A cruise ship crew member just picked the wrong moment to wave a giant fake hand, as a video has gone viral that makes it appear as if he was waving the hand at two people who had missed the boat.
The video, which has quickly gone viral, shows a couple standing helplessly on a dock in Philipsburg, St. Maarten as their cruise ship pulls away, and a crew member appears to wave a giant fake hand at them with the word “Bye” written on it. The couple appears to have just missed the boat, and social media users were outraged that the crew member was seemingly mocking them. Royal Caribbean, however, has said that this was only bad timing and that the wave is a “common tradition” for ships leaving port.
Royal Caribbean explained that another ship called Anthem of the Seas was also docked at the port, and the employee was simply waving goodbye to this ship, which is a “common tradition” among sister ships.
“Our crew member was not directing her wave to our guests on the pier. She was waving at our sister ship, Anthem of the Seas, which was also in port and scheduled for departure,” a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said. “The gesture was one of respect and nautical camaraderie between crew members. We regret the inconvenience our guests experienced due the late return to the pier. 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.”
Check out the video for yourself below.
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