The Unexpected Reason Your Charter Boat Captain Won't Let You Bring Bananas On Board

Bananas are good for you. They're tasty, portable, and come in their own container. Bananas are versatile: You can munch on a raw banana, you can fry it in oil, or you can bake it into bread. No matter where you're headed, there is every reason to bring along a banana — unless you're on a boat.

Yes, according to nautical lore, bananas are bad luck for water-borne vessels. Some assert that the bananas will mean you catch no fish, while others claim the boat will actually sink. As ridiculous as this may sound, many charter boat captains will insist that you leave your curved yellow fruits on land.

Fear of bananas is said to date back to the early 1700s, and it remains well known among fishermen in particular. Not every skipper holds to this peculiar tradition; many freighter ships are described as "banana boats," which transport literal tons of tropical produce across the seas, and most of their crews arrive at their destinations without incident. Meanwhile, many surprising items aren't allowed to be brought on cruises — including your own perishable foods — but bananas are hardly singled out. Still, if you see a sign that forbids bananas — or are told so directly — you're wise to follow orders, if only to avoid, erm, rocking the boat.

Why would anyone fear bananas? For starters, sailors have always faced a lot of unpredictable circumstances: sudden storms, hull-shattering reefs, outbreaks of sickness, dangerous marine life, and faulty equipment, among many other scourges. Today, even the most luxurious cruise ship can be a dangerous environment when problems arise. This has led to all kinds of bizarre superstitions; many sailors would refuse to rename a boat, or whistle a tune, or let a hat fly off in the wind. Conversely, many sailors consider it good luck to get a tattoo of a rooster, or break eggshells into little bits, or cast an odd number of fishing nets.

There are some theories about all this banana-phobia: The fruit could contain pests, such as mites, weevils, and spiders. Even as ships became faster in the 19th century and demand for equatorial fruits exploded in Europe and North America, ripening bananas emit ethylene gas, which can affect other fruits in the cargo hold. There's also a widely held belief that the un-sea-like scent of bananas repels fish.

Scientific minds may doubt that one banana will incur the wrath of Neptune or trigger a Bermuda Triangle effect; but out of respect for the people who choose to work on the water, consider bringing another snack instead. While you're thinking about what to bring aboard a watercraft, here's our ultimate guide to perfectly packing for your cruise vacation.