The Secret Code Word You Should Be Horrified To Hear On A Cruise Ship

Table Of Content

• Insider secrets
• Zulu Zulu Zulu
• What Does Charlie Charlie Charlie Mean on a Cruise Ship?
• The emergency codes you’re not supposed to know about

Still, a true "code Oscar" situation can occur and isn't as rare as you might assume. According to Spencer Aronfeld, a lawyer who specializes in cruise ship lawsuits, the phrase "code Oscar" has a dark meaning that's unique to ships. If you hear the announcement “Operation Bright Star” on your cruise ship, this can signal a medical emergency. There are many situations which pose a much greater danger on a ship than they might on land.

Insider secrets

Another code that might sound strange is “Code Sierra” because it gives no clue what’s happening. Well, now we know that it refers to a type of medical emergency that requires a stretcher. A code Kilo or specifically “Kilo, Kilo, Kilo” on Royal Caribbean ships signifies to crew to get to assigned emergency posts.

Zulu Zulu Zulu

If someone is abusive, volatile, or belligerent onboard the ship, you’ll hear a Code Gray. On a Carnival or Disney Cruise Line, Operation Brightstar is a code used to designate a medical emergency. This is only a code that can be used by a member of the medical team to indicate that someone is suffering from an urgent medical emergency, such as cardiac arrest. It is spoken on the PA system so that the ship’s medical team is alerted and can attend to the person in need immediately. Some cruise lines use “Code Blue” as an alternative to “Alpha” codes to communicate that there is a medical emergency on board.

What Does Charlie Charlie Charlie Mean on a Cruise Ship?

The point is you're on a cruise to escape the stresses of everyday life. You're surrounded by fun activities, fruity drinks and what seems like a never-ending bounty of food. See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive.

If you hear the “Echo” cruise code, this means that the ship has started to drift, but don’t panic! It’s possible that the Captain will get the ship back under control – they’ll certainly have a procedure for correcting the problem. An announcement of “Code Black” on a cruise can be used to alert the crew to a few possible situations – none of them good. A code black can mean the possibility of a violent confrontation, or the possibility of a suicide threat.

Some cruise lines have taken to NOT using the standard distress calls over the PA so that the guests will not be alarmed when an emergency occurs. However, as most who have cruised before know, it's not that easy to fall off. It's highly unlikely for a cruise to tip over, and tall railings are placed throughout the decks to prevent accidental falls. Sadly, some passengers also plunge into the water of their own volition.

What is the history behind the development of secret codes on cruise ships?

Note that the codes we’ve listed are used as signals to alert crew without causing any distress to passengers. It’s imperative that if you hear any of these codes on board a cruise ship, the first step is to remain calm. Then, proceed by following the procedures outlined by the crew. Meanwhile, Carnival Cruise Line uses Alpha Team, Alpha Team, Alpha Team as a fire emergency aboard one of their ships. “Code Alpha” or “Alpha, Alpha, Alpha” is one of the most common secret codes you’ll hear the broadcast on a cruise ship.

Vessel emergency codes

A fire on a cruise ship is one of the most serious incidents that can occur. The warning for a possible fire is Red Parties, Red Parties, Red Parties or Alpha Team, Alpha Team, Alpha Team. Another potentially grave situation involves a collision with another ship. If you hear that warning but are not near any other ships the alternate meaning for this warning is potentially high winds approaching.

What Does Kilo Mean on a Cruise Ship?

Crew members will take care of the dead person’s body, which will be stored in the cruise ship’s morgue until the vessel reaches land. More often than not, companies will use this secret code to alert their crew about an oil spill. As soon as they hear this, the crew will take action to correct the ship’s direction, especially if there’s a risk of collision. Such action includes maneuvering the ship to safety to dodge an accident. Typically, using that call means that there’s a medical emergency on the ship.

The code “Mike” is used by the cruise line Oceania Cruises to communicate to the crew that there is a medical emergency on board that requires urgent attention. Therefore, the code “Mike” performs a similar function to Alpha, but on Oceania Cruises only. Welcome to High Seas Cruising, your resource for exploring the exciting world of cruise ship travel. We provide expert advice, insightful reviews, and comprehensive guides to help seasoned and novice cruisers create their ideal sea journeys. Whether you desire adventure, luxury, or exploration, High Seas Cruising is your compass to unforgettable cruise vacations.

Be sure to join my email list for my best cruise tips and handpicked deals each week. Pink Flamingoes are another lesser-known symbol among swingers on cruises, indicating they are into the lifestyle. Codes used when someone has died onboard vary by the cruise line.

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When a passenger falls off a cruise ship, the crew should be immediately notified by the vessel's radars, triggering the "code Oscar" alert. However, this doesn't always happen, depending on the ship's technology. The codes mentioned in this post reveal the seriousness of each situation, and it’s important to understand what each one means. For example, Charlie Alpha means both a security threat and a medical emergency, while Bravo means a fire on board. A single cruise ship may employ people from over 40 countries, resulting in industry slang that combines words and sayings from several different languages. Insider compiled a dictionary of cruise ship language based on interviews with cruise workers, previous reporting, and industry blogs.

I find it important to familiarize myself with emergency codes used on cruise ships for my own safety and peace of mind. Emergency preparedness and safety protocols are crucial on any vessel, and knowing what to do in case of an emergency can make all the difference. Knowing these codes can help passengers understand what’s happening on board and respond appropriately in case of an emergency. It’s reassuring to know that cruise ships have safety protocols in place to ensure the well-being of all passengers. If you hear a Code 7, it means that everyone aboard the ship must report to their muster stations.

The mandatory safety exercise is held for all passengers before the ship leaves port. Norovirus is usually the culprit, but with the recent COVID-19 pandemic, passengers may be suspicious of hearing a Code Red. Staff are well-trained and know what to do, so sit back and wait for further instructions.

Cruise Ship Code Words: Bravo Bravo Bravo, Code Oscar and More

Table Of Content

• Insider secrets
• Sea Hag
• What is the history behind the development of secret codes on cruise ships?
• Announcements

It is used on the Tube, as well as the wider UK rail network and at theatres (“Sands” because buckets of sand would be used to put out the fire). 7500 is a transponder code which means an aircraft has been, or is threatened with, hijacking. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices.

Insider secrets

Passengers generally can go about their day, but those in the area of the emergency should stay out of the way of the first responders. This also indicates a medical emergency aboard a Royal Caribbean ship. Now that you know about my expertise in the cruise industry, I’d like to ask for your feedback on the usefulness of this post. Did it answer all your questions about the secret codes on cruise ships?

Sea Hag

Cruise ship security is highly trained to deal with all kinds of emergencies. The code “Charlie, Charlie, Charlie” is used if there is a security threat onboard the ship. A code blue is usually used to signify some sort of medical emergency onboard the ship. The IMO/USCG/others only rate ships on their ability to respond to emergencies. I am wondering if those are the same flags that are hoisted on cruise ships in port.

What is the history behind the development of secret codes on cruise ships?

So when a situation starts going south, staff are expected to respond immediately to resolve the situation. Usually, this alarms other medical team members to let them know that they must assemble to aid a passenger having an urgent medical emergency. In most cases, it’ll be a stroke, seizure, heart attack, and the like. Whenever you hear “Operation Bright Star” on a cruise ship, just know that it’s a member of the medical team making the call. Then, cruise ship security is dispatched to deal with whoever’s fighting.

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If you don't work on a cruise ship, "no rice, no power" and "don't get a banana" may sound like an alien language. That's because crew members have dozens of secret code words and sayings they use to communicate while keeping passengers in the dark. Sierra will often follow an Alpha code, which means a stretcher is required in conjunction with a medical emergency. You might not hear this over the intercom, but it may be radioed between staff responding to the emergency.

Silvery Seas Cruiser

Your comments and suggestions will help me improve future content and provide better peace of mind to readers like you. So, I’m curious about what these secret codes really mean on cruise ships. After reading Mike Schimdt’s post on Cruise Tips, I’ve learned that these codes are used by crew members to communicate urgent situations that require specific actions. That means doing more than discovering the things you can’t do on cruises anymore or learning how cruise ships have adapted since the pandemic.

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On a cruise ship, “Code Red” means that an illness has broken out on board. This is often norovirus, which sadly, isn’t exactly uncommon on board cruise ships, as regular cruisers will know. “Charlie” means a security threat, and Alpha” communicates a medical emergency.

Are there any secret codes that are used for non-emergency situations?

The ship may turn back in an attempt to find the fallen passenger, and the cruise workers will likely use searchlights to scan the water. "If you fall from a great height, not only do you risk breaking a limb as you hit the water, but it will knock all the air out of you and you can drown very quickly," he explained. During emergencies on cruise ships, crew members use emergency protocols and communication methods to ensure the safety of guests and crew. These methods can include radios, intercom systems, and hand signals to coordinate response efforts quickly and efficiently. This code means that there has been a bomb threat or other biological or chemical threat. The staff and crew members have been trained to deal with these situations, so sit back and wait for further instructions.

It’s wise to learn some of the code words major cruise lines employ during emergencies and other delicate situations. Hearing “Bravo, Bravo, Bravo” on a ship can, after all, point to a serious issue. As I was researching for my next cruise adventure, I stumbled upon some intriguing information about the hidden communication system used on board. It’s fascinating to know that cruise ships have their own secret codes for meaningful communication and safety protocols. Sometimes, it’ll go hand-in-hand with other codes that indicate a medical emergency.

This code has multiple uses amongst different cruise lines, and can indicate a possible biohazard, damage to the ship, or possible injuries or even multiple injuries. Code Gray alerts the crew to the presence of an abusive person or a combative person on board. I’m sure it won’t be you but do remember to be respectful to your crew and fellow cruise travellers at all times. This code may not be used across many cruise lines to indicate an extreme flooding incident onboard. “PVI” is short for “Public Vomiting Incident.” As you might have guessed, this secret code relates to incidents requiring quick clean-up, usually when someone has thrown up.

I’m here to share my expertise and decode the 21 most common secret cruise ship codes. From Charlie Alpha to Bravo, Oscar, and more, you’ll be able to decipher these codes like a pro. This past year saw possibly the most incidents of someone going overboard as any year in the last two decades. In the event of a person being seen falling overboard or jumping overboard the proper alert is Oscar, Oscar, Oscar. If a crew member were to shout Charlie, Charlie, Charlie he or she is alerting other crew members of a potential security threat.

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But what passengers don’t know is the meaning of the different codes and the fact that not all of them are related to medical emergencies. Some announcements, in airports and on cruise ships, signal a serious emergency. Others simply inform staff that a queasy passenger has thrown up on the top deck. The secret cruise code “Sierra” is used to communicate that a stretcher is required on board to assist with a medical emergency.

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However, there’s also “Code Yellow,” which is often used when there’s a spread of illness on the ship, but it isn’t as serious. After a short period of time, everything will go back to being peaceful and laid-back as it should be on a cruise. It seems like cruise companies have a huge vocabulary to indicate different sorts of alarms and emergencies, and it’s understandable!

This blog helps over a million people to plan their cruises each month. A code like this is unlikely to be announced to the whole ship. You should be briefed on this during your muster drill as it’s important that you to take action. Put on warm clothing, gather any medication you need and head straight to your assigned muster station for further information. If you have ever heard any of the code words used on deck in the past, then you are probably still wondering what they mean. Some cruise lines will use “Operation Bright Star” in this scenario.