A reckless teenager has been filmed dangling off the side of a cruise ship as part of dangerous stunt.

Video of the November 19 incident showed a boy identified as Anthon R laughing to the camera as he climbed over a safety railing of a Carinival Cruise ship.

He swung out over the churning sea below as the ship passed by the coast of Texas.

Passenger Buffy Halbrooks told KPRC 2 she was dismayed by the teen's reckless behaviour.

"This literally made my heart beat super fast and made me nervous. Kids just don't understand that they are not invincible. He thought he was having fun and never considered the possibilities."

"It's incredibly dangerous. He would have been sucked under immediately," passenger Marcus K said.