Interesting Article From a Former Cruise Insider

[atomax]

My biggest takeaway was "Tipping is crucial to survival"

 

https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/working-on-a-cruise-ship-what-its-like

[BirdTravels]

Thanks. It was a fun article. We always tip our room stewards and bar tenders in cash.

[KatEnz]

Great article.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Cruisin'cockney]

Interesting article. However, if he was on cruise ships for 6 years he must have signed up for half a dozen contracts which he did voluntarily so couldn't have been all bad!

 

I know some spa staff on various cruise lines who work very hard but have had an amazing experience visiting countries they would never have visited otherwise. Also, they are able to save nearly all the money they earn as bed and board is paid for. A girl I know has just finished a 9 month spa contract, has seen the world and saved nearly $5,000. Yes, she works hard and puts up with some seriously arrogant PAX but this is the same as at home in land based spas. It goes with the territory when you serve the general public.

 

That said, the staff earn every penny of the money they get and many deserve much more. I am happy to tip and will continue to do so in appreciation of the great service I invariably get on a cruise holiday. However, if I was a young man I would sign up to work on a cruise ship without hesitation!

[pokerpro5]

The article is garbage. I am pretty sure that the author fabricated a lot of it. This is what is known in the internet advertising world as "clickbait".

 

The format itself is weird. Rather than a frank Q&A with "Blake" (the supposed former ship employee), we have cutesy little passages written by the author. So which lines in the article came from Blake, and which ones came from the author? They purposely don't make that clear. Supposedly they talked to Blake and the author wrote it up in his own style, but this already is highly suspect.

 

Beyond that, the facts are just plain incorrect -- at least as far as the compensation works on the major cruise lines. I can't speak for the supposed "small, luxury boutique" line Blake supposely also worked, because I don't know which line he's talking about.

 

Most notably, "Blake" supposedly says that you should "throw yourself overboard" if you remove the DSC, because it comes out of staff pay. No, it does not. I have spoken to employees of several major lines, and all have indicated to me that they received FIXED pay, independent of the DSC. I believe the author fabricated this based upon an incorrect belief that the DSC was tied to staff pay.

 

Blake also claimed that elite-status members congregated with one another on the ship, looked down upon non-elite members, and also talked trash about other elite members who had fewer points than they did. Are you kidding me? This absolutely does not happen on major cruise lines. Even the biggest jerks aren't being jerks because they have elite status. They may expect extra service or certain perks (even ones to which they're not entitled), but the notion that the elite cruisers form some kind of high school like clique is laughable. Again, this sounds like nonsense the author made up because it sounded plausible to claim.

 

Also, gotta love this class-warfare passage:

 

The super-rich, however, could be downright horrible people. I had one New York seafood magnate who loved to play dice. One night a woman accidentally knocked his dice after he threw them, and he lost a few hundred bucks. He nudges me and says “Watch, I’m gonna make this b-tch cry,” and proceeded to rip into her with a loud, obscenity-laced tirade until she actually started sobbing. He did tip me, though.

 

Uh huh.

 

This sounds like a poorly-written, rich, evil villain in a bad TV movie.

 

Give me a break.

 

I've been part of the gambling world for two decades. I can assure you that a super-wealthy "New York seafood magnate" with a compulsive gambling issue isn't going to bat an eye if he loses "a few hundred bucks" on a craps roll. This was clearly written by someone who believes that a few hundred dollars is a huge bet, not understanding that the super-rich gamblers are betting 5 or 6 figures per roll, not $300.

 

My conclusion: Either "Blake" doesn't exist, or the author took some serious liberties in portraying Blake's answers.

Edited September 20, 2016 by pokerpro5

[Beaver1975]

Well, I guess since you say so and have such strong "beliefs" we can completely disregard other opinions. SMFH!

[4774Papa]

The article is garbage. I am pretty sure that the author fabricated a lot of it. This is what is known in the internet advertising world as "clickbait".

 

The format itself is weird. Rather than a frank Q&A with "Blake" (the supposed former ship employee), we have cutesy little passages written by the author. So which lines in the article came from Blake, and which ones came from the author? They purposely don't make that clear. Supposedly they talked to Blake and the author wrote it up in his own style, but this already is highly suspect.

 

Beyond that, the facts are just plain incorrect -- at least as far as the compensation works on the major cruise lines. I can't speak for the supposed "small, luxury boutique" line Blake supposely also worked, because I don't know which line he's talking about.

 

Most notably, "Blake" supposedly says that you should "throw yourself overboard" if you remove the DSC, because it comes out of staff pay. No, it does not. I have spoken to employees of several major lines, and all have indicated to me that they received FIXED pay, independent of the DSC. I believe the author fabricated this based upon an incorrect belief that the DSC was tied to staff pay.

 

Blake also claimed that elite-status members congregated with one another on the ship, looked down upon non-elite members, and also talked trash about other elite members who had fewer points than they did. Are you kidding me? This absolutely does not happen on major cruise lines. Even the biggest jerks aren't being jerks because they have elite status. They may expect extra service or certain perks (even ones to which they're not entitled), but the notion that the elite cruisers form some kind of high school like clique is laughable. Again, this sounds like nonsense the author made up because it sounded plausible to claim.

 

Also, gotta love this class-warfare passage:

 

 

 

Uh huh.

 

This sounds like a poorly-written, rich, evil villain in a bad TV movie.

 

Give me a break.

 

I've been part of the gambling world for two decades. I can assure you that a super-wealthy "New York seafood magnate" with a compulsive gambling issue isn't going to bat an eye if he loses "a few hundred bucks" on a craps roll. This was clearly written by someone who believes that a few hundred dollars is a huge bet, not understanding that the super-rich gamblers are betting 5 or 6 figures per roll, not $300.

 

My conclusion: Either "Blake" doesn't exist, or the author took some serious liberties in portraying Blake's answers.

 

We cruise NCL and Celebrity and regularly talk with the staff. Many of the staff do come from third world countries where if they were home they would be making a fraction of what they make on the ship. Many are saving to eventually go home and start a business, saving thousands. I don't believe that tips are rolled into their pay. The tips are on top of the fixed.

 

We always tip our room stewards, waiters and bar staff an extra amount.

[Annmeat]

There are several books out there written by former cruise employees. This article jibes with their accounts.

[LrgPizza]

The article really doesn't say much at all about anything. I'm not sure why it's even here. Weird.

 

I like the part where he's ripping on passengers about trying to earn their points and complaining about every little thing. Sounds like cruise critic folks. haha

Edited September 20, 2016 by LrgPizza

[CruisinHarvey]

I'm not sure about this article. First off, remember the casino staff is completely separate from the rest of the crew. So his experience doesn't necessarily translate to other crew members. He's says he had a contract for $950 a month. Then he says his tips offset his pay. Fine. That doesn't mean he wouldn't get paid if the tips didn't add up to $950. So, the example in the article basically says don't tip. They get the same either way. If you tip, the cruise line doesn't have to pay him. If you don't tip, the cruise line pays him. REALLY bad example to make his point.

[nednrom]

The article is garbage. I am pretty sure that the author fabricated a lot of it. This is what is known in the internet advertising world as "clickbait".

 

The format itself is weird. Rather than a frank Q&A with "Blake" (the supposed former ship employee), we have cutesy little passages written by the author. So which lines in the article came from Blake, and which ones came from the author? They purposely don't make that clear. Supposedly they talked to Blake and the author wrote it up in his own style, but this already is highly suspect.

 

Beyond that, the facts are just plain incorrect -- at least as far as the compensation works on the major cruise lines. I can't speak for the supposed "small, luxury boutique" line Blake supposely also worked, because I don't know which line he's talking about.

 

Most notably, "Blake" supposedly says that you should "throw yourself overboard" if you remove the DSC, because it comes out of staff pay. No, it does not. I have spoken to employees of several major lines, and all have indicated to me that they received FIXED pay, independent of the DSC. I believe the author fabricated this based upon an incorrect belief that the DSC was tied to staff pay.

 

Blake also claimed that elite-status members congregated with one another on the ship, looked down upon non-elite members, and also talked trash about other elite members who had fewer points than they did. Are you kidding me? This absolutely does not happen on major cruise lines. Even the biggest jerks aren't being jerks because they have elite status. They may expect extra service or certain perks (even ones to which they're not entitled), but the notion that the elite cruisers form some kind of high school like clique is laughable. Again, this sounds like nonsense the author made up because it sounded plausible to claim.

 

Also, gotta love this class-warfare passage:

 

 

 

Uh huh.

 

This sounds like a poorly-written, rich, evil villain in a bad TV movie.

 

Give me a break.

 

I've been part of the gambling world for two decades. I can assure you that a super-wealthy "New York seafood magnate" with a compulsive gambling issue isn't going to bat an eye if he loses "a few hundred bucks" on a craps roll. This was clearly written by someone who believes that a few hundred dollars is a huge bet, not understanding that the super-rich gamblers are betting 5 or 6 figures per roll, not $300.

 

My conclusion: Either "Blake" doesn't exist, or the author took some serious liberties in portraying Blake's answers.

 

You may be right - I'm not going to argue the point whether the writer wrote the article himself but will point out that "Blake" refers to the tipping being included in his pay for the first contract which may be the case over 16 years ago - I've been cruising that long but didn't pay attention to crew pay or dealer pay at that time. I can't say that I am in a position to dispute that -- you refer to it in the present tense - he refers to it in the past tense. Do you know for a fact that the DSC was not counted against salary in the past?

 

On some ships - Royal comes to mind - some elite (diamond and above members) do congregate in a special area designated for them and do socialize with each other for breakfast, lunch and happy hour getting special free perks. They also complain that the special seats reserved for them have been given out to "regular" passengers because they were late to shows. Some diamond/platinum/captain whatever elite members actually look down and speak of others and never let anyone forget their status - I have been corrected by members that it is a "ship" not a boat by elite cruisers who were listening to my conversation with family and friends. These elite status members are also ones that complain that food is not up to par and that the waiter made them wait 10 minutes. So it happens! I am not saying that all elite status members are like that and the majority are very nice and polite but you can't say that they don't exist.

 

I don't play in casinos so I can't comment on that part.

 

Oh, BTW, as you can see - I have cruised a lot and have some knowledge about cruising - I just like to call it a boat with passengers not a ship with guests..LOL

Edited September 20, 2016 by nednrom

[NLH Arizona]

Well, I guess since you say so and have such strong "beliefs" we can completely disregard other opinions. SMFH!

Just wondering, isn't the article just as believable as someone who gets their information from a stranger on social media. I too am SMH! Edited September 20, 2016 by NLH Arizona

[Annmeat]

The article really doesn't say much at all about anything. I'm not sure why it's even here. Weird.

 

I like the part where he's ripping on passengers about trying to earn their points and complaining about every little thing. Sounds like cruise critic folks. haha

 

Sounds like every Royal Caribbean cruise we've ever been on. Always had fun, but the diamond plus crowd seemed to be loud and everywhere..." I know more officers than you. I have more points than you my steward sends me Christmas cards" yadayada

[Annmeat]

You may be right - I'm not going to argue the point whether the writer wrote the article himself but will point out that "Blake" refers to the tipping being included in his pay for the first contract which may be the case over 16 years ago - I've been cruising that long but didn't pay attention to crew pay or dealer pay at that time. I can't say that I am in a position to dispute that -- you refer to it in the present tense - he refers to it in the past tense. Do you know for a fact that the DSC was not counted against salary in the past?

 

On some ships - Royal comes to mind - some elite (diamond and above members) do congregate in a special area designated for them and do socialize with each other for breakfast, lunch and happy hour getting special free perks. They also complain that the special seats reserved for them have been given out to "regular" passengers because they were late to shows. Some diamond/platinum/captain whatever elite members actually look down and speak of others and never let anyone forget their status - I have been corrected by members that it is a "ship" not a boat by elite cruisers who were listening to my conversation with family and friends. These elite status members are also ones that complain that food is not up to par and that the waiter made them wait 10 minutes. So it happens! I am not saying that all elite status members are like that and the majority are very nice and polite but you can't say that they don't exist.

 

I don't play in casinos so I can't comment on that part.

 

Oh, BTW, as you can see - I have cruised a lot and have some knowledge about cruising - I just like to call it a boat with passengers not a ship with guests..LOL

 

Great post. I have cruised a lot and still say "boat,"" floor" and "room." Guests are folks visiting Disney or company at home. 😄😄😄😄

[NLH Arizona]

Sounds like every Royal Caribbean cruise we've ever been on. Always had fun, but the diamond plus crowd seemed to be loud and everywhere..." I know more officers than you. I have more points than you my steward sends me Christmas cards" yadayada

Or Celebrity with some of the Captain's Club members.

[chengkp75]

Well, as I've posted in the past, since the Manila Labor Convention of 2006 came into effect, the minimum wage and hours of work/rest for all seafarers, including everyone employed by anyone onboard a cruise ship is regulated. The minimum pay for a month is $614. This is supposed to be for a 48 hour work week, but there is a clause that allows for "consolidated" wages (meaning salary, not hourly wages). Now, the cruise line can make this consolidated wage from a combination of salary and DSC, and so long as the total equals $614, all is good. When folks start to reduce their DSC, the crew's wages start to drop, but again, if the total is still above $614, then it doesn't cost the cruise line anything. It is only if the base salary is so low, and the DSC amount removed is so great, that the total falls below $614, then the cruise line has to pony up the difference. Without going into the whole tipping/not tipping or tipping/DSC debate, I can say that the DSC does in fact go to the crew, and the cruise line uses it as a "motivational" tool by forcing a team attitude (one bad performer affects all our pay), and without the cruise line itself being the bad guy (we didn't reduce your pay, it was the passengers).

[rochelle_s]

Well, as I've posted in the past, since the Manila Labor Convention of 2006 came into effect, the minimum wage and hours of work/rest for all seafarers, including everyone employed by anyone onboard a cruise ship is regulated. The minimum pay for a month is $614. This is supposed to be for a 48 hour work week, but there is a clause that allows for "consolidated" wages (meaning salary, not hourly wages). Now, the cruise line can make this consolidated wage from a combination of salary and DSC, and so long as the total equals $614, all is good. When folks start to reduce their DSC, the crew's wages start to drop, but again, if the total is still above $614, then it doesn't cost the cruise line anything. It is only if the base salary is so low, and the DSC amount removed is so great, that the total falls below $614, then the cruise line has to pony up the difference. Without going into the whole tipping/not tipping or tipping/DSC debate, I can say that the DSC does in fact go to the crew, and the cruise line uses it as a "motivational" tool by forcing a team attitude (one bad performer affects all our pay), and without the cruise line itself being the bad guy (we didn't reduce your pay, it was the passengers).

 

Thank you once again for sharing your first hand information. I do have a follow up question to your comments. In the case of NCL giving pre paid gratuities as a promotional perk or when booking a suite, where then does the money come from for the crews compensation? Does NCL pony up this money from the corporate coffers? Or do they just distribute what is collected through the DSC a little more thinly?

 

 

Rochelle

[suesings]

We cruise NCL and Celebrity and regularly talk with the staff. Many of the staff do come from third world countries where if they were home they would be making a fraction of what they make on the ship. Many are saving to eventually go home and start a business, saving thousands. I don't believe that tips are rolled into their pay. The tips are on top of the fixed.

 

We always tip our room stewards, waiters and bar staff an extra amount.

 

Don't bother. There seem to be some people who will justify anything just to not tip someone. They think being a room steward on a cruise ship is fabulous, well paid dream job and that there aren't third world countries where people make less than Americans. So it won't matter what evidence they see. They don't want to see anything that doesn't justify them not tipping. They are owed good service. :D:D

[NLH Arizona]

Well, as I've posted in the past, since the Manila Labor Convention of 2006 came into effect, the minimum wage and hours of work/rest for all seafarers, including everyone employed by anyone onboard a cruise ship is regulated. The minimum pay for a month is $614. This is supposed to be for a 48 hour work week, but there is a clause that allows for "consolidated" wages (meaning salary, not hourly wages). Now, the cruise line can make this consolidated wage from a combination of salary and DSC, and so long as the total equals $614, all is good. When folks start to reduce their DSC, the crew's wages start to drop, but again, if the total is still above $614, then it doesn't cost the cruise line anything. It is only if the base salary is so low, and the DSC amount removed is so great, that the total falls below $614, then the cruise line has to pony up the difference. Without going into the whole tipping/not tipping or tipping/DSC debate, I can say that the DSC does in fact go to the crew, and the cruise line uses it as a "motivational" tool by forcing a team attitude (one bad performer affects all our pay), and without the cruise line itself being the bad guy (we didn't reduce your pay, it was the passengers).

Thank you for possibly putting the whole does the DSC go to the crew or not discussion to an end.

[chengkp75]

Thank you once again for sharing your first hand information. I do have a follow up question to your comments. In the case of NCL giving pre paid gratuities as a promotional perk or when booking a suite, where then does the money come from for the crews compensation? Does NCL pony up this money from the corporate coffers? Or do they just distribute what is collected through the DSC a little more thinly?

 

 

Rochelle

 

They pony it up from the profits.

 

Thank you for possibly putting the whole does the DSC go to the crew or not discussion to an end.

 

I seriously doubt that will ever come to an end.

[sparks1093]

Well, as I've posted in the past, since the Manila Labor Convention of 2006 came into effect, the minimum wage and hours of work/rest for all seafarers, including everyone employed by anyone onboard a cruise ship is regulated. The minimum pay for a month is $614. This is supposed to be for a 48 hour work week, but there is a clause that allows for "consolidated" wages (meaning salary, not hourly wages). Now, the cruise line can make this consolidated wage from a combination of salary and DSC, and so long as the total equals $614, all is good. When folks start to reduce their DSC, the crew's wages start to drop, but again, if the total is still above $614, then it doesn't cost the cruise line anything. It is only if the base salary is so low, and the DSC amount removed is so great, that the total falls below $614, then the cruise line has to pony up the difference. Without going into the whole tipping/not tipping or tipping/DSC debate, I can say that the DSC does in fact go to the crew, and the cruise line uses it as a "motivational" tool by forcing a team attitude (one bad performer affects all our pay), and without the cruise line itself being the bad guy (we didn't reduce your pay, it was the passengers).

 

Kind of puts paid to post 5.;)

[pokerpro5]

There are several books out there written by former cruise employees. This article jibes with their accounts.

 

When were these books written? Since the common utilization of the DSC?

 

I would be very surprised if any former cruise employees claimed that the DSC was equivalent to tips, as even NCL carefully avoids saying that on their own webpage.

 

Besides, that article is full of other laughably fictitious anecdotes, such as the "NY Seafood Magnate" gambler who tried to make a woman cry because he lost a whopping $300.

[Sissaaaaaa]

Well, as I've posted in the past, since the Manila Labor Convention of 2006 came into effect, the minimum wage and hours of work/rest for all seafarers, including everyone employed by anyone onboard a cruise ship is regulated. The minimum pay for a month is $614. This is supposed to be for a 48 hour work week, but there is a clause that allows for "consolidated" wages (meaning salary, not hourly wages). Now, the cruise line can make this consolidated wage from a combination of salary and DSC, and so long as the total equals $614, all is good. When folks start to reduce their DSC, the crew's wages start to drop, but again, if the total is still above $614, then it doesn't cost the cruise line anything. It is only if the base salary is so low, and the DSC amount removed is so great, that the total falls below $614, then the cruise line has to pony up the difference. Without going into the whole tipping/not tipping or tipping/DSC debate, I can say that the DSC does in fact go to the crew, and the cruise line uses it as a "motivational" tool by forcing a team attitude (one bad performer affects all our pay), and without the cruise line itself being the bad guy (we didn't reduce your pay, it was the passengers).

 

That certainly makes me feel better with paying the DSC. Thanks for the info!

[tedyb]

Some people don't tip?

[suesings]

Or Celebrity with some of the Captain's Club members.

 

Living and working in the Silicon Valley, I have known (and worked with) quite a few multi-millionaires who are arrogant, BEYOND showy and cheap as hell. On the other hand, I also know many who are humble and kind.... Different kinds of people in every bracket.