A British holidaymaker was gobsmacked after receiving an email from Virgin Voyages ahead of her cruise, claiming her security photo contained nudity. Kate, who was set to embark on a cruise in September, was taken aback when she checked in and found the unexpected message in her inbox.
In a TikTok video that has since gone viral, Kate recounted the bizarre incident, expressing her bewilderment at the email from Virgin Voyages, reports the Manchester Evening News. She explained: “So I got this email from Virgin Voyages this week, I’m going on holiday with them this weekend. Can you imagine my shock when I see this… ‘Your security photo contains nudity’. And I’m like ‘what? I uploaded this picture weeks ago, what was this?”
Kate also shared a screenshot of the peculiar email which stated: “Ahoy, We apologise for somewhere along the way, a snafus occurred that’s preventing your Ready To Sail to be ‘officially’ complete. In order to avoid any delays at the port, log into the Virgin Voyages app to complete check-in and correct the following issue(s): Security Photo. The photo contains nudity.”
She further clarified the photo submission process, noting that it required her face to fit within a specific frame, a circle for the face and a larger square frame for the rest. Kate added: “My understanding was the only bit that would be submitted or needed to be used, or was being used for AI or something, was the circular bit, maximum the square bit, right?”
“And I was naked, which means my ta-tas were out in this bit at the bottom here that I didn’t think was being submitted. The fact that the email has come weeks later means it’s not been picked up by AI, it’s literally somebody’s looked at it.”
She concluded her video with a caution for others facing similar circumstances in the future. Kate’s tutorial has amassed over 79,100 views and has ignited quite a reaction, securing 3,577 likes and 98 comments.
Various viewers expressed their astonishment and amusement at the blunder. Becks commented: “I’m also sat here wondering if this email template was created just for you or if other people have made this error.”
Matt disclosed his own gaffe, saying: “I DID THIS FOR A PHOTO FOR A NEW JOB, she emailed saying I need to be clothed for the photo and to do it again.”
Meanwhile, Polly relayed, “My friend does approval photos and gets them so much,” and Katie shared her close call, “Hahahaa I had to take this kind of picture for an esta, luckily I thought ‘better put a dressing gown on just in case’ I thought I was just being paranoid.”
Adding to the conversation, @hannlclark gave a heads-up: “What they don’t tell you is that photo (when you’re clothed) comes up everywhere on the ship when you’re paying for stuff. I looked AWFUL in mine.”
Pictures are necessary on Virgin Voyages as they are connected to The Band, a piece of technology that enables passengers to make touchless payments and gain entry to their cabins and quarters. The Band holds a unique encrypted ID that allows Virgin Voyage personnel to view your security photo on Crew devices.
If The Band is misplaced, staff verify the security photo linked with your band corresponds with the passenger wearing it.