A cruise ship employee with nearly a decade of experience has shared advice on why sleeping with coworkers or passengers on board is a risky decision. Lucy Southerton, a massage therapist and YouTube creator, explains that relationships on a cruise ship differ significantly from those in traditional workplaces. She notes that the confined environment makes it impossible to separate personal issues from professional life.
On land, people can leave the workplace and turn to friends or family for support, but on a ship, colleagues double as your entire social circle. Southerton warns, “There is no escape. You will see these people every single day for months.” While romance can add excitement to a job, it becomes problematic if things go wrong, leaving no space for privacy or distance.
Southerton adds that cruise ship work is intense, with contracts requiring daily work, which heightens the stress of interpersonal conflicts. She advises potential employees to think carefully before pursuing on-board relationships, as the close-knit nature of the crew can amplify issues.
Despite the challenges, she acknowledges that some on-board relationships work out well. However, she recommends caution, emphasizing that maintaining professionalism and boundaries is crucial in such a unique working environment.
