Tidbits you've learned about crew members..

[drclaws]

The June 19th Western also had a 1:00 a.m. departure from Cozumel, we were told for the same reason. Well deserved, but I fell asleep before departure and didn't get to sit on my verandah watch for the late arriving passengers from Carlos and Charlies or Senor Frog's running for the ship!

 

[CM_Mom]

Just to let you know what one CM thinks, DD's comments to folks at home are "I get to live in the Caribbean...and I get paid! The work is hard but I love it." It's her dream job.

 

[crisi]

Not many folk work 7days a week for 6 months continuous - without a day off.I know it's their choice, but its still hard work

It is hard work, but I'm not sure its that unusual. There are a lot of Moms who never get a day off (one of my girlfriends grew her hair out because finding an hour to get it cut was too difficult). When I was in college I carried a full load plus and worked two jobs -- when I had a "day off" it was dedicated to study. A lot of people in entertainment work a day job and then do community theatre at night. Then you have those folks who volunteer to coach soccer or be a boy scout leader. And those people who have to work two jobs to make ends meet. Then there are those who work constantly because there jobs are that demanding - my DH had a year of 60 hour work weeks, and when he had a day at home, it was generally spent on the phone. I had six months of ten pm conference calls. My workday yesterday started at 4am and ended at 6pm - and then I got my kids from daycare. On the ship they don't have lawns to mow, children to take care of (at least, not their own), dinners to cook, groceries to shop for or house trim to paint.

I'm not saying it isn't hard work - it is. The staff has some very long days - and monotonous. And the pay is less than spectacular. But more of us make that choice than you are giving us credit for.

 

[Talking Hands]

I know they provide interpreters and I did have interpreters for the shows. What I saw was the castmembers from the shows and the characters signing this MIckey Mouse song and wondered of they do that every cruise or just when deaf and hard of hearing are cruising. It really touched my heart.

 

[CM_Mom]

I'm sure most of the CMs and all the characters know the signing and I wouldn't be surprised if that is normal. On a cruise of 2500 people, I would think there are people with "talking hands" whether they have requested interpretation services or not. They teach it to the children in the Club for the "Discover the Magic" show the children participate in. At least where my DD is concerned, once you learn motions of any type to a song, whether just for fun or signing, it's almost impossible to sing the song without the motions.

 

[abitjaded]

I was amazed at the amount of education our servers had. One was an experienced electrician, the other a lawyer. But they were both from poor countries and there were no opportunities at home. They worked the DCL to have enough money to help their future dreams along.

Carla

 

[inkkognito]

One of our stateroom hosts was an engineer from the Phillipines. He had started out in an engineering position but was actually able to make more money cleaning staterooms!

So many of the crew members have fascinating stories to tell. One of our greatest pleasures in sailing on DCL is chatting with them and learning about different countries, different lifestyles, etc. It's like a little slice of the world.

Barb

 

[BethA]

I had asked our server what happens if they do not get an excellent rating. He said the manager calls them in to discuss it, but if they do get enough excellents they will get a lunch or breakfast free--not quite a day off. Our asst server said they sleep most of the time they get off.
It is hard work and some guests are not so nice to the CM. On one cruise the table next to us sent back every meal the first three nights, and did nothing but complain. The rest of the week the came sporadically, and I bet they didn't tip the suggested amount.

 

[jlawall]

Last summer, my server told me that repeat cruisers can sometimes be the most difficult customers. They tend to be more demanding and expect more from the servers. He was "excellent" and would have done anything to make our stay "perfect." He was a class act and so was the asst. server.

 

[vikingfans]

I love being a repeat cruiser (halloween will be our 4th cruise) I can understand about being more demanding. We try not to be, I understand that there are 3000 people on this ship and I can not be attended to at every moment, but I've seen others who do.

My hubby and I love to "play" with the staff. Make jokes and do our best to make their lives easier. It's just more fun that way. We try to make them smile as much as they try to make us smile.

 

[inkkognito]

Wow, after 38 cruises they must consider us the "Guests From You-Know-Where!"
Barb

 

[abitjaded]

I have always wondered, Barb, if you guys make the servers nervous? Not because of anything you do, but who you are. Seems like I'd be terrified if I was your server, not exactly like you guys ARE incognito, EVERYONE must know who you are. How does everyone deal with you?

Carla

 

[inkkognito]

Actually, we are always greeted very warmly I always feel like I'm back among friends. It's amazing how many people on board know us! It's always funny when we meet an occasional person who doesn't. A couple of cruises ago, I was picked by a guy on cruise staff to be Gloria Gaynor, and he had no idea who I was. We know most of the cruise staffers, but this just happened to be someone we didn't. He overheard me talking to the other two "volunteers," telling them it was going to be lots of fun. He said, "Oh, have you done this before?" I said, "I've seen this show many times...this is my 36th cruise!" He almost fainted! He kept saying, "You have to tell Teesha" (the host), and I kept saying, "Believe me, she knows!" The expression on his face was priceless.
Barb

 

[jlawall]

So, Barb....was it your first time being Gloria? How did you like it?

 

[inkkognito]

Actually, it was my second. I was chosen on one of our early cruises, and hubby missed it because he ran back to the stateroom and I was done by the time he returned. Then, several cruises later, my knee cap popped off while dancing at the 70s Party on the Magic. I had to take it very easy on dancing for a long time after that, but eventually the doctor said I don't have to wear my brace for dancing anymore. Now I can get down and boogie again!

It was fun being Gloria, although I was a little nervous about the knee thing. But I know all the moves that the crowd likes, so I tried to put on a performance that would have made me laugh if I were watching it. Hubby had to be pretty liquored up when he was John Travolta, but I am an exhibitionist so it was no problem for me to go up in front of the crowd.

Barb