Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Cruise Ship Workers' Secret Code Words and What They Mean

cruise ship code alpha

Remember that it’s unlikely that you’ll hear most, if any, of these cruise codes during your cruise, but it’s always worth being in the know about what they mean. 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. This past year saw possibly the most incidents of someone going overboard as any year in the last two decades.

Code Red

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Insider compiled a dictionary of cruise ship language based on interviews with cruise workers, previous reporting, and industry blogs. 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. 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. This code means that the captain needs all crew to their emergency posts, and this may occur if there needs to be an emergency evacuation.

Charlie, Charlie, Charlie

Ever wondered what those strange—and sometimes downright funny—codes that a cruise ship captain uses to communicate with crew members mean? Maybe you’ve heard the crew saying weird things that didn’t make sense. It might be repeated three times, so you might hear it as “Bravo Bravo Bravo,” but either way, “Bravo” means there’s a fire on board.

What Does Charlie Mean on a Cruise Ship?

The crew of a cruise ship use secret codes to communicate so as not to cause unnecessary anxiety or even panic among guests. We all know the cruise ship crew uses secret code words onboard to communicate with each other without raising concerns amongst the relaxing passengers. Yes, every cruise ship is required to have medical professionals onboard, including doctors and nurses, to address any medical needs of the passengers and crew.

Fewer will know about “pan-pan” (from the French panne, meaning a breakdown), which refers to a slightly less grave danger. A code Sierra indicated a specific type of medical emergency, one that requires a stretcher. Delta, Delta, Delta can also be used to secretly communicate the ship’s hull has suffered damage. Code Alpha is an important safety protocol that all Norwegian Cruise Ship passengers should familiarize themselves with before boarding their vessel.

Cunard uses the code “Priority 1” to indicate a fire onboard. I don’t know if Code Baby Ruth is 100% genuinely used, but if it is, it is to raise awareness among staff that there is a “poo” in the pool. The code “Red Parties, Red Parties, Red Parties” is reportedly used by Disney Cruise lines to indicate a fire onboard. The code Mr Mob stands for “Man Overboard.”  Someone has fallen overboard. This code originates from the abduction (and murder) of a child in the early 1980s, Adam Walsh, which also resulted in a Code Adam missing child safety program.

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If you hear this code, pay attention to what’s happening around you and find your travel companions, as you may be asked to evacuate soon. Fire is the biggest threat to a cruise ship and one no cruise captain ever wants to hear or have to alert the crew about. Remember, if you ever witness a Code Alpha or any other medical emergency on a cruise ship, promptly seek assistance from the ship’s crew and follow their instructions. During a Code Alpha, the ship’s medical team will assess the situation and decide whether it is necessary to evacuate the patient or dock at the nearest port for medical treatment. Passengers are usually not allowed to disembark the ship during such emergencies unless instructed by the crew.

Zulu Zulu Zulu

On a lighter note, a few years ago flight attendant Charlotte Southcott revealed to Telegraph Travel some of the curious lingo used by cabin crew at 35,000ft. Pink Flamingoes are another lesser-known symbol among swingers on cruises, indicating they are into the lifestyle. Code Zulu Zulu Zulu is a warning to crew members there is a fight incident onboard. Sometimes the code “Bright Star” or “Fallen star” is used to signify someone has died. It is a code used when an urgent clean-up is required, for example, if someone has vomited in a public area.

cruise ship code alpha

And a call over the loudspeaker of Kilo means that all crew members are to report to their emergency post. Ship specific codes can vary by cruise line and even by ship. These hidden messages serve as a way for crew members to communicate important information quickly and discreetly.

Knowing these codes can provide valuable insight into the inner workings of a cruise ship. Knowing these codes can also help passengers understand announcements made by the crew during an emergency. It’s always better to be prepared and knowledgeable about the protocols and procedures in place, rather than being caught off guard during an emergency situation. Someone from the crew will give you further instructions if there’s something you need to do. If you are the first one to spot a fire, immediately inform the officer on watch, who will inspect the area and inform the crew. It’s important to note that different cruise lines may use different codes for certain emergencies.

Sometimes there are crew drills in port..so you MAY hear one of these and you may see life boats launched, or dummies (as in fake people) thrown overboard,etc... As for delays, the International Air Transport Association has dozens of codes that explain the exact nature of the problem. There are many codes you may hear on a cruise ship, but in reality, you will rarely hear most of them.

Code 7 is one of the few codes meant for crew and passengers. If you hear a Code 7, it means that everyone aboard the ship must report to their muster stations. Muster stations are emergency meeting points, and you will be briefed on the process on your first day on the ship. 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.

Are you ready to set sail and unlock the secrets of the high seas? As a seasoned cruiser, I’ve always been intrigued by the secret codes used by crew members on board. It’s like being part of a secret club, where only those in the know can understand the mysterious messages being broadcasted over the ship’s PA system. It could mean a medical emergency, or it could be a fire somewhere on board, it all depends on the cruise line. Cruise operators use these codes transmitted over their PA system to alert the crew that a situation on board requires attention.

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