Does Carnival hire Americans?

[chengkp75]

Since all of CCL ships are under foreign flags I believe that 3600.00 month is tax free under U.S laws and if an employee works more than 40 hours per week they do not get time and a half. I would think because cruise ships under foreign flags do not have to obey U.S. labor laws. Most of the cruise lines employee's work 6-9 month contracts. One of the posts said cruise ships employee's do not mingle with the guests which not entirely true because the Officers and the entertainment employee's do mingle with the guests but on limited bases. If they are caught in a guest's cabin they're in big trouble.

 

Gary

 

Generally, there is an amount of salary, from whatever source, that is tagged as "base" and some as "overtime". This is contractual with the hiring agency that provides the crewmember. The "base" salary is never seen by the crewmember onboard, it is required to be sent to the home country, via the hiring agency. These guys take a cut, for "providing the service of getting the crewmember and the company together" (many hiring agencies in the US do this as well), then the rest is taxed, and then sent to the crewmember's family. The "overtime" is put into the crewmember's account onboard, and he can draw cash from this, or charge things in the crew store, etc. This money is also reported to the home country, and is taxable there.

 

The "overtime" is not at a 1.25 or 1.5 times the base wage. The ILO has set the minimum wage for seafarers as $592/month for 40 hours/week. This, plus a percentage of the wage above this amount (varies by contracted hiring agency) is considered the "base" wage. Any amount earned above the ILO minimum + the above percentage, is considered "overtime" and the rate is not fixed to the base wage.

 

Not wanting to get into the whole "does the service charge all go to the crew" debate, the cabin steward does not see anything like $2.50 per person per day. $700-800/month total wage is about normal for a cabin attendant. More of the service charge goes to those who you don't see than in the past. This is the lines' attempt to create a "total team" concept for the hotel department, where they all benefit or suffer depending on the level of service provided. I won't get into a debate over whether this pay is equitable or not, nor whether the service charge policies are right or not, just stating facts as I know them.

[Shipbound]

I was referring to the vast majority of the employees (hotel staff, restaurant staff, maintenance crews, etc). In their "off" time (the little there is while on the ship), they can't just go sit in the bar for 2 hours, or attend trivia events, or tie up the internet cafe, etc. etc. to pass the time like the customers can.

 

The ones who's job it is to interact with and entertain customers (cruise director, activity staff) are a little different in terms of mingling with customers. And of course the captain, managers, etc are entirely different.

 

I stand corrected you are right.

[dbsb3233]

Generally, there is an amount of salary, from whatever source, that is tagged as "base" and some as "overtime". This is contractual with the hiring agency that provides the crewmember. The "base" salary is never seen by the crewmember onboard, it is required to be sent to the home country, via the hiring agency. These guys take a cut, for "providing the service of getting the crewmember and the company together" (many hiring agencies in the US do this as well), then the rest is taxed, and then sent to the crewmember's family. The "overtime" is put into the crewmember's account onboard, and he can draw cash from this, or charge things in the crew store, etc. This money is also reported to the home country, and is taxable there.

 

The "overtime" is not at a 1.25 or 1.5 times the base wage. The ILO has set the minimum wage for seafarers as $592/month for 40 hours/week. This, plus a percentage of the wage above this amount (varies by contracted hiring agency) is considered the "base" wage. Any amount earned above the ILO minimum + the above percentage, is considered "overtime" and the rate is not fixed to the base wage.

 

Not wanting to get into the whole "does the service charge all go to the crew" debate, the cabin steward does not see anything like $2.50 per person per day. $700-800/month total wage is about normal for a cabin attendant. More of the service charge goes to those who you don't see than in the past. This is the lines' attempt to create a "total team" concept for the hotel department, where they all benefit or suffer depending on the level of service provided. I won't get into a debate over whether this pay is equitable or not, nor whether the service charge policies are right or not, just stating facts as I know them.

Thanks for the info. That's quite interesting.

 

Now that most cruiselines just automatically collect gratuities rather than use the old envelope method, do you know if a customer leaves an extra cash tip in the room whether that usually gets kept by your cabin steward, or are there strict rules about them having to turn it in to pool it/report it?

Edited July 16, 2015 by dbsb3233

[Roscoe13]

Someone brought this topic up to John Heald, but used the angle that service would improve with American workers. That wasn't what I was saying at all with this topic. I've received nothing but excellent service from Carnival or any cruise line. I started the topic just questioning why Carnival doesn't even have an option for Americans to apply.

 

 

To get back to the original question...

 

America, whether we accept it or not, is a land of opportunity. Which leads to many options for the hard working, motivated worker.

 

Carnival looks at that fact and realizes that most foreign workers don't have a fallback opportunity if the hours get long and lonely. Most Americans do, as they could easily work for minimum wage at 50 hours a week and collect time and a half for the 10 hours after 40, and make much more than on the ship and have more free time and more control of the balance in their life.

 

Let's face it, even most of our poor in America are living a standard that far exceeds what many experience in 3rd world countries.

 

Land of opportunity I tell ya.

[chengkp75]

Thanks for the info. That's quite interesting.

 

Now that most cruiselines just automatically collect gratuities rather than use the old envelope method, do you know if a customer leaves an extra cash tip in the room whether that usually gets kept by your cabin steward, or are there strict rules about them having to turn it in to pool it/report it?

 

You're treading very close to a "tipping thread" which I avoid like the plague. It depends on the cruise line, and it depends within a particular cruise line whether the service charge was modified or not. Sometimes it stays with the person it was given to, and sometimes it is pooled. Muddying this further is the fact of life that if you ask the person receiving the tip, they will tell you what is in their best interest. That's as far as I'm willing to go towards tipping.

[dbsb3233]

I stand corrected you are right.

No problem. :)

[dbsb3233]

You're treading very close to a "tipping thread" which I avoid like the plague. It depends on the cruise line, and it depends within a particular cruise line whether the service charge was modified or not. Sometimes it stays with the person it was given to, and sometimes it is pooled. Muddying this further is the fact of life that if you ask the person receiving the tip, they will tell you what is in their best interest. That's as far as I'm willing to go towards tipping.

Thanks. That's kinda what I figured. And of course on top of that is the "don't ask don't tell" potential for a cash tip. Even if they're "suppose" to pool it... well, who knows.

 

And I get what you're saying about tipping threads. They can get almost as bad as the formal night dress code threads (almost). ;)

[crusinpsychRN]

There is an American at Alchemy bar on Pride. Great guy.

[ccruisequeen]

Imagination and inspiration have Americans as a part of the entertainment staff (games, trivia, karaoke etc)

 

I still cruise for Warm Chocolate Melting Cake (with 2 sugar-free vanilla ice-creams)

[BJzink]

Thanks. That's kinda what I figured. And of course on top of that is the "don't ask don't tell" potential for a cash tip. Even if they're "suppose" to pool it... well, who knows.

 

And I get what you're saying about tipping threads. They can get almost as bad as the formal night dress code threads (almost). ;)

Or, smoking rules!!!

[MasterMason]

Carnival Cruise had an almost all American crew on 1 ship, it was ported for the Hawaiin itineraries. They sailed, I think 2 or 3 times, and the amount of complaints from the guest were so high, they shut down the sailings, and rehired all foreign workers and basically "rebooted" that route. Since then, Americans haven't been given on-board general crew duties.

 

This is what I've been told. I'm usually a skeptic, but THIS, I believe.

 

 

 

 

 

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[pbsteve]

the guys putting people in harnesses for the skywalk on the breeze last year were from Texas

[Fitzget]

Carnival Cruise had an almost all American crew on 1 ship, it was ported for the Hawaiin itineraries. They sailed, I think 2 or 3 times, and the amount of complaints from the guest were so high, they shut down the sailings, and rehired all foreign workers and basically "rebooted" that route. Since then, Americans haven't been given on-board general crew duties.

 

This is what I've been told. I'm usually a skeptic, but THIS, I believe.

 

 

 

 

 

__

 

 

I believe you're talking about NCL and their shipped they had flagged in the U.S.? In those cases they had to pay us minimum wage standards and follow labor laws, etc.

 

It all boils down to the fact that most ships are flagged in other countries without labor laws like ours, and Americans could not afford to live off of what most cruise ship workers make.

[ladygal4.4]

I've seen them, but they're mostly performers or camp carnival workers

[ThatPerson]

Does anyone on earth know what I can do to get a hold of Carnival's Human Resources Department? I've been calling for the past couple of days about the status of an application and everyone keeps transferring me to the wrong place. I've even hung in there long enough to GET to what is announced as "Human Resources" and when I get to finally talk to someone, they say their department hires for positions on land even though I selected 'shipboard'.....sooooooo confusing.

[gfountain1]

The reality of cruise ships are they fly flags of convenience to avoid taxes and regulations of more developed nations with high living conditions. Also, a cruise ship is run on the principle exploiting an under class of workers from developing countries that will provide labor for near slave wages. In many countries like Vietnam, the wages appear very appealing compared to the jobs in their local town.

 

By suppressing these wages to real lows, cruise lines are able to offer lower rates that Americans and other wealthy nations can afford to take their family of 5 on without breaking the piggy bank. Since Carnival is a publicly traded company, naturally they will always be looking for ways to cut costs (which include labor costs in large) in order to appeal to share holders.

 

If one were looking for a perfect model of proletariat/bourgeoisie, you needn't look further then a cruise ship model. With all of that said, I enjoy cruising but do tip generously as I feel class guilt when I see these people working the hours they do. I have a deep disdain for spoiled passengers that feel they are above the crew and treat them unjustly or snobbishly.

[ThatPerson]

Gfountain1, I truly appreciate you taking the time to respond, and in such an eloquent manner, as well. :)

 

What you have said makes perfect sense; my thought now is if there a line that seems to be hiring more than others would be, right now? I know Carnival is known for lower pricing----no doubt meaning lower wages----should I work harder to get into Royal Caribbean instead? I have applied there as well, but I don't think I'll be very qualified unless I get some kind of certificate in hospitality. Penn Foster has a program you can complete in 4 months for $760. I'm heavily considering that.

 

Anyone's thoughts?? :)

[ryano]

I know Carnival is known for lower pricing----no doubt meaning lower wages----should I work harder to get into Royal Caribbean instead?

 

I doubt RC pays anymore than Carnival would and in my limited experience, there are WAY less Americans on RC ships than there are on Carnival as far as crew goes.

[cocoaloco]

Many are very good efforts. My most recent experience was 28 days on the Elation and one of the Guest Services supervisors, Jessica, is from the U.S. and will likely be a hotel director before too long.

 

She is great and well experienced. She served on the NCL ship in Hawaii for several years before coming to Carnival. So success stories do happen for U.S. citizens working on board

[gfountain1]

If you're really set on seeking employment with the cruise lines, perhaps you should research the in demand jobs that are open to Americans. They seem to hire Americans to handle the entertainment and child care programs. Acquiring the necessary education will give you an edge on the competition. Perhaps a degree in hospitality would be a good place to start.

Edited June 7, 2016 by gfountain1

[ryano]

I went to a "Meet the Stars" meeting on Royal one time and met a couple from the US that were part of the ice skating team. It was interesting to hear of their tales of life onboard a cruise ship. They had their own cabin together and had way more liberties onboard than most of the crew and a lot more downtime and days off. I kinda take it that all the entertainment staff does as well. If i were gonna do it, that is definitely where I would want to be, in entertainment.

Edited June 7, 2016 by ryano

[ThatPerson]

Gfountain1, Ryano, Cocoaloco-----very insightful perspectives, very helpful. Each response is helping BIG TIME so I can get this sorted out. Thankful to be a on such a high-class forum....you all know what you're talking about, and it's refreshing! I appreciate the help. Thank you so much for your time!

[makeda]

The statement was based on their assistant getting a portion of the $3.90.

 

$2.50 per person based on two per cabin.

Times 24 cabins. Sometimes more cabins sometimes less.

Times 30 days.

$3600.00 per month.

 

OMG people...tell me, how many of you have such open conversations about your salaries? The "tip" is shared by the steward with his/her team which may include 2-3 assistants.

[chengkp75]

Gfountain1, Ryano, Cocoaloco-----very insightful perspectives, very helpful. Each response is helping BIG TIME so I can get this sorted out. Thankful to be a on such a high-class forum....you all know what you're talking about, and it's refreshing! I appreciate the help. Thank you so much for your time!

 

 

Most shipboard jobs are filled through staffing agencies, not through the lines themselves. If you google sites like "cruise ship jobs", several will pop up with job descriptions and anticipated pay levels. Some specifically do not allow US citizens or residents to apply, leaving only those jobs where US citizens typically succeed, like kid's counselors and entertainment, to be direct hired by the line. Many other positions like casino, spa, and gift shop are hired by the company that has the franchise for those services.

 

Know that cruise ship jobs are not like taking a cruise. There is hard work, little off time, cramped quarters and long contracts with penalties for leaving early. If you really want to get a taste of what cruise jobs are like, and want a salary that is more in line with US wages (though still around minimum wage for entry jobs), try NCL's Pride of America, which is US flag, so has to have an all (with a few exceptions) US crew.

Edited June 7, 2016 by chengkp75

[ThatPerson]

Good to know. Thank you. :)