Cruise worker explained sobering reality of what happens if you even flirted with a guest on board

Some people would want nothing more than to work on a cruise ship but be careful if you want to get close to the guests.

There’s nothing better than being at sea, getting paid, and having the time of your life. But there’s a lot more to working on a cruise than meets the eye.

There are so many rules in place for employees and for guests, whether it’s a ‘spicy cruise’ or a regular one - it’s not the holiday you think it is when working onboard.

However, one of the biggest rules to follow is the one regarding passenger and employee relations - which Luke Osey, one of P&O Cruises employees, dished the details on.

What are the rules of working on a cruise?

There are many rules for staff when it comes to performing their jobs onboard.

According to P&O, they expect all staff to remain presentable and up to scratch with their hygiene.

Their website states that employees must wear their uniforms that are appropriate for their rank on the ship, and that they should be worn at all times when on duty.

Personal hygiene should be kept under control, such as showering, wearing deodorant and general care, too.

Employees are also not allowed into passenger areas unless for work reasons, and cannot invite any passengers back to employee stations, which is a biggie.

Essentially, it’s to protect the staff, passengers and the company of any potential fraternisation or harassment.

As for having sex with passengers, that’s a big rule you can’t break.

One cruise ship worker Lucy, who runs the ‘Cruising as a Crew’ YouTube channel, posted a video titled I Was Crew on a Cruise Ship - Here’s What REALLY Happens with Passengers.

She talked about how it is banned for crew mates to have sex with passengers.

Lucy ended up breaking a rule (not for sleeping with guests), but for exchanging information with guests.

She said: “I did technically break the rules, I am still great friends with some people I met on cruise ships when I was a crew member, and they were a passenger.

“I have exchanged numbers, I have exchanged social media, I have accepted gifts, I have even visited a few passengers that I met on board.”

P&O employee Luke also spoke of being inappropriate with guests and what could happen if you’re caught.

What happens if you flirt with a guest?

Luke Osey went into detail about just what could happen to you as a cruise ship employee if you decide to even flirt with a guest, and it’s not good for you.

When someone asked him the question on TikTok, he responded with a very matter-of-fact end result. Essentially, you’re not going to want to do it because the consequences are too great.

Luke explained that when it comes to being flirty with guests, it’s ‘not really going to get to that point’ because while there are ‘some very forward guests’, you immediately have to shut it down.

He explained, that if you notice that a guest is starting to flirt’, you can chat with them for a bit, but you’re absolutely not going to return the flirting as it could lead them on or lead them in the wrong direction.

He said: “But for the most part, you just politely decline. That's all you can. During this situation, if there was even a hint of suspicion that you were talking to or sleeping with a guest, you'll be disembarking.

“My contract would be terminated, I'd be kicked off at the next stop, pretty much. And in fact, if I noticed, one of my crewmates, flirting with a guest, I will actually say to them, ‘Hey, mate, that's not the best idea, you could get called out for this’.”

What is the cruise’s take on staff and passenger relationships?

P&O’s Fleet Harassment Policy document goes into detail about what it thinks about staff relationships with guests, and it’s a very strict take.

The doc explained that ‘any intimate relations or attempts at intimate relations that are unwelcome, including asking a passenger to be alone, kissing, engaging in sexual relations, or any other similar behaviour will be dealt with under the Code of Conduct with a potential sanction being up to and including dismissal.’

Any interaction that is considered non-consensual could also be considered a ‘criminal offence and could potentially lead to your arrest’.

It explains that there are some things that you just aren’t allowed to do as an employee, whether it’s inviting passengers to ‘an officer/crew accommodation or area’ or visiting a passenger cabin yourself.

Unless it’s to do with work.

It also states that there are things you need to do if you are already known to a passenger prior to being on the ship.

It states: “You should not under any circumstances, invite a passenger into your accommodation unless that specific passenger is already recognised to be in a relationship with you prior to boarding the vessel.

“You must declare this to your Head of Department prior to the passenger boarding. Sometimes complaints from passengers about any form of harassment arise, however it might not be actual intent to harass and the complaints may arise from misunderstandings caused by different cultural practices and standards. “

Essentially, it’s just not worth it.