If you’re a cruise enthusiast who spends any time at all “doomscrolling” Instagram, you’ve no doubt come across the video. You know, the one showing a simulation of “what happens if you fall off a cruise ship.” But let’s talk about what that video gets wrong… and what it doesn’t tell you.

Fear Factor

Created and shared by an Instagram account called AxiomPixels, the video starts by showing a person standing at a ridiculously low railing and going overboard. “What happens if you fall from a cruise ship and no one sees you?” the voiceover and accompanying graphic ask.

The reel — which has been viewed over 5 million times and can be found here — goes on to describe this truly terrifying scenario and what would likely happen next. It talks about the force with which your body would hit the water and that “within 10 minutes, the glowing ship is just a speck of light on the horizon.” 

‘It’s A Terrifying Reality’ 

The short clip goes on to ask how long the viewer thinks they’d be able to tread water in the dark, especially as the freezing water “instantly saps your body heat.” While no potential survival tips are included, the video does end by dubbing the situation “a terrifying reality” adding, “In fact: Over 30 people go overboard on cruise ships every single year, and most are never found.” 

Perhaps they should preface that last number by “almost fact” given that the true number of annual man overboards is more in the 20-25 range. According to an industry report, there were 19 “man overboard” incidents.

READ MORE: All of 2024’s Man Overboard Incidents

According to a report from CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), 218 passengers and crew were reported as having gone overboard. Of those, 48 percent were successfully recovered.

What That Cruise Ship Viral Video Omits

What’s important to note — and not mentioned in the fear-inspiring video — is that approximately 37 million people from all around the world cruised in 2025. It’s projected that in 2026, a record-breaking 21 million Americans will board ships.

If 30 people out of 37 million were to falloverboard, that words out to somewhere in the vicinity of 0.000086%. Call us crazy, but those are pretty good odds.

The other thing not mentioned in the viral video is that, simply put, people do not “fall off” cruise ships, at least not without a bit of effort. The fast majority of those who do are either taking a purposeful action or doing something that that goes against both the rules and common sense. Alcohol also plays a role in many incidents, with people who’ve had too much to drink making foolish decisions or taking deliberate actions.

Ultimately, like so many videos which go viral, there’s more to the story than meets the eye, let alone can be explained in so short a format.

Read Next: What happens when someone goes overboard?

Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship is still a few weeks away from debuting but already the honeymoon is over where some passengers are concerned. Why? Because of a price tag being attached to one of the entertainment options offered on board Norwegian Luna.

How Much Will LunaTique Cost?

Described as a “bold, cheeky good time” available only for guests 21 years of age and older, LunaTique will require reservations and run guests $44.95 each. This covers not only the show but four cocktails and a souvenir glass.

As for the show, it is described as an “immersive evening” featuring “high energy vocals, outrageous antics and laughs.” The show is said to combine “vintage circus glamour” and “pop-decadence.” (It sounds similar to Up With a Twist, the show rolled out upon the launch of Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady. Perhaps the biggest difference is LunaTique’s cover charge includes cocktails but not the meal which accommodated Twist.)

‘Why Am I Paying Twice?’

In discussing the offering, many consumers took issue with Norwegian charging for the show. “They can’t really say it’s supposed to cover the cost of the drinks,” pointed out one member of a Facebook group devoted to the ship. “Most people get a drink package as part of their booking. That’s the whole point of their Free at Sea program.” 

Added another, “Why am I paying twice for drinks?” 

It’s worth noting this is not the first time Norwegian has charged for entertainment. When Norwegian Bliss launched in 2019, the entertainment lineup included Happy Hour: Prohibition Edition (reviewed here). Like LunaTique, it was a show specifically aimed at an adult audience. It, too, featured a selection of cocktails served during the show. And like LunaTique, it was a ticketed event, costing $19.95 per person.

Over the years, several ships within the Norwegian fleet have had similar for-fee shows, including some which included both meals and drinks. This is also not something which is restricted to new vessels. On the 2013-built Norwegian Breakaway, they recently introduced the Silver Screen Bistro where, for $50 per person, guests can enjoy a pre-set meal before viewing a relatively-recent movie.

Norwegian Cruise Line Entertainment Changes

Industry observers have seen Norwegian go through several changes in recent years where their entertainment offerings are concerned. For several years, the line focused on shortened versions of popular Broadway hits such as Kinky Boots and Six. More recently, however, these productions — and the high licensing fees associated with them — have been ditched in favor of jukebox musicals.

In talking to the executive editor of Travel Weekly at an event, then president of Norwegian Cruise Line Harry Sommer addressed the topic. “Guests on a Norwegian ship don’t want to spend two hours in a theater,” he explained. “They want to spend 30 to 40 minutes in a theater, then they want to enjoy… the other entertainment we have onboard.” 

Only time will tell if they also want to pay to enjoy Norwegian Luna‘s new show.

Already under attack by an advocacy group demanding that changes be made, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ new CEO admitted it has “not been performing to its full potential.” 

While getting things back on track promises to be a longterm project, the company believes there is at least one bright spot on the horizon: Great Stirrup Cay.

Big Changes Coming to Great Stirrup Cay

Looking at the company as a whole, relatively new President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings John W. Chidsey admitted, “We have some challenges that need to be addressed.”

While some of the areas in which the company needs to reinvent itself are longterm in nature, both Chidsey and Mark Kempa, see Great Stirrup Cay as a relatively easy quick fix.

Ironically, Norwegian being slow to develop and monetize Great Stirrup Cay was one of the major issues addressed by Elliott Investment Management, which owns approximately a 10 percent stake in the cruise company.

In a recent letter sent to NCLH’s board, the investment group took NCLH to task, saying in essence that they’d dropped the ball where the private destination was concerned.

Despite being the first cruise line to operate a private island/destination, Norwegian was slow to develop the property. Meanwhile, others in the sector — led by Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day CocoCay — made major investments which reaped huge rewards.

Now, at long last, Norwegian is doing the same, with phase one of a massive reimagining having recently opened. “We are very encouraged by the early results,” said Kempa during NCLH’s quarterly investment call. He went on to say that “initial guest feedback” to the addition of a pier, large pool and other amenities “has been very positive.” 

Great Stirrup Cay promises to become even more of an in-demand destination with the opening of Great Tides Waterpark this summer.

Why Great Stirrup Cay Is So Important

They say you have to spend money to make money, and the race to develop private destinations would seem to prove as much.

A recent report by Travel Weekly, citing information from the Cleveland Research Center, took a closer look at both CocoCay and Great Stirrup Cay, as well as Carnival Cruise Line’s Celebration Key.

The report indicated that in 2026, Great Stirrup will make approximately $80 million in revenue, with Celebration Key expected to rake in $150 million.

And CocoCay? It’s expected to bring in approximately $600 million, making it clear why cruise lines in general — and Norwegian in particular — are eager to develop the popular destinations.

Get Ready to Spend More

Of course, all of that money generated by the private destinations comes from the pockets of consumers. Over the past few years, cruise lines across the board have worked hard to increase onboard spending. And because the islands are operated by the cruise lines, money generated there counts in that regard.

As it currently exists, Great Stirrup Cay is leaving a great deal of money on the table. While visitors can spend their hard-earned dollars on everything from ziplines to private cabanas, the waterpark promises to not only generate additional income, but become a big draw for multi-generational families.

Speaking of the Caribbean in general and Great Stirrup Cay in particular, Kempa said the company sees a “long-term opportunity in the region,” especially where new-to-cruise and family guests are concerned.

A group well known for helping ordinary people solve disputes with big corporations came to the rescue of a cruise passenger. But what, exactly, led the Elliott Advocacy agency to accuse a cruise line of trying to shake down a guest?

Why Cruiser Was Upset With Holland America

As happens nearly every day, Greg Rothman of California, used a certificate he’d received from a casino in order to book a sailing.

Many land-based casinos have partnerships with cruise lines. As part of these reciprocal arrangements, the casinos might distribute “free cruise” certificates.

More: Facebook page scams thousands of cruisers

In this case, Rothman used a $650 certificate he’d received from MGM to book a veranda stateroom on a Holland America ship. He received confirmation both over the phone and in an email.

But at some point before the actual sailing, Rothman received notice that the price had changed to $1,450, and he could either pay the $800 difference or lose his stateroom. Instead, he reached out to the Elliott Agency in hopes they might help resolve the issue.

Was Holland America Price Change Legal?

Upon looking into the matter, the agency determined that Rothman not only was in the right, but had taken the correct steps to resolve the matter. (Before contacting the consumer rights group, Rothman had attempted to deal directly with Holland America, which he says blamed MGM for the mistake.)

According to Christopher Elliott, the agency’s founder, “Once Holland America issued an invoice showing a paid-in-full stateroom, it created a binding contract under federal maritime law and California’s consumer protection statutes.” 

According to the advocate, “You accepted a quoted price, paid in full [and] received written confirmation… Holland America, meanwhile, followed a different script: blame the casino partner, change the terms and dare the customer to walk away. That’s not customer service. It’s a shakedown.”

Did Holland America Do the Right Thing?

Ultimately, Rothman’s decision to reach out to Elliott Advocacy proved a smart one.

Not only did the agency help Rothman set sail at the originally agreed-upon price, but he also received a phone call apology and a $200 onboard credit.

“I’m happy this is resolved,” wrote Elliott, “but it shouldn’t have taken all of these escalations for Holland America to help you. But in an age of increasing automation, apparently that’s what it takes.” 

Things definitely didn’t go as planned where Sunday mornings scheduled sailing of the Carnival Sunshine was concerned. A power-related issue on the previous sailing’s final morning resulted in delays where both on-board cruisers and waiting-to-sail guests were concerned.

What Caused the Carnival Sunshine Delay?

Social media accounts of those on board the vessel reported that in the early morning hours of March 1, Carnival Sunshine lost power for an as-yet-unexplained reason. The stricken vessel then awaited the arrival of tugboats to assist its return to her current homeport of Norfolk, Virginia. A letter delivered to guests waiting to board offered more details as to what was unfolding.

“Earlier this morning, Carnival Sunshine experienced a brief power outage, which was quickly resolved by the ship’s engineers,” began the alert.

“To comply with U.S. Coast Guard requirements to enter Norfolk, the ship must be assisted by tugboats, and this will result in an unplanned delayed arrival, by early afternoon. Consequently, your embarkation has been revised.”

The missive offered embarking guests a new timetable. Whereas they were originally given terminal arrival appointments ranging from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the new times began at 3 p.m. with boarding expected to conclude around 6:30 Sunday evening.” 

What Happens Next?

Passengers on board were told they could remain in their staterooms until 1:30 p.m. as the ship made its way toward Norfolk.

As of late afternoon, embarkation had indeed begun on Carnival Sunshine. Among those posting to Facebook and other social media outlets, talk turned to Funfetti Cheesecake (a much-loved embarkation day treat among the line’s cruisers) and how this delay might impact the ports on their itinerary.

More: John Heald reveals change to gift-giving policy

The ship’s original itinerary saw it departing Norfolk before paying visits to Nassau, Celebration Key and Bimini. A letter to guests indicated that schedule changes might be made, leading to speculation among passengers as to which port would be skipped.

The letter indicated that the ship’s “Captain, Antonio Gargiulo, and our Fleet Operations Center rare reviewing the alternatives and will have an update for you later this evening.” 

While many on board speculated that Celebration Key would be skipped, it’s more likely that the ship would skip Nassau as opposed to Carnival’s private destination.