Staff stalking bathrooms

[freshmanjs]

Just finished 7 day cruise on the Fantasy. One thing was very striking vs. past cruises. They have a staff member stationed at all "public" restrooms. They seem to be observing guests who use the facilities in some way. It is kind of creepy. Are they looking for sick passengers? What are they supposed to be doing?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Just finished 7 day cruise on the Fantasy. One thing was very striking vs. past cruises. They have a staff member stationed at all "public" restrooms. They seem to be observing guests who use the facilities in some way. It is kind of creepy. Are they looking for sick passengers? What are they supposed to be doing?

Keeping the place clean.

 

[Dug720]

Keeping the place clean.

This.

Pretty much every theatre in NYC has restroom attendants. They help patrons know when a stall is available (something that is a challenge in the full-length doored restrooms on DCL), keep it clean, etc. They are NOT keeping tabs on you.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Keeping the place clean.

Agree. They are keeping the restrooms cleaned and stocked.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

And I'll add to that, the public restrooms on DCL are much nicer than any of the other lines I've been on, in that respect. Although Princess is pretty good about keeping them clean, the decor isn't all that great, and each one usually only has 3 stalls (at least one of which has an "out of order" sign on it).

 

[bakerworld]

Our last DCL my husband walked in and out of a public facility and luckily there was an attendant close because a passenger inside was using the wall instead of the urinal.

 

[SailingScout]

I have always thought the restrooms on DCL were amazing. I especially give kudos to the CMs who work at the pool bathrooms-not an easy task to keep those looking decent! I always make sure to write down bathroom attendant names on the comment card. On our last trip we became friends during dinner because I would have to take my son to the restroom so often!

 

[mmouse37]

Unless OP means someone other than the bathroom attendant. I always try to build a rapport with the attendant as they are always so friendly. Have seen many repeatedly over several cruises.

I was mortified on our last cruise on the Magic LOL. We had just sat down to dinner in Rapunzel's Royal Table and I said I'd better hit the ladies room before we order. Well, one of the "thugs" overheard me and escorted me all the way out of the dining room and to the ladies room.....yelling all the while "MJ has to go to the bathroom!" And, on top of that he yelled from outside "everything OK in there...hurry up dinner is starting" I was laughing so hard (as were the people in the hallway). He waited and escorted me all the way back to my seat. PSA....go to the ladies room BEFORE you enter the dining room!

MJ

 

[squirk]

Just finished 7 day cruise on the Fantasy. One thing was very striking vs. past cruises. They have a staff member stationed at all "public" restrooms. They seem to be observing guests who use the facilities in some way. It is kind of creepy. Are they looking for sick passengers? What are they supposed to be doing?

I gotta go with everyone else - the CMs were just standing by to keep those bathrooms super-clean. Constant vigilance is the price we pay for always-immaculate bathrooms.

 

[luvdamouse91]

I observed the opposite on the Wonder earlier this month. I am used the attendants constantly working in the restrooms, and sadly they were not.

 

[TestingH2O]

They also open the main door so you don't have to after you've already washed your hands.

As a parent, I appreciate the attendants because they also help DD wash her hands so that I don't have to. It makes the whole process faster.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

Wow, I have been on three DCL cruises, and I do not recall there being any attendants helping guests. I recall a CM cleaning in the restroom one time. But I cannot recall restroom CMs always being present.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Wow, I have been on three DCL cruises, and I do not recall there being any attendants helping guests. I recall a CM cleaning in the restroom one time. But I cannot recall restroom CMs always being present.

The attendants tend to be there more often during busy times. I always see them in the restrooms by the MDRs at dinner, in the restrooms by the theaters around show times, or just about any of the "public" restrooms on embarkation day prior to staterooms being available. I've always assumed it was because those were times when supplies would need to be restocked often and the restrooms could get messy if there wasn't someone there to keep up with the cleaning. But if you stop by the restrooms at a time when there aren't a lot of people around, then you are less likely to see an attendant.

 

[Nicole Reicher]

Do the restroom attendants expect tips as well?

 

[dclpluto]

Do the restroom attendants expect tips as well?

Nope. Most people don’t carry cash on the ships anyway

 

[freshmanjs]

Keeping the place clean.

This.

Pretty much every theatre in NYC has restroom attendants. They help patrons know when a stall is available (something that is a challenge in the full-length doored restrooms on DCL), keep it clean, etc. They are NOT keeping tabs on you.

Agree. They are keeping the restrooms cleaned and stocked.

Thanks for the replies. However, these were NOT acting like bathroom attendants. I'm very familiar with that concept and go to theaters in NYC all the time. These "attendants" were standing outside the bathroom doors at attention like guards would stand. They did not open doors for people. They did not help with towels or soap or anything at all. If a person came out within about 120 seconds, the "attendant" did nothing but stand at attention outside the door. If you were in for more time, they would come inside and stand near the utility closet. They would wait for you to finish. They would watch you wash hands. Then they came back outside to stand at attention. There was nothing evident that they were doing other than watching guests. That's why I posted. This behavior was not consistent with a bathroom attendant to help guests. Nor were they actively cleaning much of the time if at all.

 

[mmouse37]

Thanks for the replies. However, these were NOT acting like bathroom attendants. I'm very familiar with that concept and go to theaters in NYC all the time. These "attendants" were standing outside the bathroom doors at attention like guards would stand. They did not open doors for people. They did not help with towels or soap or anything at all. If a person came out within about 120 seconds, the "attendant" did nothing but stand at attention outside the door. If you were in for more time, they would come inside and stand near the utility closet. They would wait for you to finish. They would watch you wash hands. Then they came back outside to stand at attention. There was nothing evident that they were doing other than watching guests. That's why I posted. This behavior was not consistent with a bathroom attendant to help guests. Nor were they actively cleaning much of the time if at all.

Very interesting. I know the bathroom attendants usually wear a white shirt and black pants IIRC. What you describe certainly does not sound like a regular bathroom attendant. Maybe they are surveying guests habits. Do you remember what they were wearing? Their outfit may determine what department they were from.

Thanks for coming back to explain!

MJ

 

[rcchello]

What is described here is what Disney might do it there were reports of a problem with a guest. If someone reported that there was someone bothering them around the bathrooms, Disney might post people near the bathrooms. If this were true Disney would not discuss, confirm or deny it. This would deal with the problem without having to confront anyone.

 

[squirk]

Thanks for the replies. However, these were NOT acting like bathroom attendants. I'm very familiar with that concept and go to theaters in NYC all the time. These "attendants" were standing outside the bathroom doors at attention like guards would stand. They did not open doors for people. They did not help with towels or soap or anything at all. If a person came out within about 120 seconds, the "attendant" did nothing but stand at attention outside the door. If you were in for more time, they would come inside and stand near the utility closet. They would wait for you to finish. They would watch you wash hands. Then they came back outside to stand at attention. There was nothing evident that they were doing other than watching guests. That's why I posted. This behavior was not consistent with a bathroom attendant to help guests. Nor were they actively cleaning much of the time if at all.

I have observed this in the past, notably by the bathrooms near the kids’ pools, but as @Maggie'sMom said, only in times of high traffic. I just chalked it up to them being “at the ready” to clean up after messy guests and to mop up water dripped on the floor by wet bodies. Those all-marble bathroom floors can get mighty slippery.

I never felt “observed” other than them wanting to be “Johnny-on-the-spot” with regard to any mess left behind. Granted, the hyper-vigilance was a little disconcerting, but only because I was unaccustomed to it.

But maybe your situation was something different - extenuating circumstances. Reports of people peeing on the floor; kids clogging toilets, etc.

 

[amiskell28]

Thanks for the replies. However, these were NOT acting like bathroom attendants. I'm very familiar with that concept and go to theaters in NYC all the time. These "attendants" were standing outside the bathroom doors at attention like guards would stand. They did not open doors for people. They did not help with towels or soap or anything at all. If a person came out within about 120 seconds, the "attendant" did nothing but stand at attention outside the door. If you were in for more time, they would come inside and stand near the utility closet. They would wait for you to finish. They would watch you wash hands. Then they came back outside to stand at attention. There was nothing evident that they were doing other than watching guests. That's why I posted. This behavior was not consistent with a bathroom attendant to help guests. Nor were they actively cleaning much of the time if at all.

Very interesting. Perhaps there were reports of issues with folks being harassed in bathrooms or something? Or doing things they shouldn't in there? Although, I can't imagine this 'guard' wouldn't interact with guests in some way when it became clear you weren't causing issues. Did you ever talk to any of them?