Sweatships: Working on Board Cruise Ships

[Sandytoes]

Came across this website which has to do with life aboard a cruise ship and how crew members are treated.

 

Here's one part that really hit me -

"The cruise ship industry’s 150,000 employees are confined to cramped, confined spaces on six- to 10-month non-stop contracts. Workers from poor countries of Latin America, Asia and Central/Eastern Europe are largely consigned menial work in ships restaurants, bars, cabins and loading bays. Women are concentrated in non-technical services such as hotel work and catering. These workers are segregated from everyone else and are not permitted to go on the upper decks where passengers reside, except for those who must work with passengers directly.

 

In contrast, managers, officers, technical staff, entertainers, medical staff and engineers come from industrialized countries such as the UK, U.S. and Italy. They have more spacious living conditions, have their own private restaurants, and have access to upper decks and some facilities enjoyed by passengers. Noting that workers from poor nations are servicing passengers who largely come from the white population of the rich industrialized nations"

 

[cruisefan42]

What website did you find this on?

[arlodog]

I am not surprised--I know that I have a hard time believing that the employees of the ship are better off working as hard as they do than they would be in their own country, but that is because I am very sheltered. I always make sure that I tip appropriately and go out of my way to talk to the crew and acknowledge their hard work and positive attitude. I can't imagine being away from home and family as long as they do. Every crew member that I have been blessed to meet has been positive and working hard to ensure that I have a good time--never have I heard them complain about their own living conditions or working conditions. Many are on multiple contracts, so it must work for them in some way.

[lovevacadays]

I've done alot of cruises and talked to crew members regarding their experiences. What I found, like any occupation there are some that are very grateful for their jobs and some not. I was on a Princess cruise one time where a couple of ladies where talking about how bad it was for crew members when a crew member interupted them and said that he was grateful for his job (coming from a country where there were not jobs), he had a steady income and medical benefits,etc. Granted: it is a harder life than I can even imagine for some, as I am grateful that I have the honor to be a passenger, but the reality is that in many countries the alternative is pure and simple poverty. Yes, the Staff in the positions like cruise director,etc have much more perks, in my profession the people in Management have many more perks than I have.

 

I'm not trying to minimize that it is unfortunate that people in this world have to work in not the best circumstances but I work in the staffing industry and know, even in this country, there are people taking jobs that are incredibly difficult, so they can support their families. It makes me very grateful for my job. I think many crew members are very grateful for the opportunity to make a living.

 

I think what we can do as passengers is to remember to tip those who give us service and this can include those other than the ones those "little envelopes" include.

[AllieInMD]

I don't know why folks get upset about this. The crew sign a voluntary contract - they are not forced to take these jobs - and if they hate it they can go home. The reality is that they can probably make more in a month on a cruise ship than they can a year at home or something of the sort. For some citizens of some countries - a cramped crew room on a ship with food every day is a step up in life for them. If you come from a poor country - you have no education - so you do blue collar work, not be an Officer. This is not much different than legal immigrants who come here, live 10 to a room/apartment, and work 12-18 hr days to get ahead.

 

 

Came across this website which has to do with life aboard a cruise ship and how crew members are treated.

 

Here's one part that really hit me -

"The cruise ship industry’s 150,000 employees are confined to cramped, confined spaces on six- to 10-month non-stop contracts. Workers from poor countries of Latin America, Asia and Central/Eastern Europe are largely consigned menial work in ships restaurants, bars, cabins and loading bays. Women are concentrated in non-technical services such as hotel work and catering. These workers are segregated from everyone else and are not permitted to go on the upper decks where passengers reside, except for those who must work with passengers directly.

 

In contrast, managers, officers, technical staff, entertainers, medical staff and engineers come from industrialized countries such as the UK, U.S. and Italy. They have more spacious living conditions, have their own private restaurants, and have access to upper decks and some facilities enjoyed by passengers. Noting that workers from poor nations are servicing passengers who largely come from the white population of the rich industrialized nations"

 

[iheartbda]

I am not surprised--I know that I have a hard time believing that the employees of the ship are better off working as hard as they do than they would be in their own country, but that is because I am very sheltered. I always make sure that I tip appropriately and go out of my way to talk to the crew and acknowledge their hard work and positive attitude. I can't imagine being away from home and family as long as they do. Every crew member that I have been blessed to meet has been positive and working hard to ensure that I have a good time--never have I heard them complain about their own living conditions or working conditions. Many are on multiple contracts, so it must work for them in some way.

 

I do the same as you but I do believe that many of them would not make the money at home that they are able to on the ships.

 

I agree with your last statement because I always ask how long they've been working on the ship and most times it is many years. The most recent one I talked to had been on for 15 years and said he would probably work 2 more years. He was at the end of a 7 month contract and would be home for 2 months. He had 2 children and another due shortly...we know what he did on his last time off.;)

[Sandytoes]

What website did you find this on?

 

 

http://www.pww.org/article/articleview/2897

 

 

~~~~~~~~~

 

What I found interesting was the fact on how they treat people who come from different countries. The ones who work really hard, are treated the worst.

Sad, isn't it?

[Fredr]

Hello,

 

As with many of you I always pay considerably more than the recommended amount for gratuities. And part of the fun of a cruise to me, is to be very pleasant to the lower paid crew members and make them laugh if I can.

 

I also agree that no one is forcing anyone to work on a cruise ship and based on our many cruises a large number of the crew are young and interested in seeing the world before they settle down. Many waiters are getting invaluable experience in this industry and several have told me that when they have enough money they were going to open restaurants.

 

While this is not the time and place for political statements, we Americans and Canadians should be very thankful that we have had worker protections that have made the lives of our working class somewhat better than in many other parts of the world. These protections used to be much better but even watered down as they are now, are significantly better than in many other countries.

 

Fred

[cb at sea]

Working on a cruise ship, especially in the "service" areas, as opposed to the "entertainment" venues, is nothing like taking a cruise! It's a hard, hard, underpaid job. That's why you don't see many (if any) Americans doing anything except entertainment jobs! I've had 2 family members who worked cruise ships as entertainers, and the rest of the crew has it nowhere NEAR as good as they did--but, they do the job because it sends much needed money home!

[G'ma]

Came across this website which has to do with life aboard a cruise ship and how crew members are treated.

 

Here's one part that really hit me -

 

"The cruise ship industry’s 150,000 employees are confined to cramped, confined spaces on six- to 10-month non-stop contracts. Workers from poor countries of Latin America, Asia and Central/Eastern Europe are largely consigned menial work in ships restaurants, bars, cabins and loading bays. Women are concentrated in non-technical services such as hotel work and catering. These workers are segregated from everyone else and are not permitted to go on the upper decks where passengers reside, except for those who must work with passengers directly.

 

In contrast, managers, officers, technical staff, entertainers, medical staff and engineers come from industrialized countries such as the UK, U.S. and Italy. They have more spacious living conditions, have their own private restaurants, and have access to upper decks and some facilities enjoyed by passengers. Noting that workers from poor nations are servicing passengers who largely come from the white population of the rich industrialized nations"

 

 

Well, it's true that the below decks crews share cabins - sometimes 4 to a cabin, it's true they work 12-15 hours a day, it's true they are contracted for a certain time period, it's true they don't make "minmum wage". It's not true that they don't get any time off. When a ship is in port, there is a posted schedule for below deck crews for them to leave the ship and go ashore.

 

It's true that below deck crew members aren't permitted on passenger decks unless they are working. However, they have their own recreation area and lounges in the crews quarters....no need to come topside. There are rules on a ship - like everywhere else.

 

As for "menial" work...that's the job description.....room stewards, kitchens, maintenance, janitors, waste disposal, cleaning... It's true that personnel are mainly from underdeveloped nations and countries where there are NO jobs and NO opportunity to make a living. Most of those who work on board send their money home to help support a family --- which they couldn't do in their own country. Interestingly, in the 70's and 80's, it was mostly folks from the Caribbean nations that took these jobs.

 

No Americans are to be found......they don't hire Americans for below decks because of the minimum wage and work laws we all fall under.

 

It's also a fact that a room steward can work his way up the ranks to become a waiter or bartender, a dealer - even a staff position.

 

As for the above deck personnel.....that's called "rank has it's privileges". They make better wages, can mix and mingle with the passengers, can eat in the dining venues (except the main dining rooms). Those jobs are service oriented...providing service to the passengers.

 

While you and I might not work as a below deck employee, many find the job desirable....much more so than anything their own country can offer.

 

The only ships where Americans work below decks are those that ply the waters of Hawaii......and they are mostly flops. Americans aren't accustomed to hard work and being subservient.......

[50cruiser]

I saw a program on tv a while back. The crew have their own facitilities like any ship at sea. Game rooms restrant ect. If you watch discovery on tv you will see how its like on ships or off shore drilling rigs. The crew I ve talked to work 6 to 11 months then off 1 to 2 months. My waitress last year on the grand princess had 1 mo to go than she was going home to Estonia . She said for 9 months on ship it pays for 2 years of college. she will be back in 2010 . She loved being on the ship . She said there is no job she could get that pays anything close to what she makes . I think any service job is the same. My daughter is a surgical assistant at a hospital and she is always telling me how hard her job is. Its all revelent to what you do . IM in an office 6 days a week 50 weeks a year. Been working 48 years . I just dont know any better. The cruise staff proably have more freedom than I do . CARL

[samee612]

I have been to Bali,Indonesia several times and have formed close friendships there.Some of them make $600 a year!Many have relatives working on cruise ships and envy them-they tell me they have no regrets except missing family.There are very,very few opportunities at home for them-it's sad,really...we are so lucky here....

[JLC@SD]

Came across this website which has to do with life aboard a cruise ship and how crew members are treated.

 

Here's one part that really hit me -

 

"The cruise ship industry’s 150,000 employees are confined to cramped, confined spaces on six- to 10-month non-stop contracts. Workers from poor countries of Latin America, Asia and Central/Eastern Europe are largely consigned menial work in ships restaurants, bars, cabins and loading bays. Women are concentrated in non-technical services such as hotel work and catering. These workers are segregated from everyone else and are not permitted to go on the upper decks where passengers reside, except for those who must work with passengers directly.

 

......sounds terrible for the passengers as well:

 

The cruise ship industry’s 1,500,000 passengers are confined to cramped, confined spaces on six to 10 day trips. Some passengers are from poor countries of Latin America, Asia and Central/Eastern Europe are largely consigned to stay in ships restaurants, bars and cabins. The passengers are segregated from everyone else and are not permitted to go on the lower decks where workers reside.

 

I guess this is a writer whose glass is half empty.......:rolleyes:

[Forchunut1]

Another reason that you don't see Americans in those positions is that they have to pay income tax on whatever they make. So, for those from other countries, their income is more than Americans would be in the same position.

 

As others have said, 100% of the crew members I've talked to have said that they are happy to be able to be doing what they do. Is it a choice we would make? Probably not. But, they are happy for the opportunity and are probably making more than their comtemporaries who remained in their country.

 

Overall, the staff on cruise ships are wonderful, engaging people and I've always enjoyed learning more from them. And, I try to tip accordingly.

[Tanker4]

For those who have access, you might want to seek out some of our fine folks who are serving (or have served) in the US Navy and ask them about living/working conditions at times while on sea duty, particularly those serving on submarines.

[sultan_sfo]

You want to start a campaign for a constitutional amendment to bring back slavery in the US? I read so much that the slaves were happier as slaves than being free! Then we can start bringing sex slaves and worker slaves who will "volunteer" because life as a slave in the US is better than their "home' country!

 

 

I don't know why folks get upset about this. The crew sign a voluntary contract - they are not forced to take these jobs - and if they hate it they can go home. The reality is that they can probably make more in a month on a cruise ship than they can a year at home or something of the sort. For some citizens of some countries - a cramped crew room on a ship with food every day is a step up in life for them. If you come from a poor country - you have no education - so you do blue collar work, not be an Officer. This is not much different than legal immigrants who come here, live 10 to a room/apartment, and work 12-18 hr days to get ahead.

[DanJ]

For those who have access, you might want to seek out some of our fine folks who are serving (or have served) in the US Navy and ask them about living/working conditions at times while on sea duty, particularly those serving on submarines.

 

Aint that the truth. All I know about how cruise line crews, and how navy crews, live, I have seen on TV. I'm sure the folks I saw on the PBS series Carrier would love to have the space and privacy that the bottom level crews on a typical cruise ship get. The janitor on the cruise ship probably gets paid more, too.

[Putterdude]

I am not entirely sure where we are going with this thread but as a person who did crew at one point in my life while going to university (that was back in the 60's) I can tell you that it is not a bad life. I would probably not do it again but then again I don't need to. I have spoken with a number of the stewards and waiters and for the most part they are happy in their employment but as previously stated they do miss their families. All admit that they can make much more in their cruise ship jobs than they can at home and some have goals of using their earnings to eventually establish their own business someday in their native land.

[SelectSys]

This is a very strange thread. OP - what are you suggesting? That we should boycott crusing? I wonder how may of us think that cruise staff are exploited. I for one don't.

 

http://www.pww.org/article/articleview/2897

 

 

~~~~~~~~~

 

What I found interesting was the fact on how they treat people who come from different countries. The ones who work really hard, are treated the worst.

Sad, isn't it?

 

Is it the job or the country that determines living conditions? I am sure officers of all nationalities are treated the same just as all dishwashers are treated the same regardless of origin. In my industry - software/technology - we hire from around the world and skills not national origin determine pay.

 

BTW - this an incredibly biased publication and has been around for quite some time esposing a socialist / marxist perspective. These guys look for class warfare wherever they can find it. It wouldn't be my first source of information but to each their own. From their about page:

 

http://www.pww.org/article/static/320

"The People’s Weekly World / Nuestro Mundo is a national, grassroots weekly newspaper and the direct descendant of the Daily Worker. Published by Long View Publishing Co., the PWW reports on and analyzes the pressing issues and struggles of the day: for workers’ rights, peace, equality, social and economic justice, democracy, civil liberties, women’s rights, protection of the environment, and more.

The PWW is known for its partisan coverage. We take sides — for truth and justice. We are partisan to the working class, racially and nationally oppressed peoples, women, youth, seniors, international solidarity, Marxism and socialism. We enjoy a special relationship with the Communist Party USA, founded in 1919, and publish its news and views."

 

It's a hard, hard, underpaid job. That's why you don't see many (if any) Americans doing anything except entertainment jobs! I've had 2 family members who worked cruise ships as entertainers, and the rest of the crew has it nowhere NEAR as good as they did--but, they do the job because it sends much needed money home!

 

It's not underpaid as the lines can find plenty of workers to fill the available positions and as we have all seen - reflect positively on their employeer. Just because someone from North America and Europe won't take a job in the laundry doesn't mean the job is underpaid.

 

You want to start a campaign for a constitutional amendment to bring back slavery in the US? I read so much that the slaves were happier as slaves than being free! Then we can start bringing sex slaves and worker slaves who will "volunteer" because life as a slave in the US is better than their "home' country!

 

What are you talking about? What does illegal immigration have to do with slavery. Like cruise ship staff, illegal immigrants have made their own decision to cross from Africa into Europe or Central America/Asia into the US. Cruise ship staff is not subject to impressment which like slavery was common in the 1700's. Remember that slavery in the US was stopped in 1865, Brazil slavery wasn't eliminated until about 1890, China 1910, etc. In many places it still continues.

[satxdiver]

Naval ships by tradition have a two tier system. Officers who today are university graduates (there are exceptions) are treated differently than the rest of the crew (enlisted in our navy). The officers eat in the officers mess while the enlisted eat in the enlisted mess. There is a difference in the ambiance between the two. The officers are served their meals while the enlisted get theirs from a food line and sit at long tables. The officers quarters are much nicer than the enlisted who sleep traditionally in open bay areas. This is how all the world nations (industrialized at least) operate their navies. This is how the USA Navy works today.

 

The cruise ships do the same. Officers are treated to better quarters, food service, etc, and allowed on the upper decks to mingle with the pax. Crew members are put into smaller multiperson quarters, eat in less luxury and are not allowed up on the upper decks with the pax. By tradition officers and crew do not mix socially.

 

Officers come mostly from the industrialized nations because their parents were able to pay for them to attend a university and earn a degree. The poor in third world countries cannot even dream of a university education and in some cases not even a high school diploma. They are relegated to the menial jobs since they lack the training. The industrialized nations take advantage of the situation with lower wages. Think about athletic shoes made in third world countries with minimal wages. The world is not equal or fair.

[greatam]

If we Westerners are opposed to the "slave labor" on cruise ships, maybe we should encourage our cabin stewards, laundry people and housekeeping staff to get a job in Alang or Chittagong. Could still be working in the "cruise" industry.

 

http://alexiuss.deviantart.com/journal/17919112/

[paul929207]

Sounds alot like the Navy.

[Gathina]

The best well written expose on this is called "Cruise Blues, the undeside of the cruise industry" and you can buy it at barnes and noble.

 

Having dated an NCL crew member for a few years he vouched for many things written in the sweatshop article. One time I visited him in port in Seattle and his boss, who was gay, found out I was coming and gave the best shift to work (his shift, at night) to a fellow gay person and we had only 1 to spend with each other because he didn't like women. And one time on another weekend he paid someone 100.00 to take his shift because the same idiot gay boss didn't want him to have any time off. Another time I picked him up in Miami and the ship was late coming in because a crew girl had commit suicide by jumping overboard because she had to go to counseling because she dropped a few dishes in the dining room and was harrassed by a senior staff.

 

Modern day slave labor. Someone needs to write to Tom Joyner and tell him this, he has that big cruise with RCI every year and he would be appalled if he knew he was endorsing slavery.

[98Charlie]

Sounds alot like the Navy.

Nah,,,Minimum enlistment in the Navy is still 4 years (6 for some occupations). Cruise employees are around 9-10 months.

 

Charlie

[98Charlie]

BTW Peoples Weekly World enjoys the special relation with the Communist Party of the USA because it is the official newspaper of the party.

 

Charlie