Shiplife - Life of a Carnival Crewmember

[scperk]

On a lot of my cruises I'll ask a crewmember which beach is the best one...also if I run into my favorite waiter or bartender in port I will be sure and buy them a drink.......Dennis

[cruise_pirate]

Loved reading your info! from the questions! Have a Nice Holiday and hope to run into you in the near future! Rock on!:p

 

Lonnie

[mjbearit]

Unfortunetely, I am not on the Spirit. The IS Office is classified as a restricted area so getting in would be difficult. You can have a look at the Microsoft website, there are at least two case studies of Carnival.

 

Simon

Thanks Simon. I'll head out that way one of these days and look it up. In all my spare time! ;) I completely understand about it being offlimits, ours is too, but hey, it was worth a shot!

[Dave85]

Yes, but as you might notice, Eddy is on Carnival, not RCI. Wouldn't surprise me in the least if the codes are different between the two.

 

You're apparently right, according to another thread with reliable information Carnival and RCI have entirely different signals.

 

The ones the I mentioned in my earlier thread are widely recognized nautical signals. Carnival (perhaps wisely) created new random ones that fewer if any people will recognize... as I think at this point many people (especially experienced cruisers) have learned to equate Bravo with Fire, although hopefully not through personal experience.

[DJ Eddy]

Have a safe trip and a good contract Eddy!

 

Alpha is a medical emergency. They'll say something like "Alpha Alpha Alpha - Casino Casino Casino" ... I use that example because I personally witnessed that one before. In fact, one one of our RCI cruises there were 3 Alpha's in one week, so unless it varies from line to line I can tell you with great certainty that Alpha is medical emergency. One of the Alpha's on that cruise was, unfortunately, a cardiac arrest. It was later announced that the patient did make it thankfully.

 

Not that I want to question Eddy, but on our last RCI cruise the crew was doing a FIRE drill (and we were a little late getting off to port that day) and the call was "BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO - Engine Room" .... so draw your own conclusions.

 

Oscar is man overboard. That's been reported on these boards before by people who witnessed an "Oscar -- Port Side," or something to that effect.

Nope... wrong again

[nlcentralchmps03]

DJ,

 

best of luck to you in your travels!

[DJ Eddy]

wow... well due to the accident that happened earlier today (being the 17th Jan) involving a British Airways flight crash landing at London's Heathrow airport, my first flight from Manchester to London Heathrow was cancelled... Boy did panic set in, I thought I was not going to make it. My first flight was supposed to land at 8am and my flight from Heathrow to Miami leaves at 9.40am. London is a looooong way from where I live and it is very very difficult to drive to Heathrow...I'M NOT GONNA MAKE IT AAAARRRGH!!!!!!

 

Luckily, a coach was leaving from my hometown to Heathrow airport in the middle of the night and I wanted a ticket from the driver, the only problem it was £35 and I only had £25 (the rest I had exchanged to $$$). I was explaining to him about the mad rush to try and get my flight to the ship and how this has all been last minute, so the very nice coach driver agreed to sell me a half price ticket OAP discount at £17.50 as he did not want me to be short of £££ for the airport. So here I am now at Heathrow airport waiting to check-in, thank you Mr National Express coach driver... if I had some spare £££ i'd have tipped him. Phewwww I will make it to the ship this week

[nlcentralchmps03]

wow... well due to the accident that happened earlier today (being the 17th Jan) involving a British Airways flight crash landing at London's Heathrow airport, my first flight from Manchester to London Heathrow was cancelled... Boy did panic set in, I thought I was not going to make it. My first flight was supposed to land at 8am and my flight from Heathrow to Miami leaves at 9.40am. London is a looooong way from where I live and it is very very difficult to drive to Heathrow...I'M NOT GONNA MAKE IT AAAARRRGH!!!!!!

 

Luckily, a coach was leaving from my hometown to Heathrow airport in the middle of the night and I wanted a ticket from the driver, the only problem it was £35 and I only had £25 (the rest I had exchanged to $$$). I was explaining to him about the mad rush to try and get my flight to the ship and how this has all been last minute, so the very nice coach driver agreed to sell me a half price ticket OAP discount at £17.50 as he did not want me to be short of £££ for the airport. So here I am now at Heathrow airport waiting to check-in, thank you Mr National Express coach driver... if I had some spare £££ i'd have tipped him. Phewwww I will make it to the ship this week

Wow. What a potentially awful situation. :eek:

 

Glad you made it.

[map70065]

So here I am now at Heathrow airport waiting to check-in, thank you Mr National Express coach driver... if I had some spare £££ i'd have tipped him. Phewwww I will make it to the ship this week

Just remember to pay it forward - when you have the ability to help someone else out do it.

[billsrobb]

I do not know the OP but readint his threads I tend to think that he is a pretty honest guy and I am sure that he would play it forward.

Robb

[KarenMF]

Hi Karen :)

You'll be on our cruise.....................

we have a roll call under Carnival Liberty and it has our leaving date. Lots of people who will be cruising with us there stop by and say hello :)

 

Hi! I haven't actually booked it yet, but I think I will book it next week :) I'm actually going with a Singles Group called SinglesCruise.com. I have done a few other cruises with them - it's a great way for singles to cruise and meet other people.

 

I will pop over to the Roll Call too, though!

[Violeta from Sweden]

Hey there Eddy,

 

Great thread you created. The best one in here by far! People (including myself) are genuinely interested in what goes on “behind the scenes” on cruise ships.

 

Will you please do me a huge favour and say hi to Todd from me and let him know that I feel like the biggest chicken ever for not seizing the day and walking up to him to have an actual conversation. Jeez, what am I, twelve? :)

 

 

Happy cruisin’.

 

Fellow MySpacer// Violeta from Sweden (Freedom 5-12 Jan 2008)

 

http://www.myspace.com/violetaradic

[jollyroger1965]

Eddy, a generic security question for you. As a retired police officer, I am always drawn to the type of security officers on board ship. My take is that the typical security officer is Filippino and really has little or no practical law enforcement experience. True? Why doesn't the cruise line hire former police officers, retired officers, military veterans, etc. to provide security? In all honesty, the security officers I've seen in my 17 years of cruising usually couldn't whip their way out of a wet paper bag, much less provide adequate security.

 

Pulling up an old thread...sorry!!! I can shed some light on this question. Almost all the Security Guards/Officers on board are ex-police / military etc. There are a few exceptions of course....and those are civilian Security personnel usually with many years of experience in the hospitality security industry. The majority of security personnel are actually from India. The rest are from the Phillipines. Most female security guards are Filipino. To be honest...I find that in the cruise industry those security personnel with experience in the hospitality and aviation industry actually make better Security Officers mainly due to the fact that they are deal with passengers or should I say paying guests, more tactfully. As a retired police officer I'm sure you would agree with me that at most times when dealing with an incident, tact wins over muscle. All Chief Security Officers and their Assts are further trained by the Corp. Security office and every single law enforcement agency ashore. i.e the USCG, FBI, DEA and every other alphabet working under the Homeland Security dept.

[VentureMan_2000]

 

The majority of security personnel are actually from India. The rest are from the Phillipines.

 

 

 

Not to lump everyone into the same group, but doesn't the stature of a security guard or policeman play a big part in resolving issues?

 

Clearly, having the aptitude to be able to tactfully resolve an issue is key... but I would think that a 6'2" 225 lb frame would highly influence co-operation as well.

 

I keep thinking, Carl Levet, on the TV series Barney Miller.

[BlasterDave]

Not to lump everyone into the same group, but doesn't the stature of a security guard or policeman play a big part in resolving issues?

 

Clearly, having the aptitude to be able to tactfully resolve an issue is key... but I would think that a 6'2" 225 lb frame would highly influence co-operation as well.

 

I keep thinking, Carl Levet, on the TV series Barney Miller.

 

Not neccessarily. When I worked for the Texas Prison System I worked in one of the toughest units in the state. We had several women, one of which was 4'11'' and if she weighed 100lbs I would be shocked. Yet, she commanded respect, and got it. It is all in how you portray yourself.

[jollyroger1965]

Not to lump everyone into the same group, but doesn't the stature of a security guard or policeman play a big part in resolving issues?

 

Clearly, having the aptitude to be able to tactfully resolve an issue is key... but I would think that a 6'2" 225 lb frame would highly influence co-operation as well.

 

I keep thinking, Carl Levet, on the TV series Barney Miller.

 

Well...if it was anywhere else but on a cruise ship..I might only very slightly agree with you. Security on board a cruise ship is alot more than dealing with aggressive drunks.....In the hospitality industry you wouldn't want 'in your face' security. It's not good for buisness, for sure.

Work done by cruise line security also involves intel work done for shore based govt. agencies esp after 9/11. Then you have the problem of drug and arms smuggling..... but be assured when it comes down to the crunch...they on board, can take care of things, if you know what I mean. I have always been told...The bigger you are...the harder you fall!!! Jokes aside, it isn't very often that force is used and it shouldn't. Security on board is more preventive security rather than only being a response unit to an incident. One has to understand that security on board also involves good investigative skills since they are the first to investigate/record an incident and then also have to be skilled/trained in evidence collection/storage (including trace forensic evidence - depending on the crime committed). All this has to be done since some trace evidence can degrade quickly and the crime scene also contaminated, prior to the shore based law enforcement agencies arriving on board. Then...it's also crew incidents that have to dealt with...one has to realize that there are over 1000 crewmembers on board from over 70 different cultures/countries. If you believe that only 6'+ 200lb+ men can be enforcers...you are wrong there...have you ever heard of an incident getting totally out of control on a cruise? The security dept is one of the smallest departments on board...yes, they are overworked but they get the job done.

[VentureMan_2000]

Great insight... thank you, folks, for sharing. :)

[13point1]

Great thread...not sure how I missed it.

[taffy12]

I want desperately to work on a cruise ship. I know about the long hours, the low pay, the tight living quarters...none of that fazes me. And I know it's not always glamorous, know you don't get much time to explore ports or anything. For me, the number one draw is the international crew, the chance to get to know people from around the world. The problem is...I'm American. Ideally, I'd like to work at the shore excursions desk or in the gift shops, but I've never seen Americans in these positions. Have you? Do you think I'd have any chance in hell? I'm not especially qualified right now as I only have about nine months of food service/retail (I work in a cafe in a bookstore) under my belt, but I'd wait a year or so to gain more experience before applying and could guarantee glowing recommendations. I know you aren't American so it may have been easier for you to get your job, but do you have any tips for me? I'd greatly appreciate it.

 

Also, is there any place on a ship for someone with a journalism degree? Who types up and edits the Capers and such?

[jollyroger1965]

I would suggest applying for the postions you want...You'd never know if you qualify for the postition unless you give it a shot. Gift shop employees work for an indepenant company...I don't know the company's name off hand but I'm sure there is someone here who might be able to help. I think the company was called Greyhound Services or something to that effect.

The Capers are normally prepared by the Cruise Director with help from the Social Hosts. Most of what is in the Capers are set in stone and is as required by CCL.

[cathyoo]

about where DJ Eddy listed one of his TOP FIVE (and you know there has to be a lot more than that, dealing with cruise passengers for a living) pet peeves about people asking questions, while on board, to things that would be obvious if they paid attention (such as asking where the restrooms are, while under the restroom sign :p ).

 

Yet there have all ready been a handful of people who are skipping to the end of the thread and asking questions that have all ready been asked and answered here? I find it amusing, yet alarming at the same time. ROFLMAO. :D

 

 

As I reading this wonderful thread I was making the same observations. Ironic, isn't it?

[pungo3]

Wow, great thread. It took quite a while to read. Thanks for posting. There are a lot of things here I had no idea about. :cool:

[bmacri]

Thank you DJ for all your answers. Very interesting.

 

I'm cruising with my son in a few weeks on the Legend.

He will be graduating from college with a music degree next year.

 

He is a percussionist. Althought his minor is education his major is performance. Is there ever a chance to audition with the band leaders while on a cruise? Or is there a place to go where the band members are practicing?

 

I'd love for my son to get a chance to talk to someone about working on a cruiseship as a percussionist.

 

Any thoughts?

[allgeeteredup]

Not neccessarily. When I worked for the Texas Prison System I worked in one of the toughest units in the state. We had several women, one of which was 4'11'' and if she weighed 100lbs I would be shocked. Yet, she commanded respect, and got it. It is all in how you portray yourself.

This is so true. My brother-in-law works for the Department of Corrections and is 5 ft. Tall. No one messes with him. He demands respect from all inmates and gets it. He is one of the top officers in the facility and it has nothing to do with height or lack of. He gets respect and gives it when warranted. Don't push him because he will push back twice as hard. All prisoners know him as no nonsense and fair. If you want an officer on your side, give him respect and do as he tells you and he will do everything he can to either get them better assignments for work or even more recreational time. It is all in the way you carry yourself and you must be able to back up what you are saying. If you don't demand respect, you won't get it. It's as simple as that.

[xz3k3x]

What kind of training occurs before you are actually placed on a ship?