We all know there are certain words you just don’t say when travelling, for example you wouldn’t talk about bombs on a plane or make jokes about bringing weapons through security.

These are quite obvious to seasoned and new travellers but sometimes etiquette can be less subtle. If you're unfamiliar with the environment you're in, you might not be aware of the unwritten expectations.

And sometimes, you only learn them through unpleasant experiences. As well as planes, cruise ships come with a unique set of guidelines and protocols that passengers are expected to follow.

On December 10, 2023, Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas embarked on the Ultimate World Cruise - a 274-day journey around the globe, stopping at more than 60 countries and featuring visits to 11 of the world’s iconic wonders. This unforgettable voyage spanned the Americas, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and Europe, with ticket prices ranging from $53,999 (£39,847) to $117,599 (£86,779) per person.

Given how extraordinary and one-of-a-kind the experience is, it makes sense that Royal Caribbean brought on a number of influencers to help spread the word. Popular TikToker Marc Sebastian was aboard the cruise ship and he documented his experience throughout the trip.

One of his videos has amassed a staggering 9.9 million views and it features the American influencer sharing what he’s learned during his first few weeks on the ship. The main piece of information was the one word you’re not allowed to say.

At the start of the TikTok clip Marc said: “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 content creator shared that he mentioned to a group of fellow passengers who were having lunch that the ship is only 100 feet longer than the Titanic and then “utensils dropped”, waiters “gasped” and it became “dead silent.”

Marc was in shock by this reaction and his friend onboard the cruise quietly told him that you’re “not allowed to talk about the Titanic.” He mused that this “wasn’t in the handbook”, admitting that he “clearly” didn’t read the handbook.

It’s not surprising that people on a cruise ship wouldn’t like to be reminded of the tragic real life story of a luxury passenger liner that sank, leading to around 1,500 people losing their lives. More experienced cruisers took to the comments section to share that they were already aware of this unspoken piece of etiquette.

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

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.”

In a later part of the video about lesser-known cruise facts, Marc shares his surprise at discovering that cruise ships have godmothers and that their pools are actually filled with seawater. In a June 2024 update, the content creator revealed that he only stayed on the cruise for 18 nights. He hadn’t planned to complete the entire journey and, as it turns out, he was quite relieved about that.

Marc jokingly claimed he was kicked off the ship for rescuing a penguin that had hopped aboard but ultimately, he admits he was glad to leave early. The TikToker described the experience as overwhelming and stressful and confessed: “I walked off that ship not a happy man.”