Are crew contracts being honored?

[kevingastreich]

I wonder if crew employment contracts are being honored during this shut-down or are crew contracts only "one way"? Thanks.

[Copper10-8]

HAL crew contracts are for a set time period, the length of which (in months) depending on the position of the crew member; officers, petty officers/supervisors, ratings. During these uncertain times, some crew are being asked to extend the length of their contracts. Capt. Albert Schoonderbeek, with his daily blog, is a very good source of what's going on with the crew, in his case on Rotterdam. Some crew, "shoppies,"  "Steiners" (spa/gym), entertainment staff, casino, photo folks, etc. have left and/or will be leaving on some ships 

 

https://www.captainalbert.com/

[Petronillus]

My heart goes out to the cabin stewards and kitchen and dining room staffs. They are practically all far from their home bases and, while their duties may be reduced, the tips they depend on have come to a standstill. 

[Krazy Kruizers]

It is rough on some crew members and I feel sorry for them as many can not go home after their contracts end.

 

These are tough times for everyone.

[IllinoisGirl1978]

They're being well taken care of,  there's a lot of deep cleaning  that everyone is doing.

The #hopefloats with the ship's horn is trying to help.  Everyone is trying to make lemonade out of lemons. 

[Donald]

All the major cruise lines and their employees are governed by MLC2006, put together by the United Nations.

This program spells out the legal responsibilities of all concerned.

The employment contracts are legally binding for all.

The cruise lines can send crew home early. but they still must pay them a minimum salary for the length of their contracts.

[Himself]

The problem is these people cannot go home, even if their contract is up. 

[Donald]

4 hours ago, Himself said:

The problem is these people cannot go home, even if their contract is up. 

That is sadly true.

But the quarantined crew on cruise ships continue to get paid and are generally safer than at home.

They would understandably prefer to be with their families at a time like this, but at least they are earning more money to take care of their families - and staying safe at the same time.

[KirkNC]

While they will still get paid there base rate, with no passengers there is no tip pool to distribute.  On the WC some (I hope many) tipped their room stewards, restaurant waiters etc the same amount as if the whole cruise had been completed.

Edited March 24, 2020 by KirkNC

[Donald]

7 hours ago, KirkNC said:

While they will still get paid there base rate, with no passengers there is no tip pool to distribute.  On the WC some (I hope many) tipped their room stewards, restaurant waiters etc the same amount as if the whole cruise had been completed.

Actually they are getting their base rate plus their minimum guaranteed income negotiated by their union. This nets them anywhere from 40% - 60% of their normal earnings. Not ideal - but still better than sitting at home and earning nothing.

[chengkp75]

3 hours ago, Donald said:

Actually they are getting their base rate plus their minimum guaranteed income negotiated by their union. This nets them anywhere from 40% - 60% of their normal earnings. Not ideal - but still better than sitting at home and earning nothing.

Yes, any collective bargaining agreement can set a minimum higher than the legal minimum.  The legal minimum for all seafarers is $618/month, based on a 40 hour work week.  If they work more than 40 hours/week, those hours are paid at 125% of the hourly rate based on the minimum stated above (roughly $3.55/hour base, $4.40/hour overtime).  This is, of course, the minimum, and depending on rank, they can make more.

 

And, yes, really feel sorry for the crew who were expecting to join the ships shortly, and who will be without any pay at all for the uncertain future.  Our company has just frozen voluntary crew changes on US flag vessels, so our reliefs will be without work as well.

[panoramaofthepast]

We just got of Zuiderdam. Several of the people we talked to, including ourselves, increased the tips we left for the waiters and stewards, recognizing that their tip income was going to diminish greatly. It was a small thing for only a few people, but we did what we could. 

[JeffElizabeth]

The assistant cruise director we communicate with went on vacation in February.  She hasn't heard yet about a new assignment but she totally understands. These are uncharted territories.  

[KirkNC]

A few days before we disembarked the Amsterdam, a manager told me that some staff whose contracts were up soon had been told it would be January before they would be offered a new contract.  That’s not good.