Hello! I'm a crew member!

[grapau27]

1 minute ago, Host Clarea said:

 

I don't think so.

Depending where you sail from.

We had VAT added to shop purchases when sailing from Southampton on Independence.

[Clarea]

1 minute ago, grapau27 said:

Depending where you sail from.

We had VAT added to shop purchases when sailing from Southampton on Independence.

 

Sure, but I believe the question about the 18% was asking about gratuities, and VAT is not a gratuity for the crew.

[icsys]

Then my recollection must have been the dreaded 'Spanish Tax'

[grapau27]

54 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Sure, but I believe the question about the 18% was asking about gratuities, and VAT is not a gratuity for the crew.

Your right it is not a gratuity but a sales tax which on the UK mainland is always included in the prices in shops.

Edited August 23, 2019 by grapau27

[jimbri]

Enjoying your report and video!

[Esprit]

My DD was paid even if she became sick aboard ship. Norovirus is an occupational hazard and she would be quarantined to her cabin. 

Crew refer to Norovirus as "GI" btw.

Edited August 23, 2019 by Esprit

[chengkp75]

3 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

While I’m surprised that the concession company would be breaking a rule like that isn’t the employee kind of in a catch 22 situation in that case.  

 

Sure they could report it and get that extra day pay but since they are on a contract and want to come back it’s pretty easy for the company to just not renew employees contract.  It would be pretty hard if not impossible to prove that not renewing a contract was directly tied to the employee complaining.

The MLC also allows for protection against discrimination for those who bring complaints, with very stiff penalties for doing so.  As for proving that a dismissal was not tied to the complaint, there would have to be a history of poor performance evaluations or warnings, before the report was made in order to dismiss and not become liable for a retaliation complaint.

[Ourusualbeach]

3 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

The MLC also allows for protection against discrimination for those who bring complaints, with very stiff penalties for doing so.  As for proving that a dismissal was not tied to the complaint, there would have to be a history of poor performance evaluations or warnings, before the report was made in order to dismiss and not become liable for a retaliation complaint.

So you are  saying then that the employees are actual employees when they are hired initially and when they are off they are on vacation and are guaranteed a spot to come back to as opposed to being hired one contract at a time and having to reapply each time. Would that hold true for both concession employees as well as ship staff. 

[Islander001]

Why does the ship fly the Jamaican Flag while docked in Port Everglades?

[orville99]

15 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

So you are  saying then that the employees are actual employees when they are hired initially and when they are off they are on vacation and are guaranteed a spot to come back to as opposed to being hired one contract at a time and having to reapply each time. Would that hold true for both concession employees as well as ship staff. 

I presume Starboard Cruise Services still is the retail concession company for Royal, but it is doubtful that they are the ones offering or executing the contracts for sales staff. I know that they provide training for sales staff, and occasionally have their own employees do rotations on the ships to check how well the sales staff in their shops are executing their responsibilities.

[Esprit]

15 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

So you are  saying then that the employees are actual employees when they are hired initially and when they are off they are on vacation and are guaranteed a spot to come back to as opposed to being hired one contract at a time and having to reapply each time. Would that hold true for both concession employees as well as ship staff. 

For ship staff, if they fulfil a contract then they get another automatically (in general) without reapplying. If they choose to leave mid contract then they forfeit the free airfare back to their country of residence. Similarly if they are immediately dismissed for alcohol/drug offences or entering a passengers stateroom (without prior permission, as our DD had to get when we were aboard) they have to pay their own way home.

[vacationlover_mn]

Hello!

[Mikew0805]

On 8/20/2019 at 12:55 PM, ROYAL CARIBBEAN DUDE said:

Hi everyone,

 

For 6 months, I was working in the shops onboard Independence Of The Seas. I actually got the opportunity to meet some of you guys, and I just wanted say thank you for saying hello!

 

I actually made some YouTube vlogs of my experience during this contract, and wanted to share it with you guys. I'm trying to show what being a Royal Caribbean crew member is like. For example: what our cabins look like, where I work, what we eat, what the crew bar looks like, what I do in my free time.

 

In this first vlog, I show you the sign-on process. Me, walking on to the ship as a new crew member - followed by a ship tour.

 

https://youtu.be/TwY2wMDjpBk

 

I'm actually about to start my next contract onboard Mariner Of The Seas for 7 months, starting my new role as a Casino Host.

 

I hope to meet more of you soon, and ask me any questions you may have about being a crew member!

 

Chris

Congrats on your next contract, it seems as if you enjoy working for Royal. I am sure I will see you on Mariner in the casino on the Sept 16th sailing. You can get ready in advance by preparing my hand pays now. Just sayin... 🤣

 

Enjoy your new role. 

[Tom47]

On 8/21/2019 at 8:45 AM, ROYAL CARIBBEAN DUDE said:

You're right, I don't smoke. I heard Royal were going to ban smoking from the casino, and only have the outside designated smoking areas on the ship.

Can you keep us updated on the smoking issue, i.e., a ship by ship change or fleetwiide?  Thanks

[grapau27]

1 hour ago, Mikew0805 said:

Congrats on your next contract, it seems as if you enjoy working for Royal. I am sure I will see you on Mariner in the casino on the Sept 16th sailing. You can get ready in advance by preparing my hand pays now. Just sayin... 🤣

 

Enjoy your new role. 

I'll have a Royal Flush please.

[blueridgemama]

Why does every thread have to turn into debates and personal gripes. This thread could be a lot of fun and very informative if everyone would just stick to the original concept and intent and just ask questions of a crew member who is willing to give his time and expertise.

[Clarea]

4 minutes ago, blueridgemama said:

Why does every thread have to turn into debates and personal gripes.  ...

 

Unfortunately, it wouldn't be Cruise Critic without it.

[blueridgemama]

1 minute ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Unfortunately, it wouldn't be Cruise Critic without it.

 

I understand that but I was so looking forward to actually having questions answered by an actual crew member but already everyone is interjecting their answers to questions that were meant for the crew member. Disappointing!

[chengkp75]

2 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

So you are  saying then that the employees are actual employees when they are hired initially and when they are off they are on vacation and are guaranteed a spot to come back to as opposed to being hired one contract at a time and having to reapply each time. Would that hold true for both concession employees as well as ship staff. 

No, but the maritime "union" in their home country will provide protection when time comes to rehire.  I say "union" because in most cases this is just a hiring agency, but the laws of all nations signatory to the MLC are the same with regards to labor protection under the MLC.  The crew are not guaranteed a "spot", but are guaranteed rehire unless there is documented poor performance.  About 2-3 years ago, Brazil detained a cruise ship when crew complained about MLC violations, and the ship was delayed by a day and subject to hefty fines as well as back pay for the crew.  The fines go to the crew that complained.

[travelplus]

On 8/20/2019 at 9:55 AM, ROYAL CARIBBEAN DUDE said:

Hi everyone,

 

For 6 months, I was working in the shops onboard Independence Of The Seas. I actually got the opportunity to meet some of you guys, and I just wanted say thank you for saying hello!

 

I actually made some YouTube vlogs of my experience during this contract, and wanted to share it with you guys. I'm trying to show what being a Royal Caribbean crew member is like. For example: what our cabins look like, where I work, what we eat, what the crew bar looks like, what I do in my free time.

 

In this first vlog, I show you the sign-on process. Me, walking on to the ship as a new crew member - followed by a ship tour.

 

https://youtu.be/TwY2wMDjpBk

 

I'm actually about to start my next contract onboard Mariner Of The Seas for 7 months, starting my new role as a Casino Host.

 

I hope to meet more of you soon, and ask me any questions you may have about being a crew member!

 

Chris

Hello Chris,

So nice to have you as a member here on Cruise Critic. Its people like you who makes the cruise extra special. Thank you for the hard work that you do. Retail especially on a cruise ship can be hard at times. You have to have a special heart to work in the service industry and ready to deal with all types of customers. 

 

Hope we will meet on one of your contracts!

 

Best,

Daniel(travelplus)

[ROYAL CARIBBEAN DUDE]

Just signed on to the ship. A little nervous for my first day in this new role.

[chengkp75]

24 minutes ago, ROYAL CARIBBEAN DUDE said:

Just signed on to the ship. A little nervous for my first day in this new role.

 

Don't sweat it.

[aring75]

34 minutes ago, ROYAL CARIBBEAN DUDE said:

Just signed on to the ship. A little nervous for my first day in this new role.

 

I might be a little nervous that they couldn't even spell "Assistant" correctly. 😂

 

In all seriousness though, best of luck! And have a great time.

 

[darthvadrouw]

5 hours ago, Islander001 said:

Why does the ship fly the Jamaican Flag while docked in Port Everglades?

 

If you are referring to the flag with a red saltire on it, it's the flag of Florida.
 

[Queen of Oakville]

9 minutes ago, aring75 said:

 

I might be a little nervous that they couldn't even spell "Assistant" correctly. 😂

 

In all seriousness though, best of luck! And have a great time.

 

 

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

 

I'm dying here.