Cruise Passengers Are Using Their Bras in a ‘Disgusting’ Way

Cruise ships have a way of turning the smallest quirks of passenger life into full-blown debates. From the never-ending battle over sun loungers to rows about buffet etiquette, there always seems to be a new “cruise controversy” making waves online.

The latest one has nothing to do with chair hogs or heaped plates, but it’s already divided people online and leapt from Reddit into the mainstream press.

The Viral Reddit Post

It all started on the r/Cruise forum, where one passenger on Independence of the Seas shared their frustration with a habit they’d spotted more than once during their sailing. The post, cheekily titled “Ladies – Get a lanyard”, described how women were pulling their SeaPass cards out of their bras when asked to show them.

For the original poster, it was more than just unusual; they called it “frankly disgusting,” especially for crew who then had to handle drink glasses or other items touched by the cards. The plea was simple: please stop, and just buy a lanyard instead.

Reaction Online

The thread quickly gathered steam, with cruise fans lining up on both sides of the debate. Some agreed with the original poster, insisting that pulling a card from inside a bra was unhygienic and unpleasant to watch. Others dismissed the outrage entirely, pointing out that far worse hygiene lapses happen on ships every day.

One commenter noted that cruise lines practically beg passengers to wash their hands before entering dining areas, suggesting that “boob sweat” was the least of anyone’s worries. Others joked that the issue said more about women’s lack of pockets than it did about cruise etiquette.

As with many cruise debates, what started as a small gripe quickly turned into a broader conversation about comfort, practicality, and the quirks of life at sea.

My friend at Cruise Mummy even admitted she was on Independence of the Seas at the time the post was written, and may well have been one of the passengers unknowingly caught up in the debate.

The Pocket Problem

Not everyone is a fan of lanyards. Some passengers complain they’re awkward, swinging around in the heat or getting in the way. Wristbands offer a neater alternative – Virgin Voyages has a wearable called The Band and Princess Cruises uses the Medallion, which can easily be clipped to the wrist.

But for many cruisers, the real issue isn’t lanyards at all – it’s clothing. Women’s swimsuits, shorts and dresses often lack usable pockets, leaving few options for carrying a SeaPass card. As one Reddit commenter put it: “Dear clothing designers, why don’t you make pockets in clothing for women so they don’t need to use their bra?”

It’s a fair point. Until clothing catches up, passengers will keep looking for practical workarounds, whether that’s a lanyard, a wristband, or even a swimsuit with hidden pockets.

Tech Alternatives

Some commenters argued that cruise lines could solve the problem with wearable technology. Virgin Voyages gives passengers The Band, while Princess Cruises uses its quarter-sized Medallion, which can be carried on a lanyard or fitted into accessories such as clips and sports bands.

Disney Cruise Line also offers DisneyBand+ on eligible sailings, and Royal Caribbean has WOW Bands on select ships. Availability varies, though, and physical cruise cards haven’t disappeared just yet.

Phones may eventually play a bigger role too. Some cruise apps already offer digital boarding passes or cabin-key features on certain ships, but they’re not yet a universal replacement for onboard cards.

So, the technology exists. The cruise industry just hasn’t agreed on one standard solution — which means the bra debate may be with us for a while longer.

Wrap Up

Whether you think it’s a gross habit or just a practical solution, the debate over where to keep a SeaPass card shows how quickly the quirks of cruise life can spark strong opinions. From Reddit threads to mainstream headlines, even the smallest details on board can cause waves.

At the end of the day, passengers will keep doing whatever works best for them — whether that’s a lanyard, a wristband, or yes, even a bra. But it does raise a fun question: if you were at sea, where would you keep yours?

You Might Also Like…