Summary of "The Cult of Cruise Ships" Episode from Sounds Like A Cult
Release Date: July 22, 2025
Host: Amanda Montel
Co-Host: Emmy K. McGregan
Introduction: Exploring the Cult-Like Nature of Cruise Ships
In this compelling episode of Sounds Like A Cult, host Amanda Montel delves into the enigmatic world of cruise ships, questioning whether these floating vacations transcend mere leisure to resemble modern-day cults. Joined by special guest Emmy K. McGregan, a former Carnival Cruise Lines employee and current folklore master's student, Amanda unpacks the intricate dynamics that make cruise ships a fascinating subject for cult analysis.
The Evolution of Cruise Loyalty Programs
Timestamp: [07:00]
Amanda opens the discussion by highlighting the transformation of cruise loyalty programs, using Carnival Cruise Line's overhaul as a prime example. The revamped Very Important Fun Person (VIFP™) program shifts focus from the duration of cruises to the amount spent, effectively prioritizing financial contributions over time served. Amanda humorously compares this hierarchy to the Scientology Sea Org, suggesting a blend of luxury and ritualistic devotion bolstered by amenities like margaritas and buffets.
Notable Quote:
"The new hierarchy is giving Scientology Sea Org just with more margaritas in a buffet." — Amanda Montel [07:00]
Listener Engagement and Upcoming Episodes
Timestamp: [02:00]
Before diving deep into the main topic, Amanda addresses the audience with updates about upcoming episodes, including analyses of "The Cults of Love Island," "Lab Boo," and "The Cult of Duolingo." This segment underscores the podcast's commitment to exploring diverse fanatical groups, further establishing its niche in cultural commentary.
Interview with Emmy K. McGregan: Inside the Cruise Ship Cult
Timestamp: [16:09]
Emmy introduces herself as a folklore master's student with firsthand experience working on cruise ships. She recounts her tenure with Carnival Cruise Lines from August 2018 to February 2020, detailing the rigorous onboarding process that included extensive medical examinations and stringent health checks, reminiscent of cult-like gatekeeping.
Notable Quote:
"You have to be a very specific person, and you need to be okay that you are that kind of a person. And if you're not that kind of person, get out." — Emmy K. McGregan [64:09]
Hierarchies and Power Dynamics on Cruise Ships
Timestamp: [44:31]
Emmy sheds light on the stark hierarchies within cruise ship employment. The division between crew staff and officers is palpably cult-like, with significant disparities in living conditions, privileges, and responsibilities. Crew members often face dehumanizing conditions, such as shared living spaces and mandatory overworking, while officers enjoy better accommodations and more autonomy.
Notable Quote:
"There’s the boats." — Amanda Montel [31:45]
Exploitative Business Practices
Timestamp: [49:02]
The episode critically examines the cruise industry's use of open registries to bypass stringent labor laws, enabling them to offer meager wages and enforce long working hours without repercussions. Emmy describes her grueling schedule of seven days a week for nine months, highlighting the industry's exploitative nature.
Notable Quote:
"You take away your passport and it's locked up and you don't see it until the day that you disembark." — Emmy K. McGregan [49:48]
Passenger Experience: Rituals and Stereotypes
Timestamp: [27:20]
Amanda and Emmy discuss the stereotypical cruise passenger archetypes, such as families seeking predictable vacations and adults indulging in hedonistic pleasures. The structured environment of cruise ships, with set schedules and all-inclusive packages, fosters a sense of escapism and surrender, akin to the allure of traditional cults.
Notable Quote:
"It's like, live your life. It’s just curated towards you." — Emmy K. McGregan [64:35]
Case Studies: Tragic Incidents and Their Implications
Timestamp: [56:02]
The episode touches upon tragic incidents on cruise ships, including the death of Diane Brimble in 2002 due to a date rape drug and other accidents like passengers falling overboard. These events underscore the potential dangers of the isolated and controlled environment of cruise ships, raising questions about accountability and safety standards.
Notable Quote:
"It's your life." — Amanda Montel [56:35]
The Nine-Month Ultimate World Cruise: A New Frontier
Timestamp: [56:33]
Amanda introduces Royal Caribbean's Ultimate World Cruise, a nine-month journey that epitomizes the extreme end of cruise culture. With prices ranging from $53,999 to over $117,000 per person, this expedition blurs the lines between vacationing and living aboard a floating commune. Issues like COVID outbreaks and onboard flooding add to the narrative of cruise ships as modern-day cults.
Notable Quote:
"It's culty as it gets." — Amanda Montel [50:37]
Interactive Segment: "Culty or Just Cringe"
Timestamp: [57:00]
In an engaging game segment, Amanda and Emmy analyze listener-submitted anecdotes to determine whether certain cruise experiences are "culty" or merely "cringe."
-
Social Impact Cruises:
Listener Sarah describes participating in voluntourism activities like installing concrete floors and replanting trees.
Verdict: Culty
Emmy's Insight:
"It's very voluntourism, which is culty." [60:09] -
Matching T-Shirts:
Listener Jonathan notes that passengers often wear matching T-shirts with slogans like "It's a family trip."
Verdict: Cringe
Emmy's Insight:
"I just think they're cringe. I think they're kind of fun." [61:05] -
Dock Time Penalties:
Listener Emily faced extended dock time penalties for being late returning to the ship.
Verdict: Culty
Emmy's Insight:
"Culty." [61:40] -
Romantic Relationships on Board:
Listener Jeannie met her husband on a cruise ship, highlighting the deep bonds formed during voyages.
Verdict: Culty
Emmy's Insight:
"It's culty." [62:30] -
Avoiding Home Life:
Listener Jen attends multiple cruises a year to escape high living costs, fostering dependency on cruise life.
Verdict: Both
Emmy's Insight:
"It's kind of both. Like, it is culty, but also life is expensive." [63:33]
Final Verdict: Cult Category Classification
Timestamp: [64:09]
Amanda and Emmy conclude the episode by categorizing the Cult of Cruise Ships into their predefined cult categories:
- Amanda's Initial Thought: Watch Your Back
- Emmy's Final Classification: Watch Your Back
- Explanation: The cruise industry fosters a controlled environment where passengers and crew are subject to strict hierarchies and exploitative practices, necessitating vigilance and self-awareness.
Notable Quote:
"If you're not that kind of person, get out." — Emmy K. McGregan [64:09]
Conclusion: Reflecting on the Cruise Cult Phenomenon
Amanda wraps up the episode by emphasizing the intricate balance between the allure of cruise life and its underlying cult-like structures. While cruise ships offer luxurious and predictable vacations, the rigid hierarchies, exploitative labor practices, and controlled environments raise critical questions about their true nature.
Key Takeaways:
- Hierarchical Structures: Strict divisions between crew and officers create a cult-like environment of power imbalance.
- Exploitation: Long working hours, low wages, and stringent regulations reflect severe labor exploitation.
- Passenger Control: All-inclusive packages and structured schedules foster dependency and escapism.
- Cultural Rituals: Onboard traditions and loyalty programs reinforce community bonds and brand allegiance.
- Safety and Accountability: Tragic incidents highlight the dangers of isolated and controlled environments.
- Interactive Analysis: Listener stories reveal diverse aspects of cruise culture, oscillating between cult-like and merely cringe-worthy experiences.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
- "The new hierarchy is giving Scientology Sea Org just with more margaritas in a buffet." — Amanda Montel [07:00]
- "You have to be a very specific person, and you need to be okay that you are that kind of a person. And if you're not that kind of person, get out." — Emmy K. McGregan [64:09]
- "It's culty as it gets." — Amanda Montel [50:37]
- "It's like live your life. It’s just curated towards you." — Emmy K. McGregan [64:35]
This episode of Sounds Like A Cult offers a critical and insightful examination of the cruise ship industry, revealing the complex interplay between luxury, control, and exploitation that positions cruise ships as contemporary cult-like entities.