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

[CruznLexi]

My husband was a waiter on RCI Majesty of the seas. He worked for the for over 7 years. The wait staff has a very hard job. Especially on embarkation and debarkation day. Breakfast starts at 6am and some are still lingering after 9amwith first passengers at 1130am. Most sat waiters have to work the Buffett restaruants every day. Some are assigned sit down lunch which will run From 11-2 then by 430pm they must be back in the dinning room for main seating. Then it is Pirate night or part under the stars. So by the time that is finished clean and put away it s 1-2am. They get off hours based on the comment cards at the end of the week. S when you mark good or less than good they get a small table or section for the next cruise or more hours at topsiders and no hours off or more time at the Private Island. They also have to pay for cabin cleaning fee and laundry fee as you can never get a washer dryer. You learn to sleep fast. Most will go out in someorts only to get supplies like toothpaste, water, shave items. Then go back to the ship. Most would rather sleep. Some work for months just to earn their plane ticket home which can be as high as $1500. You must sign a waiver that you work no longer than 80 hours a week. There are crew that have kids and husband and wife's back at home. Most when they go home feel like a stranger in their home. Most get 8 weeks off with a check for about $250 for the 8weeks. The monthly check is about $50 bucks. It is a hard life but they choose it.

 

[luv2sleep]

My husband was a waiter on RCI Majesty of the seas. He worked for the for over 7 years. The wait staff has a very hard job. Especially on embarkation and debarkation day. Breakfast starts at 6am and some are still lingering after 9amwith first passengers at 1130am. Most sat waiters have to work the Buffett restaruants every day. Some are assigned sit down lunch which will run From 11-2 then by 430pm they must be back in the dinning room for main seating. Then it is Pirate night or part under the stars. So by the time that is finished clean and put away it s 1-2am. They get off hours based on the comment cards at the end of the week. S when you mark good or less than good they get a small table or section for the next cruise or more hours at topsiders and no hours off or more time at the Private Island. They also have to pay for cabin cleaning fee and laundry fee as you can never get a washer dryer. You learn to sleep fast. Most will go out in someorts only to get supplies like toothpaste, water, shave items. Then go back to the ship. Most would rather sleep. Some work for months just to earn their plane ticket home which can be as high as $1500. You must sign a waiver that you work no longer than 80 hours a week. There are crew that have kids and husband and wife's back at home. Most when they go home feel like a stranger in their home. Most get 8 weeks off with a check for about $250 for the 8weeks. The monthly check is about $50 bucks. It is a hard life but they choose it.

Wow! Very sad!

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

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.

I totally agree...........

Industry seems to consider DCL living conditions better then other lines, but its a tough job in any case! (dam know someone is going to say I am favoring DCL...geesh)


Makes those threads on tipping seem a bit silly and unfair now!

AKK

 

[shburks]

I'm sure I'll get slapped for this, but you realize that we have US military personnel who deploy for a year at a time to live in tents in the desert or on ships away from their families, newborns, kids, etc who get paid peanuts (often) and do this more often than not voluntarily. There are no days off for some of these guys who live in open bay tents, wash their own laundry or pay someone to do it. Some are gone for as long as 18 months with only one chance to come home.

Just sayin

 

[outahere]

Some work for months just to earn their plane ticket home which can be as high as $1500.

That may be the case on RCI, but I've had several DCL CMs tell me that after they complete their contract, DCL pays for them to get all the way home. Be that by plane, bus, taxi, or any other mode of transportation. They also pay for them to get back to the ship for their next contract. The only trip they had to pay for was the first one to the ship, for their first contract.

 

[luv2sleep]

I'm sure I'll get slapped for this, but you realize that we have US military personnel who deploy for a year at a time to live in tents in the desert or on ships away from their families, newborns, kids, etc who get paid peanuts (often) and do this more often than not voluntarily. There are no days off for some of these guys who live in open bay tents, wash their own laundry or pay someone to do it. Some are gone for as long as 18 months with only one chance to come home.

Just sayin

That seriously puts it in perspective. No flaming from me. Thank you.

 

[twinstars]

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".

With regards to the musicians/entertainment staff, I am not sure they only eat in the crew mess on DCL. I personally sat beside a table of entertainers during one of my dinners at the Enchanted Garden during my March 2011 cruise on the Dream. I also stood right behind one of the dancers during a character meet on my Wonder cruise two weeks ago. He seems to be off that day and I saw him roaming the ship and taking the opportunity to have his picture taken with the characters as well. I also heard a conversation he was having with the lady that was managing the wait line for the character meet and it sounds like her family is on board with her.

I understand from a lot of the crew members in speaking with them that they are from another cruise line and are much happier with DCL than others as DCL offers medical and pension, which seems not to be the norm with the other lines from the conversations that I had.

As some have pointed out, the crew usually accepts the jobs because they are unable to find work or work of equivalent pay in their own countries. It is a choice that they make in order to better provide for their families. We all make similar choices, perhaps not necessarily having to leave our families for extended periods of time, but nonetheless, they are choices that we make.

With that said, I would never "stiff" the crew, I understand the posted gratuities are essentially the expected pay for meeting expectations. If someone that served me only perform what they are expected to do, I will tip them the posted rates. However, if I felt someone went above and beyond that, I will tip extra. This is what I would expect from my own job.

Overall, the crew with DCL has been excellent, even the ones that have only given so so service, I have tipped the suggested gratuities because I felt they were already doing their best. If I felt anyone was intentionally slacking off, then I would certainly consider deducting.

 

[RedSox68]

Cruise Confidential: A Hit Below the Waterline: Where the Crew Lives, Eats, Wars, and Parties. One Crazy Year Working on Cruise Ships by Brian Bruns is another interesting book about life as a cruise ship employee.


Author was the only American in Carnival Cruise Lines history to complete a full eight-month contract in their restaurants.

http://www.amazon.com/Cruise-Confid...347249215&sr=1-1&keywords=cruise+confidential

This book changed my view of ship life and is quite frank and shocking about what goes on behind the scenes. Mr. Bruns pulls no punches and his humor is priceless. He just came out with a "sequel" which talks about his experience as an auctioneer on the ships: Ship for Brains: Cruise Confidential.

 

[twinstars]

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?

Yes, they do. I believe they take turns. The lady that was our stateroom hostess on our cruise 2 weeks ago told me she has been to Skagway, but not Juneau, but it will be her turn next week to go to Juneau as they take turns.

 

[RedSox68]

I'm sure I'll get slapped for this, but you realize that we have US military personnel who deploy for a year at a time to live in tents in the desert or on ships away from their families, newborns, kids, etc who get paid peanuts (often) and do this more often than not voluntarily. There are no days off for some of these guys who live in open bay tents, wash their own laundry or pay someone to do it. Some are gone for as long as 18 months with only one chance to come home.

Just sayin

Absolutely no slapping here.......very well put and a lovely reminder of those who have it harder with no choices at all or ports to visit or time off. Sorry to go , but we have a friend who has been in Afghanistan for over a year and seen some terrible things. He gets to come home for ONE MONTH, then they are shipping him right back for another year! They do far more without the benefit of tips, comment cards or time off for good service!

 

[DisneyMomto3Boys]

Absolutely no slapping here.......very well put and a lovely reminder of those who have it harder with no choices at all or ports to visit or time off. Sorry to go , but we have a friend who has been in Afghanistan for over a year and seen some terrible things. He gets to come home for ONE MONTH, then they are shipping him right back for another year! They do far more without the benefit of tips, comment cards or time off for good service!

Agreed!

 

[budamacdvcr]

I'm sure I'll get slapped for this, but you realize that we have US military personnel who deploy for a year at a time to live in tents in the desert or on ships away from their families, newborns, kids, etc who get paid peanuts (often) and do this more often than not voluntarily. There are no days off for some of these guys who live in open bay tents, wash their own laundry or pay someone to do it. Some are gone for as long as 18 months with only one chance to come home.

Just sayin

Well said and thanks for putting things in perspective, especially on today.

 

[artemis908]

When I was getting a manicure I asked the girl if she left the ship when it was in port and she said she did all of the time and told me all of the places she had been and which were her favorite. This was on Royal Caribbean, not sure if your free time is dependent on where you work (spa vs dining room, etc.), but it seemed like they were enjoying their jobs. One of the crew members was in the salon getting her hair colored and looked like she was having a lot of fun with the two stylists. Maybe the spa/salon is one of the better areas to work in.

 

[sissy_ib]

When I was getting a manicure I asked the girl if she left the ship when it was in port and she said she did all of the time and told me all of the places she had been and which were her favorite. This was on Royal Caribbean, not sure if your free time is dependent on where you work (spa vs dining room, etc.), but it seemed like they were enjoying their jobs. One of the crew members was in the salon getting her hair colored and looked like she was having a lot of fun with the two stylists. Maybe the spa/salon is one of the better areas to work in.

The people who work in the spa/salon are not employed by the cruise line. They work for the company who runs the spa.

 

[artemis908]

The people who work in the spa/salon are not employed by the cruise line. They work for the company who runs the spa.

You know, I knew the Spa was ran by a separate company but it never occurred to me that they would probably be getting paid by them too (duh). So I wonder if life/work balance is better for them. I assume though they sleep in the same areas and have similar arrangements.

 

[justmestace]

I totally agree...........

Industry seems to consider DCL living conditions better then other lines, but its a tough job in any case! (dam know someone is going to say I am favoring DCL...geesh)


Makes those threads on tipping seem a bit silly and unfair now!

AKK

I DID say that I personally think that DCL has higher standards for their crew and staff. At least, I certainly hope so, and it's true, from what I've heard from their CM's.

I also said that the author only mentions Disney once...and that was just in passing while he said he'd auditioned for them. He says he worked contracts for 5 years on several different lines, but he only mentions his first contract, which only lasted 2 weeks...yep, two WEEKS....on an older Carnival ship and then another on a Royal Caribbean ship.

I'm really sorry, because I only wanted to point out some interesting reading, and mention that under the conditions these people work, I PERSONALLY will think about tipping better. I had no intention of starting a war.

 

[DarthTod]

I'm sure I'll get slapped for this, but you realize that we have US military personnel who deploy for a year at a time to live in tents in the desert or on ships away from their families, newborns, kids, etc who get paid peanuts (often) and do this more often than not voluntarily. There are no days off for some of these guys who live in open bay tents, wash their own laundry or pay someone to do it. Some are gone for as long as 18 months with only one chance to come home.

Just sayin

And anyone who has served in the Navy will tell you that the basic crew quarters on a cruise ship are equivalent to an officer's stateroom on a warship.

But I think the real point is that these folks on the ship are working their collective behinds off for not a heck of a whole lot, and it falls on us to treat them with respect and to tip accordingly (and generously if you are able.)

 

[justmestace]

I'm sure I'll get slapped for this, but you realize that we have US military personnel who deploy for a year at a time to live in tents in the desert or on ships away from their families, newborns, kids, etc who get paid peanuts (often) and do this more often than not voluntarily. There are no days off for some of these guys who live in open bay tents, wash their own laundry or pay someone to do it. Some are gone for as long as 18 months with only one chance to come home.

Just sayin

I agree wholeheartedly. Especially now that my youngest child has joined the military. BUT......I honestly don't think there's much of a comparison....for many reasons. One being that joining the military is a choice (right now)....my son is smart enough to have gone to med school or law school, but this was his choice. Another being the pay and benefits. Another being the opportunity for current and future education.

 

[justmestace]

You know, I knew the Spa was ran by a separate company but it never occurred to me that they would probably be getting paid by them too (duh). So I wonder if life/work balance is better for them. I assume though they sleep in the same areas and have similar arrangements.

In the book....and in some of the posts here, it's explained that there are CREW members, and then there are STAFF members. Staff, like the spa, entertainment, art auctioneer, etc...have a different set of "rules" than the crew does.


Again...I'll say this....I'm sorry that I never worked on a ship and don't have the exact 100% facts......all I was saying is that it's an interesting book.
It bothers me that this turned into one of those threads where a lot of people feel the need to argue or say "Well, I talked to so-and-so on the ship, and THEY said...."

 

[artemis908]

I agree wholeheartedly. Especially now that my youngest child has joined the military. BUT......I honestly don't think there's much of a comparison....for many reasons. One being that joining the military is a choice (right now)....my son is smart enough to have gone to med school or law school, but this was his choice. Another being the pay and benefits. Another being the opportunity for current and future education.

I was actually thinking the same thing. You're also fighting for your country and doing something respectful and honorable. Not to say that cruise line crew members shouldn't receive respect, but at the same time they are waiting on people with enough money to pay for a cruise and unfortunately not all of those guests are respectful.