HAL Ships Staffing Levels

[parallax]

Sometimes there is a perception versus reality issue.  I went on two MSC cruises last year and they were staffed the same.  One in August and one in December.  The cruise in August had amazing service.  The cruise in December the service was competent.  The difference is that the December cruise was over New Years and the ship was at capacity.  The staff was trying to take care of the passengers as best as possible and were stressed.  We tried not to burden them.  

 

Some passengers also look at the staff as a social outlet.  They want to have conversations with the staff and rightly so because they are interesting people.  The challenge is that there is a time and a place for this sort of thing. Trying to have a long conversation in the middle of dinner service or during happy hour is not beneficial to staff or the other passengers. 

Edited July 19, 2023 by parallax

[mcrcruiser]

1 hour ago, parallax said:

Sometimes there is a perception versus reality issue.  I went on two MSC cruises last year and they were staffed the same.  One in August and one in December.  The cruise in August had amazing service.  The cruise in December the service was competent.  The difference is that the December cruise was over New Years and the ship was at capacity.  The staff was trying to take care of the passengers as best as possible and were stressed.  We tried not to burden them.  

 

Some passengers also look at the staff as a social outlet.  They want to have conversations with the staff and rightly so because they are interesting people.  The challenge is that there is a time and a place for this sort of thing. Trying to have a long conversation in the middle of dinner service or during happy hour is not beneficial to staff or the other passengers. 

 We have found  interaction with the staff that is more outgoing   a  nice part of the cruise experience . Since their contracts are very long  ,many leave families behind  to earn a better living   working on cruise ships .We have enjoyed many  very nice conversations with those can participate . We also found that thiose who are married with children have their photos with them & they are proud to show cus .