The quest for viral content on social media often leads to sensational stories, and sometimes it comes as a surprise just how much claims based on “I’ve been told” can reach millions of views.
The winner of the latest video that went viral is Dara Tucker, who was working on Celebrity Equinox 10 years ago. Her recent video, claiming that ice cream parties on cruise ships signal a lack of morgue space due to passenger deaths, has reached over 2 million views and sparked widespread discussion. It's not easy for people to find such a viral story, and sometimes it comes as a surprise just how much a claim based on “I've been told” can reach so many viewers.
Dara Tucker suggested that an unusually large number of deaths on a cruise would lead to storing bodies in walk-in freezers, necessitating ice cream parties to free up space. This video quickly caught the attention of major news outlets, including the New York Post, and stirred controversy among viewers. However, several aspects of Tucker's claim do not hold up under scrutiny, and we, as the cruise community, would like to clear things out.
Department Knowledge: Cruise ships have strict protocols, with each department focusing on its specific responsibilities. The Food & Beverage (F&B) department is largely unfamiliar with the workings of the entertainment department. For example, it's as outrageous for a cruise ship waiter to suggest that the musicians are concealing Amy Winehouse, may she rest in peace, behind the curtain for inspiration and to enhance their performances on stage. Such a claim would be hard to beleive.
Food Safety Standards: Cruise lines follow the strictest and highest standards when it comes to food handling, from the moment they load the food onboard until serving to the guests. This I know from personal experience and not from “that's what I've been told.” That being said, they never use the same freezer for food and bodies. There are some issues not related to food when it comes to sailing under a flag of convenience. This has its own benefits for the cruise lines and negatively reflects in some aspects on the crew, like unjustified termination, death at sea, wages, etc. But that is another story.
Ice Cream Parties: The claim that Celebrity Cruises, or any cruise line, would host ice cream parties as a response to passenger deaths is unfounded. And since when does Celebrity Cruises throw ice cream parties?
Exaggerated Death Rates: Dara was told that “maybe 4 to 10 people die every cruise.” I know people die on a cruise, but this number is ridiculous… and on each cruise. Maybe something to do with Dara's singing. Who knows.
Morgue Facilities: Cruise ships are equipped with morgue facilities designed to respectfully and appropriately handle the unfortunate event of a passenger's death, ensuring dignity until they can be transferred at the next port of call or home port.
Influencers like Dara Tucker have a responsibility to their followers. Sharing unverified information based on “I’ve been told” can lead to misinformation and cause damage to the cruise industry.
The story reflects a broader trend of sensationalism in search of viral content, where the truth often becomes the first casualty. News outlets and influencers alike benefit from the engagement such stories generate but at the cost of spreading unverified and potentially harmful claims. Before sharing or believing sensational claims, it's crucial to seek out facts and consider the implications of spreading unverified information.
