NCLA. american crew?

[diamondf467]

Hi. I have been reading a little about the NCLA. I am really nervous about the American crew. Can someone give me some more details about their experiences with NCLA's crew. I am travelling 8/21 on the POH. Thanks

[newmexicoNita]

Diamond,

 

Relax, I have had a couple of clients who recently have cruised on the POA and had a wonderful experience. There is a little difference: Apparently some of the crew isn't quite as willing to work as hard as the crew on some other ships. They have a different constract structure, get paid a little better, because they are from America the tips they get do not support their families like those on the ships from places like the Phillipines etc. This does not mean they are all lazy, don't care or are going to walk off the ship at the first port. i don't know how much you have cruised before, but cruising the ships that do Hawaii only is not the same as cruising the Caribbean or Europe. Expect a little different atmosphere and everything will be fine. NMnita

[diamondf467]

okay thnx. wat should i expect? What is the difference in a cruise to Hawaii Vs. Cruises to other places (I have done, carribean twice and alaska).

[newmexicoNita]

okay thnx. wat should i expect? What is the difference in a cruise to Hawaii Vs. Cruises to other places (I have done, carribean twice and alaska).

the biggest difference is cruising Hawaii with an American crew is more for the experience of seeing the islands, than the WOW experience of cruising the ships: Again, this doesn't mean you won't love the food or get good service, it just won't be quite the same. NMnita

[garycarla]

Scroll down through messages posted over the past few weeks. You will see lots of postings of folks that have made trips via NCL Hawaii. And LOTS of opinions to answer your questions, or to confuse you more.

[bonvoyagie]

The American crew I saw on the PoAM was a nice change from the one we had on Alaska. I have never had towel animals, but my room was always clean and the bed turned down each night. The dining rooms all seemed under staffed which often resulted in slow service. I am not sure if it is training (or lack of it) that seems to show in the main dining rooms. The experience I had was more like a Denny's - as I stated before, I don't think that some of these folks had eaten at a five star rest, let alone know how to properly wait tables in one. What they lacked in training they made up for in spirit and personality. There was never a language problem and everyone on the crew went out of their way to strike up a conversation. On previous cruises we tried to look for the americans, here we looked for people from our part of the country - and found several from both Washington and Oregon. Some crew members made it clear that it was near the end of the contract - and they were not coming back, while others were signing up for another hitch. One thing I noticed is that I saw the same people in the same places every day - morning, noon, and night. This was true in the Caddy Diner, and the reg dining rooms as well as the buffet. Some of the waiters in these places got to know us by name. I also saw the same bartenders in our regular haunts like Sam Adams and Pinks. I don't remember on our Alaskan cruises if the same folks were in the same places for all meals. I read on the web site that the pay for a room steward is $8.50/hr with overtime after 40 hrs and a typical 10-12hr day, seven days/week. So that means that there is very little "off" time and lots of busy time. But the amount of OT would make a nice pay package - I presume that the crew gets their uinforms and meals provided - not sure.

 

Keep in mind that you are in port for most of the cruise, and the interactions with the crew can be a much or as little as you want. This is cruise to see Hawaii - not a cruise for crusing sake.

 

Alooooooha

[tomluvsaida]

The American crew I saw on the PoAM was a nice change from the one we had on Alaska. I have never had towel animals, but my room was always clean and the bed turned down each night. The dining rooms all seemed under staffed which often resulted in slow service. I am not sure if it is training (or lack of it) that seems to show in the main dining rooms. The experience I had was more like a Denny's - as I stated before, I don't think that some of these folks had eaten at a five star rest, let alone know how to properly wait tables in one. What they lacked in training they made up for in spirit and personality. There was never a language problem and everyone on the crew went out of their way to strike up a conversation. On previous cruises we tried to look for the americans, here we looked for people from our part of the country - and found several from both Washington and Oregon. Some crew members made it clear that it was near the end of the contract - and they were not coming back, while others were signing up for another hitch. One thing I noticed is that I saw the same people in the same places every day - morning, noon, and night. This was true in the Caddy Diner, and the reg dining rooms as well as the buffet. Some of the waiters in these places got to know us by name. I also saw the same bartenders in our regular haunts like Sam Adams and Pinks. I don't remember on our Alaskan cruises if the same folks were in the same places for all meals. I read on the web site that the pay for a room steward is $8.50/hr with overtime after 40 hrs and a typical 10-12hr day, seven days/week. So that means that there is very little "off" time and lots of busy time. But the amount of OT would make a nice pay package - I presume that the crew gets their uinforms and meals provided - not sure.

 

Keep in mind that you are in port for most of the cruise, and the interactions with the crew can be a much or as little as you want. This is cruise to see Hawaii - not a cruise for crusing sake.

 

Alooooooha

Thanks for that informative and detailed review. It is the kind of review one can use to plan with which is exctly what I've been looking for.

You compared the crew in Hawaii to the crew in Alaska. Isn't the crew in Alaska also an all American Crew? I guess because it stops in British Columbia it might not be.

[lhall85917]

Thanks for that informative and detailed review. It is the kind of review one can use to plan with which is exctly what I've been looking for.

You compared the crew in Hawaii to the crew in Alaska. Isn't the crew in Alaska also an all American Crew? I guess because it stops in British Columbia it might not be.

 

The crew in Alaska is not an American crew.

 

Our experience with the American crew in Hawaii was a very pleasant one. We found most of them willing to please and fun to talk to. There were several crew members that we talked to many times over the course of the week. The service was always good. We had one morning where breakfast service was a little slow, can't say that it was due to American servers instead of foreign servers. Our room was always cleaned and supplies were filled.

Although I am sure there have been isolated incidents of problems, we didn't see any sign of problems. We didn't see fraternizing of the crew around the passengers, unwillingness to provide service, or any other complaints that we've read about.

 

You should expect to have a wonderful time on this cruise with a friendly, capable crew!!

[karfest]

We also enjoyed the American crew. For the most part, they were twentysomethings with a few older folks thrown in! (and not ALL Americans) My daughters are 19 and 22 and I also work with people from 15-70 so I know how this age group thinks and can appreciate them for all their craziness! :D

These "kids" took a cruise ship job because it would be fun to get away from home, meet new people, and see the islands--what they didn't realize is how tough the work is and how mean and demanding many cruisers can be. :eek:

 

Not having a language barrier was a big plus- I think the foreign crew have a basic understanding of English but are basically cluelss to all of our "Americanisms" That's why they seem so agreeable, they just nod and smile because they have no idea what we're saying!!

 

The POAM crew won't take any crap from the constant complainers. If you want to have your bottom kissed, this is not the cruise for you--we had fine service, but we are also decent to those who are "serving" us. I had more interaction and laughs with this crew than ony other. The service wan't 5 star, but that's not the experience I was looking for.

 

We deal with Americans all day every day, why should they behave any differently working a cruise than at your local Applebee's or Target?

 

I was also very apprehensive before going- but we had a fantastic time!

[tomluvsaida]

It was very refreshing to read both these reviews. I'm really looking forward to POH now and am not at all apprehensive. :)

[sunshine 229]

We also enjoyed the American crew. For the most part, they were twentysomethings with a few older folks thrown in! (and not ALL Americans) My daughters are 19 and 22 and I also work with people from 15-70 so I know how this age group thinks and can appreciate them for all their craziness! :D

These "kids" took a cruise ship job because it would be fun to get away from home, meet new people, and see the islands--what they didn't realize is how tough the work is and how mean and demanding many cruisers can be. :eek:

 

Not having a language barrier was a big plus- I think the foreign crew have a basic understanding of English but are basically cluelss to all of our "Americanisms" That's why they seem so agreeable, they just nod and smile because they have no idea what we're saying!!

 

The POAM crew won't take any crap from the constant complainers. If you want to have your bottom kissed, this is not the cruise for you--we had fine service, but we are also decent to those who are "serving" us. I had more interaction and laughs with this crew than ony other. The service wan't 5 star, but that's not the experience I was looking for.

 

We deal with Americans all day every day, why should they behave any differently working a cruise than at your local Applebee's or Target?

 

I was also very apprehensive before going- but we had a fantastic time!

 

I think the problem might be that experienced cruisers are used to the type of service that they receive from the international crew and so they are not quite ready for the American crew on NCLA ships. I also do think though that on many occasions the NCLA ships have been understaffed and the poor crew, even with the best of intentions, has not been able to meet the expectations of all the passengers. They have just been working too many hours or too many cabins to give excellent service.

[Onessa]

Similar to Karfest's experience, we found the American crew an interesting change of pace.

 

I wouldn't say that the international crews we have encountered on other cruises (we've been cruising regularly since the early 90's) are necessarily superior to the Am crews - just that the two are definately different. The crew on NCLA does skew younger. To me that equates to less professionalism (due to less experience), but more enthusiasm.

 

Our room was always clean, turned down, and we had ice -- I was happy. We ate primarily at the specialty restraunts for dinner, our two forays into the formal dining room for dinner were slower paced than I would have liked, but still acceptable. The service there for lunch and the service at the specialties were great.

 

Little about the NCLA POAm cruise we took was what I have experienced in a more traditional cruise. If you go on a NCLA cruise expecting a traditional cruise experience - you'll be disappointed. There are no long lazy days at sea with the CD organizing games or conga lines, the itinerary is very port intensive, we had two days in Maui and a day-and-a-half in port at Kauiau; and there was no smoke-filled casino to avoid! Instead you are rewarded with exciting ports and beautiful scenary without the normal hassles of island-to-island travel.

[tomluvsaida]

I went to the NCL web site and clicked on employment. There are 3 different categories: Corporate, NCL and NCLA. NCL just had a few things to say and seemed to be aimed at an international crew. NCLA had a lot more to say and had a very good video that showed crews quartrers with 3-4 in a small room and other aspects of the ship showing actual footage of the ship. It let you know upfront that it is a 10 hour a day, 7 day a week job with a 4- 5 month leave ( I assume that's a paid leave.) They didn't sugar coat anything. I also read elsewhere that the crew goes through extensive training in Maryland before being allowed on the ship. They have to graduate from this and some don't make it. Based on that video and what I've read it seems like the all American crew is very well trained and informed of what they are getting into. I really don't believe the international crew is any better. The only thing I do know is that the American crew gets better pay and benifits than the international crew and I have read numerous comments on the Pride ships being under staffed. I can't hep thinking one has something to do with the other. One comment was that they are understaffed because people keep quiting. If that's the case why are they quiting?

[QARandy]

A big reason the ships were understaffed was that they took some of the crew from the first 2 ships to help staff the newest ship. Since the crew is almost all American and has to be Coast Guard certified they can not come from international ships so the only experienced crew members come from the first 2 ships. This caused them (the first 2) to be very understaffed.

 

These jobs are decent paying but not top in this country. In foreign countries these are excellent paying jobs so the cruise lines get to pick the cream of the crop and only renew contracts for exceptional. working on a ship sounds fascinating as does working in Hawaii. But long hours and watching ereryone else on vacation while YOU are working is not everyones cup of tea.

 

Randy

[tomluvsaida]

A big reason the ships were understaffed was that they took some of the crew from the first 2 ships to help staff the newest ship. Since the crew is almost all American and has to be Coast Guard certified they can not come from international ships so the only experienced crew members come from the first 2 ships. This caused them (the first 2) to be very understaffed.

 

These jobs are decent paying but not top in this country. In foreign countries these are excellent paying jobs so the cruise lines get to pick the cream of the crop and only renew contracts for exceptional. working on a ship sounds fascinating as does working in Hawaii. But long hours and watching ereryone else on vacation while YOU are working is not everyones cup of tea.

 

Randy

 

Thankyou very much! This is the best explanation I've seen for this problem. It also looks like something they can resolve and from recent reviews are resolving.

[hawaiibound24]

My daughter is 20 and cannot decide what she wants to do when she grows up..... but I am sure this is true for many 20 year olds. She decided to get some experience under her belt and work on a cruise ship. She just completed 3 weeks of training at Piney Point, MD and flew today to get on the POH. BTW, we are going to take a cruise on the POH in October. She said the training was kinda military like, but got through it ok and got her MMD card last Friday. We actually drove out and visited her there and saw the training facility. It was kinda cool seeing 4 cabins "built" into a building at the faciltiy. They also had a crew cabin..... wow... small.

Anyways, I will write more as she starts this week. She knows all about the long hours and tight quarters, but room and board are covered she will be able to save money. She is starting as a Jr. Waiter. Also, we took a cruise last September on the POAm and loved it.

[sunshine 229]

My daughter is 20 and cannot decide what she wants to do when she grows up..... but I am sure this is true for many 20 year olds. She decided to get some experience under her belt and work on a cruise ship. She just completed 3 weeks of training at Piney Point, MD and flew today to get on the POH. BTW, we are going to take a cruise on the POH in October. She said the training was kinda military like, but got through it ok and got her MMD card last Friday. We actually drove out and visited her there and saw the training facility. It was kinda cool seeing 4 cabins "built" into a building at the faciltiy. They also had a crew cabin..... wow... small.

Anyways, I will write more as she starts this week. She knows all about the long hours and tight quarters, but room and board are covered she will be able to save money. She is starting as a Jr. Waiter. Also, we took a cruise last September on the POAm and loved it.

 

Good luck to your daughter as she starts her new job.

 

I'm sure it will be hard work but also an interesting experience. I have been reading a blog by someone who has been working as a junior waiter for NCLA for some time now and it is very, very interesting to see some of the on board experiences through the eyes of a young crew member. Kind of gives a different perspective on things. He too seemed to have the ability to save money as one of his motivations for chosing to do the long hours and hard work required in this job.

[KD2428]

My daughter is 20 and cannot decide what she wants to do when she grows up..... but I am sure this is true for many 20 year olds. She decided to get some experience under her belt and work on a cruise ship. She just completed 3 weeks of training at Piney Point, MD and flew today to get on the POH. BTW, we are going to take a cruise on the POH in October. She said the training was kinda military like, but got through it ok and got her MMD card last Friday. We actually drove out and visited her there and saw the training facility. It was kinda cool seeing 4 cabins "built" into a building at the faciltiy. They also had a crew cabin..... wow... small.

Anyways, I will write more as she starts this week. She knows all about the long hours and tight quarters, but room and board are covered she will be able to save money. She is starting as a Jr. Waiter. Also, we took a cruise last September on the POAm and loved it.

 

I too am about to work for NCLA. I hope all goes well. The hiring process is really slowww though!

[honestguy]

Good luck to your daughter as she starts her new job.

 

I'm sure it will be hard work but also an interesting experience. I have been reading a blog by someone who has been working as a junior waiter for NCLA for some time now and it is very, very interesting to see some of the on board experiences through the eyes of a young crew member. Kind of gives a different perspective on things. He too seemed to have the ability to save money as one of his motivations for chosing to do the long hours and hard work required in this job.

 

sunshine can i have the address for that blog please

[tomluvsaida]

sunshine can i have the address for that blog please

 

This blog is from a NCLA crew member. I don't know where the other one is but this one is good with a lot of details from someone still on NCLA, at least as of the writting of it she was.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=386229

There is also comments from a male crew member. I don't think he started the thread so it is a bit harder to find.

[sunshine 229]

sunshine can i have the address for that blog please

 

Am I allowed to post it here? If so I'll be happy to but I thought some people have run into trouble posting links to other cruise boards and although this isn't another cruise board, I don't want to get a slap on the wrist for posting forbidden things.:eek:

 

My wrist is still stinging for posting about NCLA without having cruised on one of the ships.:p

[honestguy]

sunshine will u email it to me? fresnerd78@hotmail.com

[sunshine 229]

sunshine will u email it to me? fresnerd78@hotmail.com

Done :D

[Host CMLA]

Am I allowed to post it here? If so I'll be happy to but I thought some people have run into trouble posting links to other cruise boards and although this isn't another cruise board, I don't want to get a slap on the wrist for posting forbidden things.:eek:

Member tomluvsaida posted this link above your post. It's fine to post links to other Cruise Critic threads if it pertains to the subject. You can't cut and paste someone else's words or link to other cruise boards though.

My wrist is still stinging for posting about NCLA without having cruised on one of the ships.:p

Maybe you'll actually book one of the NCLA ships then you can speak from first hand experience. :p That's what we did. I've been to Hawaii with NCL but it'll be a new thing for us to do NCLA. I'm looking forward to it.

[sunshine 229]

Member tomluvsaida posted this link above your post. It's fine to post links to other Cruise Critic threads if it pertains to the subject. You can't cut and paste someone else's words or link to other cruise boards though. Maybe you'll actually book one of the NCLA ships then you can speak from first hand experience. :p That's what we did. I've been to Hawaii with NCL but it'll be a new thing for us to do NCLA. I'm looking forward to it.

 

Thanks Cecilia. The blog I found was not on another cruise critic thread; just a blog I stumbled on while doing internet research on the whole NCLA endeavor so I'm not sure where that fits in allowability. If someone wants it I can e-mail it to them.

 

I'm still keeping an eye on news and reviews on the NCLA ships. Maybe someday I will book one but not for a while. I did go to HAwaii a couple of years ago. Although I didn't cruise, I did get a little Hawaii experience and even though it was wonderful there are so many places in the world that I want to go and limited time and money so I think I'll be trying a few other places first. Also I'll be a chicken and let NCLA get all the bugs worked out before I try them.

You may have already posted this and I missed it, but which of the three ships did you choose for your first NCLA experience?