Why the change?

[TEXASMUNK]

We cruised alot in the late 70's then raised a bunch of kids, about 5 years ago we decided to ignore the kids (they grew up) and get back to cruising. In the 70's, 90% of the crew were from Caribbean nations. When we got back to cruising, 90% of the crew were Eastern European or Asian (except HAL, which has employed Indonesian and Phillipino crews for years). Anyone know when the transition began? And, why?

[goouchjac]

We cruised alot in the late 70's then raised a bunch of kids, about 5 years ago we decided to ignore the kids (they grew up) and get back to cruising. In the 70's, 90% of the crew were from Caribbean nations. When we got back to cruising, 90% of the crew were Eastern European or Asian (except HAL, which has employed Indonesian and Phillipino crews for years). Anyone know when the transition began? And, why?

I remember crew being from Caribbean also,maybe the reason for the change could be they wanted a raise???just kidding, don't know, we find the crew from Eastern Europe are okay, not as friendly as Caribbean nations tho.:eek: We saw the change first time we sailed on X in 1992. Last Dec. on the Summit we had a great waiter from Uruguay, his name is Juan,,had so much fun with him and he really did a great job, our cabin steward was also one of the best we have had in a long time, believe he was from the Phillipines.:rolleyes:

[newmexicoNita]

Jim, quite interesting: I too remember when most of the crew was from the Caribbean, but our first cruise (about 83) our cabin steward and waiter staff were all from Tiawan. They were probably the best we have ever had, or close and 9 years later DH and I sailed the ship again and would you believe it, we had the same cabin steward?

NMNita

[chessbriar]

Some of the reasons for change is the number of resorts that have sprung up in the Caribbean and the number of ships out there. With all the resorts that have popped up, a lot of these people who had to board ships to make money for the family. Now they can stay as home and work the resort. Or because of the larger number of cruise ships visiting the ports there are more jobs. Belize for example had around 5000 cruise passengers in 1993, last year it was over 500,000. So more work at home. With the fall of the iron curtain and the end of communism, people in the eastern block are no longer cared for by their home country. They see the cruise industry as a way to see the world and make a good buck for themselves. Because of the large number of people in under developed countries looking for work, it helps to keep emplyee cost down. On top of that people such as your waiter and cabin stewards make little money from the cruise line, about $25-50 a week once they pay for their room and cleaning, so they live pretty much exclusively off their tips. You will still find people from the Caribbean working on the ships, it's just a very small number.

 

Jim,

You'll have the oppurtunity to talk to all the crew New Years Eve, if not talk to, Party with.