Sometimes cruise etiquette debates blow up online – from saving sun loungers to piling your plate too high at the buffet.
But the latest viral discussion? Where people are keeping their SeaPass cards.
And in this case, I think I might be one of the passengers being called out!
The Reddit Post That Sparked It
Over on Reddit’s r/Cruise forum, a passenger currently sailing on Independence of the Seas shared their frustration:
“I’m currently on Independence of the Seas and twice I’ve seen ladies reaching into their blouses to locate their SeaPass, which was stashed in their bras.”
The thread, cheekily titled “Ladies – Get a lanyard”, went on to describe the habit as “frankly disgusting for the crew members and for everyone who has them touch their drink glasses afterward. Please just buy a lanyard.”
The post quickly gained traction, with plenty of people jumping in with their opinions – both for and against.
Here’s the thing – it was posted on 21st September 2025. Guess who was onboard Independence of the Seas on that day, and who might have been tucking their SeaPass into their bra?
Me.
Is It Really That Gross?
I’ll admit it: I definitely tucked my cruise card into my bikini top while on Independence of the Seas last week. And honestly? I don’t think it’s that bad.
In my view, boobs are a whole lot cleaner than hands.
Think about it: how many people genuinely wash their hands with soap and water every single time they leave the bathroom, or before hitting the buffet? I know I do, but I know not everyone does!
Cruise lines even have staff stationed at the entrances of restaurants practically begging people to wash their hands. Compared to that, a card coming out of a bra doesn’t seem so unhygienic.
One Reddit commenter summed it up perfectly:
“People do not wash their hands so often that cruise ships have to almost beg them to before visiting the buffet. Boob sweat is the very least of your worries, my guy.”
Exactly.
The Pocket Problem
Of course, not everyone loves lanyards either. Some passengers hate how they bounce or sway, especially around their necks in the hot sun.
Wristbands might be a good alternative – Virgin Voyages already uses them, and Princess Cruises has the Medallion, which you can easily add to a wristband.
But really, a big part of this issue comes down to women’s clothing.
Why don’t more swimsuits, shorts, or dresses come with decent pockets? A bra isn’t always the most practical place, but sometimes it’s the only place.
One Redditor put it bluntly:
“‘Dear clothing designers, why don’t you make pockets in clothing for women so they don’t need to use their bra?’ There. Fixed it for you.”
Couldn’t agree more.
I actually found a swimming costume with built-in pockets, which would solve the whole problem neatly (and keep Reddit happy). This might be the solution we’ve been waiting for:
Tech Alternatives
Others in the thread called on cruise lines to modernise.
Why not offer NFC wristbands as standard, or even Apple Wallet integration? Disney Cruise Line already uses its “MagicBands”, and Virgin Voyages has its wearable “Sea Band.”
As one commenter put it:
“From the perspective of customer-centricity, it would be better for cruise lines to offer NFC wrist bands (in addition to cards). Give customers a choice.”
That would certainly prevent the need for bra storage!
Cruise Etiquette Debates Are Nothing New
This isn’t the first time cruise etiquette has gone viral.
Last year, a TikToker called out rows of “reserved” pool loungers on Utopia of the Seas, sparking another online debate about entitlement on cruise ships.
Controversy around lounger hogging isn’t new – and it’s something cruise lines are trying to tackle.
And chances are, it won’t be the last. Whether it’s towels on chairs, piling plates too high, or yes – stashing SeaPass cards in bras – social media loves to amplify these small quirks of cruise life.
But for me, at least, this latest storm in a teacup was a little different.
Because if that Reddit passenger spotted someone retrieving a SeaPass from their bikini top on Independence of the Seas this summer… there’s a good chance it was me.
And I stand by it.
Maybe People Disagree With Me…
Of course, I know not everyone will agree. It wouldn’t be the first time one of my choices at sea has caused a bit of controversy.
For example, I once wrote about leaving my kids onboard in the kids’ club while my husband and I went ashore.
Some cruise lines actually allow it – the staff are trained, the kids are safe, and we were never at risk of missing the ship. Still, that post caused a stir on Facebook, with plenty of parents lining up to tell me exactly what they thought of our decision.
Another time, I admitted to jogging on the promenade deck of Celestyal Journey, despite a “No Jogging” sign. Technically I broke the rule, but the cruise line’s own website described it as a jogging track!
I ran mid-morning when the ship was already bustling, and it felt harmless. But when I shared it online, the story snowballed and I was labelled “entitled” by some readers – to the point my own husband jokingly threw me under the bus in the comments.
So yes, I’ve been on the receiving end of cruise community backlash before. Maybe you’ll think I’m wrong about SeaPass storage too. That’s fine – part of what makes cruising interesting is that we all do it differently.
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