The internet is abuzz with mixed reactions after a viral TikTok video revealed the unsettling reality of what the ocean looks like from a cruise ship at night.

People are only just realizing how scary cruise ships can be. Credit: Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket/Getty

The clip, posted by user @chasingthedream.hj, highlights the stark contrast between the ship’s lively, well-lit interior and the pitch-black void surrounding it. For many, it was a chilling wake-up call about the haunting vastness of the sea at night.

Many have described the viral video as "terrifying." Credit: Anthony Devlin/Getty/MSC Cruises

The Viral Clip

The video, which has amassed nearly 10 million views, takes viewers on a nighttime journey aboard a cruise ship. As the camera moves from the brightly illuminated deck to the railings overlooking the open water, viewers are met with an abyss of pure darkness—a sight some described as “terrifying.”

@chasingthedream.hj
Cruises are great until you realise #cruise #cruises #cruisetiktok #cruisetok
♬ original sound – Chasing the Dream

Comments poured in, with users sharing their fears:

“The ocean is the most terrifying place on earth, but the ocean at night is just a different beast.”
“The darkness, the depth, the power, the total helplessness… It terrifies me. I’m a marine biologist.”
“Not only dark but what’s in the dark ocean following the cruise ship…”

Former cruise ship workers even shared their own stories of being frightened by the night sea during their time on board.

Fear vs. Fascination

While many vowed never to step foot on a cruise ship, others expressed a deep appreciation for the ocean’s nighttime beauty:

“I find the darkness at night while at sea to be refreshing. When you come from somewhere saturated with light pollution, seeing the Milky Way is breathtaking.”
“I love cruises and all the excursions. You put your trust in the crew and enjoy the journey.”

@victorias.way
After what I saw, I couldn’t sleep all night… #cruiseship #scarystories #cruisetok #cruiseaddict #scaryvideos #scaryvideo #darkocean #cruiselife
♬ Frightening Music – It Lives Down Below

These contrasting perspectives reflect the ocean’s power to evoke both wonder and fear.

Why Are People Scared?

The fear of the ocean at night, often linked to thalassophobia, arises from:

Isolation: The vast, empty expanse can feel deeply unsettling.
Darkness: Without any visual cues, the ocean becomes a mysterious void.
The Unknown: Imaginations run wild with thoughts of creatures lurking in the depths.

Final Thoughts

Would you embrace the ocean’s nighttime allure or avoid its eerie vastness? For some, stargazing and tranquil seas are worth the unease, while others are swearing off cruises altogether after seeing the viral video.

Whatever your perspective, it’s clear that the ocean, especially at night, has an unmatched ability to stir our emotions.