Two people have recently been banned from Royal Caribbean Cruises for life after taking a "dangerous, reckless" photo.
The pair were onboard the Allure of the Seas when one of them posed for a photo by perilously standing on a tiny exterior balcony.
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The stunt was photographed by fellow passenger Peter Blosic, who posted it online and supplied it to CNN.
"Just witnessed this on Allure. What an absolute IDIOT. You cannot fall off of a ship unless you are acting like a moron," Blosic reportedly captioned the image.
"I showed the concierge. The staff captain then wanted to meet with me and get a copy of the photo. We easily determined the cabin number since it's on the hump."
In a statement to media, Royal Caribbean Cruises confirmed the incident and the repercussions for its culprits.
"On the Allure of the Seas, a guest was observed recklessly and dangerously posing for a photo by standing on her stateroom balcony railing with the help of her companion," the company said.
"Security was notified and the guests were later debarked in Falmouth, Jamaica as a result of their actions and are now banned for life from sailing with Royal Caribbean."
As well as being dumped off the ship before its journey's end, the pair then had to pay their own way home, as well as being banned.
"Sitting, standing, laying or climbing on, over or across any exterior or interior railings or other protective barriers, or tampering with ship's equipment, facilities or systems designed for guest safety is not permitted," says Royal Caribbean's Guest Contact Policy.
"Guests removed from a Royal Caribbean International ship pursuant to this policy are responsible for their own accommodations and transportation home, at their expense.
"Documentation requirements for re-entry into the guest’s home country are also the responsibility of the guest."
Although accidentally falling from a large cruise liner is said to be difficult, it does happen and cruise companies take guest safety very seriously.
The cruise industry is growing in popularity in New Zealand. Kiwis spent $434 million on cruises in the year ending June, 2018 - up 20 percent on the year before, which was up 112 percent on 2016.
Newshub.
