​Superstition On The High Seas

The world is full on superstition on dry land, be it seeing a black cat, a lone magpie or walking underneath a ladder. What about superstition on the high seas?
 
We’ve put together the following list for you to read and consider next time you’re on a cruise…
​

When The Bottle Doesn’t Smash

It’s commonly known that when the bottle doesn’t smash at the launch or naming of a new ship that it is thought of as bad luck and the ship will be cursed. The tradition of breaking a bottle of champagne against a ship dates back hundreds of years and is seen as a celebration and blessing.

Deck 12+1

The number 13, like on dry land, is also consider to be unlucky on board ships. You may have noticed that very few ships have a Deck 13. Some Italian cruise ships do have a Deck 13 but instead do not have a Deck 17 as the number 17 is thought to be unlucky in Italy. Why do ships still have a number 13 lifeboat!?

Changing A Ship’s NamE

Many cruise ships have changed named or been re-named but did you know it’s actually consider bad luck?
​

​Dolphins Not Sharks

Sharks always convey horror in the movies and they are also seen as a grim omen if seem following a ship. Dolphins swimming alongside however are seen as a sign of good luck!

​No Whistling On The Bridge

Next time you’re invited to the bridge make sure you don’t whistle as you may ‘whistle up a storm’! There’s also a belief that clapping on a ship will bring thunder and lightning.
​

Unlucky Friday

​Starting a cruise on a Friday is apparently considered to be unlucky and means that the voyage will be ultimately ‘unsuccessful’. It is thought that this belief came about as Christ was crucified on a Friday hence it has been associated as a bad omen.

No Bananas On Board

You did read that right! During the 18th century bananas were consider bad luck on board ships as many cargo ships carrying bananas mysteriously disappeared at sea and never made it to their final port of call. It was suggested that fermenting bananas gave off toxic gases and killed the sailors, whilst another theory says that poisonous spider hidden in bunches of bananas would bite and kill the sailors.

WRITTEN BY: HARRY COTTERILL

​Harry Cotterill is one of the most experienced young cruisers in the UK, having visited more than 60 different ships and cruises over 25 times.

He's known across the world for his passion of drawing ships and amazing artwork which has been presented and displayed on board close to 100 different ships.

Visit Harry's Blog to discovery more!