Off-Duty Crew in Passenger Bars

[jimbo5544]

I have no problem with this, but some people apparently feel that the crew should be tied to their post 24/7.

 

I was on the Carnival Spirit in 2011 for the first Alaska sailing, and crew members were visibly excited too, with several coming up to the top deck to take pictures of the scenery when the ship visits Glacier Bay. I overheard some guy next to me mumbling to his partner about the crew being slackers and that he is not paying for them to take pictures.

 

I have no problem at all as well. In fact, I look forward to the opportunity. One of the things we enjoy about cruising is we can meet people from all over the world (including the crew). Funny you mention the Spirit, it was on our first Alaskan cruise where we saw more crew (mainly officers) and their families were traveling with them. We had 4 or 5 conversations with the captain. Very interesting.

[alpal1993]

Officers are allowed to go to certain Venues.They also are allowed to bring their families.I think this is wonderful. Have spent many hours with crew members off the ship as well,and enjoyed the opportunity.

[GOUSFBULLS44]

I actually like it, It gives you a chance to get questions answered you normally would not be able to, plus I like meeting people from other cultures.

 

Thank You

[Cincicruiser]

Husband and I were on the Cunard Countess back in the 80's. (Sunday to Sunday cruise) On Thursday's nights the staff (waiters, cabin stewarts, bartenders ets.) were allowed to invite not more than 2 passengers each, to the crew bar to party on deck 0. We went and had a great time. The guys were playing music on their own instruments, we danced, their crew bar sold drinks for 50 cents, and there was a pool table. Party started about 11:00 and we stayed until 1 or 2. Not sure how long it lasted. We thought it was great. But that was in the "good old days."

[honeybunches]

My daughter is still Facebook friends with some of the ship's crew from 5 years ago when she sailed with her husband. Note the term "friends" here. ;)

[Havingfun2010]

There is a difference between staff and guest. Staff is there to take care of the guest. Many companies have rules that prevent staff and paying guest to mingle. Staff is not on vacation!

 

They are also provided with entertainment, bars, gyms, food etc. They have their own space equipped with everything they need. They also, signed a contract, and agreed to the life of a ship. They are not poor lonely souls. They live and work with over a thousand others. No need to feel sorry for them.

[092306]

Doesn't bother us, but I really don't recall seeing crew members in the bars or comedy club. Have only seen the dancers at the gym.

[WindsorFred]

Doesn't bother me at all.

 

Same here. We were actually on a tour with some of the entertainment staff our last cruise.

[JennN]

There is a difference between staff and guest. Staff is there to take care of the guest. Many companies have rules that prevent staff and paying guest to mingle. Staff is not on vacation!

 

They are also provided with entertainment, bars, gyms, food etc. They have their own space equipped with everything they need. They also, signed a contract, and agreed to the life of a ship. They are not poor lonely souls. They live and work with over a thousand others. No need to feel sorry for them.

 

Wow, how narrow-minded a view. I don't think anyone was "feeling sorry" for them but rather, treating the staff and crew like human beings. Separate but equal much?? :SMH:

[DocF]

I'm glad I'm not alone in wondering why people get upset about this. Those crew work hard and deserve a little R&R.

 

I know the answer. Some people are not happy unless they are miserable. They love to find something, anything about which to complain. I suspect these people hate themselves.

 

And yes, it is primarily officers, entertainers and security who are able to use passenger areas when off duty. When we did the Magic TA, the off-duty officers and their families would gather at the after Lido bar in the evening. I joined them one night (at their invitation) and had a nice time.

 

Doc (who welcomes crew to share a bar or dance floor or whatever)

[sjcruiser]

I saw the comment on JH FB page, and do not mind them using the venues or mingling with passengers when they are off, which usually occurs late at night. I've sailed both Carnival and Royal, and have mingled with staff members, which is usually officers, bar staff, and the entertainment crew (dancers and singers) very late at night in the nightclub/disco, on the Promenade, or while they were grabbing some pizza or a snack on the Lido or Promenade. They usually hang by themselves until engaged by passengers, and have not taken over tables or seatings as was referred to by the OP on JH's page. I personally enjoy talking to them, and became friends with several crew members on Royal, who I still keep in communication with today. When I actually hung out with them several nights in the piano bar and nightclub on Royal, we ordered together, although we paid separately using our cards, and I got some of the strongest drinks during that time compared to when I ordered by myself, or when they weren't there.

[SMSACE6]

It wouldn't bother me at all.

[Disconnections]

There is a difference between staff and guest. Staff is there to take care of the guest. Many companies have rules that prevent staff and paying guest to mingle. Staff is not on vacation!

 

They are also provided with entertainment, bars, gyms, food etc. They have their own space equipped with everything they need. They also, signed a contract, and agreed to the life of a ship. They are not poor lonely souls. They live and work with over a thousand others. No need to feel sorry for them.

 

With the exception of Disneyland Tokyo which is only partially owned by The Walt Disney Company, Cast Members are given complimentary year round theme park admission and are invited to visit all of the Disney Parks & Resorts Worldwide, with very few blackout dates. Also, Cast Members are allowed to enjoy the parks before/after their shift, as long as their costume isn't visible. If they're training, they're allowed to experience the attractions in their costumes with other guests with them.

[Misplaced Floridan]

Agreed, but the passenger spaces are much nicer. Are you afraid of coming into contact with off-duty crew?

 

The last time I did the behind the scenes tour on the Fascination, someone asked the policy of the crew "fraternizing" with passengers. The guide said they have a very strict policy on crew hooking up with passengers as it can obviously lead to... bad things for Carnival. That's probably why is very rare to see crew in the passenger bars. Drinking (even a little) can lead to other things.

[figdu]

DW and I both enjoy sitting and talking with the crew. If I found them in the bar I am more than likely going to buy them a drink not whine about them being in a guest area taking up space.

[JLee1973]

There is a difference between staff and guest. Staff is there to take care of the guest. Many companies have rules that prevent staff and paying guest to mingle. Staff is not on vacation!

 

They are also provided with entertainment, bars, gyms, food etc. They have their own space equipped with everything they need. They also, signed a contract, and agreed to the life of a ship. They are not poor lonely souls. They live and work with over a thousand others. No need to feel sorry for them.

 

No one is feeling sorry for them. They are humans and *******s who think they are servants are the ones I feel sorry for.

 

 

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[JennyD1]

Just got off the Legend yesterday. I did see a group of off duty crew all dressed up and hanging out in the casino late one night, having a good time, enjoying a few drinks from the casino bar. The only way I knew that they were crew, is that they all had their carnival name tags on. It did not bother me at all.

[kdawg954]

Different cruise line but I was on a Celebrity ship when we stopped at Coco Cay this past January. The captain brought a cooler and 5 of his best volleyball players and I got to play against his crew in a tournament. I mean it was a blast and they chilled literally for 3/4 hours before the captain joked to everybody that "Well I guess I have to get back to the ship as it won't go to Nassau by itself". Really cool dude and was also hilarious at the Captain's show.

 

Just good times and there isn't an issue with off duty crew chilling with passengers. Obviously they have to watch themselves, just like any ordinary working person would do at an off duty function or something but there is nothing wrong with this.

[gtalum]

There is a difference between staff and guest. Staff is there to take care of the guest. Many companies have rules that prevent staff and paying guest to mingle. Staff is not on vacation!

 

They are also provided with entertainment, bars, gyms, food etc. They have their own space equipped with everything they need. They also, signed a contract, and agreed to the life of a ship. They are not poor lonely souls. They live and work with over a thousand others. No need to feel sorry for them.

 

Wow.

[jackparts]

Years ago, I was able to give assistance to some crew members of a Princess ship off the ship. When I saw one of them, he brought over one of the officers and I was invited to the crew quarters. I learned that was not allowed, but apparently, exceptions can be made. Great party time but felt sad when I saw the living areas. Very small, but a lot of the crew felt fortunate to have their jobs. Hard work, long hours but the food was great and they send $$ home to their families. They do get a decent wage especially the higher job classifications, much more than back home.

[OCruisers]

Years ago, I was able to give assistance to some crew members of a Princess ship off the ship. When I saw one of them, he brought over one of the officers and I was invited to the crew quarters. I learned that was not allowed, but apparently, exceptions can be made. Great party time but felt sad when I saw the living areas. Very small, but a lot of the crew felt fortunate to have their jobs. Hard work, long hours but the food was great and they send $$ home to their families. They do get a decent wage especially the higher job classifications, much more than back home.

 

The Captain and high ranking officers can take you anyplace on the ship they please ... including the crew bar. ;)

LuLu

[goaties]

I understand only officers can. White uniforms. We did see a lady in a white uniform chew a new one for the pizza guy. He was just speechless with his mouth open. I reported her. Do not know if it mattered. I did on the Triumph, being the first ship see crew eating tacos at the new taco bar. It did not bother me at all. We did comment that in several cruises, that was the first time ever to see staff eating with us. They wanted tacos and that was fine.

[kdawg954]

There is a difference between staff and guest. Staff is there to take care of the guest. Many companies have rules that prevent staff and paying guest to mingle. Staff is not on vacation!

 

They are also provided with entertainment, bars, gyms, food etc. They have their own space equipped with everything they need. They also, signed a contract, and agreed to the life of a ship. They are not poor lonely souls. They live and work with over a thousand others. No need to feel sorry for them.

 

Who said they feel sorry for them? All people are saying is they don't have a problem with an off duty crew member having a drink at a bar with cruise ship guests.

 

It's probably not appropriate, just because you get funny acting guests who feel they have to prove a point about semantics and those crew members shouldn't subject their financials to such trivial behavior by a select few. In fact, it's probably the reason you rarely see them off duty.

[jwm51]

There is a difference between staff and guest. Staff is there to take care of the guest. Many companies have rules that prevent staff and paying guest to mingle. Staff is not on vacation!

 

They are also provided with entertainment, bars, gyms, food etc. They have their own space equipped with everything they need. They also, signed a contract, and agreed to the life of a ship. They are not poor lonely souls. They live and work with over a thousand others. No need to feel sorry for them.

 

I see someone's NOT having fun at all!:eek:

 

Need a hug?;):D

[jimbo5544]

Wow.

 

double wow