Credit: CruisingAsCrew via YouTube
Former Cruise Ship Worker Reveals Hidden Adult Meaning If You See Someone Wearing A Black Ring
A former cruise ship employee has shed light on what it means if you see someone wearing a black ring.
Cruises have long developed their own unofficial traditions and inside jokes, from towel animals to themed nights and secret menu items.
But according to one former crew member, there are also subtle symbols that some passengers use to communicate with one another without saying a word.
One of the most talked-about is a simple black ring.
The revelation has gone viral online after former cruise worker Lucy Southerton explained that, while the accessory can simply be a fashion choice, it can sometimes carry a very different meaning on board.
Former crew member shares what she learned at sea
Lucy Southerton, from Birmingham, spent around a decade working on cruise ships before beginning to share behind-the-scenes stories from life at sea on social media.
In a YouTube video that has since racked up more than a million views, Lucy explained that certain accessories are sometimes used as discreet signals by members of the swinging community while cruising.
She stressed that these symbols are completely unofficial.
“These items aren’t part of any cruise line policy,” Lucy explained.
“But they’re widely recognized among people in the swinging community.”
According to Lucy, most passengers will never notice the symbols unless they already know what they’re looking for.
It all started with a spa appointment
Lucy said she first became aware of the code while working in a spa aboard a cruise ship.
She recalled welcoming a couple in for a massage when she noticed they were both wearing matching necklaces featuring upside-down pineapples.
Thinking they were simply fun holiday jewelry, she complimented them and asked what the design meant.
“They just burst out laughing,” Lucy recalled.
According to Lucy, the couple then explained: “Look, we’re swingers. This is how people can identify us as swingers.”
It was only then that she realised there was an entire set of unofficial symbols used by some passengers.
What does a black ring mean?
While upside-down pineapples have become one of the best-known symbols associated with swingers, Lucy said black rings are another accessory that people sometimes notice.
According to her, a black ring, particularly when worn on the right hand, can sometimes indicate that someone is part of the swinging community.
However, she was careful to point out that context matters.
Many people wear black rings purely as a fashion statement, and Lucy warned viewers not to jump to conclusions based on a single piece of jewellery alone.
Instead, she suggested the symbols are generally intended to be recognised only by people already familiar with them.
There are several other symbols too
Lucy also explained that there are a number of other terms and symbols sometimes used within the community.
She said a ‘unicorn’ generally refers to a single woman interested in joining a couple.
A ‘rhino’ refers to a single man interested in swinging.
Meanwhile, a ‘mermaid’ describes a married woman who is interested in joining another couple on her own.
Lucy added that a ‘rainbow’ is often used to describe someone open to meeting a wide range of partners.
She also noted that certain abbreviations can sometimes appear in online profiles or conversations.
According to Lucy, ‘DDF’ typically stands for ‘drug and disease free,’ while ‘HWP’ or ‘HMP’ generally refer to someone being height-weight proportional.
Viewers shared their own awkward experiences
Lucy’s video quickly filled with comments from people who suddenly realised they may have accidentally sent the wrong message while on vacation.
One viewer wrote: “I bought shorts that had loads of little pineapples in all different directions. I innocently thought they were just nice and summery. I’ll never forget the attention I got at the buffet!”
Another joked: “My partner bought me a nice black ring for Valentine’s Day. Damn… I’ll have to have a chat with her.”
Others admitted they had no idea the symbols existed until watching Lucy’s video.
Cruise lines don’t use these symbols
Despite the viral attention the topic receives every few months, Lucy emphasized that these symbols are not endorsed or recognised by cruise operators themselves.
They’re simply part of an unofficial social code that some members of the swinging community may choose to use.
For everyone else, a black ring, pineapple necklace or tropical shirt is exactly what it appears to be: a personal fashion choice.
As Lucy pointed out, it’s important not to assume someone belongs to any particular community based solely on what they’re wearing, as many of these symbols have perfectly innocent explanations.
Still, her behind-the-scenes insight has left plenty of cruise fans looking at black rings, and upside-down pineapples, in a completely different way.
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