Experts reveal surprising sex rule for cruise ship workers that could get them fired if they break it

Experts have revealed why cruise ship employees pursuing a romantic relationship with a passenger is banned, claiming they could lose their contract and be forced to fork out money to get home.

According to recent statistics published by the Cruise Lines International Association, the global cruise industry welcomed 34.6 million cruise passengers in 2024.

The industry, projected to grow globally as much as $18.3 billion by 2030, is favored by everyone - including people who’ve moved on permanently, Disney fanatics, and even Taylor Swift fans.

Swingers cruises also exist, as well as nudist ships.

But did you know workers on board these luxury liners have strict rules to follow?

Each company differs, but usually employees have little to no deck privileges, are confined to worker-only areas, and aren’t permitted to be in guest staterooms.

Cruise ship employees are forbidden from flirting or having relationships with guests (Getty Stock Image)

Flirting with passengers is also off limits and could actually get crew members booted from the vessel.

“If there was even a hint of suspicion that you were talking to or sleeping with a guest, you’ll be disembarked immediately,” said Luke Osey, a professional magician who has worked on ships in the past.

In a TikTok video, he claimed the controversial act could cause his contract to be terminated, and that he’d be forced to return home via the next port.

“In fact, if I actually notice one of my crewmates flirting with a guest, I’ll be like ‘hey mate, that’s not the best idea - you can get called out for this’.”

Osey’s remarks have been backed up by another TikTok user, who goes by the username Crew Ship Lawyer.

In 2022, the content creator took to the platform and stated that on almost all cruise ships, no romance is permitted between crew members and holidaymakers.

“The reason is if the passenger misinterprets the relationship or correctly interprets it and reports it as a sexual assault or even rape, the cruise line is 100 per cent responsible for the conduct of its crew member.”

The Cruise Ship Lawyer, whose real name is Spencer Aronfeld, reminded viewers of a verdict that saw the Southern District of Florida determine that Carnival Cruise employee Fred Anggara, then 27, had committed sexual assault whilst working onboard the Miracle in 2018.

Cruise liners are rendered responsible for their employee's actions (Getty Stock Image)

Anggara maintained that he was not guilty of raping the female victim, who was 21 at the time of the alleged incident. He claimed that their relationship was consensual.

In a 2019 civil complaint, she sued Carnival for false imprisonment, emotional distress, and sexual assault.

The jury found that Carnival was not negligent and that Anggara did not intentionally inflict emotional distress on the female victim, according to Gilde Law Firm.

However, they found that Carnival was liable for the sexual assault and awarded the female sexual assault victim $243,000 in past and future medical and psychological expenses and $10million in damages for physical and emotional distress.

Aronfeld said that alleged incidents like these put cruise liners in ‘tremendous exposure legally’.

“It’s just a very messy, sticky situation, and that’s the way [banning romance] they avoid it. It doesn’t always work.”