Cruising
5 crazy cruise practices you won't believe are real
Cruising is one of the world’s oldest forms of travel, so naturally, a few crazy rituals have cropped up over time. Here are five of the strangest.
- Baked Alaska parade – the dessert favourite has been subject to a strange ritual ever since the 20th century, when waiters would bring out trays of baked Alaska while performing a song and even dancing. It’s believed the parade first began when refrigeration first came to cruise ships, which was a source of celebration for many workers.
- Crab racing – this classic pirate game is still played on modern cruises quite regularly. Passengers choose their crab, perhaps make a small bet, and watch the critters battle it out to the finish line.
- Polar plunges – cruise routes which take passengers around some of Earth’s icier regions often offer an unorthodox activity: a dip in ice-cold waters. Those who brave the cool conditions may be rewarded with a certificate, but for many, the biggest reward is simply being able to say you’ve done it.
- Unlucky 17 – on dry land, 13 is considered to be the unluckiest number. However, for seafarers (particularly in Italy), the number 17 is cautiously avoided at all cost. This is because the Roman numeral XVII is an anagram for VIXI. Translation? “I have lived” or, “my life is over” in Latin.
- Tiramisu ceremony – you’re most likely to witness this ritual on Italian cruise ships, where it is traditional for waiters to bring out the famous dessert while singing and waving napkins.
Tell us in the comments below, have you witnessed any of these crazy cruise practices?
Image: Getty