Shock on the High Seas: P&O Cruises sparks outrage after crew appear in KKK-style costumes during Christmas event on Pacific Explorer.
Horrified Passengers Spot KKK Costumes at Sea
Passengers aboard P&O Cruises Australia’s Pacific Explorer were left stunned when crew members appeared decked out in white cloaks and pointed hats eerily resembling Ku Klux Klan attire. The incident happened during a festive “sports battle day” on the ship’s Lido deck, just as the cruise was returning to Melbourne after an eight-day trip to Hobart and the Bass Strait islands.
Travel passenger Terri, who witnessed the shock firsthand alongside her husband, said:
“There was a lot of excitement at first, but when the housekeeping team arrived dressed like that, everything went silent. People were in shock, and some were visibly upset.”
She called the display a “staggering lapse in judgment” and slammed the cruise line for failing to issue a formal apology or explanation.
P&O Cruises Claims Costumes Were “Upside-Down Snow Cones”
P&O Cruises Australia hit back, insisting the costumes were meant to depict “upside-down snow cones” — not hateful symbols. A company spokesperson said:
“We regret if a recent incident on a Pacific Explorer cruise offended any guests. The crew members, unaware of how their costumes could be misconstrued, were horrified and apologetic when they realised the distress caused. The costumes were promptly removed.”
The statement stressed it was a misunderstanding with no intent to offend.
Passengers Slam “Tone-Deaf” Excuse, Rename Trip the “KKK Cruise”
Many passengers weren’t buying the explanation, calling it “tone-deaf” and questioning how such a costume got the green light for a public event. Critics on social media dubbed the trip the “KKK cruise” and blasted P&O Cruises for ignoring the obvious racist connotations.
Why the Outrage? The Dark History Behind the Hooded Costumes
The Ku Klux Klan is a white supremacist hate group born after the American Civil War, infamous for violent racism against African Americans and minorities. Their white hoods and cloaks remain powerful, painful symbols of hatred and terror.
Passengers Demand Action and Accountability
Outbound passengers are calling on P&O Cruises to tighten controls over events and costume choices to stop anything like this happening again. The company has yet to reveal if further apologies or measures will be taken.
The scandal has ignited a firestorm online, with users shocked at the cruise line’s massive lack of sensitivity and poor event planning.
