When thousands of passengers set sail on a luxury cruise, the last thing on their minds is the possibility of a death on board. However, with a high concentration of older travellers on long voyages, cruise lines must be prepared for such eventualities, however rare they may be.
Inside the Ship's Morgue
Cruise paramedic Rory, who shares his life at sea as @roryatsea on social media, has offered a rare glimpse into this sobering aspect of maritime life. In a revealing video, he described passenger deaths as 'incredibly rare' but confirmed that all vessels are equipped to handle them with dignity and efficiency.
The tour began in a corridor adjacent to the ship's medical centre. Rory explained the process: 'Prior to the morgue, the body is cleaned, changed, all ID tags are placed on and then you're moved to here, the morgue,' he said, pointing to a simple white metal door marked with a small sign.
He noted that while some medical centres have integrated morgues, on his ship, the facility is located externally. Inside, the morgue is a functional space dominated by a large metal unit with three doors, giving it a capacity for three deceased individuals.
The Chilling Reason for Free Ice Cream
The conversation around deaths at sea took an even more unexpected turn when former cruise ship singer Dara Starr Tucker corroborated a long-standing rumour. In a series of TikTok videos, she confirmed a direct link between free ice cream and fatalities on board.
'If the crew suddenly makes a bunch of ice cream available to the passengers — free ice cream party — it's often because more people have died on the ship than they have room for in the morgue,' Tucker revealed. She estimated that on the large ships she worked on, which carried between 25,000 and 30,000 passengers, approximately four to ten people died every voyage.
Drawing from her experience about a decade ago on Mediterranean and Caribbean routes, Tucker explained that the morgue on her ship could hold about seven people. When that capacity is exceeded, the crew may use free ice cream as a distraction for the wider passenger population, a practice she confirmed is 'unfortunately often true'.
This rare insight into the logistical and compassionate measures taken by cruise staff highlights a hidden, yet crucial, part of ensuring smooth sailing for thousands of holidaymakers, even in the face of tragic circumstances.
