Travel expert explains what it means if you see pink flamingo on passengers' door while on cruise

A travel expert has revealed what it means if you come across a pink flamingo symbol on a passenger's door while travelling on a cruise.

According to Cruise Lines International Association, last year, an estimated 2.3 million people from the UK and Ireland travelled on cruise ships.

It's fair to say Brits love them, but if you know anything about cruises, you'll know there are other, more adult ships known as 'spicy cruises'.

A spicy cruise is a term used to describe a variation of cruise aimed at couples - or individuals - who are looking to er, get to know, others in a more intimate way.

Essentially, they're usually for those who don't follow monogamy and want a safe and secure place to go about exploring that.

Over the last year or so, couples have started talking about spicy cruises more openly, with some revealing the rules you must follow onboard, while workers have explained exactly what happens on the ship.

Others delved into why couples on spicy cruises often choose to decorate their cabin doors, too, with many choosing to use upside down pineapples, which is an emblem of the 'swinging lifestyle'.

Discussing this on TikTok, travel expert Jeanne explained that apparently, having a pink flamingo on your cabin door could have the same meaning as an upside down pineapple, whether you're on a spicy cruise or a standard one.

After being alerted to this by one of her followers, Jeanne - who goes by @idreamoftravel_jeanne - said: "I did not know about flamingos.

"I really like flamingos and I really didn't know that's like old school pineapples... does the flamingo like go upside down on the door?

"I'm a little confused but I also don't want to be confused so if my flamingo needs to be right side up like my pineapple, let me know, because I don't want it to be upside down... do I need to keep my flamingo standing up?"

Jeanne's followers were quick to comment, with one person responding: "My 85 year old Aunt just recently told me about flamingos... Just don’t put pineapple or flamingos upside down on your door."

While someone else said: "Just don’t put pineapples or flamingos on your door at all."

And a third added: "I just looked it up & it appears to have the same meaning as the pineapple. I'm going on a cruise ship this weekend. I'll be on the lookout!"

Some followers said they didn't realise either, with another commenting: "Now I have to change my decor."

Probably best to steer clear of pineapples and flamingos, unless you want them there, of course!