The absence of a "Deck 17" on many cruise ships—most notably those owned by the Italian cruise line MSC Cruises—is due to Italian superstition. In Italy, the number 17 is considered extremely unlucky, much like the number 13 is viewed in North America and parts of Europe. This superstition stems from the Roman numeral for 17, which is XVII. When the letters are rearranged, they form the word VIXI, which in Latin means "I have lived," implying "my life is over" or "I am dead." This phrase was frequently inscribed on ancient Roman tombstones. To ensure that superstitious passengers feel comfortable and "lucky" during their holiday, cruise lines often skip the number entirely, moving the deck numbering directly from 16 to 18. Similarly, many ships will also omit Deck 13 to cater to Western superstitions, reflecting the global maritime industry's commitment to psychological comfort and traditional omens over strict numerical order.