Brits told 'don't do it' as new 'disrespectful' balcony trend takes hold

Cruise ship passengers have been urged against copying an "unsafe" TikTok trend - with fellow travellers also slamming the "disrespectful" behaviour. Creators on the social media platform have shared videos dragging their mattresses onto the balconies of cruise ships, declaring it a way to "make the most" of their holiday by waking up to beautiful sea views. But while it might sound like a good idea in theory, officials have warned of "all sorts of reasons" why the trend is a bad idea, including on "cleanliness and safety" grounds and out of respect to fellow passengers.

One TikTok user uploaded a series of clips showing her dragging bedding onto the balcony during a Carnival Cruise Line trip, with some unsympathetic commenters criticising the move, which they said would make the mattress "dirty". Another cruise passenger came in for even more criticism when she seemingly started the trend in 2023, with cruise ship passengers in an online group calling it "incredibly disrespectful". "You will [regret it] when your mattress is covered in salt and [moisture] from the humid air," one said.

John Heald, ambassador for Carnival Cruise Line, also recently chimed in to reiterate the company's disapproval of the trend.

"That is not allowed for safety reasons, cleanliness reasons, for all sorts of reasons," he said in a Facebook post.

"You cannot take your mattress and put it on your balcony. Don't do it. Just don't."

Responding to questions from the firm's passengers on social media, Mr Heald confirmed that he had received letters of complaint from guests about other people sleeping with their balcony doors open.

He disputed the claim that some people leaving their doors open affected the air conditioning in other cabins, but added that travellers who choose to enjoy the sea air overnight should be wary of a few things.

"Some people have said that passengers who leave the balcony door of their open open [are] selfish because it turns the air conditioning off for other cabins in that area," the ambassador said.

"That is not true. I have confirmed with the highest level, the chief engineers on the ships, and they [confirmed] that it only turns off the air conditioning in your cabin and does not affect those around you."

He added that leaving doors open could cause them to slam loudly in the night, potentially waking those in neighbouring cabins, and urged travellers to "watch their hands" to avoid injuries caused by the strong sea winds.

"Please be gracious and think of others," Mr Heald concluded.