Burnt out Staff

[greeneggbert]

Just off the Breakaway this past Sunday. This is my sixth cruise with NCL, and was very apparent this cruise how burnt out the staff has become. We heard from numerous staff (spa, room attendant, waiters) that they have to work seven straight days for 8 months, then get two months off. I have never heard so many speaking as loudly about this in past cruises. They were t as friendly or cheerful as in he past. We could see this play out too with lack of service in our room (some days not getting cleaned at all, needing to call for night servicing, etc). The executive housekeeper Carmincita took good care of us and went to lengths to make things right (helps to have her number from meet and greet mingle).

 

Thoughts?

[DMH15]

You should have cruised Epic. I got off Saturday and every crew member I came in contact with all week was incredible. Smiling, happy and eager to please!!!

 

 

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[kathybelcher2433]

Same with the Sun. Absolutely awesome service consistently across all aspects of the guest experience. We did not have one clunker in 11 days. And, yes, those team members were pretty much on the same schedule program.

 

 

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[casofilia]

We have travelled on the smaller ships and have never had a really bad experience with the staff. There are always one or two who are not suited to "life at sea" and there was one who could have passed for a beggar in LA. We have always been very pleased with the attention we have been given.

[emcelh]

Isn't this pretty much the norm for most cruise lines?

[NLH Arizona]

Was on the Dawn in December and all the crew members were excellent, always had a kind word and big smile.

[cage keeper]

We have never had anything other other than great service on a cruise. Some are amazing but that doesn't change the fact that these people work 7 days a week, 12 plus hours a day. The reason I take 2 to 3 hundred dollars extra for rewarding them. I have worked as a server in the past, long hours and dealing with the public is not always easy. God bless the cruise ship staff. Don't miss when the staff put on a show. This is their fun time. It makes their week.

[MizDemeanor]

We have come across situations like this on a rare occasion and our takeaway is that the ship staff itself is lacking in professionalism.

 

It is the responsibility of the Hotel Director to ensure a positive guest experience.

 

When staff feel they are able or entitled to complain to guests, lines are being crossed and a positive guest experience is being impacted.

 

Having experienced this sitch I have no patience for it. Put them off and cut your losses... and mine too. i have no time for it.

[City Island Cruiser]

Just off the Breakaway this past Sunday. This is my sixth cruise with NCL, and was very apparent this cruise how burnt out the staff has become. We heard from numerous staff (spa, room attendant, waiters) that they have to work seven straight days for 8 months, then get two months off. I have never heard so many speaking as loudly about this in past cruises. They were t as friendly or cheerful as in he past. We could see this play out too with lack of service in our room (some days not getting cleaned at all, needing to call for night servicing, etc). The executive housekeeper Carmincita took good care of us and went to lengths to make things right (helps to have her number from meet and greet mingle).

 

Thoughts?

 

We were on the 14 day 1/29, Breakaway sailing and my experience was totally different than you are describing.

I can't say enough about our cabin Steward - he went above and beyond - I ended up with a bad cold and some difficult complications from it and he was always there for anything needed. If my husband went ashore - he consistently checked in to see if I was ok and what else I might want. Towel animals to keep me smiling and our cabin in photo opt condition - even when I was in residence,

Everyone we encountered (NCL staff) was approachable and helpful.

I have been in both the service industry and hospitality industry for over 30 years and I can tell you that the type of conversations you are describing is totally inapproiate.

The fact that you experienced multiple conversations on this same subject is extremely unusual - I would guess that given your experience you might enjoy a different cruise line more.

[deefer]

We got off the Breakaway this Sunday also. Completely opposite experience. Room steward super attentive and friendly, had 3 different spa treatments (with 3 different therapists), ate at many different venues, spent time in the casino and not once did we come across any staff that were complaining about their work or seemed burnt out. Everyone seemed so eager to please.

 

Sorry your experience was different.

 

 

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[Mac4YYZ]

We have come across situations like this on a rare occasion and our takeaway is that the ship staff itself is lacking in professionalism.

 

It is the responsibility of the Hotel Director to ensure a positive guest experience.

 

When staff feel they are able or entitled to complain to guests, lines are being crossed and a positive guest experience is being impacted.

 

Having experienced this sitch I have no patience for it. Put them off and cut your losses... and mine too. i have no time for it.

Wow. Perhaps you could show a little empathy. These people work very hard. In my opinion it is the Captain who should lead in all aspects and set a tone for the officers and crew.

 

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[Esv104]

Was on the Dawn in December and all the crew members were excellent, always had a kind word and big smile.

Also came off Dawn in February. Fantastic staff. Every single person we encountered was great. Great cruise!

[MJSailors]

My DH and I were on the Breakaway last September.

All crew members we came in contact with were pleasant and helpful.

Our steward was excellent at his job.

However, I witnessed two situations which may give some insight into some of the crew being disheartened or burned out.

We were at the buffet for lunch one day when a woman,who apparently was a supervisor according to her suit/uniform ,started to reprimand one of the young women who were kept quite busy clearing tables.

I did overhear some of the conversation and it seemed to concern the young woman being absent from a meeting.

I thought such a conversation should have taken place in a more private area.

I felt that the young woman was embarassed by being addressed in such a manner ,but she continued to do her job and smile at the passengers she was serving,something that may not have been easy for her to do.

On another occasion.I came across a cleaning man ( not a steward) near the passageway to our cabin.

He was being addressed in a stern way by two uniformed (officers ?) staff .

Again,this conversation looked uncomfortable for the man and I thought it would have been handled better in a more private setting rather than in view of passengers.

This public addressing of staff could have a negative affect on the staff,for the person being addressed and his/her fiends and colleagues on staff should the person disclose the situation to other staff members

I think it shows lack of respect on the supervisors' part. Certainly,there are times when a staff member may need to be corrected or reprimanded for not doing a job as expected.

But, I think this can be done with fairness and respect for the satisfaction of all involved.

[easyboy]

The very long work hours are almost the same on all cruise lines. Despite the condition, the crew we met and encountered have always been outstanding in doing their job and does not look worn out.

[mugtech]

Last year we cruised the Gem out of NYC in May, got the usual great service, and were surprised in November out of San Juan that we saw none of the service people from May, but they also were great to us. We were happy to hear Leo again, he seems like the only constant on the Gem.

[Aldeya]

Wow. Perhaps you could show a little empathy. These people work very hard. In my opinion it is the Captain who should lead in all aspects and set a tone for the officers and crew.

 

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Empathy is one thing, professionalism is another.

 

I completely agree with MizDemeanor.

 

We all have bad days at work but complaining about working conditions to the customers is unacceptable.

[mugtech]

Empathy is one thing, professionalism is another.

 

I completely agree with MizDemeanor.

 

We all have bad days at work but complaining about working conditions to the customers is unacceptable.

There are some who seek the pity tip, they think if they tell you of their agony and hard life you will give them a few bucks out of the goodness of your heart. My response is "Hope your life gets better, lucky for you you can work hard and be instantly rewarded." That usually stops the complaining and sighing.

[Oppalopa]

We have never had anything other other than great service on a cruise. Some are amazing but that doesn't change the fact that these people work 7 days a week, 12 plus hours a day. The reason I take 2 to 3 hundred dollars extra for rewarding them. I have worked as a server in the past, long hours and dealing with the public is not always easy. God bless the cruise ship staff. Don't miss when the staff put on a show. This is their fun time. It makes their week.

Thank you I agree Scrubbing floors on your knees and making beds is back breaking work. I always tip extra . Maybe we make up for the people who take back their tips.

[bob brown]

I was on the Breakaway from 15 to 29 January. I found the crew very nice and friendly, and most seemed to enjoy their jobs.

 

I will admit that the Breakaway crew do sometimes have to contend with a particularly "tough crowd", (and I'm from NYC), and that could possibly have affected some... although that shouldn't be the case...:)

[LrgPizza]

The only time I've ever experienced this on an NCL cruise was on the NCL Spirit. Unprofessional, disinterested, and lackluster all around. So yeah, it happens. Who knows why? It's not my problem to solve.

[mcd2745]

Just off the Breakaway this past Sunday. This is my sixth cruise with NCL, and was very apparent this cruise how burnt out the staff has become. We heard from numerous staff (spa, room attendant, waiters) that they have to work seven straight days for 8 months, then get two months off. I have never heard so many speaking as loudly about this in past cruises. They were t as friendly or cheerful as in he past. We could see this play out too with lack of service in our room (some days not getting cleaned at all, needing to call for night servicing, etc). The executive housekeeper Carmincita took good care of us and went to lengths to make things right (helps to have her number from meet and greet mingle).

 

Thoughts?

 

We got off the Getaway 10 days ago. It was our first NCL cruise. We cruised previously on DCL (4 times) and RCCL (3 times). This was by far the worst staff/service of all our cruises. The service provided by the room steward in particular was very poor. I will say, it appeared to me that he had waaaaaay too many rooms that he was responsible for - which falls on management. Many of the other staff members we encountered were generally unfriendly.

[$hip$hape]

The only time I've ever experienced this on an NCL cruise was on the NCL Spirit. Unprofessional, disinterested, and lackluster all around.

So yeah, it happens. Who knows why? It's not my problem to solve.

Reminds me of...

[CJDepew]

You should have cruised Epic. I got off Saturday and every crew member I came in contact with all week was incredible. Smiling, happy and eager to please!!!

 

 

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I was on the same cruise and found the crew of the Epic wonderful.

[Tutontow]

Empathy is one thing, professionalism is another.

 

I completely agree with MizDemeanor.

 

We all have bad days at work but complaining about working conditions to the customers is unacceptable.

 

Ditto. We all have bad days. Those of us that cruise, cruise to get away from the negativity and we spend our cash for a positive experience. Personally I don't want to hear your problems whether you are a worker or a passenger. My wife and I go out of our way to be positive with our attitude and our wallet. I am on vacation and I want a positive experience. For that matter we always try to surround ourselves with positive people. I have reached a point in my life where I will be sympathetic but after a while enough is enough and I cut my losses.

 

My wife is more direct than me. She has told more than one person,, perhaps you should consider another line of work. She has also told more than one person perhaps you should consider a good divorce lawyer.

[Tutontow]

I was on the same cruise and found the crew of the Epic wonderful.

 

I will be on her in three days. I hope I get the same crew. Did any bartenders stand out?