Cruise Confidential bogus?

[S.E.]

My husband worked for and traveled with Barnum and Bailey for two years, and after hearing his stories, I believe every word this man wrote. I keep telling my DH that he should write a book but he says nobody would believe him and, if they did, he'd get sued.

 

Can you share some stories about it? If not here than in a PM? I am interested in learning more.

[firekapy]

I read CC earlier in the year and just returned from a 8 day cruise on the Carnival Spirit. I asked our waiter if some of the antics that happened in the dining room were true he smiled and asked me where I got my information from because it was all true. I told him and although he hadn't heard of the book he wanted to read it. During a Q & A with the CD someone in the audience asked about the book and our CD told us she had read it and there was truth to a lot that was written although she didn't go into detail.

[kcwingwalker]

I read CC a few years ago and took most of it with a grain of salt. I knew there was some truth and some fiction......just all mixed together! I didn't dislike the book, but had hoped for more substance.

 

[notmyccname]

Personally I feel the author is a legend in his own mind. Purchased the book at a used book store for $1, read half-way through and threw it in the garbage. Best place for it in my opinion.

[Crusin6]

never mind

[cruiznagainandagain]

I enjoyed the book. It kept my interest, and I found humor in it. I would read a second book.

[billie5]

Jmcdon,

I think the fact that the author already responded and carefully chose not to address the issues you brought up pretty much answers the question about its accuracy. But I am not sure if these exaggerations really matter, in terms of getting a good picture of cruise ship life.

 

Bill

[ohioNCLcruiser]

want the real deal check out my site http://www.shipblogger.com but not till Thursday! I'm re-launching it then with new look and weekly updates again.

[shepherdqueen]

I am looking forward to finding a used copy of this book, as it can't be all bad. Since we are addicted to cruising, I am looking forward to it, with an open mind.

 

want the real deal check out my site www.shipblogger.com but not till Thursday! I'm re-launching it then with new look and weekly updates again.

I will add you to my blogger list!

[dwjoe]

I was very disappointed with this book. I was expecting a cruise industry indisder's take on life behind the scenes on a cruise ship. What I got was a lurid account of sex on the high seas. I suspect it's all highly exaggerated.

[sjbdtz]

I was very disappointed with this book. I was expecting a cruise industry indisder's take on life behind the scenes on a cruise ship. What I got was a lurid account of sex on the high seas. I suspect it's all highly exaggerated.

 

 

Either that, or kinda makes you wanna work on a cruise ship! :p:eek:;)

[cruizer2d]

Everybody is so fixated on the "sex" in the book---BIG DEAL. What I found fascinating was the hierarchy of the employees and "politics" in the Carnival line; I'll bet most cruise lines could be the same way. This was something most of us, I'll bet, don't think about. Just the info about stocking your service stations and what one has to do before dinner service was very interesting. I was a waitress way too many years ago and all I remember was filling the salt and pepper shakers!!

I read the book when it 1st came out 2 years ago. It was a little boring in a few areas, but I flew through it and really liked it.

My DD didn't know what to give me for Christmas, so I went through Amazon, picked out 4 books (she paid full price for all) that had to do w/ cruising and gave her the list--I might do the same thing this year.

Brian, thanks for a good read--looking forward to your next book.

PS --how did you all do what you did for passengers on frequent 2-3 hrs. of sleep and w/ hangovers??? I remember that for my next few cruises, I looked at wait staff in a totally different light.:rolleyes:

[cruiznagainandagain]

Because of Brian's book, I now look at the staff differently! Their actually human beings! I know that my last cruise I saw our regular wait staff working also in the buffet areas during the day. Those folks are hard workers! I think the book educated me more on the different nationalities and a little more on where they are coming from. I think the book also helped me be aware of treating all the crew with a little more compassion & respect. I think I'm going to read it again!

[JAYV1]

I found the book difficult to read....a bit boring and not well written

 

Why would you write that? Do you think anyone cares?

[billie5]

Aw, come on. This was posted during a general discussion of the book. The opinion is as valid as any other post on the thread, and as relevant. I see you are not a frequent poster. I sure hope that you soon develop more tolerance.

 

Bill

[Ms belp]

If you are interested in a reply from the author (who happened to be virtually wandering by), I am happy to provide it. Regarding your reference to 'crew bars' on islands; they are not crew bars. I am not referring to where crew members hang out while off the ship, but in the bowels of the cruise liner itself. Very, very different. They have changed radically in the last five years as well, for the record. They are now non-smoking, for example. And my co-worker who 'insisted' I was German, as you put it, merely met me for the first time in my cabin on the day I arrived on Fantasy. I was not in uniform. If these are the types of inconsistencies you seem to encounter, I think it is a matter of perception.

 

Love the book as did the person who shared it with me as did the person shared it with. We knew it was not written yesterday and that things change. Thanks for the great read!

[bob brown]

I had not heard of this book. I gather it is a 'behind-the-scenes' expose of crew life aboard a cruise ship from the crew's perspective?

 

This would be interesting. I remember that the book "The Love Boats", written back in the '70's, depicting passenger's cruise ship life spawned the successful television series, and is credited by many to spark the meteoric rise in popularity of cruising.

[hencoll]

I had never heard of the book until this thread. The many different opinions, reactions and reviews of the book piqued my interest. I downloaded it to my Kindle yesterday and so far I'm enjoying it. I think I will be looking at the crew a bit differently on my upcoming cruises. :D

[ladybug1s]

Wow, how totally awesome is this! haha

I was just reading "Cruise Confidential" as a trial on my droid:mad: sigh,

one day I will get a kindle of some sort. But, I really want to finsih reading. So I will either break down and pay the 9.99 or borrow from the library? But I think

it is a great beginning, and kept me wanting to read the rest. I am doing a cruise in March on the Enchantment from Baltimore:D I think it is an interesting

read and hope to see what this book brings. Kudo's to the author!

 

 

 

 

If you are interested in a reply from the author (who happened to be virtually wandering by), I am happy to provide it. Regarding your reference to 'crew bars' on islands; they are not crew bars. I am not referring to where crew members hang out while off the ship, but in the bowels of the cruise liner itself. Very, very different. They have changed radically in the last five years as well, for the record. They are now non-smoking, for example. And my co-worker who 'insisted' I was German, as you put it, merely met me for the first time in my cabin on the day I arrived on Fantasy. I was not in uniform. If these are the types of inconsistencies you seem to encounter, I think it is a matter of perception.

[S&S Cruisers 1983]

I read CC earlier in the year and just returned from a 8 day cruise on the Carnival Spirit. I asked our waiter if some of the antics that happened in the dining room were true he smiled and asked me where I got my information from because it was all true. I told him and although he hadn't heard of the book he wanted to read it. During a Q & A with the CD someone in the audience asked about the book and our CD told us she had read it and there was truth to a lot that was written although she didn't go into detail.

 

That is so funny! My husband took the book on our Carnival Spirit cruise in December. He was glued to it. Everywhere we went he would ask a crew member about things and they would ask him how he knew these things, especially in the dining room. Then one night at dinner one of the waiters played a trick on me with a cup and a spoon. My husband thought it was hilarious because he had read about the trick. It scared me though! He went to the Q & A also and asked a bunch of questions.

 

I would have thought it was the same cruise but ours was 12 days and our CD denied knowing anything about the book!

[cocheese]

I just found out that the author Brian David Bruns is going to be on my Sailing on the SKY on May 21st. I have not read his book, but I may have to get it now.

[mizLORInj]

I liked the book. Gave me appreciation for how hard the crew works and made me think about reallocating the extra tips I give as well (no, not giving less but realizing the ASSISTANT works just as hard!)

Thanks Brian Bruns! Will read your next book too!! :D

[LaCal]

I'm going to go out and buy this book just to see what all the hoopla is about.....:D

 

Another thing is, On a cruise awhile back We became friends with one of the dealers in the casino....

 

On the 4th day she was looking pretty tired/hung over....She told us that the night before they had a Big Poker game going all night in one of the crews quarters with lots of drinking and partying....

 

So I'm sure theres lots of other things the crew is doing as well on their time off, Parties,Sex,etc......They Deserve to Have Fun As Well after working crazy hours....

[Sheshefran]

I read this thread then downloaded the book on my kindle. I thinks it is hysterical. I can't wait to read the rest.

[ladybug1s]

I finished the book in 10 hours. The same day I downloaded it to my droid phone. The only thing I wish was I had a bigger screen like an iPad or kindle fire:) So you know you got my attention because I am not much of a reader, especially with 3 kids! Since I am cruising in April, I decided I was really interested. Any more good books on cruising out there to read? LOL