Monday, June 14th, 2010

God, Why are Cruise Ships AWFUL to their Employees?

Before judging me, please read my entire question and answer with real answers, and not smarmy remarks.

I just got hired for disney cruise lines as an Entertainment Host, but I have just researched what life is like working aboard through someone’s blog, and am beyond appalled at the treatment of the staff! No days off, limited time to see family while in port, strict guidelines on what to wear. Is this a job or a prison camp? Please understand I am well aware that as employees we are here to satisfy guests, but come on! Dry land jobs still know how to treat their employees well, why can’t Cruise staff be treated the same? There are over 940 crew members aboard, there’s enough lee-way to give us a break.

1) No days off? Seriously??? With that many departments and crew, we should at least get 1 day off to rest and enjoy our crew amenities, like the pool and work out room. And don’t say "What would you do on your day off, you’re on a ship." UHHH noo, you can still have a day off and do things like chill in your room, swim, hang out. There should be new laws that allow crew/staff to have at least one full work day a week off.

2) Limited time to see family and friends while in port. That’s pretty much Nazi Germany. When the boat is in port- in Florida, and I have a family or friend that wants to see me, I should be able to take my Grown-ass off the boat and spend a few hours with them. Fuck the guests. I’m a person too! Its not that hard to schedule time off to do that. And I keep hearing that customs are strict. Why? I’m an American! I don’t need to keep show you my fucking passport/ID! You know its me. This isn’t like I’m an immigrant. Makes no sense that they’re that strict!

3) Small SMALL Crew cabins. They’re literally only 11 square feet. I understand guests have to have roomy state rooms because they’re paying for them, but 11 square feet is beyond illegal. Even the Crew person who blogged said she couldn’t believe how small it was. The Cruise boat is 1,000 feet long- bigger then Titanic. I assure you there’s enough space to make the rooms larger so that crew and staff are happy. After all, if your staff isn’t happy- your guests won’t be either.

And please no "Don’t take the job then" bullshit. I came on here for answers, not sly remarks. The economy sucks, I need a job, this is it. It just boggles me that they treat the employees like dogs. I’m 30. I have a college education! I deserve better.

Technically, you’re not working in the US when you work on these ships. Therefore, there is nothing illegal.
The crew on any ship (the hotel, or the boat side) work under a para-military style of management. It has to in order to be efficient. The crew does get a day off here and there, but when someone is off, others have to fill-in.

Security is security. You cannot expect that customs will know that you’re an US Citizen. For all they know you could be smuggling contraband into US. It wouldn’t be the first time a crew member did that.

Cabins are small and spartan. It’s expected that you’d only be in them to sleep and change clothes. I do understand that there are special crew only lounges that are bigger for socializing.

Is it tough work? Yes, I don’t doubt that in the least. I understand the cleaning crew and porters have even harsher working conditions.

My suggestion is if you’re not going to love your job, then find some other line of work. Otherwise, you’ll just be paying a psychiatrist do help with your depression.


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8 Responses to “God, Why are Cruise Ships AWFUL to their Employees?”

rick d Says:
June 14th, 2010 at 4:42 pm

Well, first did you consider that the blog you read is by just1 person ? Spoiled? Not use to sharing? An only child? Having a bad day? Not what she expected?
Yes, depending on their job the guests come first. But, having been on 30 cruises and talking to many of the crew, they do get time off in ports(have seen them in ports of call). As for the size of their cabin I am not sure.
Being Strict & showing your passport is for your SAFETY. When a cruise ship sets sail they are responsible for the safety of every person on that ship.
Like anyone who has just taken a cruise I do not know all there is about a crew members life aboard however I have met many that have been doing this type of job for many years.
There are people who go to work every day who hate their jobs but, go for the pay check.
Not every job out there is for everyone.
One should not judge until one has walked in their shoes.
Good luck in what ever job you choose.
Now ask yourself is it fair to judge a whole industry based one one persons account of things ? Think about it.
References :

Gedget Says:
June 14th, 2010 at 4:52 pm

The blog you read may be correct in every word yet what one person finds to be torture is pure heaven to another. I have been on 2 cruises before and have spent time talking to the staff. Most of the staff I have met are from third world countries and are living the lifestyle they could only dream about or read about. I have a friend who does 8 months as a hair dresser on a ship and then goes to Jamaica to relax for 4 months. Then when I meet the first world staff from the US or the UK they are always snobbing and complaining about the job. Cruise work is not for everyone and one should know what they are getting into however what one is used to back home will determine how he looks on the lifestyle of a cruise worker.
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justme Says:
June 14th, 2010 at 5:38 pm

Im not trying to post a "smarmy" remark or anything, just the reality.

Cruise ships are not registered in the U.S. so they don’t have to follow U.S. labor laws (that’s one reason for not being registered in the U.S.). You say you were hired as an entertainment host. How many other are there that do that job? The ship is sailing 7 days a week, and the passengers need to be entertained, so the ship cant afford to take a day off.

Customs are strict in the U.S. even for U.S. citizens because you did go to a foreign port, and could easily smuggle drugs or other banned goods into the U.S. They have to be strict! Besides, how do they KNOW you are a U.S. citizen without looking at your passport?

Being an employee on a cruise ship isn’t something I would want to do either, but there are lots of people that would and do. I hate to say it because you said not to, but its the reality of the situation. If the job doesn’t fit your lifestyle, then don’t take it! Someone else better suited for the job most certainly will. If you think you deserve better, then find a better job! Yeah I know its rough (believe me!). My guess is that with your attitude, you wont be on the ship long anyway, they will probably end up firing you. Sorry to say it.
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Mary Says:
June 14th, 2010 at 5:52 pm

Well, that’s the way it is. Period. You can take the job, get some good experience, save your money, meet people from all over the world, and make the best of it. Or you can take it and feel like a complete victim. Or don’t take the job.

I have been on many cruises on many lines throughout the years, and have found the majority of crew members to be happy people, pleased to have a job, pleased to be able to save so much money, and pleased to travel. I suggest that if you can’t "suck it up" that you not take the job — why let your miserable attitude make other crew members unhappy? And without a positive attitude you will be fired anyway. So why not let someone else take the job? You can find another.
References :

Ronald Says:
June 14th, 2010 at 6:34 pm

Technically, you’re not working in the US when you work on these ships. Therefore, there is nothing illegal.
The crew on any ship (the hotel, or the boat side) work under a para-military style of management. It has to in order to be efficient. The crew does get a day off here and there, but when someone is off, others have to fill-in.

Security is security. You cannot expect that customs will know that you’re an US Citizen. For all they know you could be smuggling contraband into US. It wouldn’t be the first time a crew member did that.

Cabins are small and spartan. It’s expected that you’d only be in them to sleep and change clothes. I do understand that there are special crew only lounges that are bigger for socializing.

Is it tough work? Yes, I don’t doubt that in the least. I understand the cleaning crew and porters have even harsher working conditions.

My suggestion is if you’re not going to love your job, then find some other line of work. Otherwise, you’ll just be paying a psychiatrist do help with your depression.
References :
check this site for more info:
http://www.cruiseconfidential.net/

RoofingPrincess Says:
June 14th, 2010 at 6:54 pm

First of all, I did read your entire post.
It’s abundantly clear that this job will not be a good fit for you; please do not take it. The passengers and crew members deserve to be around someone who isn’t whining about how awful working conditions are.
Attitudes like yours are why we see so few US citizens working onboard cruise ships. Your idea of awful is awesome to many of the citizens of third-world countries who work aboard the ships.
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MomSezNo Says:
June 14th, 2010 at 7:30 pm

They don’t have to abide by US labor laws, so American citizens are quite likely to be appalled at the working conditions, pay, etc. That is why there are very few Americans working on cruise ships. For many of the crew members, these jobs are better than the ones they could get back home or better than being unemployed back home – often in "Third World" countries. Consequently, they are willing to put up with the atrocious working conditions.

Since you feel you deserve better, then you probably should not take this job and keep looking for something "better". Or, you might look into working for the NCL Pride, which sails only in Hawaii and has an American crew and staff. It also has the worst reputation for quality of service, so I’m guessing the working conditions are not all that much better.
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Nathan G Says:
June 14th, 2010 at 8:12 pm

Many people can’t get jobs nowadays. You should appreciate this opportunity. You have no idea what some people have to do for money. If you are just going to complain, it would be wise not to take the job. What you are saying about the days off is ridiculous… very few employees of any business get days off in the week. Again, if you don’t want the job, don’t take it. There’s nothing you can do to change policy.
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