Cruise Ship Warns Passengers to Turn Off Lights Amid Pirate Threat

Passengers aboard Cunard's Queen Anne cruise ship were given an unusual safety briefing as the vessel crossed through waters reportedly "known for piracy threats" en route from Darwin, Australia, to Manila, Philippines. A TikTok user named Lilly (@lillydapink) shared a video of the announcement, which immediately grabbed attention online.

The ship's intercom advised passengers that heightened security measures would be in place. "During hours of darkness, only essential open deck lights will be on to reduce the ship’s external lighting," the announcement stated. Guests were asked to turn off stateroom lights and draw curtains to keep the ship as inconspicuous as possible. External decks would also remain closed overnight.

Lilly confirmed that all outside lights on open decks were indeed switched off, and curtains were drawn to ensure maximum darkness. She described the scene as eerie but added that it was all part of necessary safety precautions.

Social media users had mixed reactions to the bizarre cautionary measures. While one joked, "Bro my timbers would be shiveringggg," another commented, "The way I would crawl and hide under the bed." Some took the announcement more seriously, pointing out that swift naval intervention would likely occur if pirates attempted to attack such a high-profile cruise ship.

Cruise industry expert Stewart Chiron, known as "The Cruise Guy," weighed in, explaining that cruise ships generally avoid pirate-infested regions unless absolutely necessary, such as during world cruises. "Very few cruise ships traverse these areas, and those that do are equipped with experienced security teams," Chiron said. He reassured travelers that conditions are carefully reviewed before entering such waters.

While the video amassed over half a million likes, the situation sparked an unusual mix of humor and fear online. One TikTok user quipped, "My toxic trait is thinking I could befriend the pirates," while another declared, "I would be on full-blown pirate watch and no one would stop me."

Though rare, such precautions highlight the cruise industry's commitment to ensuring passenger safety—even if it means turning off the lights and closing the curtains for a night.