A universal submarine fiber-optic cable joint is provided with universal terminating sockets (10) for use with unarmored fiber-optic cables (1, 2). The device includes first and second universal terminating sockets (10) for terminating the strength members (6) of a first and a second fiber-optic cable respectively. The optic fibers (19) of the two cables (1, 2) are spliced together and are stored in a fiber storage tray that is positioned between the two terminating sockets (10). A cylindrical steel casing (12) encloses the fiber storage tray and is secured to the terminating sockets (10) by pins (13). The first and second universal terminating sockets (10) of the invention are interchangeable; either socket (10) can be secured to either end of the casing (12) by one or more pins (13).