Imagine this: a bunch of cruise ship staff rocking pointy white hats during a holiday party, and suddenly the internet explodes, accusing them of channeling Ku Klux Klan vibes. That’s exactly what happened to P&O Cruises Australia, but they were quick to shut it down.
The Viral Moment
Over the weekend, a video and some photos made their way online showing crew members on a P&O Australia cruise ship dressed head-to-toe in white with tall, cone-shaped hats. People online didn’t hold back, comparing their outfits to the infamous KKK robes and calling out the cruise line for being insensitive.
“They Were Snow Cones, Not KKK”
P&O Cruises wasn’t about to let the accusations slide. In a statement, the company explained that the costumes were part of a Christmas family event, and the crew was just dressing up as snow cones. Yep, snow cones—not anything sinister.
“These were costumes for a lighthearted Christmas party, and our staff had no idea their outfits could be misinterpreted,” the statement read.
Apparently, the costumes were only worn for a short period before management stepped in and asked the crew to change.
Oops, Not What We Meant
According to Lynne Scrivens, P&O Cruises’ Director of Communications, this whole thing was an innocent mistake blown way out of proportion.
“It was just some fun improvisation for the Christmas party,” Scrivens said. “They threw together something that looked like upside-down snow, and that was it.”
Scrivens added that there were 2,000 guests aboard the Pacific Explorer during the party in December, and not a single complaint was made at the time. The backlash only came after the photos and videos hit social media.
Lesson Learned
While no harm was intended, the cruise line acknowledged the importance of being mindful about how costumes or actions could be perceived by others. The crew involved reportedly felt terrible once they realized how their outfits could be misinterpreted.
So, while this might’ve started as an innocent holiday gag, it’s a reminder to think twice before donning anything that could spark controversy—even if it’s just supposed to be a snow cone costume!