Cruising can be a time for relaxation, but for one crew member working aboard a cruise ship, a simple question about a couple’s jewellery led her to uncover a hidden world of symbols and codes.
In a candid video on her YouTube channel Cruising As Crew, Lucy shared an eye-opening story about how she learned the meaning behind black rings and pineapple jewellery – items commonly worn by swingers on cruise ships.
A curious question sparks an unexpected discovery
It all started years ago when she was working in the spa aboard a cruise ship.
A couple came in for a couples’ massage, and when the crew member saw that they were both wearing matching silver upside-down pineapple necklaces, she was curious.
“I loved your necklaces. I think it’s so cute that you’re both wearing matching necklaces,” she recalled saying. “But why the pineapple? What does that represent to you in your relationship?”
The couple burst out laughing, and what she learned next left her both embarrassed and intrigued. “They were like, ‘Look, we’re swingers, and this is how people can identify us as swingers,’” she explained.
The secret of the pineapple
Little did she know, the upside-down pineapple was a subtle signal that swingers used to identify each other, a practice that had been going on for years.
From this moment, the crew member was introduced to the world of swinging symbols on cruise ships, a world that many cruisers may not be aware of.
She explained how the upside-down pineapple, often worn as jewellery or displayed on cabin doors, is a commonly recognised sign for swingers.
However, she also delved into other less obvious signals, like the black ring worn on the right hand. Although this is sometimes seen as a signal, it can also just be a fashion statement, so she cautioned not to read too much into it unless other clear signs are present.
“The black ring on your right hand… can you imagine if you went up to someone and you’re like, ‘Hey, I can see that black ring on your right hand?’ And they’re like, ‘Yes, it’s just a black ring on my right hand,’” she said with a laugh.
But it’s not just rings and pineapples – there are other signs that may indicate someone is part of the swinging community. She mentions that some swingers may wear gender symbols, often combined in a specific way, to subtly indicate their preferences.
These symbols are much more explicit, she notes, and aren’t as commonly worn, making them a clearer sign of a swinger’s lifestyle.
Swinger lingo
In her video, she also shared her education into the specific language used among swingers, including terms like “unicorn” (a woman who wants to swing alone with a couple) and “rainbow” (someone who is open to swinging with all genders).
Through her candid and often humorous storytelling, she explained how these terms help define various roles within the swinging community.
Virgin Voyages’ unwarranted reputation
As she wraps up the video, she also addresses misconceptions about Virgin Voyages, an adult-only cruise line she works for.
Some people believe that Virgin is a “swinger’s cruise,” but she clarifies that while swinging may happen aboard, the cruise line doesn’t promote or advertise itself as catering specifically to swingers.
“You are just as likely to find swingers on Virgin as you are on Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Celebrity, Viking, you name it,” she explains.
Her message is clear: cruising is about enjoying what makes you happy, and that can include exploring different lifestyles.
“Life is about living and doing what makes you happy,” she says, embracing the diversity of preferences found on cruise ships.
For those who are curious about these hidden meanings or simply want to learn more about cruising culture, her Cruising As Crew channel offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at life on the high seas.
For more insights into life as a cruise crew member, check out Lucy’s channel, Cruising As Crew.
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- The Most Exciting Cruises If You’re Single And Ready To Mingle
Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
