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

[kamik86]

That's actually a really good question, even though you made me chuckle....and trust me, I NEEDED that chuckle!!


Being a skeptic, I'd want to know for sure that if the price of a cruise went up in order to provide better wages for the crew, I'd want proof.
I honestly think our military men and women could be better compensated, too, and if I were in any position to do so (President, Congress, whatever) I'd figure out a way to quit wasting money and direct it toward what I feel is important, like our service men and women.

When I mention waste, I'm thinking of the amount of money I've read that the gov't spends on things like hammers, when they're so cheap at Sears.

I wish they would find a way to stop things like this.

Another example: I know someone who works on miltary bases doing installs and construction work. He to get two trucks for upcoming work for the next few years for work driving equipment around the bases. Because the funding came in so late they had to rush to get the vehicles. Also these government contracts can't own property so they had to lease the vehicles. The only trucks available to lease that they were allowed to get and would have time before install had to start to meet schedule were supped up trucks with WAY more special features then one could ever need just to drive equipment around a base. So the government spent a ton more because funding was late and there are odd rules about what they can/cannot get

 

[nunzia]

Since I read the book too, I want to make it clear that the author was not whining about working on a ship. Only certain aspects of it. He found more positive things than negative and did it for 5 years. I also read the article (I'll see if I can find it) written by the DCL worker and her story was similar, though she didn't last as long.

Personally, I think the living conditions are ridiculous. You can google DCL crew member rooms and see a pic of how small those rooms are. The insane hours they work and the food they eat just seems bad. Add to that the classing system (i.e. officers and staff having nicer rooms and food than the crew) seems awful (not sure what that part is like on DCL). But again, these people chose that as their job and go back time and again. So the perks (friendship, travel, etc) over-rides the negatives. I could see this being a fun job for a young, single person. If I were young, I might want to give it a whirl. But for a 41-year-old-married-fart such as myself....no thanks!





No.

Not because I don't think they deserve more, I do! But because we all know where that money would eventually go. In corporate hands.
We usually tip high anyway for things and I budgeted our tips to be quite a bit higher. But I think I'll budget even more now. If we get really great service, I'd love to be able to do something special back. (I also have no problems lowering tips of things are bad and don't improve after speaking up.)


ETA: Here is that article

You'll have to click the link at the bottom to start at the beginning. Also, it was written in 2007 so things may be different.

Again, it's not like you should feel sorry for someone working in that position. Clearly they love what they do and choose to do it time and again. But I think it's good to be aware of what it's like.

That doesn't bother me at all..it's incentive to work your way up to have a better room, etc. When I was a manager I didn't expect to have the same office as my superiors, the same pay or the same perks..and my wait staff didn't expect to have what I had (actually they had better pay and perks than me but that's another story). The rooms aren't bad considering it's on a ship and space is valuable. If I was young and an extrovert I'd love to do something like that. Being an introvert..no way.

 

[justmestace]

That doesn't bother me at all..it's incentive to work your way up to have a better room, etc. When I was a manager I didn't expect to have the same office as my superiors, the same pay or the same perks..and my wait staff didn't expect to have what I had (actually they had better pay and perks than me but that's another story). The rooms aren't bad considering it's on a ship and space is valuable. If I was young and an extrovert I'd love to do something like that. Being an introvert..no way.

Bonnie read the same book that I did, and I'll repeat what she has said....the author wasn't complaining, mostly stating facts as he saw them and he also talked a lot about the good times he'd had.

BUT....in reference to your post above.....most positions held on the ships (any cruise line) are NOT ones that allow any room for advancement.
You won't find someone starting out cleaning toilets ending up as a Cruise Director. It just doesn't happen that way.
If you read about the cruise industry, you'd understand this a little better.


Edited to add: I notice from your signature that you're just about to take your first cruise. If there's any way possible, try to check out some of the crew areas. Your idea of "not so bad" might change a bit. You appear to be pretty tall, from the picture you have on here...I'm guessing you outgrew a bunk bed when you were at least 8-10 years old. It probably wouldn't be so bad to have to sleep on one now, for a week or so....but for an entire cruise contract? Ouch. Backache City!

 

[nunzia]

Bonnie read the same book that I did, and I'll repeat what she has said....the author wasn't complaining, mostly stating facts as he saw them and he also talked a lot about the good times he'd had.

BUT....in reference to your post above.....most positions held on the ships (any cruise line) are NOT ones that allow any room for advancement.
You won't find someone starting out cleaning toilets ending up as a Cruise Director. It just doesn't happen that way.
If you read about the cruise industry, you'd understand this a little better.


Edited to add: I notice from your signature that you're just about to take your first cruise. If there's any way possible, try to check out some of the crew areas. Your idea of "not so bad" might change a bit. You appear to be pretty tall, from the picture you have on here...I'm guessing you outgrew a bunk bed when you were at least 8-10 years old. It probably wouldn't be so bad to have to sleep on one now, for a week or so....but for an entire cruise contract? Ouch. Backache City!

I have read one of the books mentioned. The author moved up to an art autioneer..I believe the people he worked with could move up higher in their dept..head server etc. Does this give them better rooms? Probably not, but when you take the job you take all the job entails and I've had some pretty crappy jobs and been fine with what was given and expected of me. As for the picture I don't know who you are looking at but I am 5'4". I was also in the military and since I signed the paper I knew what to expect and yes, had the big dorm rooms, awful matress cot, no privacy and latrine detail. It comes with the territory, and folks who sign on either like it and stay, do it until something better comes along or go back to their home country to find other positions there if they find the cruising life isn't for them.

 

[shburks]

Add to that the classing system (i.e. officers and staff having nicer rooms and food than the crew) seems awful (not sure what that part is like on DCL). But again, these people chose that as their job and go back time and again. So the perks (friendship, travel, etc) over-rides the negatives.

Like a pp, this doesn't bother me either. That's the way life works...the president of the company has a better office than me with more perks. My husband's base commander (yes, here I go with military comparisons...it's what I know!) has better pay, a much bigger house and a car to drive for military purposes. Do I begrudge him that? No. Wish I had his house, but if I did, what would be the reason to try harder? That's socialism if we're all guaranteed the same things, right?

emost positions held on the ships (any cruise line) are NOT ones that allow any room for advancement.
You won't find someone starting out cleaning toilets ending up as a Cruise Director. It just doesn't happen that way.
If you read about the cruise industry, you'd understand this a little better.

I'm sure you're right about that. But someone cleaning toilets could end up as head toilet cleaner, right? An assistant server could be a main server?

I'd wager that those in higher positions (officers) have the right background...degrees and vast experiences with ships and/or management. Is that correct? Also, do things like your background, language abilities (speak English fluently as well as other languages) factor into your job on DCL? I'd hope the CMs who work with children have a background in working with children...or at least LIKE children and have a background check run on them!

 

[artemis908]

I'd wager that those in higher positions (officers) have the right background...degrees and vast experiences with ships and/or management. Is that correct? Also, do things like your background, language abilities (speak English fluently as well as other languages) factor into your job on DCL? I'd hope the CMs who work with children have a background in working with children...or at least LIKE children and have a background check run on them!

That's a good question, when I was on a Mediterranean cruise I thought most cruise employees would know Italian since they tend to have a lot of Italians on these cruises. When we were doing the lifeboat drill I was surprised that none of the people giving instructions seem to know Italian (or French). It was amusing to watch this English crew member try to get room numbers from each person. The Italians were more or less laughing and nice about it. This one French woman though... she was SO nasty. She was rolling her eyes and getting angry because he didn't know French and couldn't understand her. She had such an attitude and angry about even being there. I felt bad for the guy, he was just trying to do his job.

 

[justmestace]

Like a pp, this doesn't bother me either. That's the way life works...the president of the company has a better office than me with more perks. My husband's base commander (yes, here I go with military comparisons...it's what I know!) has better pay, a much bigger house and a car to drive for military purposes. Do I begrudge him that? No. Wish I had his house, but if I did, what would be the reason to try harder? That's socialism if we're all guaranteed the same things, right?




I'm sure you're right about that. But someone cleaning toilets could end up as head toilet cleaner, right? An assistant server could be a main server?

I'd wager that those in higher positions (officers) have the right background...degrees and vast experiences with ships and/or management. Is that correct? Also, do things like your background, language abilities (speak English fluently as well as other languages) factor into your job on DCL? I'd hope the CMs who work with children have a background in working with children...or at least LIKE children and have a background check run on them!

Yep... I bet someone could be the head toilet cleaner...I guess that would mean you'd clean the Captain's toilet. But it isn't going to get them a raise or a private room. Or even the opportunity to eat in the Staff Mess, where they serve something other than rice and fish heads.
I'm only saying that I for one, my own personal feelings, feel sorry for these people, and will always treat them with respect, a friendly smile and an extra tip. Just because I paid to be on vacation doesn't mean that I have to leave my good manners and compassion at the door. I don't care if they ARE there to serve me, I'm going to be as nice as I can. And whether we stayed in a suite or in a lower category room, that's how I've always behaved.


Also....on most ships, yes....education has a lot to do with it, especially (obviously) for the Officers.
From what I've been able to learn, a lot of the cruise lines hire their crew in a way that makes it easier for them (crew) to communicate with eachother. You'll often find the same nationalities working in the engine room, or as stateroom hosts, or in the casino, or in the laundry room or kitchens.

I can't say what the policies are on hiring those who work with the children. But way back there somewhere, I and a few others had mentioned that DISNEY doesn't seem to stick to the same "guidelines" in their hiring practices as most of the other cruise lines do. DCL is a lot more diverse than most.

 

[justmestace]

I have read one of the books mentioned. The author moved up to an art autioneer..I believe the people he worked with could move up higher in their dept..head server etc. Does this give them better rooms? Probably not, but when you take the job you take all the job entails and I've had some pretty crappy jobs and been fine with what was given and expected of me. As for the picture I don't know who you are looking at but I am 5'4". I was also in the military and since I signed the paper I knew what to expect and yes, had the big dorm rooms, awful matress cot, no privacy and latrine detail. It comes with the territory, and folks who sign on either like it and stay, do it until something better comes along or go back to their home country to find other positions there if they find the cruising life isn't for them.

I'm sorry. I thought you were one of the gentlemen pictured at Disney in the family photo in your sig. They both look pretty tall to me. But I'm only 5'2" so everyone looks tall to me!

 

[maleficent esq.]

Most people in the military do NOT join to serve their country. They join for personal reasons. I have met one person who joined for patriotic reasons and he ended up doing everything he could to get kicked out because the lifestyle just wasn't for him. Most people join for the benefits and steady paycheck.

Being the very proud mother in law of a young man in Special Forces I am sorry you have this opinion. My experience has been quite different and I am constantly humbled and amazed at what these young men sacrifice on a daily basis in order to protect and defend our country. Thank you SEALs.
Best to All
Mal

 

[FJS961]

I have the utmost respect for our service men and women. My dad was in the Army and my brother in law serves currently. Last time I looked, there was no draft in effect. These folks choose it voluntarily. Whether they do it out of pure patriotism, following family legacy, trying to better themselves, earn money for college, skills for a later career, or whatever ... I appreciate that they do it at all.

 

[sissy_ib]

Being the very proud mother in law of a young man in Special Forces I am sorry you have this opinion. My experience has been quite different and I am constantly humbled and amazed at what these young men sacrifice on a daily basis in order to protect and defend our country. Thank you SEALs.
Best to All
Mal

I should have said most do not join just to serve their country. In my experence people who have not served have a very different view of military members than actual members. The public likes to put active duty and veterans on a pedestal. We are no better than anyone else.

ETA: I know we are way off topic but to clarify. I am patriotic. I am very proud of my service to my country. But to say I joined just to serve is not correct. The reasons most people serve is personal and not driven by patriotism.

 

[nunzia]

I'm sorry. I thought you were one of the gentlemen pictured at Disney in the family photo in your sig. They both look pretty tall to me. But I'm only 5'2" so everyone looks tall to me!

That's ok
BTW..I also want to stress that although I don't feel 'bad' for them because of the job they have I also have utmost respect for THEM and the job they DO and how difficult it is. I have many years working low paying front line positions with the public and well... I cringe at people who treat those serving them poorly, have more patience with mess ups than most and tip high.

 

[RedSox68]

Our server last year on the Dream was telling us that that was his 11th contract with Disney! He's been in the industry 18 years, but 12 with Disney. I have never heard of anyone staying on that long -- he must really like the lifestyle He was a middle-aged man and did have family back home! I guess they're okay with it, too.

 

[DL1957]

Our server last year on the Dream was telling us that that was his 11th contract with Disney! He's been in the industry 18 years, but 12 with Disney. I have never heard of anyone staying on that long -- he must really like the lifestyle He was a middle-aged man and did have family back home! I guess they're okay with it, too.

We just got off the Magic. Our server has been with DCL for 12 years, Palo Server 10 years and we met up with other CM who was 11 years. Over the years we have met up with many CM who have been with DCL over 10years.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

I should have said most do not join just to serve their country. In my experence people who have not served have a very different view of military members than actual members. The public likes to put active duty and veterans on a pedestal. We are no better than anyone else.

ETA: I know we are way off topic but to clarify. I am patriotic. I am very proud of my service to my country. But to say I joined just to serve is not correct. The reasons most people serve is personal and not driven by patriotism.

That is a very board and unsupported statment, as a Vet and the Father and son of vets...what ever you may have done yourself is not the point, the men and woman I know have have had a deep love of country .....I think you had better prove that statement or withdraw it!



Every American service man and woman deserves to be put on the pedestal!!!..........YOU SHOULD REMEMBER THEY ARE OUT THERE FIGHTING FOR YOU RIGHT TO HAVE YOUR OPINION!, BUT NOT TO PUT THEM DOWN! AND YES THAT IS JUST WHAT YOU WERE DOING!

SHAME ON YOU!

AKK

 

[sissy_ib]

That is a very board and unsupported statment, as a Vet and the Father and son of vets...what ever you may have done yourself is not the point......I think you had better prove that statement or withdraw it!



Every American service man and woman deserves to be put on the pedestal!!!..........YOU SHOULD REMEMBER THEY ARE OUT THERE FIGHTING FOR YOU RIGHT TO HAVE YOUR OPINION!, BUT NOT TO PUT THEM DOWN

SHAME ON YOU!

AKK

Don't twist my words around. I am a veteran. My husband is active duty. I am NOT putting anyone down. People in the military are just people too. That is all I am saying.

 

[sissy_ib]

That is a very board and unsupported statment, as a Vet and the Father and son of vets...what ever you may have done yourself is not the point, the men and woman I know have have had a deep love of country .....I think you had better prove that statement or withdraw it!



Every American service man and woman deserves to be put on the pedestal!!!..........YOU SHOULD REMEMBER THEY ARE OUT THERE FIGHTING FOR YOU RIGHT TO HAVE YOUR OPINION!, BUT NOT TO PUT THEM DOWN! AND YES THAT IS JUST WHAT YOU WERE DOING!

SHAME ON YOU!

AKK

I never said they didn't. I said no one I know joined only for their patriotism. I literally know no one who joined for selfless reasons alone. The reason the benefits for the military in America are so good is because service is not obligatory. Very few would volunteer if it was not worth it.

 

[mmouse37]

Since this is way off topic and has turned political....it is being closed.

MJ