FALSE: Cruise Ships Do Not Offer Free Ice Cream to Increase Body Storage Space
Recently, a claim went viral on social media suggesting that free ice cream distribution on cruise ships might indicate an overflow of deaths on board, exceeding the morgue's capacity. The claim stated that ice cream and frozen foods were removed from freezers to accommodate the storage of bodies. This sensational message quickly captured widespread attention.
Social Media Post
A user on platform X posted the following translated message: "In America, a former cruise ship singer shared that if the ship gives out free ice cream to passengers, don't get excited. It supposedly means there are more deaths on board than the morgue can handle. They allegedly have to remove large quantities of ice cream and other frozen foods to make room for storing bodies. Many people claim this is true."
This post has been viewed over 6.5 million times so far.
We also found similar claims spreading on Facebook.
An investigation revealed that the claim originated from a video by Dara Starr Tucker, a former cruise ship singer. In the video, Tucker shared her experiences working on cruise ships, suggesting that free ice cream parties on board might signal a full ship's morgue, necessitating the clearing of freezer space to accommodate additional bodies. (Source)
Fact Check
Cruise ships are legally required to have morgues to handle passenger deaths during voyages, according to regulations on body storage. These facilities typically have limited capacity, ranging from one to several bodies, depending on the ship's size.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has established guidelines for managing deaths at sea, mandating that cruise ships have morgues capable of accommodating the expected number of deaths based on passenger demographics. Likewise, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set safety and operational standards for ships, including protocols for handling deceased passengers. The IMO's SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) Convention requires appropriate facilities for body storage and emphasizes the need for emergency plans. However, neither the CDC guidelines nor the IMO standards explicitly mention using food storage areas for additional body storage.
Furthermore, Crew-Center.com has debunked this claim, emphasizing that cruise ships maintain stringent protocols and adhere to high food safety standards when handling onboard deaths. Bodies are never stored in food freezers; instead, separate areas are designated for each deceased person. Ships are equipped with morgues to respectfully manage deceased passengers until they can be transported to the next port. These measures safeguard both the safety and dignity of passengers and the deceased alike. (Source)
The YouTube channel High Seas Cruising has addressed a viral TikTok video spreading misinformation about death rates on cruise ships and the alleged use of ice cream freezers for storing bodies. They clarified that while cruise ships do have morgues and occasional deaths occur, the numbers are significantly lower than the video claimed. The channel criticized TikTok users who exaggerate for views and confirmed that cruise companies never store bodies in ice cream freezers. They also noted that lawsuits have been filed in cases where passengers' bodies were improperly stored.
Conclusion
The claim that free ice cream distribution on cruise ships signals the use of ice cream freezers for storing bodies is false and lacks credible evidence. Cruise ships maintain separate morgue facilities, distinct from food storage areas. Free ice cream distribution is simply a common promotional activity unrelated to onboard deaths. Health agencies and maritime authorities have implemented strict regulations to prevent the use of food storage areas for body storage.
