After reading this book, at the very least, I'll TIP WAY MORE

[OurDogCisco]

Well, obviously I'm not counting time to sleep and eat, which I wouldn't consider free time. I wouldn't even count the "down" time when they have a few minutes to take a break. Most of us have those times at work. And I would venture to guess that the vast majority of us have at least one entire day off a week.
What I meant by "free" time is time to leave the ship or be totally free from work duties. Not on call, or at the mercy of a passenger who wants a clean towel right NOW, or being asked to grab something as you're walking by. You know what I mean?
As others have said, this is a sacrifice CMs are making, usually for a set time. I just like to know a bit about the people who are making my vacation so wonderful. And if there's anything I can do to brighten their day or ease their load, I'd like to know
And all that said, I only have a limited experience based on the interaction with a few specific CMs. Other CMs may have completely different experiences. Especially the officers.

Don't you think that is the nature of the beast. They are on a ship so, free time might be difficult when there aren't a lot of options of places to go. They do get 2 months off at a time on their contract don't they. I believe they work 6 months and then, get 2 months off. I don't think it is an easy job for anyone but we all work in situations where it might not be easy. Yes, some people have very flexible jobs where they can practically pick their hours but others don't. I know, many people in positions where they can't facebook or Disboards during work hours or leave to take their kid to t-ball practice, etc... Every job is different and comes with different perks.

 

[jlwhitney]

only reading your opening post here, and haven't read through any further yet, but will. I honestly wish the cruise lines would all just pay a fair and decent wage to start with.

I have NEVER felt comfortable being on a cruise and having people wait on me who I know some come from such poor backgrounds and are doing what they need to do to take care of their families and send money back home. Especially when people on these boards whine about how some assistant server didn't have little Johnny's chocolate milk at the table as soon as they sat down.

It always reminds me of the house maid/nanny taking care of her "charges", but who's back home taking care of their kids? Just hard for me to relax and take it all in when on a cruise. I didn't realize they had such little time on their own and no where to go to enjoy themselves either.

I know what you mean. The crew members are human with there own feelings and dreams and wants. They make mistakes and go above and beyond. Being polite and respectful makes there lives so much easier. And when they go above and beyond thanking them and putting there name on the comment card goes a long way.

 

[justmestace]

I've read this one..interesting. They do pretty good financially, and as many have said, the folks who get these jobs really cherish them since compared to choices at home the pay is quite good. The hardest thing is leaving family behind..but according to the book listed above they often have couples assigned to the same ship and rotation. And the author did get to have some port days.

The book I read was written by a muscian, so he got a lot of port time. And he did say that the only expense he still had back home was insurance for his car that was in storage...$50 a month....so with all of his room, food, etc covered by the cruise lines, he was able to save a lot of money.
But he said that in talking to CM's from the poorer countries, this was an opportunity to make a lot more money than they ever could at home.

 

[roxy84]

SHAME ON YOU, DISNEY, FOR TAKING AWAY THE CREW OPEN DECK/POOL SO TEENS COULD HAVE IT.

The book tells that some crew members, because of the job they have, might possibly only have FOUR HOURS of time off in a 3 week span. This is the time that they would probably like to spend somewhere outside, in the fresh air. That usually is done in the crew pool/deck area. But not on the Dream or the Fantasy......poor people!!!

To the OP. On the Dream/Fantasy Crew have an open deck the same size as deck 5 on the magic/wonder and an additional oversized balcony. Disney listened to Crew feedback about having more privacy outside and therefore their outdoor areas are not visible to guests. Additionally, on the Fantasy and Dream, crew have more recreation spaces indoors to use to relax. While they do not have a crew pool - I only saw a handful of people use it over my 3 years on board the older ships.

 

[justmestace]

OK, I'm a little confused. Are you saying 3 or 4 hours of "free" time in a 3 weeks period -- not counting the time that they are sleeping. Because nobody can only have 3 or 4 hours of time to sleep in 3 weeks. I know that the crews on the ship work hard and I go out of my way to compensate them extra because I truly appreciate all they do for me. But remember, it is a choice to work on a cruise ship.

Here's what he said...other than sleep time...
"Most crew members (depending on their position) only get 1/2 day off, once a week. If that half day off falls on a sea day, they don't have much opportunity to be outside, because they aren't allowed in passenger areas".....he also said that the crew quarters are not ventilated much at all, and that it STINKS down there. It isn't just a row of rooms like the passenger hallways, there's food prep, laundry, a crew bar, the crew mess hall (and NO they don't get the same food as the passengers, not even the same as the officers)....so what I was saying about DCL taking away their own private outdoor area, is that it's pretty cruel. There goes their one place to really enjoy the outdoors and fresh air.

 

[justmestace]

Don't believe everything you read in those "tell all" books. When the crew get a three or four hour break most will go to their cabin to sleep. Just ask, they have no issuses telling you that. Disney Cruise Line has one of the highest retainability rates in the cruise industry. If DCL did not treat their crew members well they would leave for a different company. Also ask, most CM's will tell you which company they came from. Thoses tell all industry books are fun to read but must be taken with a grain of salt

Because I HAVE talked in depth to many different crew members on many different lines, and because the author included his conversations with crew from other parts of the world, and their reasons for working on a cruise ship, he covered everything fairly, and honestly.
It wasn't a typical "tell all"....but you'd have to read the book to know that.
He worked for several different lines, he said he'd auditioned for DCL, but he only mentioned by name 2 of the lines he'd worked on. He didn't specifically say he'd worked on DCL, but I can tell from what I've discovered, it's pretty standard.

The biggest difference I saw from his book, and DCL, was the demographic. Most cruise lines hit the mark he was discribing almost to a "T". Italian Captains and officers, Filipino housekeepers, Ukrainian casino employees, Indian cooks, American entertainers....Disney IS somewhat different, in that they don't stick to that same demographic.
But everything else is no different.

 

[outahere]

I believe they work 6 months and then, get 2 months off.

The length of the CM contracts can be different, depending on the position, and sometimes may even vary from person to person within a particular position. Some are as short as 4 months, while others can be 6 months or more. Yes, they usually do get 2 - 3 months off between contracts, but unlike most jobs on land, that "vacation time" is unpaid time off.

On our cruise a few weeks ago, our MDR server was nearing the end of his contract and due to go home this month. He told us that after he gets home, he does pretty much nothing but rest/sleep for at least 3 weeks.

It is definitely a hard way to make a living, and they really depend on every guest for their earnings.

Having been on 12 DCL cruises, I have seen far too many empty tables in the dining room on the last night. I hope those guests didn't "stiff" their server, but it certainly appeared that way.

 

[justmestace]

What a blessing that you can afford to hand out $20 bills left and right. I cannot afford to do that, but do plan to enjoy my vacation. DCL's sole purpose for being is to make money. No one is forced to work on a cruise ship. They are there to work, not play. If the conditions are truly that bad, then get a job elsewhere. My DH and I both work in the service related industry where we must kiss folk's booties left and right and do not receive anything more than a salary. That's life. Just my opinion.

Actually, I can't afford to do that....but I would if I could.

And it sounds to me as though you have no idea that most people working on a cruise ship CAN'T get a job in their country. One man described in the book, who was working in housekeeping, had been a DOCTOR in his country of Bali, until the 2002 Al Qaeda bombing killed 202 people, injured another 240, and killed tourism, which was their main industry, and he lost his job. A DOCTOR....cleaning toilets and making beds! Don't you think he would have much rather continued being a doctor????

I'm thinking there's not much "service" from your end.

 

[justmestace]

To the OP. On the Dream/Fantasy Crew have an open deck the same size as deck 5 on the magic/wonder and an additional oversized balcony. Disney listened to Crew feedback about having more privacy outside and therefore their outdoor areas are not visible to guests. Additionally, on the Fantasy and Dream, crew have more recreation spaces indoors to use to relax. While they do not have a crew pool - I only saw a handful of people use it over my 3 years on board the older ships.

I never saw too many CM's using the area, either...during the day, anyway. I never did go up and look at night, which is when the author said they used that area the most. But he also said that most of the time, the pool or hot tub weren't working, anyway. He said that the crew "amenities" were always the last to be repaired or replaced...like the washers and dryers 1000 of them have to share.

I don't see anything on the Dream/Fantasy deck plans that would be comparable in size to what the crew had on the Magic/Wonder.

 

[justmestace]

We have cruised 4 times, our 5th cruise will be in October. All of the crew that we have met and talked with are extremely happy to be working on the Disney ships. But we do over compensate every time we cruise because appreciate all of their hard work.

They HAVE to be happy. At least to our faces. It's their job. If they went around admitting to passengers that they weren't happy, or weren't treated well, how long do you suppose they'd have that job?

When I worked in a flower shop, or in a bank, there was no way I could greet a customer by telling them I hated my job or my boss.


We have a few very favorite CM's from the older Disney ships, and I've heard the truth from them. Yes, they're "basically" happy.....just like the rest of us.....but the conditions are far from ideal, and ALL of them would rather be doing something else, in their own home countries, with their families close by.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Having been on 12 DCL cruises, I have seen far too many empty tables in the dining room on the last night. I hope those guests didn't "stiff" their server, but it certainly appeared that way.

Hmmmm... I've never said that I "stiff" the servers. In fact, I over tip and we usually stay in the nicer accomandations like concierge level. So, by far I'm not cheap. All I was doing was pointing out that it is kinda of the nature of the business. It would be the same if you were an entertainer on a traveling broadway show. You may go months without seeing your family and living in hotels and get paid dirt. But that is the nature of that particular business and not everyone is cut out for it.

 

[sissy_ib]

I don't understand the point of this thread. Is it bashing DCL for not giving the CMs better amenities? Not paying them more? I don't understand the point the OP is trying to make. We all know they have hard working conditions. But they signed up for it, it's a job. As far as tips, etc. they are servers. They are supposed to serve us. What is so hard to understand about that? I'm not going on a cruise to make friends with the help. I am going to relax and enjoy myself.

 

[justmestace]

I was on the Dream this summer on a 5 night 4c and a 3 night T.
Concierge crew members had family with children living with them. And there was a husband/wife set of crew members. When I was at Port Canaveral a young lady was boarding and was to visit a crew member for 10 days...so I don't think they all share cabins...possible some might double up to save money?
I do think too that on some of the decks like deck 7 crew members had quarters so not all are living below deck. I do think they all work very hard and I basically doubled the suggested tip amount except for the head server gave that person 50% more.

There's a hierachy for the rooms......EDITED TO SAY: NOT ALL OF THIS IS TRUE ON DISNEY, BUT ACCORDING TO THE BOOK ABOUT OTHER LINES:
Obviously the Captain has his own nice quarters, with a staff to serve him. He takes his meals in his room, or anywhere else he wants to.

Ships officers also have nice rooms, often similar to a one bedroom. They take their meals in a reasonably nice dining room, with good food.

Cruise Director, Social Host (if they have one) and Art Auctioneer have what is basically a one bedroom. They also dine with the officers.

Some of the stateroom hosts and concierge have rooms tucked inside the hallways of passenger areas, so they're closer to the passengers when needed. But I've seen those hallways...tiny!!!

The rest of the crew share rooms below and have a crew dining room, where they are not waited on, and the food is not the same (At all!) as what is served elsewhere.

The musicians and entertainment staff can choose to eat in the officer's dining room, but they still have to share a room. ON DCL, THESE PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THE OPTION OF EATING WITH THE OFFICERS, THEY ALSO EAT IN THE CREW MESS.

Everyone shares a room except for the upper level officers and CD's. Married couples are allowed to share a room, if there's one available.

Their rooms are "free", so doubling up isn't a matter of saving money, for the most part, it's the only option.
I talked to a CM who had to be at least 6'8" tall, and asked him if he got his own room because he was so big, and he laughed at me. He said, "Nope, I have to share like everyone else".

 

[FJS961]

I don't understand the point of this thread. Is it bashing DCL for not giving the CMs better amenities? Not paying them more? I don't understand the point the OP is trying to make. We all know they have hard working conditions. But they signed up for it, it's a job. As far as tips, etc. they are servers. They are supposed to serve us. What is so hard to understand about that? I'm not going on a cruise to make friends with the help. I am going to relax and enjoy myself.

I just had to say that I love your post. Spot on what I was thinking as I read through the thread.

 

[justmestace]

I don't understand the point of this thread. Is it bashing DCL for not giving the CMs better amenities? Not paying them more? I don't understand the point the OP is trying to make. We all know they have hard working conditions. But they signed up for it, it's a job. As far as tips, etc. they are servers. They are supposed to serve us. What is so hard to understand about that? I'm not going on a cruise to make friends with the help. I am going to relax and enjoy myself.

Hi there! OP here. The point of the thread was suggesting an interesting cruise-related book to read. And I was saying ON A PERSONAL LEVEL that if I could, I'd tip more. Just an observation I felt as I was reading the book.

Only ONCE did I mention DCL...and that was a "shame on them" for taking away the crew pool area on the Dream and Fantasy.

It is NOT, and was never intended to be, about Disney at all....or a bash.

Read the book, it's interesting. You'll find that the hardest workers on a ship aren't the tipped servers at all, if nothing else.

 

[justmestace]

I just had to say that I love your post. Spot on what I was thinking as I read through the thread.

You're just unhappy with me because of the other thread. And that statement really IS just teasing!

Read what I replied to Sissy. Maybe you'll understand.

 

[sissy_ib]

Hi there! OP here. The point of the thread was suggesting an interesting cruise-related book to read. And I was saying ON A PERSONAL LEVEL that if I could, I'd tip more. Just an observation I felt as I was reading the book.

Only ONCE did I mention DCL...and that was a "shame on them" for taking away the crew pool area on the Dream and Fantasy.

It is NOT, and was never intended to be, about Disney at all....or a bash.

Read the book, it's interesting. You'll find that the hardest workers on a ship aren't the tipped servers at all, if nothing else.

I read one of those behind the scenes cruise books before my first cruise. It was nothing but bashing of the industry, guests, other employees. It told me a lot more about the author then anything else. I have no interest in reading another book along those lines. Again, I go on vacation for me and my family and not the employees.

 

[justmestace]

I read one of those behind the scenes cruise books before my first cruise. It was nothing but bashing of the industry, guests, other employees. It told me a lot more about the author then anything else. I have no interest in reading another book along those lines. Again, I go on vacation for me and my family and not the employees.

Well, I ate my mother-in-law's apple pie once and hated it so much that I almost gave up on apple pie altogether.


You don't have to read the book. If you've already read one and didn't like it, that's okay. I'm not upset by that. And I'm not quite sure why you ARE.

 

[sissy_ib]

Well, I ate my mother-in-law's apple pie once and hated it so much that I almost gave up on apple pie altogether.

You don't have to read the book. If you've already read one and didn't like it, that's okay. I'm not upset by that. And I'm not quite sure why you ARE.

I'm not upset, just sharing my opinion.

 

[justmestace]

I'm not upset, just sharing my opinion.