Man on 274-day cruise left baffled over one etiquette rule 'no one talks about'

Everyone knows there are certain things you simply shouldn’t say while travelling - for instance, joking about bombs on a plane or mentioning weapons near airport security is a definite no-go. These things are usually clear to both experienced and first-time travelers, but etiquette isn’t always so straightforward.

If you're not used to a particular setting, you might miss some of the unspoken norms. Sometimes, the only way to learn these things is through uncomfortable experiences. Like air travel, cruising also involves its own distinct rules and expectations that guests are expected to follow. On 10 December 2023, Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas took off on the Ultimate World Cruise - an epic 274-day voyage around the globe, docking in over 60 countries and featuring trips to 11 of the world's most iconic wonders.

This once-in-a-lifetime journey covered the Americas, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and Europe, with ticket prices ranging from a hefty $53,999 (£39,847) to a staggering $117,599 (£86,779) per person.

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Considering how unique and unforgettable the experience is, it’s no surprise that Royal Caribbean enlisted several influencers to help promote it. Well-known TikToker Marc Sebastian joined the cruise and shared highlights of his journey along the way.

One of his videos has racked up an impressive 9.9 million views, featuring the American influencer giving his insights from his first few weeks aboard the ship. The key revelation was a certain word that's off-limits.

At the start of the TikTok video, Marc revealed: "So, here is a list of things I've learned about cruising since I have spent 18 nights on this floating retirement home with a Cheesecake Factory attached.

"First: number one, you're not supposed to talk about the Titanic. Who knew that? I didn't."

The social media star recalled telling a group of passengers dining nearby that the ship’s length exceeded the Titanic’s by only 100 feet.

After he said this, "utensils dropped," waiters "gasped," and the room fell "dead silent."

WARNING: The video below contains explicit language. Viewer discretion is advised.

Marc was surprised by their response, and his friend on the cruise quietly told him that you're "not allowed to talk about the Titanic."

He reflected that this rule "wasn't in the handbook," admitting he "clearly" hadn’t read it.

It’s understandable that passengers on a cruise wouldn’t appreciate being reminded of the tragic true story of a luxury liner sinking, which resulted in the loss of about 1,500 lives.

Seasoned cruisers headed to the comments section, mentioning that they were already familiar with this unspoken rule of conduct.

One said: "It is considered extremely bad luck to mention a sunken vessel on another one out at sea."

Another added: "When I went on a cruise my mom told me saying titanic was equivalent to screaming a bomb at an airport."

A third chimed in: "Yeaa.. saying anything about the Titanic is like saying Macbeth in a theatre."

A fourth commented: "I'm sorry you're telling me you had a Harry Potter like experience saying Voldemort at Hogwarts but it was the Titanic on a modern day cruise I'm cryingggg."

Later in the video, where Marc discusses lesser-known cruise facts, he expresses surprise at learning that cruise ships have godmothers and that their pools are actually filled with seawater. I

In an update from June 2024, the content creator disclosed that he only spent 18 nights on the cruise.

He hadn’t intended to stay for the entire trip and, in hindsight, felt quite relieved about his decision.

Marc humorously claimed he was asked to leave the ship after rescuing a penguin that had wandered onboard, but in reality, he admitted feeling glad to disembark early.

The TikToker described the experience as overwhelming and stressful, confessing: "I walked off that ship not a happy man."