Americans working onboard

[llanning]

My son's wages were comparable to what he was making in the US-without rent, car expenses, food, uniforms, insurance, etc. As an officer, his travel home and back to the ship was paid for by Carnival. That's not the case for crew. At least for their first contract, they have to pay their own travel home. Medical care was by the ship's medical staff. If needed, Carnival had contracts with providers in the various ports. My son saw both an opthomologist and a dentist during his contracts.

[Pianogrl]

I have a good friend who was the main female singer for the big shows onboard. She was on the Victory, the Pride & the Conquest. She's young, single & loved doing this.....at a time in her life when she had no commitments of husband, children, etc. This made it easier for her. She loved her time traveling, singing & doing the shows & meeting lots of new people.

[bartleby112]

Llanning, how did your son become an officer. I have always thought it was always an Italian officer crew.

 

 

Anyone out there know anyone who went on board to work medical. I am a Paramedic and was kinda interested in doing the Nursing thing.

[Guest CRUZIN' SUZIN]

Exactly. If you are a hard-working American it makes almost zero financial sense to work on a cruise ship.

 

One bartender on RCI told us that the few Americans he worked with were generally lazy and didn't want to work as hard. I didn't have the heart to tell him that if an American bartender worked 12-13 hours a day every day of the week in the U.S., he/she would make a lot more money than what the cruise lines pay. So that's where all of the hard-working American bartenders are. The cruise lines get Americans who, for whatever reason, want to work on ships, not necessarily work hard.

 

To call us lazy is ignoring the fact that we have built the largest economy in the world and are not exactly known for taking a lot of time off compared to Europe and the rest of the developed world. We invented the term "rat race," eat our meals at the speed of sound so we can move on to the next thing, and don't take naps in the middle of the day.

 

On the other hand, to call the wages paid by cruise lines "slave wages" ignores the reality of the exchange rate. That bartender on RCI had just finished building his house in India - a house bigger than mine.....:D

 

I used the phrase "slave wages". I absolutely mean no disrespect. However, when you take their wages and divide it by the hours that they work for them. . . . well, enough said.

 

Yes, to some 3rd world and developing nations, the wages made on a cruiseship means moving up to the socio-economical ladder back home. That is just why they sign on, leave their family and deal with the long hours.

 

However, in American labor terms, the wages are probably less than $1 an hour all told. (Just an example, I don't know exactly how much they make.)

[centralcalicruzer]

My stepdaughter is currently the lead female production singer on the Ecstasy. She joined Carnival when she was only 20 and is currently the youngest lead production singer in the whole Carnival fleet. For a 21 year old fresh out of performing arts college it has been a great first gig and she has saved a lot of money during her contract. She was born and raised in California and has been happy to have a chance to see a little bit of the world and get some experience in professional singing. She'll be leaving Carnival next month but is open to future contracts with Carnival.

[Rangervr6178]

I am 18, American, and work for Carnival as well. (Youngest person in the whole company I believe)

 

Most Americans are in the entertainment staff, and I am a Club O2 Director (social host/DJ too).

 

We are still taxed on our pay, but for someone young, its awesome pay for the ability to meet friends and travel the world!

 

I love my job, I just got finished from the Miracle, and am moving onto the Liberty in December.

[bluejeans]

My last cruise, our cabin steward was from the states, and he was not friendly at all. I was quite surprised.

[boundingmaynard]

but carnival does not offer health insurance. They give you a thorough physical and' date=' if you have any health issues, you are not hired.:( They do not hire americans because of all the labor standards in this country. The entertainers, camp carnival, some of the salon personnel but that is about it. Those positions are very specific and do not require the long hours nor does it pay the slave labor wages that these cruiselines get away with by hiring from less financially developed countries. You don't see too many England, France, etc. workers either.[/quote']

 

I could be wrong, but I don't think U.S. labor laws affect most cruise lines because their ships are not of U.S. registry. I think NCL is the only major cruiseline with ships registered in the U.S.

[polly57]

My stepdaughter is currently the lead female production singer on the Ecstasy. She joined Carnival when she was only 20 and is currently the youngest lead production singer in the whole Carnival fleet. For a 21 year old fresh out of performing arts college it has been a great first gig and she has saved a lot of money during her contract. She was born and raised in California and has been happy to have a chance to see a little bit of the world and get some experience in professional singing. She'll be leaving Carnival next month but is open to future contracts with Carnival.

 

Hi Centralcalicruzer: So glad to hear that your stepdaughter is enjoying working on the Ecstasy. My daughter justed started working on the Sensation today. She'll be the singer in the shows starting Nov 12th. She's also fresh out of college and very excited about the job and hoping to save a lot of money during her contract. I know I'm going to miss her, so I've got my first cruise planned for Dec. : ) I'd love to talk to you privately, it would be great if you would e-mail me. cbs57@aol.com

[Guest CRUZIN' SUZIN]

I could be wrong, but I don't think U.S. labor laws affect most cruise lines because their ships are not of U.S. registry. I think NCL is the only major cruiseline with ships registered in the U.S.

 

It is not the labor laws that affect the cruiselines it is the labor "standards". In other words, even if they are not bound by law to do certain things, since it is the norm in the US, American workers would expect it. For example, the grey area health insurance. Americans expect some sort of I.D. card that allows us to go to a regular dr/clinic/hospital outside of the eyesight of our employer. Carnival treats their workers and then sends the worker to a Carnival designated place of medical care. You can bet your bottom dollar that Carnival gets a full report on what ails an employee.

 

And yes, NCL America is the only one required to use American workers. (or green card holders). It has to do with the maritime law when you sail a ship that does not touch a port outside of the USA. That is why every venture that has tried to cruise only the hawaiian islands has failed and gone belly up. Americans are expensive and not prone to work as hard for so little. :o

[boundingmaynard]

It is not the labor laws that affect the cruiselines it is the labor "standards". In other words' date=' even if they are not bound by law to do certain things, since it is the norm in the US, American workers would expect it. For example, the grey area health insurance. Americans expect some sort of I.D. card that allows us to go to a regular dr/clinic/hospital outside of the eyesight of our employer. Carnival treats their workers and then sends the worker to a Carnival designated place of medical care. You can bet your bottom dollar that Carnival gets a full report on what ails an employee.

 

And yes, NCL America is the only one required to use American workers. (or green card holders). It has to do with the maritime law when you sail a ship that does not touch a port outside of the USA. That is why every venture that has tried to cruise only the hawaiian islands has failed and gone belly up. Americans are expensive and not prone to work as hard for so little. :o[/quote']

 

 

You are right, the expectation of most American workers exceeds what the cruiselines will provide. However, I would think it might be a great opportunity for a young person who is without any major obligation or committment. At least for a short term adventure.

[Guest CRUZIN' SUZIN]

You are right, the expectation of most American workers exceeds what the cruiselines will provide. However, I would think it might be a great opportunity for a young person who is without any major obligation or committment. At least for a short term adventure.

 

I recommended getting a job on a cruiseship to my graduating from college son. However, it was not glamorous enough and was way too much hard work for this new wave college grad.

 

Last year, when I needed a serious change, I looked into getting a job on a cruise ship but when I looked into the medical exam and health insurance, I realized that my day for that adventure had unfortunately past. I have just enough health concerns to fail the exam and am too old now to live without health insurance. Oh but I would have loved it.

 

Too bad cruising was not as popular 25 years ago and I was not as knowledgable. I would do it in a heartbeat if I was 25 years younger. I wouldn't care what they paid me.

[sunflowerstarr]

Our cd was from New York but that was the only American I remember seeing and commented on it to my friend. Wasnt bothered but was amused.

[airlink diva]

I know that on the Miracle this past spring, at the past cruisers party, one of the senior officer, the chief purser was an American (she was from New Jersey).

The only other Americans that I met working on a ship were the singers.

One of my ex-coworkers is currently working for NCL since early summer.

As for the primary jobs (cabin stewards, dining attendents), I never met any Americans. Due to the long hours, no days off and pay, very few are willing to accept them. However to people from the former Eastern Block, Asia, South American,etc. These jobs offer a chance to make more money than possible in their own countries.

But the same can be said for the companies that operate in the national parks. I worked in Yellowstone in the early 90's. The pay was low. After taxes and room and board, often, you were lucky to make $300 every two weeks. But being young with no bills, it was an adventure. Of course 90% of the people were young (late teens & early 20's).

[rvrgirl]

As for the primary jobs (cabin stewards, dining attendents), I never met any Americans. Due to the long hours, no days off and pay, very few are willing to accept them.

 

They get days off. We ran into several of our waiters in port. and some of the cabin stewards are the ones that referred us to several restaurants in ports that they had been to on their day off. :D :D

[Mollycat]

I worked on a Cruise Ship back in 2001, at that time I was 22. It was the best experience of my life, and wouldn't take it back for the world. I met so many people, and had the chance to travel and see so many new places. I'm from Canada, and at that time changing my American paycheque over to Canadian was fantastic. I didn't have to pay rent, didn't have to buy groceries, didn't have to pay taxes because we were on International waters.....what more could I ask for? I did work 10 hour days five days a week and a 6 hour days 2 days a week....but I did get to spend time in port aswell, because we had split shifts, and could get off the ship during a 4-5 hour afternoon break.

 

As for the Americans, I think there was only 1 or 2 that I worked with (I was part of the Childrens Program). The reasoning was the taxes that they had to pay. The Cruise Staff do have the better deal, as we had access to passenger areas, were able to go to the shows, use the pools, and go to the bars. All other staff had to stay in staff only areas while on time off. Sorry, I was a bit long winded.

[LHP]

I am 18, American, and work for Carnival as well. (Youngest person in the whole company I believe)

 

Most Americans are in the entertainment staff, and I am a Club O2 Director (social host/DJ too).

 

We are still taxed on our pay, but for someone young, its awesome pay for the ability to meet friends and travel the world!

 

I love my job, I just got finished from the Miracle, and am moving onto the Liberty in December.

 

 

If you get a chance, drop me an email on my profile address. I have some questions that CC won't allow us to ask on the boards.

[skiorcruise]

On the Conquest this past September, two of the Cruise Director's staff were young Americans. They were a young man from Louisana and a young woman, from ?

 

Nice kids, but we didn't talk pay or benifits with them.

[Boatdrill]

A large number of Americans cannot pass the strict Drug and Alcohol tests required by most cruise lines.

If they get past those tests, they often fail the physical exams.

If they get through the physicals, they fail the criminal background checks.

 

 

Very good assessment of the passengers !

 

:D

[Light Tech]

but carnival does not offer health insurance. They give you a thorough physical and' date=' if you have any health issues, you are not hired.:( They do not hire americans because of all the labor standards in this country. The entertainers, camp carnival, some of the salon personnel but that is about it. Those positions are very specific and do not require the long hours nor does it pay the slave labor wages that these cruiselines get away with by hiring from less financially developed countries. You don't see too many England, France, etc. workers either.[/quote']

I am a Shipboard Entertainment Technician for Carnival and a USC (U.S. Citizen). Carnival does hire Americans just like me. The reason you do not see many is because of the pay. Yes it is low, but if you take in to account that I do not pay any bills on board, rent power etc., it is quite a nice deal.

Yes we do have health insurance, while we are on board, all crew has free medical care. You have the option to buy in to there insurance plan when you go on vacation.

If you have any other questions please feel free to leave them and I will do my best to answer them.

[Guest CRUZIN' SUZIN]

I am a Shipboard Entertainment Technician for Carnival and a USC (U.S. Citizen). Carnival does hire Americans just like me. The reason you do not see many is because of the pay. Yes it is low, but if you take in to account that I do not pay any bills on board, rent power etc., it is quite a nice deal.

Yes we do have health insurance, while we are on board, all crew has free medical care. You have the option to buy in to there insurance plan when you go on vacation.

If you have any other questions please feel free to leave them and I will do my best to answer them.

 

What is a Shipboard Entertainment Technician? Who provides the healthcare to you guys? Is the ins plan while you are off ship expensive?

[Rangervr6178]

Hey are you a senior or backlounge tech?

 

Which ships?

[Gloryhound65]

I'd like to know about the hiring process from the time they choose to contact you after you submit your resume' until you begin your job on the ship at the start of your first cruise.

 

 

Is there a central training center? Or more than one? Do you go to a school for new crew members? What do you learn there, and how long does it take?

What are the accomodations? Do you have any input as to what ship or port you will be based out of? If you are returning for a second contract, can you request assignment to a specific ship or to follow a specific friend

that you want to sail with again?

 

When on board, what are your rules and restrictions regarding use of the guest areas of the ship and interacting with the guests when you're not on duty?

 

 

 

CJ

[GoinCruisin]

I'd like to know about the hiring process from the time they choose to contact you after you submit your resume' until you begin your job on the ship at the start of your first cruise.

 

 

Is there a central training center? Or more than one? Do you go to a school for new crew members? What do you learn there, and how long does it take?

What are the accomodations? Do you have any input as to what ship or port you will be based out of? If you are returning for a second contract, can you request assignment to a specific ship or to follow a specific friend

that you want to sail with again?

 

When on board, what are your rules and restrictions regarding use of the guest areas of the ship and interacting with the guests when you're not on duty?

 

 

 

CJ

 

Glory, how are things going?? Did you send in your resume??? I think I remember some of the answers from the last time you posted... specifically one of the posters mentioned you are not able to choose your ship or follow a friend on your first several contracts. And I believe he also mentioned that it depended on who's employ you were under as to your interaction with guests... for example, if you are under the Cruise Director, you may have more interaction...

[Light Tech]

What is a Shipboard Entertainment Technician? Who provides the healthcare to you guys? Is the ins plan while you are off ship expensive?

We take care of all Audio and show Lighting in the lounges onboard the ships. On board' date=' our health care is taken care of by the ships docs. They will send us off if they think we need to see a specialist or if they can not treat us on board, surgery etc.

The insurance we buy into is not that expensive. We buy in block of days depending on how long we are on vacation.

It is provided by The Berkely Group.

Shoot me an e-mail on my profile if you have any more.