Shiplife - Life of a Carnival Crewmember

[DJ Eddy]

OK folks... here's your chance to ask any questions you may have about life on a Carnival Ship... I will do my best to answer them

 

 

so ask away... :D

[jamon]

Well, here is a start. First of all, how long of a contract do you sign? Also, how much cheaper are drinks in the crew bar as opposed to the regular bars on the ship....I guess beers run about 5.00 for passengers, how much for crew. Do all the crew eat in the same area, except for officers. Thanks

[yst347]

Hi Eddy! Thanks for fielding questions. It seems like most crew members are under 30. Roughly what percentage of the crew are on their first contracts? Which positions have the highest turnover and why?

 

TIA!

[DJ Eddy]

Well, here is a start. First of all, how long of a contract do you sign? Also, how much cheaper are drinks in the crew bar as opposed to the regular bars on the ship....I guess beers run about 5.00 for passengers, how much for crew. Do all the crew eat in the same area, except for officers. Thanks

 

OK here goes...

 

A contract is usually between 6-9 months at a time (depending on which dept you work in). Drinks in the crew bar ARE cheaper... we get domestic beers (Bud Light, Coors Light etc) at $1, Guinness (my poison) Boddingtons and other imported beers are $2. A vodka/whiskey/rum with a mixer is usually about $1-$1.50 depending on the brand of spirit. The crew dining areas are in 3 sections, the crew mess, the staff mess & the officers mess

[carnivalkim]

Hi Eddy do you think it offends room stewards when you tip them the first day???Thank you

[DJ Eddy]

Hi Eddy! Thanks for fielding questions. It seems like most crew members are under 30. Roughly what percentage of the crew are on their first contracts? Which positions have the highest turnover and why?

 

TIA!

 

Yes I would say the majority of crewmembers are under 30 and most are single. Some are married (and you can have your spouse living with you at a cost... don't know what the cost is). In terms of percentage are first contracters I honestly don't know... the highest turnover I have seen are the contracted depts like spa, art auctioneers & gift shop. A lot of people get transferred around between ships a lot. In terms of within carnival I don't know which positions have the highest turnovers. The majoirty of crewmembers will stick a contract out... if they don't like it they won't do another one. It is a travelling experience for 6-9 months of their life (plus if you quit you have to pay for flights home)

[DJ Eddy]

Hi Eddy do you think it offends room stewards when you tip them the first day???Thank you

If it does then they must the strangest room stewards in the world..?

Most of the room stewards are asian (Phillipinos, Indonesians or Thailand) and they are very hospitable, if you tip them extra than the auto gratuity on the s&s card then they are very grateful. Plus if you tip them on the first day (because you like a certain thing doing every day) then they will definitely make sure that this is done. I have never known a steward be offended by tips.

[memphislonghorn]

Hey Eddy...I like to dance in the clubs, but the 2 cruises I've been on recently , the music did not suit me. I'm looking for some 80's dance music (duran duran, culture club, etc.) The electic mix and the hip-hip for the younger crowd is not for me. I will be on the Holiday in 3 weeks. Any recommendations?

[celticd1]

OK folks... here's your chance to ask any questions you may have about life on a Carnival Ship... I will do my best to answer them

 

 

so ask away... :D

 

You are a very brave man! I hope you are prepared to be overwhelmed with questions! :D

 

(Thanks for doing this by the way! I am very interested in the answers)

[kdinkus1]

Thanks so much for answering questions! What is the one thing that drives the crew (or staff) the craziest that the passengers do/ask of you?

Does the crew ever talk about the possibility of a fire or using the lifeboats? Would it be a free-for-all? (I once overheard that!)

 

Thank you for your time! :D

[yst347]

One more question if I might, On a recent cruise one of the ladies in our group was smitten with our dinner waiter. Apparently he was just fine with this as the two of them went dancing in San Juan. All of this was perfectly fine with us but it got us to thinking what the limits are regarding personal contact between crew and passengers. We all hated the idea that the waiter could have gotten into some type of trouble.

[caribbean dreams]

HI Eddy just popping in to say "Hi"

 

I'll be on the Elation in 2 weeks and the Destiny in 5 mo.

 

I hope you vacation went good:)

And please have some pitty for the avbove poster who likes to dance to 80's music.......you know you had to deal with the same thing with us and may i add...you did a very good job of it!:)

 

See ya.

[SATXLady]

Yes, please answer the question of what happens to tips given directly to staff members (i.e., stewart, waiter, etc.) Do they get to keep them all or are they required to pool them? Is the answer the same if the customer leaves automatic tips on their S&S or if they remove the tips and tip solely in cash?

[DJ Eddy]

Hey Eddy...I like to dance in the clubs, but the 2 cruises I've been on recently , the music did not suit me. I'm looking for some 80's dance music (duran duran, culture club, etc.) The electic mix and the hip-hip for the younger crowd is not for me. I will be on the Holiday in 3 weeks. Any recommendations?

 

Just go and politely ask the DJ for some 80's music (i'm sure a tip would help ;) ). Yes, as i've said before, the majority of music is hip hop & rap as this is what gets requested the most and (sad but true) it fills the dancefloor every time above any other genre, I would imagine there will be some 80's music played in the disco anyways, there will probably be an 80's theme night or happy hour or something. It all depends on the crowd that cruise and what works or doesn't work with the crowd and the dancefloor.

 

That's the way I work anyway, I suppose it depends on how good & experienced the DJ is on the holiday..?

[DJ Eddy]

Thanks so much for answering questions! What is the one thing that drives the crew (or staff) the craziest that the passengers do/ask of you?

Does the crew ever talk about the possibility of a fire or using the lifeboats? Would it be a free-for-all? (I once overheard that!)

 

Thank you for your time! :D

 

1. There are a few "silly" questions we get asked that drives us crazy. There are prob too many to mention but I do find some amusing, especially when pax are walking around promenade deck asking where things like toilets are, there are signs up above advising this way to certain lounges... I laugh and sometimes think people walk around with their eyes closed. "Excuse me, where are the restrooms" "behind you sir" "thank you very much" haha.

2. This is a question I often wonder about myself. Fortunately I don't know the answer as i've never been in a general emergency and I hope it stays that way. I have also heard rumours about it being a free for all. All crewmembers are trained to US coastgurd's regulated guidelines and we are all aware of the procedure if a general emergency occurs. We'll never know how all individuals willr eact until it actually happens... sorry if that isn't actaully an answer and I hope I haven't scared anyone.

[grneyedmustang]

What are 5 things that passengers do that drives the crew/staff nuts (besides not tipping)?

 

Good thread, BTW.

[jamon]

Being on a ship for 5-8 months, how often are the food choices changed for the crew and staff mess? Or if it's Monday, then you know you are having the same items as last Monday? Also are there times when you get to eat left over prime rib or some other items that the guests may have had. Is there a time limit as to how long before you work should your last drink be?

[albertiger]

Eddy,

if i wanted to hire a DJ on a ship for an hour to play my CDs in the disco during their "off duty" time, could I? And what would be an appropriate compensation?

[bmw mama]

1. There are a few "silly" questions we get asked that drives us crazy. There are prob too many to mention but I do find some amusing, especially when pax are walking around promenade deck asking where things like toilets are, there are signs up above advising this way to certain lounges... I laugh and sometimes think people walk around with their eyes closed. "Excuse me, where are the restrooms" "behind you sir" "thank you very much" haha.

2. This is a question I often wonder about myself. Fortunately I don't know the answer as i've never been in a general emergency and I hope it stays that way. I have also heard rumours about it being a free for all. All crewmembers are trained to US coastgurd's regulated guidelines and we are all aware of the procedure if a general emergency occurs. We'll never know how all individuals willr eact until it actually happens... sorry if that isn't actaully an answer and I hope I haven't scared anyone.

 

 

 

Eddie since you worked on the conquest(we just got off from a cruise) We were upgraded to Panorama 1001 was that just a cabin no one wants?? There was so much motion in that room !! I am still moving !!! It was a large room.. handicap (we are not) just wondering if it was a real upgrade or not ! lol,lol.:eek: We had 30 foot seas one night !!

[L2J]

Where is that secret door on the Miracle...I've got some plans after I find it ;)

[DjVyrus69]

Eddy,

 

I'm a local DJ here in Miami, I've done a couple of clubs, a lot of house parties and raves (when they were big). How does one go about getting hired to be a DJ on the ship? What information did you send in to get hired along with what audition information?

 

And sorry to ask something so personal but, what is the pay??

[NCTribeFan]

80s music? Isn't that an oxymoron? :p

 

Boddington's? Don't recall seeing that on the drink menu. No fair!

 

So, are you "staff" or "crew?" My guess is the staff are the hotel/hospitality employees (which would include you) and the crew are the folks who actually sail the vessel. But that's just a wild guess.

 

Thanks for fielding our questions.

[DJ Eddy]

One more question if I might, On a recent cruise one of the ladies in our group was smitten with our dinner waiter. Apparently he was just fine with this as the two of them went dancing in San Juan. All of this was perfectly fine with us but it got us to thinking what the limits are regarding personal contact between crew and passengers. We all hated the idea that the waiter could have gotten into some type of trouble.

Yes it is against the rules to "fraternize" with guests. Staff mebers are allowed in guest areas and can socialise with guests (it does work well and makes it more personable to be chatting with guests). Any crewmember found in a guest cabin (when they're not working in there) will be subject to disciplinary action, including dismissal. However, I would be lying if I said that this doesn't happen. In terms of off the ship, some people say what happens off the ship, stays off the ship and ship's security cannot follow crewmembers around in the ports of call. I have gone out to eat off the ship with guests before... in terms of trying naything on, I don't fancy risking my job which I enjoy and paying for a flight home, besdies there are plenty of beautiful girls within the crew. :D

[Donna573]

Hi Eddy. First of all, thank you for offering answers to all of our questions. I'm sure you will be very busy for awhile :D

 

I was just wondering what the typical work hours are like? I'm sure most of the crew doesn't work a typical 8 hour day. Also, I recall seeing crew members walking around some of the ports, however, I don't think I've ever seen a crew member (who wasn't working) hanging out in the disco or lying out in the sun. Are you guys permitted to hang out when your shift is over?

 

Thanks!

[CruisenFlamingo]

AWESOME thread! Can't wait to read more answers! :D

Thanks for doing this!