Have you ever taken an elevator on a cruise ship and noticed something missing? You go from deck 12 straight to deck 14, as if the number 13 never existed. No, you’re not imagining it. Most cruise ships really do leave out the 13th floor.
The reason is simple: superstition. For centuries, 13 has carried the reputation of being unlucky, and cruise lines, like hotels and even airlines, choose to avoid it. It’s less about logic and more about psychology: if skipping a number keeps passengers from feeling uneasy, ship designers are happy to play along.
Why 13 Got a Bad Name
The fear of 13, or triskaidekaphobia, runs deep. Myths and legends gave the number its ominous reputation long before the first modern ship was built.
- Norse mythology: A dinner of 12 gods was disrupted when Loki, the 13th guest, arrived. Chaos followed, ending with the death of Baldur, the god of light.
- Christian tradition: Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th guest at the Last Supper. Some also tie the crucifixion itself to the 13th of Nisan.
- Old Europe: Thirteen witches were said to form a coven, and gallows had 13 steps.
With so many unlucky associations, sailors, already a superstitious group, weren’t eager to tempt fate. And when hotels and skyscrapers in the 19th century started omitting the 13th floor, cruise ships simply followed suit.
More Than Floors: Cabins, Tables, and Dates
The avoidance of 13 goes further than just deck numbers.
- Cabins: Most ships skip cabin 13. The numbering jumps from 12 to 14, just like the decks.
- Dining rooms: Some lines avoid table 13, especially in multi-level restaurants. Others ignore the superstition and seat guests there without issue.
- Friday the 13th: Certain cruise lines avoid scheduling departures or major events on this date, while others treat it like any other day at sea.
It’s less about true belief and more about keeping passengers comfortable. Most travelers might shrug and laugh at superstition, but cruise lines know there will always be a few guests who’d hesitate to book cabin 13 or board on Friday the 13th… just in case. By skipping the number altogether, they avoid uneasy glances and let everyone settle in with a little more peace of mind.
Airlines and Other Industries Do It Too
Cruise lines aren’t alone. Many airlines skip row 13 in their seating charts, while hotels and office towers often leave out the 13th floor altogether. It’s a quirk of design that has less to do with danger and more to do with tradition.
What About the Titanic?
A persistent rumor claims the Titanic had a 13th deck, which doomed it from the start. But historically, the Titanic had 11 passenger decks, plus the boat deck. The tragedy had nothing to do with the number 13. It was a mix of human error, design flaws, and bad luck with icebergs.
Why the Tradition Still Lives
At sea, surrounded by nothing but horizon, even the smallest rituals can feel reassuring. Sailors have always leaned on traditions for a sense of safety, and the missing 13th deck is simply one of those habits carried forward. It’s less about the number itself and more about the comfort it gives to passengers who might already feel nervous being far from shore.
There is no real curse tied to 13, no hidden danger waiting on that floor. It’s just a number, but one that has collected centuries of stories, myths, and fears. By skipping it, cruise lines remove a source of unease and replace it with a smoother experience. The result is simple: travelers get to focus on the voyage, not on superstition, while deck 13 quietly fades into maritime tradition.
