Anyone ever work on a cruise ship?

[Simba's Mom]

If so, how was it? The conditions? Pay? Treatment? Food? I guess what I'm most concerned about is safety. Ever since that groom from CT went missing, and there are so many allegations, I'm really concerned about that. DS just called and said he has an opportunity to work on a cruise ship this summer as a musician. He says the pay's pretty good, and you don't have anywhere to spend it anyways. But Mom here's kinda nervous. So what's it really like? Any info would help-I've never even been on a cruise ship.

 

[bicker]

I don't believe anything has changed with regard to cruise ship security in recent years -- we're just hearing about stuff, in a rather scary manner, that has always happened. Cruise ships are as dangerous as many other parts of our society, more dangerous than some, less dangerous than some. I wouldn't read too much into the news reports along those lines.

 

[Chris2597]

Dh and I love to cruise.....There have been a lot of reports of people going overboard....but I think most of the incidents involve too much drinking....These ships are huge....and you can get a bit of a vertigo feeling when looking over the side, especially at night(and this is sober).....I can very well see how an alcohol impaired person could tumble over the side of the ship....
I would worry if my child was venturing into unfamiliar territory....that is natural...

 

[texasthree]

I dont have any info for you. Just wanted to add a funny. I am an adult with children of my own and we are going on a cruise in may...........my mother is worried sick. She said she wont sleep the whole time were gone! I understand your worries!

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

I really wouldn't worry that much. I just read an article recently (sorry I couldn't provide it - I searched and searched, but no luck!!!) Anyhow...article stated you were something like 7 times more likely to be a victim of a crime in your everyday life/situation than on a cruise ship.

As long as you use common sense and don't do things like getting drunk and getting into bad situations with strangers - like inviting them back to your room, going someplace alone with them, or otherwise let your guard down because you are on vacation, etc....I really don't think you have anything to worry about.

i really think the media has blown a couple cases out of proportion. What I do think is inexcusable are the possible cover ups and the way the cases are handled after the fact..but that is another story.

To the OP, I think as long as your son uses common sense and all that - he will be just fine.

 

[DawnCt1]

One of my neighbors did. She is Canadian and signed up after she graduated from college. She worked under the social director so she was considered "staff". There are very strict deliniations between staff and crew. Crew is anyone who serves passengers; room stewards, waiters, maintainance workers etc. The pay isn't very good especially for the crew but those that receive tips do very well. Often its much better than they get in their own countries. The hours are very long. One doesn't get a day off but a shift, or two shifts here and there. On those days, they usually do laundry or sleep. Getting off of the ship gets old after you have sailed the same route repeatedly. If you want a description to some degree about what life might be like, there is a very poorly written book by Joyce Gleeson Adamis, former cruise director and current wife of a Celebrity captain (unless he since retired). She started on that line before Celebrity became Celebrity. I say poorly written because a fifth grader would have done a better job but it is clear that education wasn't her primary goal in life and she gives a good description of herself, her co workers and life at sea, which she really enjoyed.