The “Love Boat” is a popular TV series from the late 1970s that put cruising on the map, and helped to establish Princess Cruises as one of the most popular brands in the industry.
At the center of the story was none other than Cruise Director Julie McCoy, played by the famous Cynthia Lauren Tewes, who is loved both for her endless charm and for showing what it really means to be a cruise director.
So, who is Julie McCoy and the incredible actress behind her character?
Who is Julie McCoy?
Julie McCoy, played by Cynthia Lauren Tewes, became famous for being “your cruise director” on “The Love Boat.”
As real cruise directors do today, her character was in charge of making sure fictional cruise guests had a great time onboard, organizing activities, and helping with their romantic and personal challenges.
Her character was known for her charm and for being consistently bright and enthusiastic, especially with her opening “good morning!” messages to new passengers.
She is also remembered for her own drama-filled romantic storylines, such as her romance with Gopher Smith and her doomed engagement to Dr. Tony Selkirk (played by Anthony Andrews).
Her wedding to Dr. Selkirk was celebrated in a famous two-part episode called “The Expedition / Julie’s Wedding.”
Fast Facts About Cynthia Lauren Tewes
- Julie McCoy was known for being the charming and enthusiastic cruise director on “The Love Boat,” which was filmed on Princess cruise ships.
- Lauren Tewes portrayed Julie McCoy on the “Love Boat” from 1977 until 1984, but reprised the role again in later years.
- Tewes was nominated for a Golden Globe for her portrayal of the character in 1982.
- The actress has a strong relationship with Princess Cruises, and is one of the godparents for Regal Princess.
Why is Cynthia Lauren Tewes so Famous?
Portraying Julie McCoy is really what propelled Tewes into stardom, though she has also appeared in dozens of other movies, series, and even video games.
Tewes earned a prestigious Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role on “The Love Boat” in 1982, which helped solidify her standing as a respected Hollywood star.
On a more personal level, Tewes is also known for her battle with cocaine addiction, which led to her replacement on “The Love Boat” in 1984.
She later overcame her addiction, restoring her public image to one of success and inspiration.
She did get to reprise the role she made famous as a guest in a “Love Boat” episode in 1985, and was back as the beloved cruise director in the television films in the 1986-87 season.
Where is Tewes Today?
Born in 1953 in Trafford, Pennsylvania, Tewes is currently 72-years-old.
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Though her career has slowed down a bit now that she is in her golden years, Tewes is still active between her endeavors in Hollywood and making public appearances.
She most recently appeared in a movie called “Potato Dreams of America” in 2021 and as a podcast guest on an episode of “Hollywood and Beyond with Steven Brittingham” in 2025.
An Ongoing Relationship with Princess Cruises
Speaking of public appearances, Tewes has continued to maintain a strong relationship with Princess Cruises as both the series and the brand celebrate exciting milestones over the years.
The partnership has lasted for decades, going back to when Tewes reunited with her fellow cast members in 1997 for the naming ceremony and christening of Dawn Princess in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
MacLeod, Grandy, Lange, Koppel, and Whelan were also present for the occasion, which was the first time the cast had reunited in more than a decade.
In 2014, Tewes joined her co-stars once again to become the godparents of Regal Princess, which was formally named on November 5, 2014, in Fincantieri, Italy.
Tewes joined her cast members in smashing 50 champagne bottles in a simultaneous celebration of the new ship’s debut and Princess Cruises’ 50th anniversary.
In 2018, the actress was also present as Princess Cruises and the original cast of the “The Love Boat” were presented with a Hollywood Walk of Fame honorary star plaque in recognition of their contributions to the history of television and support for the preservation of the Walk of Fame.
Most recently, Tewes joined several of her cast members for a “Love Boat Celebration” sailing out of Galveston, Texas, in November 2025.
The themed, 7-night voyage embarked on Regal Princess on November 16, 2025, and called to Cozumel, Mexico, and Roatan, Honduras.
Princess Cruises has offered “Love Boat” sailings before that feature the cast, including in 2024, so it’s quite possible that there will be future opportunities to meet “your cruise director” onboard as well.
What is “The Love Boat?”
The “Love Boat” is a comedy-drama series that first premiered on ABC on September 24, 1977, and ran until May 24, 1986.
The series also got four TV movie installments – one of which aired after the series ended – and four additional specials.
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It also got a spin-off series in 1998, titled “Love Boat: The Next Wave” that lasted for two seasons on the UPN network.
The show was oriented around the ship’s captain, Merrill Stubing (played by Gavin MacLeod), key crew members (including Julie McCoy, Your Cruise Director), and the guests as they embarked on romantic, humorous, and dramatic escapades.
Other familiar faces included Bernie Kopell (ship doctor Adam “Doc” Bricker), Jill Whelan (the captain’s daughter, Vicki Stubing), Fred Grandy (Purser Burl “Gopher” Smith), and Ted Lange (ship bartender).
Why Does “The Love Boat” Matter?
The “Love Boat” series has been viewed by millions of fans and was one of the highest-rated prime-time television shows in the US during its heyday.
It is currently in worldwide syndication and has been translated into 29 different languages so that viewers around the world can continue to enjoy it today.
And not only is the show very beloved, but it helped to put cruising on the map and made Princess Cruises a household name.
In honor of how the brand got its start, Princess cruise ships are all referred to as “the love boats” and the ship horn plays the iconic “Love Boat” theme song.
The show was set onboard a fictional ship called MS Pacific Princess, and was primarily filmed on Princess Cruises’ original Pacific Princess and Island Princess.
The pilot, however, was shot on the original Sun Princess in Mexico, as was the spin-off series in 1998.
Other Princess ships occasionally got to cameo as the show introduced viewers at home to cruise destinations around the world, such as Australia, China, and Greece.
