Crew dining and drinking in uniform

[windsurferfirst]

We were on the Regal in February in the Crown Grill having dinner. A couple of groups of crew all dressed in their whites came. They ordered dinner wine and other drinks. As I was eating I got to thinking about it and thought is it right that crew who must of been off duty as they were drinking, should wear their uniform while drinking. I wondered what Princess's stance was on this and what sort of impression it gave the passengers. Princess must think it's OK or the crew wouldn't do it.

 

It still kinda niggles me. I wonder what you you guys think about it.

[deise17311]

We were on the Regal in February in the Crown Grill having dinner. A couple of groups of crew all dressed in their whites came. They ordered dinner wine and other drinks. As I was eating I got to thinking about it and thought is it right that crew who must of been off duty as they were drinking, should wear their uniform while drinking. I wondered what Princess's stance was on this and what sort of impression it gave the passengers. Princess must think it's OK or the crew wouldn't do it.

 

It still kinda niggles me. I wonder what you you guys think about it.

 

What niggles you about it? If white then probably some sort of officer - on Azamara the captain and his team ate in the steak restaurant each night and we loved it - made it feel like old world travel! They were not drunk but surely enjoying a night at sea with a glass of wine - I was more concerned with interacting with my own table mates then other's around me -

[Micahs Grandad]

As long as their eating there does not prevent you from doing so why should it matter at all.

 

I would not be happy if the entire steakhouse was taken over by the crew so we could not get reservation but other than that why should they not be there?

[dforeigner]

We were on the Regal in February in the Crown Grill having dinner. A couple of groups of crew all dressed in their whites came. They ordered dinner wine and other drinks. As I was eating I got to thinking about it and thought is it right that crew who must of been off duty as they were drinking, should wear their uniform while drinking. I wondered what Princess's stance was on this and what sort of impression it gave the passengers. Princess must think it's OK or the crew wouldn't do it.

 

It still kinda niggles me. I wonder what you you guys think about it.

 

Valid concern but keep in mind the following. Not everyone wearing white works at the bridge. Certain staff have what is called passenger deck privileges. Additionally, some on the managerial level, are allowed to eat and drink at the specialty restaurants.

[NavyVeteran]

If they were in whites, they were probably officers - not crew. Crew are not allowed to eat in passenger spaces.

 

Officers may be required to be in uniform when they are in passenger spaces.

 

Europeans are not as uptight about drinking as Americans. Wine with meals is standard. I would not expect to see the bridge officers drinking immediately prior to going on duty, but other officers would be allowed to have a drink with their meals.

[Keith1010]

Officers have to eat too and some have privileges that allow them to dine where the guests do.

 

Keith

[skynight]

When crew are on board in the passenger area they are supposed to be in uniform, regardless if on duty or not. Officers are permitted to dine in the Crown Grill. They know if they can consume alcohol or not, as they know when their shifts begin.

[hcw80]

Crew on the ship become very close just like military units do when deployed. They were probably celebrating an event in a shipmates life. Most officers are European and having wine with a meal is the norm since a young age. There is a redundancy in each position on the bridge, so if someone was impaired, he/she would be made to leave immediately.

[land lover]

If they were in whites, they were probably officers - not crew. Crew are not allowed to eat in passenger spaces.

 

Officers may be required to be in uniform when they are in passenger spaces.

 

Europeans are not as uptight about drinking as Americans. Wine with meals is standard. I would not expect to see the bridge officers drinking immediately prior to going on duty, but other officers would be allowed to have a drink with their meals.

 

Please don't generalize for all Americans if u mean U.S., poster is from Canada. I looked for that first. However, I am smiling seeing u are from Texas, Im from Politically Correct CA.

 

Actually crew does if u want to call the casino workers crew, they eat at the international Cafe so do other late night shift employees. I've seen it first hand.

Edited March 24, 2016 by land lover

[KirkNC]

We were on the Regal in February in the Crown Grill having dinner. A couple of groups of crew all dressed in their whites came. They ordered dinner wine and other drinks. As I was eating I got to thinking about it and thought is it right that crew who must of been off duty as they were drinking, should wear their uniform while drinking. I wondered what Princess's stance was on this and what sort of impression it gave the passengers. Princess must think it's OK or the crew wouldn't do it.

 

It still kinda niggles me. I wonder what you you guys think about it.

 

I have seen this on we every line we sail on, no problem here.

Edited March 24, 2016 by KirkNC

[pablo222]

If they were in whites, they were probably officers - not crew. Crew are not allowed to eat in passenger spaces.

 

Crew usually does not have deck privleges, but can be granted

a pass for a specific time by a department head, or senior officer.

 

I have had lots of dinners with crew in Crown Grill, Sabatini's, Bayou Cafe...

 

Depending on their position, even some staff require department-head

approval.

 

I'm not really sure what the problem is for the original poster.

The people working on the ship live on the ship. Where else

would they go to eat?

 

And, why be concerned with drinking in Crown Grill -- plenty

of drinking in crew bar, outside of passenger eyes...

[CI66774]

OP - doesn't bother me at all. Seen this many times on many different cruise lines. These were officers and it's permitted. Relax - and have another glass of wine.

[Colo Cruiser]

We were on the Regal in February in the Crown Grill having dinner. A couple of groups of crew all dressed in their whites came. They ordered dinner wine and other drinks. As I was eating I got to thinking about it and thought is it right that crew who must of been off duty as they were drinking, should wear their uniform while drinking. I wondered what Princess's stance was on this and what sort of impression it gave the passengers. Princess must think it's OK or the crew wouldn't do it.

 

It still kinda niggles me. I wonder what you you guys think about it.

 

 

Its been happening for a long time.

[Working 2 Cruise]

Like the others, so what? Do you think the officers (dress whites) should be confined to crew quarters for your comfort? Really?

[paul929207]

In days gone by, the officers used to eat dinner with the passengers. It was great to have one at the table with you. You got an opportunity to ask about cruising. Most supplied wine some or even better all nights.

[davekathy]

Like the others, so what? Do you think the officers (dress whites) should be confined to crew quarters for your comfort? Really?

 

Agree and say it's not so!!

[Potstech]

Guess how long a crew member let alone an officer would last if found on duty with alchohol smell on them? Most Captains would not hesitate to immediately remove the offender from duty and at the next port from his ship. They were obviously off duty and their position allowed eating and drinkng with the passengers. No problem what so ever. If the OP was so worried about it hey should have filed a complaint with the passenger services desk. Not here

[cyberjane]

Deck privileges are dependant on your rank. My daughter works as a dancer and gets to use most passenger facilities, provided she is dressed accordingly, is wearing her nametag, and does not take a table/seat away from a guest.

[johnmik1]

We have eaten in the MDR,Sabatini's and the Crown Grill with different officers from the Captain on down and were usually segregated from the other passengers,

unless it was busy and all the tables were needed.Some officers don't like to eat in the passenger venues and we have eaten in their cabins catered from the Crown Grill.

[Thrak]

I would imagine that it's mandatory for officers to wear their uniforms when in public areas. I'm equally certain that the officers don't drink while on duty or just before going on duty.

 

The US Navy doesn't allow liquor onboard their ships but I'm pretty sure the Brits aren't so uptight about it. Princess definitely allows liquor onboard their vessels (:rolleyes:) and I don't see any reason they should restrict their officers (or crew) from having a drink when off duty.

[Pam in CA]

While on the Pacific Princess, the Captain and his family ate at the next table. He was in uniform. It was delightful having them next to us. The kids were cute. I didn't notice or care whether the Captain had a drink.

[fishywood]

I've seen this for as long as I have been cruising. If an officer is hosting a table, whether for fellow officers or guests, it is absolutely de rigueur for wine to be served. And liberally poured. You are questioning a long-held tradition that no cruise line would dare take a stance against.

Edited March 24, 2016 by fishywood

[shredie]

I find it kind of bizarre that anyone would care what officers wear when they eat.

[riclop]

We were on the Regal in February in the Crown Grill having dinner. A couple of groups of crew all dressed in their whites came. They ordered dinner wine and other drinks. As I was eating I got to thinking about it and thought is it right that crew who must of been off duty as they were drinking, should wear their uniform while drinking. I wondered what Princess's stance was on this and what sort of impression it gave the passengers. Princess must think it's OK or the crew wouldn't do it.

 

It still kinda niggles me. I wonder what you you guys think about it.

 

I could not be bothered with what they do.

[chengkp75]

I think the OP is concerned about the image that is presented when officers are seen drinking in the guest areas wearing the company's uniform.

 

This is normal practice. As stated, unless it is a crew member whose uniform is not suitable for guest areas (and who would only be allowed in guest areas off duty in special circumstances), crew must be in uniform, whatever that uniform is, when in guest areas. Some require officers to change from their daytime whites to dress blues at 1800 if they are going to be in guest areas.

 

As to drinking, that is limited as well. All crew, as of 2011, must abide by the IMO's STCW standards of no more than 0.05% BAC at any time while onboard the ship. All crew are subject to random BAC screening, and can also be screened for cause (obvious intoxication). Most cruise lines limit the watchkeeping deck and engineering officers, as well as "the big 5" of Captain, Staff Captain, Chief Engineer, Staff Chief Engineer, and Hotel Director to a 0.00% BAC while serving onboard. This means that at the meet and greets, the Captain frequently has either club soda or ginger ale disguised as a drink.

 

Yes, access to guest areas is proportionate with rank, generally crew are not allowed, junior staff and officers require their department head's permission and are limited to the number of visits, while senior officers can go as they want. All of this is dependent on the maitre 'd's and the bartender's permission to be in the venue at that time. If it impacts guest service, they will be asked to come back another time.

 

Believe me, if you saw the behavior in crew bar, you'd know that the officers and supervisors you see in guest areas are choirboys.

 

In the old days, the officers were given a stipend to mingle with the guests and buy drinks. When the stipend went away, and the breathalyzers came out, the officers said, "why bother". Then the guests complained that they never saw any officers, so the hotel department supervisors were put in white and given stripes, so the guests saw "officers".