I am always so impressed with the staff on cruise lines
May 21st, 2008, 11:51 AM
#1
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I am always so impressed with the staff on cruise lines
If there was ever a advertisement for immigration I would have to say the foreign born people on a cruise ship. I understand they are not offical immigrants to our country but seem to represent some of the finest people I have ever seen.
Most of the people on the ship are in very low wage unskilled work but they seem so sharp and work so hard. I suspect American born low wage low skilled workers would be a employee relations nightmare in comparison.
What do you think of the average worker on a cruise ship?
Most of the people on the ship are in very low wage unskilled work but they seem so sharp and work so hard. I suspect American born low wage low skilled workers would be a employee relations nightmare in comparison.
What do you think of the average worker on a cruise ship?
May 21st, 2008, 12:34 PM
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I am always treated like royalty.Last month, I had been out by the pool,hot and sweaty so I went in to shower.When I turned the shower off, I heard the TV.Upon further inspection, I saw the CS and his buddy had restocked the fruit basket while they watched Oprah...Then they gave me fresh towels....Then when we got back from dinner there was a bottle of champagne...Yes, I get good service.
May 21st, 2008, 02:24 PM
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Trav, it was my understanding they are not americans, and not immigrants to the US.
The ships are "doing business as" foreign countries, this way they can avoid the US labor laws and pay miniscule wages. The staff works in 6-months shifts after which goes back to their home countries.
If nobody complains, they may get hired again. Coming from poor countries, they work hard and keep smiling to get paid, collect tips, hired next time.
At least this is what the staff on Royal Carribean cruise told me.
Of course there may be exceptions. On the name tags each one had the country of citizenship, but I didn't see US. Maybe the entertainers? Definitely not cabin stewards or waiters!
The ships are "doing business as" foreign countries, this way they can avoid the US labor laws and pay miniscule wages. The staff works in 6-months shifts after which goes back to their home countries.
If nobody complains, they may get hired again. Coming from poor countries, they work hard and keep smiling to get paid, collect tips, hired next time.
At least this is what the staff on Royal Carribean cruise told me.
Of course there may be exceptions. On the name tags each one had the country of citizenship, but I didn't see US. Maybe the entertainers? Definitely not cabin stewards or waiters!
May 21st, 2008, 02:45 PM
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In most ships, the lower skill staff are from third world countries that speaks some English, i.e. Philipines, Thailand, Indoensia etc.
Dining Room staff makes decent tips and they come from all over. South Ameican, Western Europeans etc. The buffet staff are mostly Eastern European and they speak less English and makes less money, and less skilled. You will see some from the first group named above as well as Buffet staff and when they have better command of the langusge, they may become junior servers in the dining room.
You will see Americans, Canadians, Germans, British, Australians, South Africans etc working at Purser/tour desk/Cruise directors type of positions. Most of that group actually has University degrees in Recreation Management /Event Plannings /Marketing/ Business /Tourism etc.
The only ship that you will see an "all American" crew is the NCL ship stationed in Hawaii and never leaves US water. They do round trip island hopping without sea days in Hawaii. For them to do that, they have to have an all American crew, follow US/Hawaiian laws etc. That's why only NCL do the round trip island hopping and everyone else leaves from the West Coast and have the long 4 to 5 sea days to get there, or 4 to 5 days to get back and usually stop in canada for 1 stop. (that's the rule - must stop at one foreign port.)
I have not been on the all American NCL persoanlly but I did hear comments from my friends who had that the services is not up to standard of the other NCL ships.
I thought they used to have 2 ships there but now it is down to one.
It is not a knock on the crew but it seems that the "international" crew is willing to do more to please the customers and have a totally different attitude towards "service".
It is the North American culture that "looks down" on people in the service industry whereas if you are in Europe, the most influencial and respected people in the whole town (a small town) maybe the Matri'd at the local dining establishement.
North Americans look at service industry jobs as "stop gap positions" or "temporary jobs" or stages that people goes through ... i.e. worked as a server while at school, between jobs etc and never look at those jobs as a career. A bank teller is a career but server at a diner is not. (By the way, the server makes more moeny than the teller). However, in Europe, it is a life career in the service industry.
The attitudes defines the sincerity of their services. Besides, based on what they get paid at the ship, they are very well paid in comparison to what opportunity they had at home.
Dining Room staff makes decent tips and they come from all over. South Ameican, Western Europeans etc. The buffet staff are mostly Eastern European and they speak less English and makes less money, and less skilled. You will see some from the first group named above as well as Buffet staff and when they have better command of the langusge, they may become junior servers in the dining room.
You will see Americans, Canadians, Germans, British, Australians, South Africans etc working at Purser/tour desk/Cruise directors type of positions. Most of that group actually has University degrees in Recreation Management /Event Plannings /Marketing/ Business /Tourism etc.
The only ship that you will see an "all American" crew is the NCL ship stationed in Hawaii and never leaves US water. They do round trip island hopping without sea days in Hawaii. For them to do that, they have to have an all American crew, follow US/Hawaiian laws etc. That's why only NCL do the round trip island hopping and everyone else leaves from the West Coast and have the long 4 to 5 sea days to get there, or 4 to 5 days to get back and usually stop in canada for 1 stop. (that's the rule - must stop at one foreign port.)
I have not been on the all American NCL persoanlly but I did hear comments from my friends who had that the services is not up to standard of the other NCL ships.
I thought they used to have 2 ships there but now it is down to one.
It is not a knock on the crew but it seems that the "international" crew is willing to do more to please the customers and have a totally different attitude towards "service".
It is the North American culture that "looks down" on people in the service industry whereas if you are in Europe, the most influencial and respected people in the whole town (a small town) maybe the Matri'd at the local dining establishement.
North Americans look at service industry jobs as "stop gap positions" or "temporary jobs" or stages that people goes through ... i.e. worked as a server while at school, between jobs etc and never look at those jobs as a career. A bank teller is a career but server at a diner is not. (By the way, the server makes more moeny than the teller). However, in Europe, it is a life career in the service industry.
The attitudes defines the sincerity of their services. Besides, based on what they get paid at the ship, they are very well paid in comparison to what opportunity they had at home.
May 21st, 2008, 04:33 PM
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THE all-american ship has personnel problems to put it mildly.
Americans are not used to cleaning toilets, making beds, serving other people...in the beginning NCL had horrendous publicity bout this.Now, there is only one American staff ship left..the others have been sent to Europe..It is not the waites,bus boys, front stage people who suffer not making money, but the people in the kitchen and the engine room. There was a survey taken in St. Thomas a few years back and manyof the serving staff.. the ones we deal with do very well and are able to buy homes and businesse for their families .. if they do not gamble or drink it away.. Its a hard job and one of my favorite waiters from Celebrity is finally about to retire.. his sons are through school.. ..
Americans are not used to cleaning toilets, making beds, serving other people...in the beginning NCL had horrendous publicity bout this.Now, there is only one American staff ship left..the others have been sent to Europe..It is not the waites,bus boys, front stage people who suffer not making money, but the people in the kitchen and the engine room. There was a survey taken in St. Thomas a few years back and manyof the serving staff.. the ones we deal with do very well and are able to buy homes and businesse for their families .. if they do not gamble or drink it away.. Its a hard job and one of my favorite waiters from Celebrity is finally about to retire.. his sons are through school.. ..
May 22nd, 2008, 04:44 AM
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I must say, I've only taken Princess Cruise Lines, and they were phenomenal. They were all so polite, so nice and courteous. Everyone went out of their way to make sure we had a great time. We made really good friends with one guy, Gerald, from the Phillipines. He was great. On one of his days off, we met him off the boat and he showed us his favorite places (in Cozumel). Also, our waiters were tremendous. By the end of the first meal he knew all of our names, and was very personable. At the end of the week, we gave them healthy tips, and their reactions say it all. They are so grateful and appreciative. Princess Cruise Lines definitely exceeded all my expectations!! and can't wait to go again!
May 22nd, 2008, 07:46 AM
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For the most part we have been treated very well by cruise ship personnel. Most who come from countries with less developed economies work as waiters, stewards and so on. They are paid well relative to what they would be earning in their native lands but the work is very hard. I learned from a Romanian bar tender on the Sapphire that Princess actively recruits in her country. I too have heard about poorer service on the NCL ships with all-American crews. IMHO I don't think they are as motivated as their non-US counterparts and for obvious financial reasons. What is a pittance to some means a great deal to others.
May 23rd, 2008, 10:07 AM
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All these workers are on temporary worker visas, and many cases, these jobs lead to better careers for them - and definitely gives them the chance to see parts of the world that would definitely not be possible for most. I do agree - they have a great attitude, and it is fascinating to see how different the different cultures are depending on where they are from. The lists of people trying to get these visas is quite long in most countries, and are quite sought after by the applicants.... They are awesome, and definitely add to the experience. I suspect that the continued high quality has quite a bit to do with the management of the cruise lines - as well as the workers themselves. On Crystal - they're absolutely stellar!!!!
May 27th, 2008, 03:16 PM
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Isn't it ironic that a person comes to a travel forum and says that she cruises and travels fairly frequently (gathered from a number of her posts) yet she never ever talks about the places she's been, the sights she's seen, the food she's eaten, the places she's stayed or anything at all about the trips themselves. Instead she'd rather talk about the imagined backgrounds of the workers she comes in contact with, the number of African Americans in museums, the rudeness or friendliness of service people, and similar subjects. Isn't it sad that is all she gets out of travel that she feels is worth discussing? We should be taking pity on this poor misguided and miserable person!
