Crew rehiring/vaccination progress around the world

[ATG]

28 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

Back in my days in medical school we were taught that making a diagnosis included actually placing your hand on your patients. It still works. Not everyone needs to be irradiated with a CT scan.

 

My doctor retired this spring and his replacement was doing tele appointments due to Covid-19.  I just couldn’t imagine a first visit with a new doctor being virtual.  I waited a few months for them to do in person appointments.

[John&LaLa]

33 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

Back in my days in medical school we were taught that making a diagnosis included actually placing your hand on your patients. It still works. Not everyone needs to be irradiated with a CT scan.

 

Honestly, I'll bet they are teaching tele med techniques now😉

[Ocean Boy]

3 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Honestly, I'll bet they are teaching tele med techniques now😉

Honestly, I like my way of practicing and I think my patients like it too.

[vacationlover_mn]

On 1/6/2021 at 7:29 AM, vacationlover_mn said:

I don’t mind zoom meetings, but HATE zoom happy hours.  After the last one, where no one drank and there were too many awkward silences, I decided I’m not doing them anymore- they are just boring and dumb.

LOL- and what happens yesterday?  One of my old coworkers texted me, and said she wants a zoom happy hour next week.  I guess I will be doing at least one more... 🙂

[miraflores]

On 1/5/2021 at 6:23 PM, sgmn said:

Thank you for your update, the last 10 months  must have be so difficult for you. Are they still rotating essential staff or have you been there for the duration?

My old colleagues at a major airline say the same. They fly pax all over the world and rules for countries change daily. 

 

I've been here since July.  We've been rotating staff as much as possible, and my ship (the OV) has been functioning as a "Mother Ship", picking up and quarantining crew for other APAC ships parked with us off the coast of Singapore/Malaysia.  It actually hasn't been all that "tough" on us lately.  Morale is really high right now, because everyone here is absolutely essential, and we're all one big family, all with important jobs to do.  We have all learned a lot about each other's jobs, and the crews that are on right now will be invaluable once service returns.  I'm the only Cruise/Entertainmant division crew left onboard, so I've kind of become the Cruise Director for all the quarantined crew.  I host/produce a daily "Morning Show", host a live "Game-Time" on TV every night at 9pm, record lots of safety/info videos, play bass in the crew band, and have been hosting events for the working crew (including a socially-distanced New Year's Event).  I've had a lot of quarantined crew tell me I should apply as a CD when all this is over, haha.  This experience has been something none of us will ever forget...but we're all excited about the success QN has been having and are anxious to get back into service.  But, until then, we're keeping the ship in top shape...we also have a drydock in March that will get it ready to return.  The ship has held up really well.  We had a plan right from the beginning, and we've been really diligent keeping it in good shape.

[BillOh]

On 1/5/2021 at 1:53 AM, miraflores said:

I am essential crew currently on a Royal Caribbean ship.  The new strain of the virus is creating havoc for schedulers and ships right now, as countries are constantly shifting the goalposts, and making it very difficult to get even essential crews on and off ships right now.  Many feeder countries are currently blacklisted, and ships are unsure if even scheduled sign-on/off dates can go ahead as planned.  This new strain has really changed the game, for the time being.  It's hard enough getting 100 crew to a ship right now.  2500 for the big ships is damn near impossible at the moment.

I've been wondering how many are on what ships. I've been watching Brilliance when ever she comes into a port and can never spot anyone walking around, except when the ship ties down.

[Blizzard54]

On 1/9/2021 at 12:15 AM, miraflores said:

 

I've been here since July.  We've been rotating staff as much as possible, and my ship (the OV) has been functioning as a "Mother Ship", picking up and quarantining crew for other APAC ships parked with us off the coast of Singapore/Malaysia.  It actually hasn't been all that "tough" on us lately.  Morale is really high right now, because everyone here is absolutely essential, and we're all one big family, all with important jobs to do.  We have all learned a lot about each other's jobs, and the crews that are on right now will be invaluable once service returns.  I'm the only Cruise/Entertainmant division crew left onboard, so I've kind of become the Cruise Director for all the quarantined crew.  I host/produce a daily "Morning Show", host a live "Game-Time" on TV every night at 9pm, record lots of safety/info videos, play bass in the crew band, and have been hosting events for the working crew (including a socially-distanced New Year's Event).  I've had a lot of quarantined crew tell me I should apply as a CD when all this is over, haha.  This experience has been something none of us will ever forget...but we're all excited about the success QN has been having and are anxious to get back into service.  But, until then, we're keeping the ship in top shape...we also have a drydock in March that will get it ready to return.  The ship has held up really well.  We had a plan right from the beginning, and we've been really diligent keeping it in good shape.

Glad to hear that the OV is being kept in shape.  We were booked to board after drydock for the crossing to Seattle. We are disappointed that we will not be able to take that journey.  I am not keeping my hopes too high but we are booked for a couple weeks in August it the OV makes it over here this year.  I am persistent and have it booked in 2022 for New Zealand and up to Hawaii. They have not opened the continuation to Vancouver and Seattle yet.

 

Have a successful drydock.  I am looking forward to sailing the OV again...someday.

 

  

[Biker19]

There was a similar announcement/agreement with Barbados last week - it seems RCI is looking a bit closer to home to staff its ships:

 

Royal Caribbean Group is launching a major recruitment drive in Antigua and Barbuda, hoping to hire thousands of people.

 

Antigua and Barbuda Minister of Tourism and Investment The Honourable Charles ‘Max’ Fernandez was joined by Royal Caribbean Group, Vice President of Government Relations, Americas, Russell Benford to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and Royal Caribbean Group to bring thousands of job opportunities to the people of Antigua and Barbuda in June.

 

In making the announcement, Minister Fernandez said, “Royal Caribbean is one of the iconic brands that is part of the foundation of cruise tourism in the Caribbean, and this initiative will not only see a huge cadre of our tourism professionals become gainfully employed while being ambassadors for our country, but it will further strengthen the partnership between the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and Royal Caribbean. It’s a win-win solution for all of us.”

 

The Minister also spoke of the Government’s careful and successful management of the coronavirus pandemic that gave Royal Caribbean the confidence they could hire the services of citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, knowing our people are vaccinated, fully trained and possess the skills needed to add value to Royal Caribbean’s operations.

 

“The relationship between Royal Caribbean and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda goes back well over 30 years,” said Benford. “We have supported each other through the most challenging times and signing this agreement demonstrates the strength of our partnership and will result in boosting the tourism economy.”

 

He added, “I take this opportunity to congratulate Minister Fernandez as well as our entire team involved in moving negotiations forward that will benefit the people of Antigua and Barbuda. This is a good day for the travel industry.”

 

In congratulating Royal Caribbean for its service to Caribbean tourism, Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority CEO, Colin C. James remarked: “Antigua and Barbuda have enjoyed a strong rebound in cruise arrivals in January and March of this year and Royal Caribbean has been a major part of that. This new partnership will impact hospitality employment opportunities for the destination in a positive way that goes beyond just welcoming cruise passengers to our shores.”

 

The employment initiative on Royal Caribbean’s ships will commence with a major job fair in St. John’s in June open to nationals and residents of Antigua and Barbuda. Opportunities for employment are in a number of positions such as the Marine sector which include junior seaman, junior engine man, assistant electricians; in the Operations Sector including storekeepers, cruise staff, youth staff, sports staff, laundry and restaurant attendants, bar waiters, wait staff, bakers, and butchers. In the specialty sector, vacancies are available for all positions in the casino, entertainers, photographers, and the list goes on. “This is the tourism industry performing at its finest," James added.

 

Royal Caribbean Group to Launch Major Recruitment Drive in Antigua and Barbuda - Cruise Industry News