We spend a lot of time writing about airline passengers doing dumb things. But cruise passengers? Oh, they can apparently be just as creative.
And if you’re thinking, “Yeah, but that’s probably something that happened on one of those party cruises,” think again.
This latest news allegedly happened aboard an MSC Cruises ship. So yeah, not really the first place you’d expect someone to hack into the ship’s PA system and start making fake emergency announcements.
I mean, MSC Cruises is known for stylish ships, upscale amenities and, for guests willing to splurge, the Yacht Club experience, complete with butlers, private lounges and gourmet dining.
In other words…not exactly the sort of place where you’d expect six passengers to allegedly hijack the ship’s public address system.
How they allegedly got access
Authorities haven’t released the men’s names or ages, saying only that they were adults from Naples who were traveling together in two staterooms.
Which means somebody had that awkward conversation with their cabinmates after security showed up.
The ship’s communication system is, for obvious reasons, typically locked behind security codes that passengers aren’t supposed to know.
According to investigators, these six allegedly figured them out anyway.
The fake emergency announcements
Officials haven’t released exactly what was said over the speakers, but the fake announcements reportedly claimed the captain had lost control of the ship and that the vessel was adrift.
Which is probably one of the last announcements anyone wants to hear while they’re surrounded by nothing but, you know, water.
Not surprisingly, passengers reported the announcements almost immediately.
The operations center of the Coast Guard’s General Command in Rome intervened, and officers boarded the ship once it arrived in Naples.
The ship’s master also filed a complaint, and authorities traced the unauthorized broadcasts back to the six guests.
Criminal charges followed
The young men now face charges that include conspiracy, unauthorized access to a computer system and causing public alarm.
Because apparently “it was just a prank, bro” isn’t a recognized legal defense in Italy. 😉
As if criminal charges weren’t enough…
In addition to any penalties Italian authorities may impose, the six passengers could also be permanently banned from sailing with MSC Cruises because the cruise line’s Guest Conduct Policy makes it crystal clear that guests aren’t allowed to access restricted areas or systems.
“Guests may not enter or access any area that is restricted and/or for the use of crew members,” the policy states.
Sure, the “area” these men allegedly accessed was digital instead of physical. But there’s little doubt that passengers aren’t supposed to use the ship’s communication and public address system.
Consequences for violating the policy range from intervention by security or law enforcement to being denied boarding on future MSC Cruises sailings.
And because Explora Journeys is also owned by MSC Group, that ban could extend there as well.
Whether this was meant to impress their friends or simply an attempt to relieve a little vacation boredom, it sounds like it backfired spectacularly.
Instead of becoming legends among their fellow passengers, these six are now facing criminal charges, a possible lifetime ban from MSC Cruises and the distinction of becoming the answer to a question nobody was asking:
Has anyone ever hacked a cruise ship’s PA system?
Apparently…yes. 😏
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