a thrilling and unforgettable adventure, but as these stories from actual passengers will illustrate, sometimes the most memorable moments occur in the most unexpected ways. From daring acts of intimacy to bizarre sales tactics, here are some of the craziest incidents we've heard on cruise ships through the decades.

1980s Incidents on "The Fship"

What happened on a late-night cruise in the 1980s? On the Fstar, now known as "The Fship," late one night, a young girl, presumably around 15-16 years old, was giving head to a man in a secluded area of the pool, with several other people waiting in the shadows. The girl was thoroughly drunk, and her mother, referred to as "talis mater," was searching for her at the disco below.

Carnaval Cruise Incident

Another incident occurred during a formal dinner on a Carnaval cruise. Despite the dress code, one man arrived wearing cargo shorts and a "wife-beater" t-shirt, which was inappropriate for the dining room but acceptable at the buffet on the Lido Deck. Additionally, every night, there were men wearing baseball caps or cowboy hats in the dining room. Such attire might stretch even the most lenient cruise line's rules.

Ancient Union-Castle Liner Encounter

In 1953, during a voyage from England aboard a Union-Castle liner, a fascinating display took place as the ship anchored off Madeira in the Atlantic Ocean. A unique method of selling goods was observed. A local man, accompanied by two or three younger boys, stood in a small boat. The man would lift a child around 5 or 6 years old above his head, claiming he could dive into the water to retrieve a coin. However, the truth was that the child was not innocent—the man would merely drop the boy back into the boat while he dived in using his toes to retrieve the coin. This trick amazed and baffled the passengers, who continued to toss their coins into the water until the deception was revealed.

Despite the deception, many passengers still bought items such as hand-embroidered tablecloths and walking dolls. These wares were brought on deck via long ropes, looped around the ship's railing, with a basket at one end.

These tales highlight the unpredictability and often unpredictable nature of cruises, where both customers and crew can encounter unexpected and sometimes scandalous incidents. Whether it's a bizarre sales gimmick or an impromptu private show, these experiences add a layer of excitement and excitement to the cruise line.