Opinions on this crossword, please

The definition in the crossword certainly offends. But in modern usage one man might call another "a lucky bastard" or "a cheeky bastard" without causing offence, and bastardisation seems an acceptable word.

That is disgusting and unforgivable

Think this word was reframed as a swear word decades ago. And it is still.widely used as such by some people.

Born out of wedlock was another term you used to hear.

Sorry the B word is not nice to use. But it was used in the past
And you can't rewrite the past

My father was born illegitimate in 1925. It was never hidden from us . He was brought up by his grandparents and I believe he was much more tolerant to these kind of things due to his birth circumstances.

I wonder how many times that particular crossword has been used before, and no-one has complained so they just keep repeating it (as with quizzes)? Of all the words in the English language, it was very ill-judged to use that one. I would have thought it's offensive to most people and most inappropriate in that type of setting. We were on P & O Arvia last year, but I didn't do any of the crosswords, if I'd come across that, I would definitely have said something to Customer Services (pearls in hand!)

My great grandma had 7 children by the same man, three before marriage that had her surname and 4 after with his surname, noone care in the tiny village in Suffolk, however when my grandma got pregant her brothers went round to my granddads house with a literal shotgun

Slightly off piste.

What I want to know is why it was women who were castigated for having an illegitimate child and the men were not. Thank heavens views and opinions have mostly changed now in the 21st century.

The chances are that many of the entertainment team on a cruise do not have English as their first language and therefore are not aware of the sweary connotation, it’s definitely not worth ‘clutching one’s pearls’ over, perhaps a quiet word explaining this to the team member so they don’t use the word again

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For goodness sake, can't you just relax and enjoy your cruise - and tomorrow's crossword?!

Take a quick look at the ship's daily newsheet and this si lly incident will pale into insignificance compared with all the other really awful things that are happening in the World.
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Glad you raised it, Stoker.
I agree, not acceptable as a crossword clue.

ExaltedWombat

I can hear the pearls rattling from here!

😂

Hi Stoker -- we've been on a few cruises, they're usually aiming at a light-hearted approach, so the compiler may not have the same scruples as you and others on here, or -- I'd say more likely -- they were issued with the crossword by the Cruiseline office, or used an 'AI' generator for it? And if those circs -- never actually checked the contents. I've done a crossword supplied on a cruise and had to ask what happened to the missing clue!

NB -- If it was 'S' at the second letter, that's an odd word (directly following a 'B'), AND -- what on earth is a "seaming term" (whether that's what Google said or not)?! "Seaming" to me is stitching! Ah - do you mean "SHaming"??

Personally I think a complaint justified. Unless it is pointed out that this word is unacceptable and offensive they may well continue to use it without realising that it causes distress to some people. My own mother was born out of wedlock and always felt ashamed.

Oh that's awful.
Complain

oh please, theres worse used on tele, , take a look at EUPHORIA if you want something to complain about, thats todays world, and you think this crossword is bad

I can hear the pearls rattling from here!

That's interesting, Stoker. Maybe they have the same crossword people as P&O!

Thank you all for your replies.
I have written a short note to the Customer Relations Officer on board.
Will let you know the response.
It’s a Fred Olsen cruise.

Thank you for the explanation notspaghetti I see how the xword got onto the P&O template. I feel it was in bad taste for PA Media Puzzles to have used it in the first place. As it has such a wide distribution I’m sure someone will have complained by now. Enjoy the rest of your cruise OP !

I have tried to find out about this.
This is from Gemini:

"The crossword clue appeared in the ship's daily newsletter, the Horizon, during a cruise departing from the UK (likely in April 2026 or very recently prior)."
​"P&O Cruises"
​"The Clue: "Illegitimate child (7)"
​The Answer: BASTARD (Fits the BS _ _D pattern)"

​"This caused a bit of a stir among passengers and on social media because, while technically a correct dictionary definition, it is a word rarely seen in modern "family-friendly" crossword puzzles. P&O Cruises’ daily Horizon paper is a staple of their UK-based sailings, providing the schedule, news, and the now-infamous daily brainteaser."

"The same crossword is often syndicated across the entire fleet (including ships like Iona, Arvia, Britannia, and Ventura)."

​"P&O Cruises does not employ an in-house "Cruiseword" setter. Instead, they license their puzzles from PA Media (formerly the Press Association), a major UK-based news and content agency."
​"PA Media Puzzles: They supply standardized crosswords, Sudokus, and brainteasers to hundreds of regional newspapers, magazines, and corporate clients like cruise lines."

​"The "Clue" Issue: Because these puzzles are mass-produced for a wide variety of publications, they sometimes use "classic" or archaic dictionary definitions. While the word "bastard" is technically the correct 7-letter definition for an "illegitimate child," most modern family publications (and luxury cruise lines) usually filter for words that might cause a "spilt tea" moment at the breakfast table."

"The onboard Entertainment or Printing team simply downloads the daily "puzzle pack" from the syndicate and inserts it into the Horizon template. Unless a staff member happens to solve the crossword before printing thousands of copies, these "colorful" clues occasionally slip through the net."

My thoughts - if "colourful" clues are known to slip through why is nobody checking them?

I'd definitely complain to the Customer Services Manager or whoever is the equivalent on a cruise.

sodapop that’s really awful.

I think the op should find out whether the compiler is on board and complain direct to them. If not then take it up with the cruise director.

Bustard would be good but the “ u” might not have fitted in with the up or down clue.

An outdated word ,which reflects old prejudices and attitudes.
I'd complain to the cruise company .

One of my relatives was born out of wedlock and my great grandmother went to extraordinary lengths to hide the fact..

Wondering which cruise line you are on...?

Absolutely out of order!!! If you can find the appropriate person on board - complain.
Sodapop that is dreadful !! 😱