Despite what you saw on The Love Boat, passenger-crew romances are not permitted, with passengers banned from entering crew areas of the ship. Of course, romance still ignites between passengers and crew members from time to time.

In 2026, the policy regarding crew and passenger relationships remains strictly "zero tolerance" across the global cruise industry. All major lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and MSC, have rigorous Code of Conduct rules that prohibit any romantic or sexual fraternization between employees and guests. This is primarily a safety and liability measure to prevent "predatory" behavior, sexual harassment claims, or "honey-trap" lawsuits. If a crew member is caught in a guest's stateroom or seen engaging in intimate behavior (like kissing) in public or crew-only areas, they are typically subjected to "administrative discharge"—meaning they are fired on the spot and put off the ship at the next port of call at their own expense. Even "off-duty" dating during port stops is strictly forbidden. While crew members are encouraged to be friendly, professional, and helpful, there is a hard boundary between "hospitality" and "intimacy." The only rare exception is for specific "Ambassador Hosts" on certain luxury lines (like Crystal Cruises) who are hired specifically to dance and socialize with solo travelers, but even then, romantic involvement is strictly barred.