Cruise ships are like mini floating cities, offering a world of luxury, entertainment, and adventure on the open seas. For some cruisers, the idea of hiding on the ship at the end of a voyage to sneak onto the next one seems like an exciting, if not daring, fantasy. But what happens when people actually try this? Reddit user ‘heavyflute4’ posed this question to the forum, sparking a flood of fascinating stories, warnings, and insights from both former passengers and crew members. As it turns out, trying to stow away on a cruise ship is neither easy nor advisable, and those who attempt it often find themselves in awkward, humorous, or even trouble-filled situations.
According to cruise industry insiders, stowaway attempts are more common than one might think. Reddit user ‘Late_Sleeper123,’ who works on a cruise ship, revealed that such incidents happen about once a month or every other month. While some passengers might think they can outsmart the system, crew members like ‘TooMuchCoffe1’ and ‘BadVinegar’ assured the forum that hiding on a cruise ship is nearly impossible. The crew uses a sophisticated tracking system to monitor everyone onboard, making it incredibly difficult for anyone to avoid detection. Each passenger is issued a ship ID card upon check-in, which is scanned every time they board or disembark. By the end of the cruise, the crew has a precise list of who has—and hasn’t—left the ship. If someone tries to stay behind, a full-scale search ensues, and the new passengers can’t even start boarding until every straggler is found and escorted off. The crew even has a mental list of favorite hiding spots, from staterooms to the lido deck and public bathrooms. As ‘TooMuchCoffe1’ put it, “We will find you. We know you’re on the ship.”
Not everyone who gets caught hiding means to cause trouble. Some first-time cruisers, like Reddit user ‘Guccinisti,’ simply don’t understand the disembarkation process and accidentally overstay their welcome. In such cases, the crew tends to be understanding, especially if it’s an honest mistake. For example, ‘pettster12’ shared a lighthearted story of getting stuck in a supply closet after a boozy final night on their cruise. The crew searched for them for two hours, but after reviewing the security footage and seeing how intoxicated they were, they couldn’t help but laugh. The captain even let them off with a warning, though they were grateful to have been caught on camera and not reported.
However, not all stowaway attempts end so harmlessly. Those who deliberately try to hide on the ship often face serious consequences. Reddit user ‘Sco91tty’ shared a particularly wild story about their friend’s antics on a mini-cruise from Newcastle to Amsterdam. The man got drunk, ripped a table from the wall, took off his shirt, and even threw his and his friend’s tops overboard while shouting “wheeeyyyy!” After being sent to the ship’s brig and having his passport confiscated, he tried to hide under his bed during the next attempt to disembark. Unfortunately, his feet stuck out, and security caught him immediately. He was thrown off the ship and had to rely on the British Embassy to get home without his passport. Another story shared by ‘Late_Sleeper123’ involved a passenger who got high on acid and locked themselves in the bathroom to avoid their family. They planned to stay on the ship while their family disembarked, but security eventually found them, and the cleaning crew would have discovered them if they hadn’t already been caught.
In another tale, Reddit user ‘delliott456’ recalled a couple who tried to blag an extra week of cruise time during a two-week voyage. The ship made multiple announcements, searched their room, and even seized their belongings before finally finding them and escorting them off. Such incidents highlight the challenges of attempting to stay on a ship without permission, as the crew leaves no stone unturned in their efforts to ensure everyone disembarks before the next voyage begins.
Ultimately, the takeaway from these stories is clear: hiding on a cruise ship to stay for the next round is not only difficult but also fraught with consequences. While some tales are humorous and lighthearted, others remind us that stowaway attempts can lead to serious repercussions, from being banned from the ship to facing legal action. For those tempted by the fantasy of sneaking onto the next voyage, the advice is simple: don’t bother. The crew knows who’s onboard, and they’ll find you. Instead of trying to game the system, it’s better to enjoy your time on the ship and disembark as planned—after all, there’s always the next cruise to look forward to.
