
There are certain social situations and occasions in our day-to-day lives when uttering one simple word ruins a moment. Even worse, poorly timed words can make your peer's blood boil and send them through a wild range of emotions. For example, there's undeniably a moment of panic if you're in a crowded room and someone yells "Fire!" -- a cry that will scare even the most fearless. Yelling "bomb" in an airport can lead to criminal prosecution for the dangerous situation it may create, even if it's
a hoax. However you choose to travel, there's always a set of unspoken rules and topics that generally should not be referenced. Cruise vacations have their own set of bizarre rules as the demand for cruise travel has continued to soar in recent years. New travelers are learning the rules and regulations of the seas. As for what word you should not say on board a cruise, let this be your lesson.
So what's the one word cruise ship passengers should avoid saying at all costs? Titanic. The word immediately conjures memories of the massive "unsinkable" ship that tragically sank over a century ago in the Atlantic Ocean. Hearing the "Titanic" in a vessel full of hundreds or even thousands of passengers in the open sea -- possibly even crossing similar waters -- can evoke strong emotions. The idea of a sinking ship is one of the unsettling reasons why some people avoid cruises altogether. If there's a single word that can create a jaw-dropping moment of awkwardness in the open waters, "Titanic" is it.
Read more: The Most Bizarre Rules On Cruise Ships
What Makes Titanic Such A Trigger Word For Cruise Passengers?

The R.M.S. Titanic is likely the most famous shipwreck in modern history. On April 10, 1912, it set sail from Southampton, England, to New York City. The luxurious passenger liner struck an iceberg on April 15, killing over 1,500 passengers and crew. To this day, the word "Titanic" recalls the harrowing scenes from the 1997 film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet -- a reminder that ships can, indeed, sink. In 2012, an Italian cruise ship, the Costa Concordia, ran aground and capsized, killing 32 of the 4,200 on board. Needless to say, "Titanic" remains a trigger word that can rile up even the calmest passengers.
A recent story from Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas illustrates just how taboo the word can be at sea. TikToker Marc Sebastian, documenting the journey, quickly learned it topped his list of terms to avoid. Still, he tested how polarizing a mention of the "unsinkable ship" could be. In a group gathering, Sebastian casually remarked that Serenade of the Seas is only about 100 feet longer than R.M.S. Titanic. According to him, the room went silent, dining utensils dropped, and audible gasps followed. Experienced cruisers quickly confirmed the word can bring a record-scratch halt to any good mood aboard.
It is akin to saying "Voldemort" in Hogwarts or "Macbeth" in a theater. In an era when cruising is popular for its relative affordability, and one generation dominates the cruise market, these are things everyone should know. Now, some first-time or newer cruisers are appropriately warned what you absolutely should not utter if you're looking to make friends and not enemies.
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Read the original article on Islands.