birdylady Posted February 27, 2018 #101 Share Posted February 27, 2018 Chris, I am loving your thread. We became addicted to cruising in 2007 and have thankfully been able to do this at least once a year (would love more, obviously). One thing I have been constantly amazed at is the true feeling of care, concern and friendliness of most to the crew we've encountered. I always feel it must 'roll down' from above, which speaks volumes. Especially since we wouldn't be able to enjoy our vacation without everyone who does so much. And if it were all 'fake' or 'slave' like conditions, we would feel to guilty to enjoy. One common theme I always find is how many crew are from other countries and obviously have to leave family for long periods of time. I understand there are many things the cruise line does for the crew (like you mentioned, parties and the like). But I'm curious. Do crew have to pay extra for the internet and/or cell calls to family members? Or are those items included in your 'benefit packages'? Thanx Erika Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Love2cruise77 Posted February 27, 2018 #102 Share Posted February 27, 2018 Just want to say I enjoyed your blog very much. Hope to be see you on the ship one day. We did the Independence but that was many years ago, which is probably before you started working there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROYAL CARIBBEAN DUDE Posted February 27, 2018 Author #103 Share Posted February 27, 2018 Do you sleep on ship? To be young again and have the opportunity to work and travel, make friends, create memories. Enjoy! :) I'm quite fortunate with my job, in that we do get a lot of free time compared to other departments. In fact, I get every port day off, because the shops legally have to close when we're in port. The shops won't open again until we set sail. During this time, you can expect us shop staff to be sleeping in, before venturing out into port. Yes it is an incredible experience, and I had no idea what I was signing up for. I had never even been on a cruise before working on ships. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haoie Posted February 27, 2018 #104 Share Posted February 27, 2018 Thanks for your insight, and ditto to you Chief [you should honestly hold Q&A regularly!] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmf11699 Posted February 27, 2018 #105 Share Posted February 27, 2018 How's the pay and how much are you willing to share about your salary? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROYAL CARIBBEAN DUDE Posted February 27, 2018 Author #106 Share Posted February 27, 2018 Hi Chris, Independence of the seas has a women as cruise director right now do you think more women should follow her step or do you think this position suits better a men ? Sent from my iPhone using Forums I love this question! Yes I would love to see more women as the Cruise Director. As long as you have that ability to transfer your positive energy on to the guests, which is hard to do, women are just as capable of being the Cruise Director! In fact, I have come across male Cruise Directors who have been terrible. There are plenty of girls on the Cruise Director Staff, who are good friends of mine, that would make a great Cruise Director one day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROYAL CARIBBEAN DUDE Posted February 27, 2018 Author #107 Share Posted February 27, 2018 Of course he sleeps on the ship! The ship is at sea every night! Haha! This made me laugh. I don't sleep for 6 months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROYAL CARIBBEAN DUDE Posted February 27, 2018 Author #108 Share Posted February 27, 2018 Love your vlogs, Chris. Please keep sharing them. Is the Indy the only ship you have been on thus far? Sent from my SM-G900V using Forums mobile app I've also been on Navigator. Basically a smaller version of Indy. Which other ships have have you been on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saab4444 Posted February 27, 2018 #109 Share Posted February 27, 2018 Hello Chris! I’ve heard that European citizens don’t have to pay taxes to their home countries while they’re working on a cruise ship, but the US cruise ship employees do have to pay American taxes. If this is true, it explains why we Americans hear so many British accents on board and meet so few US crew members. Is this true? Sent from my iPhone using Forums You have to pay income taxes in the country where you are bases and employed. On a ship this is usually the country where it is registered, e.g. if you work with Costa or Aida you pay taxes in Italy. The US requests all US citizens independent from where they are based to make a tax declaration and to pay the difference between other taxes and US taxes to them. This makes it expensive. However, Norwegian or Swedish seaman based in Norway or Sweden pay a lot more... Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kandj05 Posted February 27, 2018 #110 Share Posted February 27, 2018 I've also been on Navigator. Basically a smaller version of Indy. Which other ships have have you been on? Navigator is my favorite ship!Ships I have been on : Vision x 3 Explorer x4 Rhapsody x2 Jewel x 1 Legend x1 Serenade x2 Navigator x5 Thanks for sharing your knowledge! Sent from my SM-G900V using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swoopy2110 Posted February 27, 2018 #111 Share Posted February 27, 2018 Most important question with you being from Liverpool ... are you a red or a blue ? :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesr3939 Posted February 27, 2018 #112 Share Posted February 27, 2018 Drunkest I ever got was with crew at the Alaska hotel in Juneau. Yes they do get off the ship, but sometimes find it hard getting back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROYAL CARIBBEAN DUDE Posted February 27, 2018 Author #113 Share Posted February 27, 2018 How's the pay and how much are you willing to share about your salary? As shop staff, I earn just under £700 a month - which about $1050. This is tax free pay for me. There is potential to earn a lot of money working on ships, and opportunity to build a solid career. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROYAL CARIBBEAN DUDE Posted February 27, 2018 Author #114 Share Posted February 27, 2018 Do your family members get a discount if they book a cruise during the time of your contract with Royal Caribbean? My parents did come onboard for a cruise, and the only discount I got was 20% of excursions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chengkp75 Posted February 27, 2018 #115 Share Posted February 27, 2018 Chris, I am loving your thread. We became addicted to cruising in 2007 and have thankfully been able to do this at least once a year (would love more, obviously). One thing I have been constantly amazed at is the true feeling of care, concern and friendliness of most to the crew we've encountered. I always feel it must 'roll down' from above, which speaks volumes. Especially since we wouldn't be able to enjoy our vacation without everyone who does so much. And if it were all 'fake' or 'slave' like conditions, we would feel to guilty to enjoy. One common theme I always find is how many crew are from other countries and obviously have to leave family for long periods of time. I understand there are many things the cruise line does for the crew (like you mentioned, parties and the like). But I'm curious. Do crew have to pay extra for the internet and/or cell calls to family members? Or are those items included in your 'benefit packages'? Thanx Erika At least during my time on cruise ships, the crew had to pay for internet, and cell calls. There is really very little "benefit package". I believe RCI crew can receive a better discount on cruises than concessionaire staff. When I was with NCL, we could book family for various discounts, based on how close to sailing we did the booking, and within the last two weeks before sailing the price was "taxes and fees". For the question about married crew living together, the answer is "most times". The cruise line will make every effort to accommodate this, but there are rare instances where the rankings just don't work out, and I've seen one or two married couples have to live in separate cabins. As for a Q&A, I've had a couple of threads where folks have specifically asked me to participate, typically about the technical aspects of the ships. Anytime you want to ask something, just put my name in your thread title, and I'll likely see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cshellz Posted February 27, 2018 #116 Share Posted February 27, 2018 Hi Chris, first time on RC Indy in May only 2 days :( Can we prebook the escape room & trampolining thing? Waves from not far from L’pool (wool) lol Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROYAL CARIBBEAN DUDE Posted February 27, 2018 Author #117 Share Posted February 27, 2018 Most important question with you being from Liverpool ... are you a red or a blue ? :D I've been a 'red' ever since I was a little boy! YNWA! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
storknurse13 Posted February 28, 2018 #118 Share Posted February 28, 2018 Great information! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shopnagain Posted February 28, 2018 #119 Share Posted February 28, 2018 Hi Chris, first time on RC Indy in May only 2 days :( Can we prebook the escape room & trampolining thing? Waves from not far from L’pool (wool) lol Sent from my iPhone using Forums Indy has an escape room now?? It didn’t when we were on last spring break! Last I knew just Anthem and Harmony had them Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FOXTROT Posted February 28, 2018 #120 Share Posted February 28, 2018 Working in the shops you are not a Royal Caribbean employee but are you employed by Royal Media? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helencruising Posted February 28, 2018 #121 Share Posted February 28, 2018 Thank you for your thread. It’s interesting to learn about ship life for crew. My friend and I had the opportunity to hang out with a third officer on one cruise and someone from the bar staff on another cruise. It was interesting getting to chat with them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooseman52b Posted February 28, 2018 #122 Share Posted February 28, 2018 Indy has an escape room now?? It didn’t when we were on last spring break! Last I knew just Anthem and Harmony had them They are supposed to be adding one in an upcoming Dry Dock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrusieToy Posted February 28, 2018 #123 Share Posted February 28, 2018 What's up guys! I thought some of you out there might find this interesting! I'm Chris from Liverpool, and I am a crew member onboard the Independence Of The Seas! I work in the Duty Free shops. If any of you have ever wondered what being a Royal Caribbean crew member is like, give my blog post a read, and let me know if you recognise me or any of my friends. I talk about my job, social life, travel, and overall ship life. https://www.chriswongvlogs.com/work-on-a-cruise-ship-uk More importantly, share this with anyone you know who wants to start working on cruise ships - or ask me any questions about Royal Caribbean ships in general. I can give you an honest opinion! Great Blog ! thanks for sharing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROYAL CARIBBEAN DUDE Posted February 28, 2018 Author #124 Share Posted February 28, 2018 Great information! Thank you so much! If you have any questions about being a Royal Caribbean crew member, ask away! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROYAL CARIBBEAN DUDE Posted February 28, 2018 Author #125 Share Posted February 28, 2018 Nice blog and insight to what goes on behind the scenes. We will be on Indy on March 10th! I'm glad you liked the blog! I'm excited for your cruise! I won't be there in March unfortunately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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