Crew Question

[malacajo]

I know this is probably a very obvious question but my son and I are wondering if the quarters for all of the crew are below water level on the ship?? I wonder if they get much rest on a 7 day cruise??

 

[Brandis]

If you look at a picture of the Disney Dream, for example, you will see that below the outside promenade, there are 2 decks with relatively big port holes, the bigger ones on deck 3 are from public areas, the smaller ones one deck below are guest cabins.

Then, another deck below, deck 1m there are pretty small portholes, they are for crew areas like mess hall and cabins for medium rank crew, then a lot of inside cabins for regular crew is on that deck as well. So this deck is still above water level. The next 2 decks, usually called decks A and B are probably mostly storage rooms, preparation kitchens and technical areas, but some cabins might be here as well.Most crew have 2 bed cabins and they usually are even smaller than the smalles guest cabin.

I once got a tour of crew areas on another ship and it was really obvisous, how close the cabin doors were on the crew decks, also, the corridors are much narrower. However, most modern cruise ships usually have a big central corridor on which you can walk pretty much the full length of the ship, the ship crew often gives them a funny name like Route 66, I-4 or so.

They have very long work hours, so they don't get much rest at all. Also, they work 7 days a week for several months. For example the dining room waiters, they have to be ready before breakfast service starts, as not all servers are needed in the dining room at breakfast, others will have to help out at the buffet, which often opens earlier than the dining room, so they might have to get up at 6 or before. Then they might geht short breaks between meals, but probably not more than an hour or 2. Once dinner is done, they have to clean up the dining room, get it ready for breakfast again and then might have a meeting where the next days meal are discussed. They might get out of the dining room by 11 PM or midnight.

That's a pretty hard work schedule.

 

[kcashner]

On the Magic and Wonder, there are guest cabins on decks 1 and 2. Below those decks are A and B, which is where most of the crew cabins are located. They are very small, and in most cases are shared by 2 people. There are separate officer's suites; senior officers can have their family cruise with them. There is a crew gym, pool, crew and officer's mess, etc. It's like they have their own city that we rarely if ever see!

 

[Brandis]

Many cruise ships have a small pool all the way forward in the bow, however, on the Dream, this area is used for Vibes.

I once saw and could take a picture of the complete deck plan for RCL's Brilliance of the Seas, there, the captain has a suite just below the bridge and it's huge, especially the living room:

Also, on Holland America's Prinsendam, we once were invited to a cocktail party hosted by the captain in his private quarters. Even though that ship is pretty small (about 800 passengers), his "cabin" was very nice and spacious. Of course, I only saw the living room

Just found a video which gives you an idea, how cramped the crews area are, notice the narrow corridor and how the doors between cabins are much closer than on guest decks:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isVsgkBXvyo

You'll also get lot's of results, if you search for "cruise ship crew cabins" on youtube.

 

[stitchlovestink]

On the Magic and Wonder, there are guest cabins on decks 1 and 2. Below those decks are A and B, which is where most of the crew cabins are located. They are very small, and in most cases are shared by 2 people. There are separate officer's suites; senior officers can have their family cruise with them. There is a crew gym, pool, crew and officer's mess, etc. It's like they have their own city that we rarely if ever see!

We noticed the crew's pool when cruising on the Wonder. In the 6 or more times we viewed it, we never once saw Anyone in it or even around it. We inquired with a few CM's about that and were told that it really didn't see much use because of their busy schedules and limited time off. It appears that they 'gave' the crew pool to the teens in the design on the Dream. Well at least that is my opinion.

 

[disney 2010]

Here is info about crew life on dcl and their accommodations.


http://dcljobs.com/shipboard-life/accommodations

 

[malacajo]

Thanks for all the info, for some reason all of this just fascinates me...I think I'm hoping that Disney (not just Disney, but all companies) treat their staff well, etc. I can't believe they work so many days like this..I hope they are paid well!

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

On the Classic Class, there are crew cabins on deck B, A, (Aft-Midships to forward) Deck 1 (Starboard side Midship's to Forward), Deck 2 (Forward Port and Starboard), some Deck 5 Aft, Staterooms and a Deck 8 Stateroom or two (Forward).

On Deck A the waterline is waist height., Deck B is below the waterline.

Deck 1 Aft accommodates the Crew Mess, Officers Mess, Officers Bar, Crew Bar and good's handling. The I95 (the corridor Forward to Aft) also accommodates the crushed glass, bailed cardboard, and used product's to be offloaded.

Deck A Aft has refrigerated and mass food and beverage storage.

Thanks for all the info, for some reason all of this just fascinates me...I think I'm hoping that Disney (not just Disney, but all companies) treat their staff well, etc. I can't believe they work so many days like this..I hope they are paid well!

70 hrs a week is the usual contracted hours for the majority of Crew, plus overtime.
As to the pay, that is too subjective to answer I'm afraid! lol!


Ex Techie

 

[kcashner]

70 hours a week? Hmmm..since they work a 7 day week, that's only 10 hours a day. I think my room hostess worked 27 hours a day on our last cruise. I do know our server was DELIGHTED that she was off for breakfast one day.

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

70 hrs contracted, up to 92 or 93? hrs on overtime was allowed under DCL's "Project Onboard" on the clock.
Fireable offence if caught working off the clock though.

Ex Techie