A cruise line has publicly apologized after an incident where its staff appeared in costumes that resembled those of the Ku Klux Klan, insisting that the intention was to portray ‘snow cones’ for a festive event.
Passengers aboard a P&O Cruises ship were taken aback when employees walked across the deck in white boiler suits, each with a matching cone-shaped head covering and gloves. The way their eyes were visible through the masks drew comparisons to the infamous hoods worn by the Ku Klux Klan.
The cruise liner, based in Australia, has since clarified the incident, stating it was an unintended mistake and expressed regret over any discomfort caused.
This event occurred on the Pacific Explorer as it was returning to Melbourne with 2,000 passengers following an eight-day voyage to Hobart and the Bass Strait islands, which started on December 19.
A passenger shared with Daily Mail Australia that the ship had organized a ‘sports battle day.’ While there was initially a lot of excitement, the mood shifted to silence when the team, comprised of housekeepers, emerged on the Lido deck.
One passenger, identified only as Terri, described the scene: “Everyone was there, everyone gathered, it was advertised, there was a lot of noise and it went dead quiet, just silent.”
She added: “A lady sitting in front of me, her jaw dropped and she was like ‘what the hell’, everyone was like OMG – they were calling it the ‘KKK cruise’.”
Upon confronting a staff member about the costumes, she was told that they hadn’t realized the costumes were offensive.
Terri continued to express her belief in the innocence of the error: “They didn’t say they weren’t dressed as the Ku Klux Klan when I asked them but I truly believe it was an innocent mistake.”
P&O Cruises Australia has issued a formal apology, explaining that the staff were meant to represent snow cones as part of the holiday-themed event.
An official spokesperson told UNILAD that the choice of outfits was not meant to be offensive.
The spokesperson stated: “P&O Cruises Australia acknowledges an incident of inappropriate dress onboard Pacific Explorer has caused distress and wish to be clear this was not the intention of crew.”
“Several crew members dressed up as snow cones for a Christmas family event, not understanding how their costumes could be misconstrued.”
They were quickly asked to change once management realized the potential for misunderstanding.
The cruise line further stated: “The crew members were horrified and extremely apologetic when they learned of the distress their outfits could cause.”
“We sincerely apologise for any offence this caused passengers and the broader community.”
Additionally, P&O communications director Lynne Scrivens explained on 2GB radio that many staff members come from diverse backgrounds and may not be familiar with the symbolism of the costumes.
“They’re young, and they have never heard of that organization or what their outfits could symbolize,” she explained.
“They live and work on a cruise ship. They’re not going to Spotlight to buy a bunch of materials for fancy dress.”
“They’ve got to make do with what they’ve got. And they were wearing their cleaning uniforms, and they’ve put something on their head that looks like a snow cone – an upside-down snow cone,” reports The Independent.