Have you ever wandered around an MSC Cruise ship, glanced at the deck plan, and noticed something odd? That’s right, there’s no Deck 17! While most ships number their decks in a logical sequence, MSC Cruises, with its strong Italian heritage, has chosen to completely skip the number 17. But why?
The Superstitious Side of Sailing
Much like how some hotels and buildings in Western countries skip floor 13 due to superstition, Italians have their own unlucky number, 17. But what’s so spooky about 17, you ask? Well, it all comes down to Roman numerals.
The Unlucky Origins of 17
In Roman numerals, 17 is written as XVII. Rearrange those letters, and you get VIXI, a Latin word meaning “I have lived”. Sounds harmless enough. Not quite. In ancient Rome, VIXI was commonly found on tombstones, meaning “My life is over.” Unsurprisingly, Italians started associating the number 17 with bad luck, misfortune, and things you’d rather not think about on holiday.
To avoid unsettling superstitious passengers, MSC Cruises simply leaves Deck 17 off their ships. Instead, the numbering jumps straight from Deck 16 to Deck 18, like nothing ever happened. Sneaky.
More Than Just an Italian Quirk
MSC Cruises isn’t the only cruise line that skips deck numbers to keep guests happy. Many cruise ships also omit Deck 13 to dodge Western superstitions about unlucky 13. Likewise, some Asian cruise lines avoid Deck 4 because the number sounds like the word for death in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.
A Clever Marketing Move?
Whether you believe in superstition or not, skipping certain numbers on a cruise ship is a smart business decision. No one wants to spend their dream holiday feeling uneasy about an “unlucky” deck. By simply avoiding Deck 17, MSC Cruises ensures that everyone sails stress free, no bad vibes, just good times!
Next Time You Cruise…
Now that you’re in on the secret, take a look at the deck plan next time you board an MSC Cruise. Whether you choose a Mediterranean or Caribbean Cruise, you can impress your fellow travellers with your newfound knowledge and watch their expressions of surprise when they realise Deck 17 doesn’t exist!
Bon voyage and happy sailing, minus any bad luck, of course!
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