Staff in passengers' rooms?

I meant to post this query after my last cruise but I can't see any record of it in a search, so the stress of Christmas and ill-health must have made me forget.

I had two encounters with a member of the Housekeeping staff that left me feeling uneasy.

On the first one I returned to my room only to realise I had left my key behind in the Queen's Room. I asked the room steward from the next section if she could let me in. Her supervisor from Housekeeping was leaning against the wall chatting to her so he said he'd let me in. He opened my door and then leant against it chatting and commenting 'You look hot' (yes, I'd been dancing and had returned for my fan). He seemed all set to stay there until I advanced on the door and he let me out.

On my last day I had trouble with my key (for about the third time that trip) and was issued with another one that still would not work so they dispatched the same gentleman to sort the problem. He spent 10-15 minutes fixing the card reader on the door. When he knocked on my door to say all was fixed, he then let himself into my room and shut the door behind him. He proceeded to chat to me. I had already told him I was planning to go to afternoon tea, and by then it was almost 4.00 so I simply said 'Time for afternoon tea' and walked towards him and he retreated.

After discussing it with someone else, I spoke to a Reception supervisor about it (saying I was not making a complaint, just saying I had not felt happy). Her attitude was that she knows the staff member and there would have been nothing to worry about. It is simply a cultural difference. We English need more personal space, etc. She is Brazilian and does not feel that need. I think he was of Indian extraction and she obviously felt he was just being friendly.

I thought that just as there are rules preventing us from socialising with staff in their areas, so there are rules preventing them from socialising with us in our rooms. Am I wrong?

It's the other way about; passengers are not allowed into crew quarters without prior permission.

We've entertained crew on several occasions, and even had one senior staff member turn up with a bottle of champagne.

I suppose you'll just have to be less polite in future and more assertive.

Stewart

There will always be this sort of situation. Some passengers feel the need to know everything about the staff down to their shoe size so this sets up a false sense amongst many of the staff that all passengers are so totally relaxed that they can get a tad personal also.

I think you handled it about right. As the majority of cabin stewards are male and you are not this can create an anxious moment. Best not to forget your key card and if you are really uncomfortable request a female member of the staff to accompany you when the need arises.

As I was reading about your first encounter with this person, I was thinking maybe he was checking out if that was really your cabin. The second encounter, I agree was a tad on the creepy side. I wonder if we feel this way because we usually travel solo? If he had opened the door just to check if it worked and then left, it would be one thing but staying and talking would have made me uncomfortable.

It's the other way about; passengers are not allowed into crew quarters without prior permission.

 

We've entertained crew on several occasions, and even had one senior staff member turn up with a bottle of champagne.

 

I suppose you'll just have to be less polite in future and more assertive.

 

Stewart

My only experience with Cunard was on the QE2 back in the 70's, and at that time they had Pinkerton agents onboard to ensure the crew did not fraternize with the guests.

Most cruise lines forbid crew/guest fraternization, and a crew member being in a guest cabin for non-work related issues, or at non-work related times is cause for dismissal. I know that at NCL, we had a Hotel Director fired for spending too much time in a guest's cabin, even though the guest was an old family friend.

My only experience with Cunard was on the QE2 back in the 70's, and at that time they had Pinkerton agents onboard to ensure the crew did not fraternize with the guests.

 

Most cruise lines forbid crew/guest fraternization, and a crew member being in a guest cabin for non-work related issues, or at non-work related times is cause for dismissal. I know that at NCL, we had a Hotel Director fired for spending too much time in a guest's cabin, even though the guest was an old family friend.

I don't know what all Cunard rules are re fraternization, but I have been a guest at many in-cabin drinks parties where staff have been present, and I know staff have to be in uniform when in a passenger's cabin.

I don't know what all Cunard rules are re fraternization, but I have been a guest at many in-cabin drinks parties where staff have been present, and I know staff have to be in uniform when in a passenger's cabin.

This sounds like an "official" function, or something the cruise line has authorized, something that has been cleared by onboard senior management and to which staff have been formally invited, not just a "get together" of some passengers and crew, correct? Then it is "work related".

This sounds like an "official" function, or something the cruise line has authorized, something that has been cleared by onboard senior management and to which staff have been formally invited, not just a "get together" of some passengers and crew, correct? Then it is "work related".

I'm not quite sure what you're trying to say. The 'staff in uniform' snippet was given to me by a member of staff and I'm sure it is work related, as any in cabin drinks do will be if they have to be in uniform although I have absolutely no idea if staff presence has been 'cleared' or not as it's never cropped up in conversation.

I'm not quite sure what you're trying to say. The 'staff in uniform' snippet was given to me by a member of staff and I'm sure it is work related, as any in cabin drinks do will be if they have to be in uniform although I have absolutely no idea if staff presence has been 'cleared' or not as it's never cropped up in conversation.

Typically, all cruise lines have definitive rules about whether a crew member may be in guest areas at all (work or non-work), whether they can be in guest areas during off-hours, and whether they need to be in uniform or civilian clothes and nametag. Most of this is based on position and privileges. Based on these things, if surveillance sees crew entering guest cabins with no work related reason, they will typically check a list of "approved" functions and the list of those allowed to those functions. If the crew is not on the approved list, then they are subject to discipline. Most cruise lines have the Surveillance Department with a reporting function outside the normal onboard chain of command, even bypassing the Captain, and are authorized to administer discipline for observed violations of company policy. This is tied to the department's original mandate of overseeing the casino, much as is done at shoreside casinos.

Again, I can't speak directly to Cunard's policies these days, but this is typical of most cruise lines.

Typically, all cruise lines have definitive rules about whether a crew member may be in guest areas at all (work or non-work), whether they can be in guest areas during off-hours, and whether they need to be in uniform or civilian clothes and nametag. Most of this is based on position and privileges. Based on these things, if surveillance sees crew entering guest cabins with no work related reason, they will typically check a list of "approved" functions and the list of those allowed to those functions. If the crew is not on the approved list, then they are subject to discipline. Most cruise lines have the Surveillance Department with a reporting function outside the normal onboard chain of command, even bypassing the Captain, and are authorized to administer discipline for observed violations of company policy. This is tied to the department's original mandate of overseeing the casino, much as is done at shoreside casinos.

 

.Again, I can't speak directly to Cunard's policies these days, but this is typical of most cruise lines.

As I haven't a clue and you sound pretty authoritative, I'm sure you're right.

Isn't it normal practice for the cabin door to be open when a member of staff is inside. Even more so when the passenger is as well?

DAVID

Isn't it normal practice for the cabin door to be open when a member of staff is inside. Even more so when the passenger is as well?

 

DAVID

Again, going to vary by line. Also, many crew do not have doorstops to keep the doors open, so this may or may not be applicable due to circumstances.

Regardless of the response by the Reception supervisor, the crew member, especially since the OP mentions that person was a housekeeping supervisor, should not have been alone in a cabin with someone of the opposite sex, with the door closed, nor should they have been engaged in personal conversation. Regardless of the cruise line's policies, its just not professional.

Does this apply also the Captains? When dining on the Captain's table for the entire cruise, on two cruises but on P&O ships, we have invited he and his wife to join us for a birthday celebration, with the other table passengers. They came and also sent champagne and flowers.

I would feel really uncomfortable if a crew member entered the cabin without being asked in, never mind staying for a 'chat'. If they are there to let you in the cabin, they should stay in the corridor and if they are there to fix the door, once its done they say so and leave. When I've stayed in good hotels, the staff ask permission to enter your room and then leave as soon as they need to, never staying to hold a conversation, and I don't see why cruises should be different. If you encourage it then that's up to you but the OP clearly did nothing to encourage the interaction.

I think seeing the crew in public areas is fine, I just find the idea of them attending get togethers in cabins to be inappropriate- just my view :)

Does this apply also the Captains? When dining on the Captain's table for the entire cruise, on two cruises but on P&O ships, we have invited he and his wife to join us for a birthday celebration, with the other table passengers. They came and also sent champagne and flowers.

Again, not familiar with P&O regulations, and again it will vary by line, but there are limitations on most lines for fraternization, even for Captains. On many lines, given today's maritime regulations, Captains and other senior officers are not allowed any alcohol at any time onboard. During meet and greets, they will drink club soda or ginger ale disguised.

As I was reading about your first encounter with this person, I was thinking maybe he was checking out if that was really your cabin. The second encounter, I agree was a tad on the creepy side. I wonder if we feel this way because we usually travel solo? If he had opened the door just to check if it worked and then left, it would be one thing but staying and talking would have made me uncomfortable.

Hi Scrapnana. Thanks for your thoughts. I thought the same the first time, and gave him the benefit of the doubt. I thought that by going straight to the cupboard for my fan I clearly demonstrated it was my room. However, he still stayed there until I left.

I added in the fact that when I saw him he was leaning against a wall chatting to a female steward and wondered if she had any choice in that, seeing he was her supervisor. From his body position it was definitely not work-related chat.

The second encounter in my room was definitely for no reason. I had given him no indication that I wanted to socialise with him. I had only politely answered his questions.

Thank you to all of you for your answers and support. It's good to hear the feelings some of you have about it and also to hear the common regulations around such behaviour.

I would feel really uncomfortable if a crew member entered the cabin without being asked in, never mind staying for a 'chat'. If they are there to let you in the cabin, they should stay in the corridor and if they are there to fix the door, once its done they say so and leave. When I've stayed in good hotels, the staff ask permission to enter your room and then leave as soon as they need to, never staying to hold a conversation, and I don't see why cruises should be different. If you encourage it then that's up to you but the OP clearly did nothing to encourage the interaction.

 

I think seeing the crew in public areas is fine, I just find the idea of them attending get togethers in cabins to be inappropriate- just my view :)

Entirely agree. Also how often do we see passengers embracing wait staff on first night dinner because they have served them on previous cruises. It's not appropriate by the passenger or professional by the waiters.

David

Again, not familiar with P&O regulations, and again it will vary by line, but there are limitations on most lines for fraternization, even for Captains. On many lines, given today's maritime regulations, Captains and other senior officers are not allowed any alcohol at any time onboard. During meet and greets, they will drink club soda or ginger ale disguised.

On Cunard and P & O there's a two drink limit at any time. Our daughter was principle female singer with the Headliners on the Ventura and had permission to come to our suite and we had permission to visit her quarters. In fact most of the cast turned up at our cocktail party.

Fiona had officer status and could use any restaurant or bar, but with the 2 drink limit in case of possible Crew Alerts.

One party, we had the Hotel Director, Captain's Secretary and a bar manager. We even got permission for our butler to have a glass of fizz. All good fun.

We also lunched on Cunard with a certain Captain and his wife, who told us that he could only have a glass of wine after 1:00pm, and he did.

Entirely agree. Also how often do we see passengers embracing wait staff on first night dinner because they have served them on previous cruises. It's not appropriate by the passenger or professional by the waiters.

A certain (female) bar manager used to jump into my arms every time we returned (on deck outside). No harm, just fun, after all, we're there to enjoy ourselves.

Perhaps not so appropriate in the restaurant.

On Cunard and P & O there's a two drink limit at any time. Our daughter was principle female singer with the Headliners on the Ventura and had permission to come to our suite and we had permission to visit her quarters. In fact most of the cast turned up at our cocktail party.

 

Fiona had officer status and could use any restaurant or bar, but with the 2 drink limit in case of possible Crew Alerts.

 

One party, we had the Hotel Director, Captain's Secretary and a bar manager. We even got permission for our butler to have a glass of fizz. All good fun.

 

We also lunched on Cunard with a certain Captain and his wife, who told us that he could only have a glass of wine after 1:00pm, and he did.

Again, a lot of this varies with position. At NCL, the Captain, Staff Captain, Chief Engineer, Staff Chief Engineer, and Hotel Director, along with all watchkeeping Deck and Engine officers had a zero tolerance (even when ashore during employment) for alcohol. Non-watch Deck and Engine officers, along with all hotel supervisors, and the crew in general, were held to the IMO's 0.04% BAC limit at all times.

Entirely agree. Also how often do we see passengers embracing wait staff on first night dinner because they have served them on previous cruises. It's not appropriate by the passenger or professional by the waiters.

 

David

This doesn't worry me as long as it's mutual, from a relationship built up over time. One dance couple always hugs me. We are friends on facebook. There was a photographer who would rush to hug me each time I came aboard. (That was after we had been on an excursion together, both of us always last to leave any venue because we wanted good photographs, pointing out great angles to each other.) A few wait staff remember me and make comments about the fact that at least there will be one person in the ballroom, etc.

An example of not mutual was the waiter who tended to pat or caress the ladies' shoulders as he served them. No relationship had been built up at that time. It was the same with the staff member who came into my room.

I feel that most staff on Cunard are genuinely happy and genuinely like the passengers. On my recent Celebrity cruises I missed this and felt that it was all just a veneer.

On my recent Celebrity cruises I missed this and felt that it was all just a veneer.

My last Celebrity cruise it really felt like coming home when a bartender spotted me, greeted me very enthusiastically, remembered my first name, and the first letters of my last name (no card needed), and knew what drink I wanted. The crew may be using pictures, lists or something like that to "remember" repeat cruisers, but he seemed genuinely happy to see me again.

Yes, on our last Celebrity cruise we saw a bar waitress from a previous sailing and we had a hug.

Delighted to see her and she us.

I don't know what all Cunard rules are re fraternization, but I have been a guest at many in-cabin drinks parties where staff have been present, and I know staff have to be in uniform when in a passenger's cabin.

A table mate of mine once had Captain Wells to afternoon tea in her room! (She was a bit of a "notable" it must be said...) She said when her steward brought the tea in, he nearly dropped the lot when he saw who her guest was!!