Concern for the Many Ukrainian Crew Onboard and at Home

[BSinPNS]

I can’t imagine how difficult this is for the many Ukrainian crewmembers we have met on board Celebrity ships.  Many of them served as maître ‘d and assistant maître ‘d roles especially in the specialty dining areas including Blu.  We first met Artur, an assistant waiter, many years ago on the Equinox. He and Jose took exceptional care of us on our first X cruise.  Fast forward a few years and he is the assistant maître ‘d on Millennium.  Likewise, Olga was wonderful on our B2B Infinity cruise around South America. I remember her watching our passage through the Panama Canal on the way back to FLL.  Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families and countrymen. 

[cruisestitch]

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2833226-good-thoughts-prayers-for-our-ukrainian-crew-families/#comment-62701271

[310Loves2Cruise]

1 hour ago, BSinPNS said:

I can’t imagine how difficult this is for the many Ukrainian crewmembers we have met on board Celebrity ships.  Many of them served as maître ‘d and assistant maître ‘d roles especially in the specialty dining areas including Blu.  We first met Artur, an assistant waiter, many years ago on the Equinox. He and Jose took exceptional care of us on our first X cruise.  Fast forward a few years and he is the assistant maître ‘d on Millennium.  Likewise, Olga was wonderful on our B2B Infinity cruise around South America. I remember her watching our passage through the Panama Canal on the way back to FLL.  Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families and countrymen. 

 

[310Loves2Cruise]

Amen! Such lovely and thoughtful sentiments in such trying moments ahead for those Ukrainian crew and loved ones.

[StollyBolly]

I have been concerned about what the cruise lines will do to help support their crew members affected. Moral support and the ability to contact loved ones etc. 

[WonderMan3]

So devastating for them

[gfkcruiser]

Just off Silhouette and bar tender in world class bar was asked about situation as he is from Ukraine.  Nicely answered passenger that he could not respond as this is a political comment and not allowed. 
Do feel for those with family there. 

[chefchick]

I just disembarked this weekend from another cruise line and met a Ukrainian bartender at their very popular “craft cocktail” spot onboard.  Anyway, he too was fielding many questions and had an outpouring of concern from many passengers but you could tell he felt very uncomfortable….he kept remarking “no politics” which I do believe is not only cruise line policy, but frankly is just good for business when folks are on vacation (and therefore good for tips). I know (and I think he did as well,) that folk’s hearts were in the right place, but he is half way around the world and possibly unable to contact family and cannot do anything about it so he chose to keep his head down and do his job the best he could.  I’m sure he is frustrated and scared, but he also needs to make a living….he is in an impossible situation, as many are.  

[luckybecky]

1 hour ago, chefchick said:

I just disembarked this weekend from another cruise line and met a Ukrainian bartender at their very popular “craft cocktail” spot onboard.  Anyway, he too was fielding many questions and had an outpouring of concern from many passengers but you could tell he felt very uncomfortable….he kept remarking “no politics” ...

 

I think you touched on the problem. It must be exhausting to have to interact with every passenger about how awful the situation is in your home country. They already have enough worries, and surely do not want to have to engage on this topic with every single person they meet.

 

We had a Ukranian server in a specialty restaurant just a few days ago. He introduced himself and I innocently asked him where he was from. He mumbled "Ukraine." I didn't hear him and asked "where?" He said it a little louder, but it was almost like he didn't want to say it. Not out of shame, but I got the feeling he just wanted to do his job without the emotional toll of having to talk about it with every person he encounters. That was my sense of it anyway. I don't think it is the cruise line infringing on "free speech" or whatever of their staff.

 

So we didn't pursue it. But I just couldn't help but tell him, at the end of the meal, that I hoped his loved ones would be safe. And we left it at that. He did not want to engage in extended conversation about it, and we respected that. 

[kands6191]

We just spent the first two weeks of February on the Reflection and had great service from a Ukrainian crew member.  He said he was not worried about his family being affected because he was from the south. He thought that most of the problems would come from Belarus trying to get to Kyiv. He was very optimistic about things but that was 2 weeks ago. I can't help thinking about him now.

 

If I were onboard now I wouldn't try to discuss anything with the Ukrainian crew. But I might keep some cash in my pockets to slip them an extra tip and tell them I'm praying for their country.

[CruisinCrow]

8 hours ago, luckybecky said:

 

I think you touched on the problem. It must be exhausting to have to interact with every passenger about how awful the situation is in your home country. They already have enough worries, and surely do not want to have to engage on this topic with every single person they meet.

 

 

I agree.  We were on Millennium a week ago and one of the casino dealers was from Ukraine.  Someone asked him about the situation (this was before the invasion) and he said, "I don't know what's going on over there."  I could tell he was uncomfortable.  The poor guy was trying to do his job and he couldn't stop the entire table to talk about a very complicated and emotionally sensitive subject.  I've been thinking about him a lot though and hope he and his family will be ok. 

[TeeRick]

From these posts it seems that passengers are making the situation worse.  They are trying to show support of course but the poor Ukrainian crew members are obviously uncomfortable with these questions.  Hopefully passengers will just give them a break.  

[zitsky]

If you’ve been through a traumatic event you know it can be hard to talk about it.  At least right away.  And this affects their entire country!

[Homosassa]

One of the music groups currently on the Constellation is a cello/violin duo called the Kyiv Strings.

 

Last Tuesday, the afternoon performance in Cafe al Bacio, performed in their local dress, was a musical tour of the Ukraine. No political commentary but a emotion filled performance by Roman and Mikal.

[chamima]

23 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

From these posts it seems that passengers are making the situation worse.  They are trying to show support of course but the poor Ukrainian crew members are obviously uncomfortable with these questions.  Hopefully passengers will just give them a break.  

 

Don't you think that Celebrity ought to take the lead in this and give a written statement to each passenger upon boarding  stating something like "We know you are concerned and this is what we are doing for our Ukrainian crew ............. but please respect their privacy and don't question them, etc." I saw a really nice statement like that posted somewhere but can't find it to quote.

[TeeRick]

5 minutes ago, chamima said:

 

Don't you think that Celebrity ought to take the lead in this and give a written statement to each passenger upon boarding  stating something like "We know you are concerned and this is what we are doing for our Ukrainian crew ............. but please respect their privacy and don't question them, etc." I saw a really nice statement like that posted somewhere but can't find it to quote.

That would be a good step.  But probably hard to enforce with some passengers who will ignore it anyway.  Doesn't apply to them.  You know the types.

[LGW59]

16 minutes ago, chamima said:

 

Don't you think that Celebrity ought to take the lead in this and give a written statement to each passenger upon boarding  stating something like "We know you are concerned and this is what we are doing for our Ukrainian crew ............. but please respect their privacy and don't question them, etc." I saw a really nice statement like that posted somewhere but can't find it to quote.

Might be a good well intentioned gesture, but the same people who need the crew email and contact information and buy them "stuff"  will continue to be busy bodies regardless.  R-E-S-P-E-C-T!!!

[chamima]

20 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

That would be a good step.  But probably hard to enforce with some passengers who will ignore it anyway.  Doesn't apply to them.  You know the types.

 

9 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

Might be a good well intentioned gesture, but the same people who need the crew email and contact information and buy them "stuff"  will continue to be busy bodies regardless.  R-E-S-P-E-C-T!!!

 

If there are 1000 passengers and that note resonates with half of them, that's still 500 less people the crew have to deal with.

Remember the statement by Voltaire  "Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good."

 

And I think it's REALLY important that Celebrity include exactly what they are doing for the crew - counseling, free phone calls, or whatever else  .

Edited February 28, 2022 by chamima

[countess5]

We are currently on Apex and last night two Ukrainian performers were introduced. The crowd went wild with loud applause and cheering for them.

with all that is happening in their country they still performed for us with enthusiasm.

 

Cheers! 

 

.a

[zitsky]

There are plenty of charities supporting Ukraine if people choose to donate.

[chamima]

16 hours ago, Waynetor said:

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We got a notice today about crew members from Ukraine and Russia.  I know of 1 server from Ukraine but have not heard of any crew from Russia.  The gist of the notice is that Princess is doing everything they can to support such staff by offering aid as needed including internet vouchers, counselling through our company assistance programs, scheduling accommodations and alternate payroll solutions if they are unable to access their bank accounts.  Princess appreciates any support guest can provide to these crew,

 

One of the bar staff became a father this week but he will not get a chance to go home until late May.  A part of the tough realities some crew have.

 

 

 

On 2/28/2022 at 9:50 AM, chamima said:

 

Don't you think that Celebrity ought to take the lead in this and give a written statement to each passenger upon boarding  stating something like "We know you are concerned and this is what we are doing for our Ukrainian crew ............. but please respect their privacy and don't question them, etc." I saw a really nice statement like that posted somewhere but can't find it to quote.

 

Looks like Princess proactively did what I suggested. (And, no, I don't think they got the idea from me.)

Waynetor is currently on the Caribbean Princess.