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

[WDWKevin]

I'm only about 1/3 of the way through a new book I'm reading, but I've already decided that on my next cruise, or any vacation, I'm going to start handing out $20 bills left and right.
I knew it wasn't a picnic to work on a cruise ship, but didn't know it was THIS bad.
In all fairness, the author does say that there were some good times, too.


AND......I felt this when they did it, and now I feel it double-triple so.....
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!!!

Anyway....it's an interesting, eye-opening read:

"Chronicles of a Cruise Ship Crew Member; Answers to All the Questions Every Passenger Wants to Ask" by Joshua Kinser. Published 2012.
It was only $2.99 on my Kindle.

Well the "shame on Disney" line is a bit strong and not justified. The crew members do have private, outdoor areas on the Dream/Fantasy in which to sunbathe, smoke, or just enjoy the sunshine. The bonus on the Dream/Fantasy is that these areas are totally out of guest view unlike the Magic/Wonder.

Disney Cruise Line respects and values their crew and the horror stories you hear on other lines do not exist on DCL. I would beg for you to please make sure that all the facts are present before putting inflamatory comments online.

Ever wonder if they lost a pool in order to gain other amenities that THEY wanted? Just saying.

DCL has crew members that have been with them since opening to include crew members from USA, UK, South Africa, and others. If they were bad, they wouldn't have that level of retention.

 

[outahere]

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.

Sorry if I came across as actually accusing anyone, of anything. However, it seems pretty suspicious to me that there are some guests who show up at dinner, every night except the last one.

We also usually stay Concierge and always tip considerably more than the minimum, especially our cabin attendant. I agree that it is the nature of the business, but DCL must be doing something right to retain the number of CMs that they do. We know CMs who have been on the ships over 7 years and they plan on returning.

 

[Clotho]

Sorry if I came across as actually accusing anyone, of anything. However, it seems pretty suspicious to me that there are some guests who show up at dinner, every night except the last one.

With pre-paid tipping, I thought they got the tips regardless? I mean, the envelope and tickets are just a formality at this point aren't they?

I guess a LOT of people are busy trying to get packed, and don't want to miss the final show or activities. Something's gotta give and dinner is one that is easy to make up with a quick trip to the buffet, room service, etc. I would think the low attendance on the last night has more to do with that than a huge swath of people trying to duck tipping! Why would you assume that?

We didn't come to the last night for dinner because we were off the ship during our dining time. We showed up for breakfast the next day because we wanted to give our servers a little extra cash in the envelope. But had we not planned on tipping more, and had already said our good byes to our awesome servers, we may have just gotten off the ship and gone home a little earlier. Our absence at either meal would not have been any indication we weren't tipping!

 

[AOSIG]

To Op. Yes I DO understand the heirarchy of who and whom gets what kind of stateroom depending on if it is a Captain, Officer or the pool cleaner.

One item that no one has mentioned is that the crew have there own spot at CC of course who knows how often and when they can go there own beach.

All of this hmmm not sure how to put it but when one is in the Navy not all the sailors get to have "Liberty" at every port. Nor do they have their own private room...all of this "talk" makes me appreciate what our service men do for us everyday. (and who gives them tips)

 

[justmestace]

Well the "shame on Disney" line is a bit strong and not justified. The crew members do have private, outdoor areas on the Dream/Fantasy in which to sunbathe, smoke, or just enjoy the sunshine. The bonus on the Dream/Fantasy is that these areas are totally out of guest view unlike the Magic/Wonder.

Disney Cruise Line respects and values their crew and the horror stories you hear on other lines do not exist on DCL. I would beg for you to please make sure that all the facts are present before putting inflamatory comments online.

Ever wonder if they lost a pool in order to gain other amenities that THEY wanted? Just saying.

DCL has crew members that have been with them since opening to include crew members from USA, UK, South Africa, and others. If they were bad, they wouldn't have that level of retention.

You're right...and I'm glad that you explained to me what happened with the crew pool area on the newer ships. If I could delete the posts, I would, but they've been quoted, so it wouldn't do me any good. All I can say is "I'm sorry".

I've said a couple of times, that other than the author saying he'd auditioned for DCL, he NEVER mentioned Disney Cruise Line.
But I do know enough to know that the areas that the crew has to live in, and the crew mess, are really not any different than what was described in the book.
Also, the author doesn't go on and on and on about ANYONE being mistreated, or whatever. It's just a pretty honest book about life at sea. Some good, some not so good.
I had no intention of starting any kind of bashing.

 

[justmestace]

To Op. Yes I DO understand the heirarchy of who and whom gets what kind of stateroom depending on if it is a Captain, Officer or the pool cleaner.

One item that no one has mentioned is that the crew have there own spot at CC of course who knows how often and when they can go there own beach.

All of this hmmm not sure how to put it but when one is in the Navy not all the sailors get to have "Liberty" at every port. Nor do they have their own private room...all of this "talk" makes me appreciate what our service men do for us everyday. (and who gives them tips)

Crew beach at Castaway Cay....I've been at Serenity Bay and have seen actually quite a few crew members enjoying their area. Some of the people who work on the ships have a lot more time to enjoy the ports than others who work onboard. The entertainment staff, for one thing, have more freedom than say, the people who work in the laundry or food service. So it depends on your position.

I have an immense respect for our service men and women. My son is one of them now. But....they DO get paid, (by the taxpayers) they have great insurance, they get an education, and they (most of them) volunteered. In a lot of ways, I think it is similar to working on a cruise ship, but in a lot of other ways, it's not even close.
One thing, I have a feeling that as far as sharing a room....I don't know for a fact, but I bet it's the same as a cruise ship. The higher the rank, the less they have to share.
I only pray that even though we can't tip our service men and women, they know how much we appreciate them.

 

[justmestace]

Anyway.....I'm sorry I said "Shame on you DCL".......sorry sorry.

I started the thread because I thought the book was interesting, and if anyone else wanted to read it, then fine. If not, that's fine too.

That's all.

 

[Bonniec]

I just read it. It was okay. There was too much on being a musician verses stuff I wanted to actually learn about.

Though it does make me wonder how often ships go into red alert for the Norovirus.

 

[justmestace]

I just read it. It was okay. There was too much on being a musician verses stuff I wanted to actually learn about.

Though it does make me wonder how often ships go into red alert for the Norovirus.

LOL...that's how I got through the book so fast....I skipped all the "music" parts!!!
I hope I never hear "Red Alert"!

 

[dclcruiser88]

To Op. Yes I DO understand the heirarchy of who and whom gets what kind of stateroom depending on if it is a Captain, Officer or the pool cleaner.

One item that no one has mentioned is that the crew have there own spot at CC of course who knows how often and when they can go there own beach.

All of this hmmm not sure how to put it but when one is in the Navy not all the sailors get to have "Liberty" at every port. Nor do they have their own private room...all of this "talk" makes me appreciate what our service men do for us everyday. (and who gives them tips)

You post has two sides.
One is that a cruise ship worker signs up for working on a ship serving customers. Be it cleaning sheets, pots and pans, the floor, providing entertainment, serving your food etc.

The other is because they decided to fight for our freedom.

Both have the same sacrifice of leaving loved ones behind.

As we cant "tip" our service men and women, I would suggest you send a care package "toothpaste, a toothbrush, a magazine, some clean socks, A set of playing cards, some cash. Even maybe a memory card for a camera (that can be traded if it isn't for their camera, but may buy/trade them something else).

The crew beach is a kind of lame thing since most of the servers will be already working on the island unless it is their day to have a few hours off.
So it's not like all the ships crew get to just chill out and relax!

 

[dclcruiser88]

Well the "shame on Disney" line is a bit strong and not justified. The crew members do have private, outdoor areas on the Dream/Fantasy in which to sunbathe, smoke, or just enjoy the sunshine. The bonus on the Dream/Fantasy is that these areas are totally out of guest view unlike the Magic/Wonder.

Disney Cruise Line respects and values their crew and the horror stories you hear on other lines do not exist on DCL. I would beg for you to please make sure that all the facts are present before putting inflamatory comments online.

Ever wonder if they lost a pool in order to gain other amenities that THEY wanted? Just saying.

DCL has crew members that have been with them since opening to include crew members from USA, UK, South Africa, and others. If they were bad, they wouldn't have that level of retention.

I would quiet down a bit for speaking on behalf of all CM's on DCL. I guess your not one?
Whilst they have Crew working for them from the beginning, it doesn't mean that they have other options that are better! And those in positions from USA, UK, South Africa are in officer paid positions, not crew for the whole.
As you say if things were that bad they would leave, what if they didn't have anything better to go back to? And they had to support a family?
I have a friend on DCL and the Dream and Fantasy have better cabins (note not Staterooms by any stretch of the imagination!) and whilst some things are better there are an equal amount of things that are not for the crew.

I'm sure DCL treats the crew with respect, but lets not look at how they live and work with some sort of rose tinted view.
They work and live within a hard environment to please everyone, passengers and employer 100% of the time.

 

[sissy_ib]

Ok, I have a question about crew time off and I guess this as good a place as any to ask. I know at every port some crew get to get off the ship. And sometimes time in port is extended so the crew can have extra time. Does this include room hosts? Like, when they are done with the morning cleaning can they ever go ashore?

 

[justmestace]

Ok, I have a question about crew time off and I guess this as good a place as any to ask. I know at every port some crew get to get off the ship. And sometimes time in port is extended so the crew can have extra time. Does this include room hosts? Like, when they are done with the morning cleaning can they ever go ashore?

Hopefully a CM can answer this for real....so I'm only going by what I've been told.
But first, I have a question....when would there ever be a time that the ship stayed in port longer, just for the crew? The ship will leave without passengers, if they aren't back, because the ship has to pay port fees. I'm not picking, I'm truly asking because I hadn't ever heard this before.

I *think* stateroom hosts can have a certain amount of time off per week. Just like any employee anywhere. It may only be that half day that the book mentioned, and if it falls on a port day, then yes, they can go into port. But for some reason, I want to say that if it isn't their scheduled "day off", then no, they can't.

 

[sissy_ib]

Hopefully a CM can answer this for real....so I'm only going by what I've been told.
But first, I have a question....when would there ever be a time that the ship stayed in port longer, just for the crew? The ship will leave without passengers, if they aren't back, because the ship has to pay port fees. I'm not picking, I'm truly asking because I hadn't ever heard this before.

I *think* stateroom hosts can have a certain amount of time off per week. Just like any employee anywhere. It may only be that half day that the book mentioned, and if it falls on a port day, then yes, they can go into port. But for some reason, I want to say that if it isn't their scheduled "day off", then no, they can't.

I have read, but not experienced, about a last minute change in itinerary in order to give crew members time off. This would not be a situation were they were late to get back to the ship, more like you board the ship and find out "We are going to be in XXXX port until midnight rather than 5 pm."

I know not everyone gets time off in every port. Maybe once a month or something. I guess I was thinking if I knew my room host was able to leave when he was done with his rooms I would put up the "Do Not Disturb" sign. But the chance they have a day off during my cruise is probably pretty small and I don't think that is how it works anyways.
Well, now I'm thinking about it though, I may decline nightly turn down service. With just DH and I, we don't need the room cleaned twice a day. The trash is never full and towels don't need to be replaced that quickly. We were in the room one night when the room host came by and I just got the navigators from him. We did not have any issue taking the comforter off the bed ourselves! It may be easier for both us and the room host if I tell him just to drop off the navigators and other info rather than doing everything!

 

[dclcruiser88]

Ok, I have a question about crew time off and I guess this as good a place as any to ask. I know at every port some crew get to get off the ship. And sometimes time in port is extended so the crew can have extra time. Does this include room hosts? Like, when they are done with the morning cleaning can they ever go ashore?

From what I've been told yes if they are scheduled off.
If they scheduled to be on or on call then no.

And 2 hours shore time doesn't leave a lot of time to get stuff let alone sunbathe!

 

[sissy_ib]

From what I've been told yes if they are scheduled off.
If they scheduled to be on or on call then no.

And 2 hours shore time doesn't leave a lot of time to get stuff let alone sunbathe!

Yeah, I was thinking if I had them skip my room that may be an extra 15 minutes. I know that even a few minutes can mean a lot when you have no time. Not sure if I should ask my room host or not? I don't know if they cover each others rooms or they still do there section then leave when done.

ETA: really part of this is me not needing them in the room that much. Our room host in January was nice but was ALWAYS in our room it seamed! Cleaned twice a day is just too much for us! That is part of the reason I love DVC. Housekeeping only comes every 4 days!

 

[justmestace]

I have read, but not experienced, about a last minute change in itinerary in order to give crew members time off. This would not be a situation were they were late to get back to the ship, more like you board the ship and find out "We are going to be in XXXX port until midnight rather than 5 pm."

I know not everyone gets time off in every port. Maybe once a month or something. I guess I was thinking if I knew my room host was able to leave when he was done with his rooms I would put up the "Do Not Disturb" sign. But the chance they have a day off during my cruise is probably pretty small and I don't think that is how it works anyways.
Well, now I'm thinking about it though, I may decline nightly turn down service. With just DH and I, we don't need the room cleaned twice a day. The trash is never full and towels don't need to be replaced that quickly. We were in the room one night when the room host came by and I just got the navigators from him. We did not have any issue taking the comforter off the bed ourselves! It may be easier for both us and the room host if I tell him just to drop off the navigators and other info rather than doing everything!

Boy, I have no idea. I've not heard of that ...staying late in port for the crew.

I'd be worried that if I left the "Do Not Disturb" sign out, they'd sit and wait for me to leave so they could still clean.
I've had some that seem to hang all day waiting to clean and others that have basically TOLD us to get out, they were going to clean, and if we didn't leave, then they wouldn't clean. NOT on DCL.

 

[dclcruiser88]

Yeah, I was thinking if I had them skip my room that may be an extra 15 minutes. I know that even a few minutes can mean a lot when you have no time. Not sure if I should ask my room host or not? I don't know if they cover each others rooms or they still do there section then leave when done.

ETA: really part of this is me not needing them in the room that much. Our room host in January was nice but was ALWAYS in our room it seamed! Cleaned twice a day is just too much for us! That is part of the reason I love DVC. Housekeeping only comes every 4 days!

Sorry I think my post was confusing!

I mean by a night off, done by like 9-10pm so could go ashore after that.
Not to put too much info in, but once all the rooms have been turned down and sorted out, the reports and disposing of the garbage need to be taken care of, and carts restocked.
If you want to give your SRH a break, then just say please skip my room tomorrow, we will be good, and here's $10. (And say I will ask for that $10 back if you clean and tidy my Stateroom!)

 

[AlexandNessa]

Just a few things I'm able to contribute:

Any white coat with 3 stripes gets his own room.

We were on DCL in 2008 when the ship stayed in Cozumel till midnight to give the crew time off in port.

Surveys are important. If a CM receives all EXCELLENTS then they go into a lottery for extra time off.

At least that is what I gathered from conversations with CMs.

 

[dclcruiser88]

Just a few things I'm able to contribute:

Any white coat with 3 stripes gets his own room.

We were on DCL in 2008 when the ship stayed in Cozumel till midnight to give the crew time off in port.

Surveys are important. If a CM receives all EXCELLENTS then they go into a lottery for extra time off.

At least that is what I gathered from conversations with CMs.

Some 2 stripes get there own cabin as well. They just don't have the whites or wear them.