Cruise Ship Crews Overworked?

[Bookish Angel]

A book about the cruise ship industry. Read it and draw your own conclusions.

 

As for hubby and I, we tip VERY well and try to get to know the hard-working folks who make our vacation special. Also, we are very self-sufficient folks and do a lot of things for ourselves so we don't work people to death.

 

I will admit to having some misgivings about the labor practices of the cruise ship industry and plan to do some further investigating; perhaps for a public radio story.

[famoussd]

If you think about it, they probably come from harsher conditions back home and get paid even less.. By taking a job with a Cruise Line they get to make a little more money for their families, see the world, and meet wonderful human beings like you and me..:)

[emmysmommy]

My humble thoughts on the subject....

 

No matter where the people who work on the ships come from (granted most are from poorer countries) - they all leave family and friends for 6-10 months of the year, share cramped quarters with another cabinmate, share a bathroom with 3 other people, and have to serve, clean-up after, entertain, and cater to all the people who arrive on board expecting to have the time of their lives. We've talked to cabin stewards and dining staff and found that they don't even have the luxury of eating the same food served in the dining room - they eat basic, bland food with little variety from day to day. (Oh, wait a minute, that's the buffet isn't it?)

 

Nevertheless, I agree with everyone who thinks that most of the time, excellent service is rended by these hard working folks. I find pleasure in extending generous gratuities to the men and women who have made my cruising experience unforgetable.

[MSSQRL]

Just another thought. While it is true, this is the life they have chosen and for the most part they do make a lot more money on a cruise ship than they would at home and they probably do work a lot less hours for a lot more money than they would at home, we should not use these issues as justification for either poor working condtions or to treat crew members badly.

 

I can't say with any certainty what the working conditions are. But, I can say with certainty that these people are our fellow mankind and we should treat them with the same respect that we would treat our neighbor, our friends, our family members and our co-workers. In God's eyes, we are all created equal and it's because of the efforts these hard working people put forward that we are able to enjoy our cruises so much. So, even if you can't tip everyone, at least give every worker you come in contact with a kind word and a thank you for a job well done. While money is of course the ultimate thank you, kind words go a long way as well in making their day a little brighter and a little less lonely for their family.

[Tatka]

I can't say with any certainty what the working conditions are. But, I can say with certainty that these people are our fellow mankind and we should treat them with the same respect that we would treat our neighbor, our friends, our family members and our co-workers. In God's eyes, we are all created equal and it's because of the efforts these hard working people put forward that we are able to enjoy our cruises so much. So, even if you can't tip everyone, at least give every worker you come in contact with a kind word and a thank you for a job well done. While money is of course the ultimate thank you, kind words go a long way as well in making their day a little brighter and a little less lonely for their family.

 

I hope nobody thinks otherwise...:cool:

[jason534]

tough issue. but, i think you can find examples of injustice in almost every company/industry you interact with. so my rule is simple: do everything i can to ensure my family enjoys our rare vacation time together and also treat every person we interact with respect and dignity.

 

i like the post about candy and cookies. on my last cruise we received a bottle of wine from carnival that we did not drink. i asked an employee that treated us well if he was allowed to accept it as a gift. his smile and apprecation for the gesture was awesome. we should all tip these folks for a job well done and we should also find a way to brighten their day as people!

[cruznlobo]

Here's a novel idea.....All the smuggled booze you take on board.....Whatever you don't drink.....leave for the steward.

Believe me they do appreciate it.

[direfun2000]

Andy:

 

Bumping is against the rules, and the thread hadn't even left the front page when you bumped it.

 

 

 

Bump

[andy1]

yes, yes... no more bumping. thx

[andy1]

Over the weekend, news reports were out concerning an attempted pirating of a ship...

 

The crew protected the passengers and appeared to be quite prepared. This incident has given me more respect for the ones who run these giant ships and make it look so routine...

[picklebongo]

What is "bumping" a thread? I have noticed in Camp Carnival all the workers appear to be American, Canadians or from Australia. What is the reasoning for this I wonder?

[PACURN]

Bumping is moving the thread up to the front on the list/page. When a person posts on a thread it moves to the beginning of the first page.

I think that I will put my son to work on a cruise line for a year or so. He'd be so dang busy that he couldn't get in trouble. He'd certainly know what it's like to have to work hard. HEHEHE.

I always try to thank people who help me have a wonderful vacation. I walk down the hall and tell someone who is busy cleaning "thank you". I've had a few people look at me like I'm crazy. ;)

[surfklutz]

The overall service on any cruise ship from any cruise line is consistently excellent. I'm sure that for the most part the workers can do better financially on a cruise ship than they could do at home but they do work extremely hard and earn every penny plus more.

 

Everyone should keep in mind that they aren't there to see the world but rather to make money. If they've done a good job, throw them a few extra bucks (that goes for people in port too). Another thing my wife and I do is to treat them respectfully and not like the hired help, pick up after ourselves to make cabin stewards job easier and thank them for doing a good job.

 

I hate to be the one to tell you but the concept of the "ugly American" is alive and well on cruiseships. A lot of the crew are not really fans of the American public. Next time you're on a cruise keep in mind that dealing with the drunkenness, gluttony, waste, disregard for rules and obnoxious behaviour of some of the passengers is just a temporary nuisance for you but is a week in and week out factor for the staff and in most cases is their window to the American culture.

 

Have you ever been on a ship with a bunch of Europeans?

[surfklutz]

I know they choose to be there and it is a job. However, it is not a job as any American knows. There are no limits to the amount of hours worked or days worked. Most work 12-16 hours at a time, 7 days in a row, for their entire contract. While waiters may make $2000-$2500 monthly, if you divide the hours (they work all three meals, everyday!), it comes out to less than $2.75 an hour.

 

Andy1

Georgia

Hello,

 

It is not a job as any American knows? I strongly and with all due respect 100% disagree with that. I was in the Navy back in 1980-82 time frame when the hostages were in Iran. I was part of a squadron VAQ-137 from Whidbey Island, WA, deployed on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Ranger out of San Diego, CA. I worked 12 hour days, 7 days a week for a span of 75 consecutive days at sea. I did not get a day off and as previously mentioned in addition to my 12 work day i also had to do a watch of 4 hours every 3-4 days.

 

While that may pale in comparison to soldiers on the front lines in the war in Iraq, where i imagine they are stuck there, not enjoying the freedoms of the U.S. Also, what about any submariners out there? They go unbelieveable stretches....underwater......

 

So, logically, my next question would be...Have you ever served in the military during a war or confrontation?

 

In addition, i know for a fact, being a veteran of 10 cruises myself, that they do get days off, because i have seen them in port and even ended up at the same beach with a few of them!

 

Anyways........have a nice day !

 

I am glad you said that - it was just what I was thinking as well. And think of our poor medical interns that will go for days with just a few hours of sleep. Maybe we should get together and tip them!

[surfklutz]

Here's a novel idea.....All the smuggled booze you take on board.....Whatever you don't drink.....leave for the steward.

Believe me they do appreciate it.

 

A partial bottle of booze?

[llanning]

I have to challenge the comment about how good the casino employees have it. Yes, the casino is closed while in port but the employees were probably up until 4 am the previous night. Port days they catch up on sleep. The casino opens early and stays open until the last player leaves. Tips are pooled amoung the whole fleet. That charter of non gambling church folks gets a cut that week from all the other ships. There are Americans employed on board by Carnival. They are in non-tipped positions and get paid fairly well. The crew and staff work hard but they also play hard.

[redskin80]

This has been a very interesting thread. Thanks. I have cruised four times. The first three we tipped our selves. Yes we tipped more than the recommened amount. Everyone of our servers and room stewards were well worth their weights in gold. The last cruise the amounts were added to our S&S card. We did not remove them, but did not give any additional money at the end of the cruise. The staff did not seem to care as much as did the previous staffers. We got know the previous staff much more, and these were 7 days cruises. The last one was a 12 day, go figure. I will takesome extra $1.00 bills with me this time.