Among the many distinctive features of a cruise ship job is the fact that you live with your co-workers. That can result in unusually close bonds among employees and an unusual amount of sex between them, current and former cruise ship employees told Business Insider. Some requested anonymity due to fear of reprisal from their current or former employers.
"There's a lot of sex on cruise ships," said a former casino manager for Holland America Line.
Some compared the hookup culture as being similar to, or even exceeding, that of a college dorm. And, like college, sexual activity is fueled by frequent alcohol consumption. Sex among employees is so pervasive that former Carnival Cruise Line waiter and art auctioneer Brian David Bruns said a co-worker was surprised when Bruns had not hooked up with one of his colleagues during his first night on a ship.
"What the hell, man?" the co-worker said, according to Bruns.
But the permissive sexual culture on cruise ships can also lead to aggressive or inappropriate behavior. A former Royal Caribbean Cruises employee who now works for Carnival said one of her managers on Royal Caribbean would make comments about her sexual orientation and criticize her for never changing her hairstyle.
Royal Caribbean did not respond to a request for comment.
Another current Carnival employee said at one point, she was dating a man whose contract was close to ending. Male co-workers would remind her of her boyfriend's imminent departure, and, as soon as he left, made advances under the guise of comforting her.
Relationships move faster than on land
Romantic relationships among employees develop and end much faster than on land, which, along with frequent turnover, can make long-term relationships difficult.
"One month on a ship is maybe like two years on land, because you spend so much time with these people," said Taylor Sokol, a former cruise director for Holland America.
But the close proximity between employees can make it difficult to maintain a healthy amount of space from a romantic partner, Sokol said.