A viral video has emerged, seemingly showing a Royal Caribbean (RCL) crew member waving a novelty hand at two passengers who missed their ship.
But according to RCL, there is more to this story.
The video shows a couple standing on St Maarten dock watching as the ship they were supposed to be on, Freedom of the Seas, leaves the port. The camera pans across to show a crew member onboard the ship waving a giant novelty hand, implying the gesture is aimed at the stranded passengers.
However, it appears the video simply shows a case of incredibly bad timing.
RCL told Travel Weekly in a statement the crew member was not directing her wave to our guests on the pier but at Freedom of the Seas sister ship Anthem of the Seas.
“The gesture was one of respect and nautical camaraderie between crew members,” RCL said.
The cruise line also said that it regrets the inconvenience to passengers due to their late return.
“Guests are encouraged to be back by all-aboard time. Departure times are routinely announced onboard, posted in shipboard newsletters and at gangways to keep our guests informed at all ports of call.”
