I work on 'independence of the seas'!

[ROYAL CARIBBEAN DUDE]

Thank you for sharing your life!!!

 

Your very welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed reading my blog. I have a lot more Royal Caribbean related content, and I'm pretty sure you will like it. Check them out, and let me know what you think!

 

http://www.chriswongvlogs.com/travelblog

[Aquahound]

Ask me as many questions as you want! I will be 100% honest!

 

I'm sure we all appreciate your inside info, but please don't get yourself in trouble with your bosses. I'm sure you know where the line is drawn with RCI ref social media. Seriously....it would be cool if you could stick around for a while. :)

[davekathy]

Read the blog

I did! I didn't see the name of the company the OP works for in his first post and still not seeing the name of the company. That's why I asked. Since the OP hasn't answered my question why don't you?

[SmoothFlying]

I've heard so many stories about how 'ship life' was back in the day! Some of my fellow crew members have been working on ships for decades, and I've been told things are a lot more strict these days.

 

I would love to know what working on ships was like 10 years ago. Sounds like a completely different experience.

 

 

Chris,

 

Just how strict are the Dept Honcho's onboard when alcohol's concerned ? I guess that any form of 'on the job' is a STRICT no-no but do they tolerate a little 'wild partying' after hours, I mean, folks gotta cut loose a little, after six months of looking a steel bulkhead !!:eek:

 

Mac

[TheBallsatSea]

It’s an incredibly small world, I was reading your blog entries and looking at your photo of quad bikes in St. Kitts and I noticed that my husband and I are in your photo! We obviously were in the same excursion several years ago. That was an awesome excursion. Thanks for sharing your adventures.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[chengkp75]

Chris,

 

Just how strict are the Dept Honcho's onboard when alcohol's concerned ? I guess that any form of 'on the job' is a STRICT no-no but do they tolerate a little 'wild partying' after hours, I mean, folks gotta cut loose a little, after six months of looking a steel bulkhead !!:eek:

 

Mac

 

International law requires that any crew member assigned an emergency duty (virtually the entire crew) not be above a blood alcohol level of 0.04 at all times, and crew are subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

[Keith1010]

Terrific blog.

 

Keith

[ROYAL CARIBBEAN DUDE]

Thanks for the blog. I'm sailing Indy in a few weeks. I'll have to look for you to say "hi."

 

I'm glad you enjoyed my blog! That's very nice of you, but I'm not going to be there unfortunately. Have fun on Indy, I'm excited for you!

[parrotfeathers]

Question--does the crew ever discuss unusual experiences of the day, such as "interesting" experiences with passengers? Do you get enough rest? I'm always afraid the crew is just exhausted and putting on a happy face for passengers.

[SmoothFlying]

International law requires that any crew member assigned an emergency duty (virtually the entire crew) not be above a blood alcohol level of 0.04 at all times, and crew are subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

 

Yes, I can see why, too. Because you never know WHEN an emergency might happen. I worked in a ground position for twenty nine years w/an airline and had heard that the FAA could also do unannounced random 'test' on flight crews, including us, if given a reason, such as an accident.:eek:. So, bridge crews definitely would be included, for safety reasons.

 

Mac

[chengkp75]

Yes, I can see why, too. Because you never know WHEN an emergency might happen. I worked in a ground position for twenty nine years w/an airline and had heard that the FAA could also do unannounced random 'test' on flight crews, including us, if given a reason, such as an accident.:eek:. So, bridge crews definitely would be included, for safety reasons.

 

Mac

 

Not sure about RCI, but NCL had a "zero" (0.00) policy for bridge and engine room watch engineers, Hotel Director, Staff Chief Engineer, Staff Captain, Chief Engineer and Captain.

[chengkp75]

Question--does the crew ever discuss unusual experiences of the day, such as "interesting" experiences with passengers? Do you get enough rest? I'm always afraid the crew is just exhausted and putting on a happy face for passengers.

 

Hoping I'm not hijacking his thread too much, but I know that his position as a concessionaire is different from a lot of the crew, but again, international law requires a minimum of 10 hours rest per 24 hours, at least 6 of which must be uninterrupted. Further, a minimum of 77 hours of rest must be given during any 7 day period.

[ROYAL CARIBBEAN DUDE]

I was curious about what on ship jobs are "concession's"....you mentioned shops, art dealer, casino dealer, and photographer's...I believe Spa personnel may also be....but aren't some of these jobs--especially photographer's, and sometimes Spa, "in-house" jobs where you are a cruise line employee?

 

Yes, Spa are also concessionaires.

 

Basically, us concessionaires are employed by an independent company - who has a contract with the cruise line. I don't technically, work for Royal Caribbean. As shop staff, I work for my retail company. The same applies for the spa girls, casino dealers, and photographers.

[ROYAL CARIBBEAN DUDE]

I just read your blog....very well done!

Your company should use it for a recruiting tool!:D

 

Thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoyed reading my blog!

 

I have a lot more Royal Caribbean related content that I think you will also like. Check them out, and let me know your thoughts.

 

http://www.chriswongvlogs.com/travelblog

[ROYAL CARIBBEAN DUDE]

Hey Chris,

 

Tom and Jimmy from London here. We’re on indie on May 17th. If you need any home comforts bringing onboard let us know!

 

Haha! Hey Tom and Jimmy! That's so nice of you, I will definitely keep that in mind. I'm not sure if I'll be there in May, but will definitely let you know if I want some Pot Noodles or something!

[ROYAL CARIBBEAN DUDE]

Why did you feel a "little unsafe" in St. Kitts? My wife and I have been to St. Kitts 8 times and have never experienced anything that would make us feel unsafe. Not even a little bit. Including being out and about away from the port area. We've found the monkey dudes in the port area a little bothersome. Not really any different than anyone else trying to sell you something in any other port. But that's really not a biggie as we just smile and say no thank and press on. Heading back this March.

 

I guess 'unsafe' was probably the wrong word to use. 'Out of my comfort zone' is probably a more suitable term.

 

Last time I was there I did a quad-biking excursion, which I highly recommend if you haven't done it before! Spending the day at the Marriott resort is also something I really enjoyed!

 

What excursions have you planned this time round for March?

[ROYAL CARIBBEAN DUDE]

What's the name of the company you work for?

 

Harding Retail is the name of the company I worked for as shop staff.

http://www.hardingbrothers.co.uk/

 

I now work for Park West, working in the Art Gallery.

http://artauctionsabroad.com/

 

I can tell you more about the whole application process, if that's something you are interested in?

[ROYAL CARIBBEAN DUDE]

Do you get a choice of which ship you would like to go to?

 

You can request which ship you would like to be assigned to, but it really depends on availability. But the recruiters do try their best to accommodate our needs, or so were told.....

 

There's also a chance you can get sent to the same ship again.

 

There are both pros and cons for joining a new ship, or being sent to the same ship.

[Jasukkie]

Wow you have been to some wonderful places. I'm glad workers get some time off to explore a bit. I'm considering a Norway fjord sailing on Indy. Two questions, have you had trips there that were complete washouts in terms of the weather, or is it more spotty rain? I see you've climbed up to Pulpit Rock. I'd love to do that but it seems a bit intimidating. Just how hard is it? I'm in my 50s, but active, good on indurance but maybe not so much on speed compared to you young ones.

[ROYAL CARIBBEAN DUDE]

Do tips get split up or when you get a tip do u get to keep all of it? Also is the tipping rules the same for all staff?

 

As shop staff, I don't get tips for my job. So I'm not 100% sure how it works, but this is it to my understanding.

 

You have the option to pay for gratuities before or after the cruise, and that gets split between departments that are eligible for tips. However, you can still give an additional tip to individual crew members, should you decide to for their excellent service.

[davekathy]

I guess 'unsafe' was probably the wrong word to use. 'Out of my comfort zone' is probably a more suitable term.

 

Last time I was there I did a quad-biking excursion, which I highly recommend if you haven't done it before! Spending the day at the Marriott resort is also something I really enjoyed!

 

What excursions have you planned this time round for March?

 

 

 

Thanks for the clarification. No planned excursion this time. We are going to walk around the port area, then thru the breezeway to the area called the "Circus" (where the big clock is in the center of the roundabout). Hang a left, over the small bridge and walk along the water front. You walk past a big fish market. Not as touristy. A lot of local venders and usually fishermen cleaning and selling their catch of the day right on the beach at the waters edge. The sand is black. Not a place for swimming though. We've seen some huge lobsters being sold right on the beach also. I take a lot of video and pictures. There's always this one guy (doesn't speak, tall and always wear a huge clear plastic bag with a rope tied at his waist) cleaning the catch of the day and likes his picture taken. When doing that walk I always stop and video him up close and (he acts like he remembers us) in action. I then give him some money and a bottle of water for his hospitality.

Edited February 26, 2018 by davekathy

[davekathy]

Harding Retail is the name of the company I worked for as shop staff.

http://www.hardingbrothers.co.uk/

 

I now work for Park West, working in the Art Gallery.

http://artauctionsabroad.com/

 

I can tell you more about the whole application process, if that's something you are interested in?

Thanks :D but I'm retired and loving life. I was just curious of the name of the company as I knew you didn't work for RC and didn't see it in your original post. Thanks for the info and safe travels.

[ROYAL CARIBBEAN DUDE]

I'm sure we all appreciate your inside info, but please don't get yourself in trouble with your bosses. I'm sure you know where the line is drawn with RCI ref social media. Seriously....it would be cool if you could stick around for a while. :)

 

Thanks for your concern, but don't worry, I won't get in trouble for this. Quite a few crew members have blogs about their ship life.

 

If you have any questions for me, ask away!

[MrsKC08]

What's up guys! I thought some of you out there might find this interesting!

 

I'm Chris from Liverpool, and I am a crew member onboard the Independence Of The Seas! I work in the Duty Free shops.

 

If any of you have ever wondered what being a Royal Caribbean crew member is like, give my blog post a read, and let me know if you recognise me or any of my friends.

 

I talk about my job, social life, travel, and overall ship life.

 

https://www.chriswongvlogs.com/work-on-a-cruise-ship-uk

 

More importantly, share this with anyone you know who wants to start working on cruise ships - or ask me any questions about Royal Caribbean ships in general. I can give you an honest opinion!

 

We will be sailing on Indy starting this Thursday, hope to see you and say Hi! My hubs and I sail quite often, but this will be the first cruise for my dad (our treat for him). Awesome blog!

[ROYAL CARIBBEAN DUDE]

Chris,

 

Just how strict are the Dept Honcho's onboard when alcohol's concerned ? I guess that any form of 'on the job' is a STRICT no-no but do they tolerate a little 'wild partying' after hours, I mean, folks gotta cut loose a little, after six months of looking a steel bulkhead !!:eek:

 

Mac

 

Great question! And don't worry, I won't get in trouble for telling you this.

 

There are parties all the time in the crew bar, and of course, we like to drink. From fancy dress, to themed events, birthdays, you name it. In fact, I can honestly say, I've had some of the best nights of my life in the crew bar. Even the Officers will socialise. There will have been many occasions where us crew members would have covered up very well, that we were partying the night before.

 

But yes, there are very strict rules. I have seen many of my fellow crew members lose their job for drinking too much, as this affected their work. Showing up in guest areas intoxicated will get you fired on the spot! As long as you know your limits, and your work performance is not affected by drinking, drinking alcohol is totally fine.