Ex-Cruise Worker Reveals the Hidden Adult Meaning Behind Wearing a Black Ring

You’ve probably walked past someone wearing one and thought nothing of it. Just a black ring, right? Stylish, minimalist, nothing unusual.

But according to an ex-cruise ship worker, that unassuming accessory might actually be sending a very adult message, especially if it’s worn on the right hand. Welcome to the world of hidden cruise ship signals…

This secret culture isn’t confined to wild “spicy cruises” either. It’s happening on mainstream ships, and once you know what to look for, you might start seeing the signs everywhere.

Close-up of a hand wearing a black ring, gently resting on a polished wooden cruise ship railing. The ocean and rows of deck chairs are softly blurred in the background, evoking a calm and reflective moment at sea.

What the Black Ring Really Means

While pineapples and flamingos tend to grab attention, the black ring is a more low-key signal, one you might miss entirely if you don’t know what it represents.

Lucy Southerton, who spent a decade working on cruise ships, says she’s heard that wearing a black ring on your right hand can be a subtle way to show you’re part of the swinger or polyamorous community. It’s not loud, it’s not obvious, and that’s kind of the point. It’s a quiet nod, a “if you know, you know” symbol for those in the lifestyle.

Why You Shouldn’t Assume

As tempting as it is to start scanning the pool deck for black rings and pineapple-patterned shorts, it’s worth remembering that not everything means what you think it does.

As Lucy points out, you don’t want to assume someone’s a swinger just because they’ve accessorised. “Can you imagine going up to someone like, ‘Hey, I see your black ring!’ and they’re just like… ‘Yeah, it’s a black ring’?”

It might be a quiet signal… or it might just be their favourite piece of jewellery. And here’s where it gets trickier: a black ring on the middle finger is actually associated with asexuality, not swinging, so misreading the signal could lead to some seriously awkward small talk.

Even the most recognisable signs, like upside-down pineapples or flamingo, aren’t official markers. Some people genuinely love tropical fruit or kitschy birds. Context is everything, and the golden rule is don’t assume, don’t ask, unless you’re very, very sure.

Is This Actually Allowed Onboard?

Short answer: yes, but with boundaries.

Cruise lines aren’t banning swingers from booking holidays, but that doesn’t mean you can treat the ship like a floating playroom. Public sex, nudity, or anything that crosses the line into “public indecency” is strictly off-limits. That means no hooking up on the balcony, no nudity on the sundeck, and definitely no public “play” areas unless you’re on a private charter.

That’s where the rules shift. On charter cruises, like those organised specifically for lifestyle travellers, the usual cruise line policies don’t always apply. When a third-party company books out an entire ship, they set the tone. That’s where you might find nudist cruises, swingers cruises, or adult-only themed events with their own relaxed guidelines.

So yes, some cruises are sexier than others, but unless you’re booked onto a “spicy sailing,” you’ll need to keep it in the cabin.

The Final Word: If You Know, You Know…

Cruise culture has its fair share of inside jokes and secret signals — and that’s half the fun. A pineapple necklace, a flamingo beach bag, a black ring on the right hand… maybe it’s just a fashion choice. Or maybe it’s something more.

The truth is, the swinger scene at sea isn’t as underground as it used to be — but it’s still discreet. And for those in the know, that’s exactly how they like it.

So next time you’re walking through the ship’s atrium and spot a couple dressed like they’ve raided a tropical gift shop, take a second look. You might just be cruising past more than just sunseekers.