Behind The Scenes

One of the world’s most famous “cruise directors” wasn’t actually a cruise director at all. Julie McCoy was a beloved character on the hit TV series The Love Boat – a role that catapulted actress Lauren Tewes to near-household fame.

But behind the scenes, Tewes’ journey was far from plain sailing. A very public battle with drug addiction led to her sudden exit from the show, before she later made a comeback once she regained control of her life.

In this guide, we’ll dive into Lauren Tewes’ fascinating story, from her rise to stardom to the challenges she faced away from the cameras – and where she is now.

1. Lauren Tewes Played Julie McCoy

The Love Boat cruise director, Julie McCoy, was played by actress Lauren Tewes. Tewes had started getting serious work as an actress in 1974 but it was a guest spot on TV show Starsky & Hutch which got her spotted by Aaron Spelling, the producer of The Love Boat.

Tewes’ first big break in acting came for a Lipton Ice Tea commercial in 1974, so she had only been seriously acting for three years when she joined The Love Boat. 

Indeed, she was only cast in the role the day before filming started on the third pilot episode – the story goes that she got the phone call telling her she had the part at 9 pm the night before, asking her to report on set at 6.30 am the next day!

Tewes held the role until 1984, when she was fired, although she later returned for one more episode in 1985 and reprised her role for the TV movies in a later season. She has fully reconciled with the show and often makes appearances for reunion interviews.

2. Her Name Is Not Pronounced “Te-wes”

Lauren Tewes pronounces her surname as “Tweeze”. Her full name is Cynthia Lauren Tewes, although she was billed as Lauren Tewes during her acting career. Today, in interviews, she is sometimes referred to as Cynthia and sometimes as Lauren.

She is best known as Lauren, though, and when Princess Cruises invited the actress onto a cruise to celebrate her 60th birthday, they made sure to wish “Lauren” a happy birthday on the big screens on the deck of the ship, although her cake was made out to “Julie”.

There is some confusion over the pronunciation of her surname and some people mistakenly say it as “Tooz”. She has confirmed that “Tweeze” is the correct way to say her name.

3. The Julie Character Was Replaced

The character of Julie McCoy was replaced by her sister, Judy McCoy, at the start of season 8. Judy McCoy was played by actress Patricia Klous, who had made her name in the CBS TV comedy-drama Flying High from 1978 to 1979.

Klous would remain with the series until the main seasons finished in 1986, with Lauren Tewes returning for a guest episode in 1985. When the TV specials began in 1986, Tewes had returned to the role, and Klous was not included.

Klous had actually already appeared on The Love Boat prior to her role as Judy McCoy. She guest-starred in episode 17 of season 5 and then appeared in a more prominent role in the first episode of season 7 as Laurie.

The character of Judy McCoy was often known for being frustrated as others on the show confused her with her sister Julie.

4. Julie Was Written Out of the Show Because of Tewes’ Struggles

On the show, the character of Julie McCoy was written out by saying she got married. But in reality, actress Lauren Tewes was fired from The Love Boat due to a cocaine addiction that had spiralled out of control.

Once Tewes was released from the show, she was able to get past her addiction and make a return, initially making a solo guest appearance and then fully returning for the TV movie specials.

Suggested read: The Love Boat Cast – Where Are They Now?

5. Tewes Did Become Addicted to Drugs, but Overcame It

Lauren Tewes developed a drug addiction during her time on The Love Boat, which ultimately led to her being released from the show. She later overcame her addiction, got clean and was able to return to the show.

Lauren Tewes’s cocaine addiction was quite the scandal at the time. In Tewes’ own words, despite the popularity of the drug at the time in Hollywood and TV, to her, it seemed like only she was being punished for her addiction. She admits that the addiction started in the late 1970s, well before she was fired from The Love Boat.

Tewes has since been interviewed about her addiction, where she laments the fact that the tag “former cocaine addict” seems to follow her around, even though she was able to make a return to the show once she had beaten her addiction.

6. Tewes Was Fired Due to Her Addiction

Julie McCoy left The Love Boat between seasons 7 and 8 in 1984. The character did not receive a farewell on the show as the actress playing her was fired in between seasons. Instead, the character’s absence was explained at the start of the first episode of the eighth season.

Considering how Julie, the cruise director, was such a popular role, the writers decided they had to replace her with a similar character, hence the introduction of her sister Judy McCoy. Thankfully for fans and for Tewes, Julie was able to return to the show later.

Tewes was also invited to make an appearance on a special ‘reunion’ episode of Love Boat: The Next Wave. This was a follow-up show that was made in 1998 and only lasted until 1999, taking place on the Sun Princess. The reunion episode saw several Love Boat cast members return.

Julie featured prominently in the episode, with the big reveal that the character had been in love with ‘Doc’ Adam Bricker, played by Bernie Kopell, all along and that he was also in love with her.

Thank god the character finally got a truly happy ending, considering everything she had been through!

7. The Character Was Written Off Without Tewes Appearing

Julie McCoy was written off The Love Boat at the start of season 8. She did not appear in the episode where her character was written off – instead, Captain Stubing, played by Gavin MacLeod, announces to the rest of the crew that Julie has left the ship after getting married.

Julie appeared in one more episode – episode 8 of season 9 – as a guest. She then made a full return to the show for the TV specials, where she announced that her marriage had ended and so she was returning to her job as cruise director.

8. The Story Used Was That Julie Got Married

Cruise director Julie did get married on The Love Boat, although fans don’t see the wedding happen. It happened between seasons 7 and 8, and the storyline is the reason that Lauren Tewes was written out of the show. 

Fans would no doubt have been disappointed that such an important and popular character had a major event happen that they couldn’t watch, especially after Julie had been left at the altar in a previous episode.

As far as I can tell, it was never made clear who Julie McCoy had married, although fans often assume it was Marty Chenault – the producer who guest-starred in the second-last episode of season 7 before McCoy left the show, and a character that she had almost married once before.

There are some fans who say that the character of Vicki announced that Marty was the person that Julie married. However, with the latter seasons so rarely repeated and hard to find, this isn’t easy to confirm (source).

9. Julie Had Already Been Left at the Altar…

In the first episode of season 5, Julie McCoy was due to marry her fiancé, Tony, when the ship visited Australia, where he was working on an animal reserve. However, Tony left her at the altar, explaining in a letter to her that he was dying.

The plan for McCoy had been to marry Tony and move to Australia to work with him, but unfortunately, it turned out to be another failed relationship for the character. In a later episode, the crew returned to Australia, and Julie visited David, Tony’s brother.

David explained that Tony had passed away from his illness, and it was revealed that Julie had continued to send him letters.

10. Tewes Is Alive and Doing Well

Lauren Tewes is still alive, and she continues to work as an actress. She has also made appearances with other cast members from the show on various TV interviews to discuss her time on the show.

The actress – and the other cast members of the show – still have close ties to Princess Cruises, the company which helped make the show onboard one of its ships, Pacific Princess. Just watch this clip from an interview with Access Hollywood where the actors talk about how good the newest Princess Cruises ships are:

Tewes’s current relationship status is unknown, but she has been married three times. She married her first husband, John Wassel, in 1977, and they were divorced in 1982.

Her second marriage was to Paolo Nonnis, whom she married in 1985 during her recovery from her cocaine addiction. That marriage lasted 10 years before the divorce.

Her final marriage was to Robert Nadir – she married him in 1996 and they stayed together until his death in 2002 of Lou Gehrig’s disease. 

11. Tewes Recently Celebrated Her 70th Birthday

The actress who played Julie McCoy on The Love Boat, Lauren Tewes, was born on 26th October 1953, and so in 2023, she celebrated her 70th birthday.

For her 60th birthday, she was honoured with a special event on a Princess Cruises ship where she was able to film some promotional material for the cruise line, enjoy video messages from other actors from the show, and share a huge cake dedicated to her character.

12. Tewes Has Returned to Acting

Lauren Tewes continues to work as an actor, with some of her most recent work being for the radio drama Murder and the Murdochs, which is a comedy-mystery series available on Imagination Theater radio. 

Since leaving The Love Boat, Tewes continued to work as an actor. She made appearances in some of the biggest TV series of the 1980s, including My Two Dads, Murder, She Wrote, TJ Hooker, and Hunter.

She did get cast in a recurring role on the TV show The Fugitive, which ran from 2000 until 2001. She played a police detective in the show.

Lauren Tewes now balances her acting work with her other interests in food. She is believed to be a ‘cheese specialist’ who works with clients to order specialist cheeses, and a trained sous-chef since her time in culinary school in 2004. She actively works as a sous chef for a catering company based in Seattle when she is not acting.

13. Her Estimated Net Worth Is In the Millions

While it is impossible to confirm, most profiles of Lauren Tewes, the actress who played Julie McCoy on The Love Boat, say that she has a net worth of $2 million. This is a reasonable estimate based on her acting experience.

Understandably, most people do not publish their net worth, and it is kept private, since net worth is based on career earnings and assets owned. 

However, Lauren Tewes’ net worth is consistently quoted as being $2 million and considering her TV roles, including The Love Boat and other shows, her 50-year career and the fact that she was able to overcome her drug addiction and return to work relatively quickly, would mean that figure is likely to be in the right ballpark.

Final Word

So, now you know what happened to Julie on The Love Boat. A character that always seemed to be at the heart of a new romance was portrayed by an actor going through a very difficult time, and it’s a testament to her that she was able to still become so popular with audiences at home.

It’s also a credit to Lauren Tewes that she was able to move past her drug addiction and continue her career, and hopefully, she will keep working as long as she wants to as an actor, and she can shake off the tag of “former cocaine addict” soon enough, if she hasn’t already.

Related posts:

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

Disney did it. Virgin did it. So what’s stopping other global brands from diving into the cruise world?

Imagine a McDonald’s cruise with floating drive-thrus, a Nike ship with a running track over the ocean, or a Coca-Cola voyage that’s one big fizzy pool party. It might sound far-fetched – but is it really?

In this fun article, we’re dreaming big with five brand–cruise line mashups that could actually work. Which one would you book first? Who knows… if enough of us ask, they might just make it happen.

1. McDonalds Cruise Line – McFloat

From the moment you catch sight of this majestic vessel, with its golden arches gleaming against the horizon, you know you’re not in for your typical cruise experience.

The ship, aptly named the “McFloat,” boasts an aesthetic that can only be described as “fast food chic,” complete with a supersized slide that looks suspiciously like a giant French fry. It’s a sight that promises fun, food, and a hint of the absurd.

Imagine lounging by a pool shaped like a giant Happy Meal, complete with a ketchup slide and mustard whirlpool.

The pool area on the McFloat is a splashy paradise where the sun always shines, the water is as sparkling as a freshly poured soda, and the poolside bar serves up McFlurry cocktails and Big Mac sliders faster than you can say “I’m lovin’ it.”

After a sun-soaked day, retreat to your cabin, where the comfort of McDonald’s meets the luxury of cruise accommodation.

The beds, as soft as freshly baked buns, are dressed in red and yellow linens, and the walls are adorned with art that pays homage to the greatest hits of the fast-food world.

And yes, the mini-fridge comes stocked with all your favourite dips because, at sea, every moment is a potential nugget moment.

Step into a dining experience that redefines “fast food” as “fancy food.” The McDonald’s Cruise Line’s premier restaurant serves up gourmet twists on classic menu items.

Picture a Filet-O-Fish, but with artisanal brioche and handcrafted aioli, or a deconstructed Big Mac served with a knife and fork. It’s a place where culinary elegance and playful nostalgia collide, all while offering stunning views of the ocean.

Thanks to Sail Away for the inspiration behind this cruise line.

2. BMW Cruise Line – C Series

First impressions matter, and the first BMW C Series ship doesn’t disappoint. With its sleek design that would make a sports car jealous, this ship cuts through waves like a hot knife through butter – or should we say, like a BMW cruising down the autobahn.

This pool is designed for those who appreciate the finer things in life, like a perfectly engineered backstroke or the art of doing absolutely nothing in style.

Retreating to your cabin doesn’t mean missing out on the luxury. With interiors inspired by BMW’s top-of-the-line vehicles, you’ll half expect your bed to rev up and take you for a spin.

And with smart technology at your fingertips, you can control everything from the lighting to the temperature, ensuring your cabin is as cool as the other side of the pillow.

Prepare your taste buds for a culinary journey where the dishes are as finely tuned as BMW engines. The menu, designed with precision and innovation, offers gourmet dishes that’ll make you want to take a photo faster than you can say “Michelin star.”

The ambience, inspired by luxury cars, means you’ll dine surrounded by elegance – just don’t try to buckle your seatbelt at the table.

3. Coca-Cola Cruise Line – S.S. Fizz

Welcome aboard the S.S. Fizz, Coca-Cola’s bubbliest venture yet, where every moment promises to pop with excitement and refreshment.

And yes, rumours are true – the horn does play the classic Coca-Cola jingle, ensuring you’re always in the right spirit as you sail.

Dive into the pop-themed pool where the water is as sparkling as a freshly opened Coke. The soda fountain jets might not spout actual Coca-Cola, but they’ll certainly add a fizz to your swim.

Poolside loungers in Coca-Cola red and white invite you to relax. And for those feeling adventurous, the poolside bar serves up Coca-Cola inspired cocktails – because what’s a vacation without a little mixology magic?

Your cabin on the S.S. Fizz is a cosy haven of nostalgia and modern comfort. With vintage Coca-Cola posters adorning the walls and a mini-fridge stocked to the brim with every Coca-Cola variant you could imagine (and perhaps some you couldn’t), you’ll wonder if you’ve sailed back in time.

This dining venue is a throwback to the classic American diners of the 1950s, complete with jukebox tunes and a menu that creatively infuses Coca-Cola into every dish.

From the Coca-Cola glazed ribs that’ll have you licking your fingers to the Coca-Cola chocolate cake that’s as rich as the company’s history, each bite is a reminder of why this brand captured the world’s heart. And yes, the waiters do roller skate to your table, adding a dash of delightful diner authenticity to your dining experience.

4. Nike Cruise Line – Swoosh of the Seas

Imagine stepping onto a vessel where every detail, from the hull to the top deck, is infused with the spirit of both competition and relaxation – a paradox only Nike could navigate with such flair.

As cruisers approach their Nike-themed floating palace, they’re greeted by the sleek design of the ship’s exterior, complete with a giant swoosh that seems to whisper, “Just Do It – embark on this cruise, that is.”

The Swoosh of the Seas pool deck is where the magic really happens. Sun loungers are decked out in Nike’s finest, ensuring you’re lounging in style and comfort.

The only challenge here is trying not to take the “Just Do It” mantra too seriously. No diving allowed.

Nike knows that even the most dedicated athletes need to rest, and the cabins are a testament to this philosophy. With bedding that feels like you’re sleeping on air (Max) and decor that subtly nods to Nike’s storied history, the rooms are a haven of comfort.

It’s where you can dream of victory, or just a really good breakfast, surrounded by the elegance of minimalism with a dash of motivational spirit.

The dining experience on board is nothing short of inspiring. Imagine sitting down to a meal where even the chairs encourage you to “eat wisely and hydrate.”

The menu, designed for those who like their cuisine with a side of wellness, features dishes that are both nutritious and delicious. It’s not just about fueling the body but about elevating the dining experience to a sport in itself.

5. Lego Cruise Line – The Brickliner

From the moment you step onto The Brickliner, you’ll feel like you’ve been shrunk down and dropped into a world where everything is made of Lego – except the water, thankfully. That’s still just water.

In the cabins, everything from the beds to the walls pays homage to the humble Lego brick. It’s all the fun of stepping on a Lego without any of the pain – unless you dive into bed too hard.

The pool, designed to look like it’s surrounded by giant Lego bricks, is both a swimmer’s dream and a foot’s worst nightmare – visually, at least.

Around the pool, you’ll find life-sized Lego minifigure lifeguards (don’t worry, there are real ones too), and a waterslide that guarantees you’ll make a splash, quite literally, into a world of fun.

Dining on the Lego cruise ship is an experience that tickles both the taste buds and the imagination. It’s a place where you half expect the food to snap together like Lego pieces. And yes, the chefs do wear hats that look like Lego chef hats, because of course they do.

6. Netflix Cruise Line – The Streamliner

The moment you spot The Streamliner sailing toward the horizon, with its sleek red-and-black hull and a giant glowing play button on the funnel, you know this isn’t your average holiday – it’s binge-watching, reimagined.

This floating entertainment paradise is a dream come true for film buffs and series addicts alike. The ship’s exterior is shaped like a modern cinema projector, with portholes styled like camera reels. And the ship horn? It plays the iconic “ba-dum” Netflix intro sound.

At the centre of the action is the Infinity Screen Pool Deck, where giant LED screens loop your favourite Netflix shows 24/7. Picture watching Stranger Things from a floating beanbag in a pool shaped like the ‘N’ logo, while sipping an “Eleven-tini” garnished with Eggo waffles.

Need to escape the sun (or that one mate who still hasn’t watched the end of Bridgerton)? Retreat to your cabin – a plush, cocoon-like haven designed for the ultimate in streaming luxury. Think memory-foam beds with built-in foot massagers, surround sound, blackout curtains, and a library of every Netflix original ever made. Oh, and a snack button that summons popcorn to your door in under five minutes.

Dim the lights, cue the intro – welcome to Now Streaming: Supper Club, where every dish is a scene-stealer and every drink deserves a spin-off.

Each night, the menu changes to spotlight a different Netflix favourite. Expect Squid Game calamari rings, truffle croissants worthy of Emily in Paris, or a Bridgerton garden soirée platter with floral cocktails and scandalous sweets. Sip a “Queen’s Gambit” Negroni while eyeing the Stranger Wings platter (served fiery red, naturally).

The setting? Cinematic. The vibes? Binge-worthy. And the decision? “One more cocktail or head to bed?” – spoiler: it’s always just one more.

7. Krispy Kreme Cruise Line – S.S. Sweet Escape

From the moment the S.S. Sweet Escape glides into view, its glossy, icing-white hull and sprinkle-covered funnel promise something truly special – a voyage dipped in pure joy and sugar. With a giant neon “Hot Now” sign glowing above the bridge, this floating bakery-on-the-sea is every dessert lover’s dream come true.

At the heart of the ship sits the Sprinkle Splash Zone—a candy-coloured pool deck straight from a doughnut-lover’s dream. The main pool is shaped like a giant pink-frosted doughnut, complete with rainbow sprinkles and a bubbling centre that’s perfect for splashing. Twin twisty slides spiral out of a towering Krispy Kreme crown, launching riders into the “glaze ring” below.

Retreat to your cabin and you’ll feel like you’ve checked into a boutique dessert lounge. The walls are decorated in warm caramel tones and pastel glaze hues, with doughnut art in gold frames. Plush bedding mimics Krispy Kreme boxes, and your memory-foam mattress is just as soft as the inside of a hot Original Glazed.

There’s a “Hot Now” switch by the bed — flick it, and a fresh box of donuts is delivered via your in-room donut chute. You’ll also find a pillow menu scented like classic Krispy Kreme favourites: cinnamon apple, strawberry glaze, or vanilla cream.

Step into Glaze & Graze, the ship’s flagship dining room, where every course is a creative twist on doughnut culture. For breakfast? Donut Benedict on maple-glazed rounds. Lunch? Sweet-and-savoury flatbreads with donut crusts. And dinner? Think bourbon-glazed doughnut sliders with truffle fries and caramelised onion rings.

For dessert (as if you weren’t already there), enjoy a build-your-own doughnut bar, daily deep-fried specials, and a theatrical “Donut Fireworks” finale – flambéed cinnamon churro puffs served tableside.

The Reality

Huge brands love to collaborate with cruise lines. On MSC Cruises ships, there are Lego-themed play areas in the kids’ club and Costa cruise ships have bright orange Aperol Spritz-themed bars as well as Nutella cafes.

But when it comes to building a whole new brand-themed cruise line, maybe not. Although it would be pretty cool, right?

Which brand would you like to see launch a cruise line? Let me know in the comments.

Related Posts:

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me