Cruise Talk: Can you handle the truth?

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Topic: Can you handle the truth?

cruzingary
First Class Passenger
Member # 541

posted 08-19-1999 04:20 PM

Former RCI hotel officer will try to answer your questions. You ask and I'll try to answer. I had the dream of serving on 7 of RCI's ships. Take your best shot.

Posts: 10 | From: Baltimore, MD | Registered: Aug 99

Jm
First Class Passenger
Member # 219

posted 08-19-1999 08:39 PM

Thanks,I have a few. First we will be sailing Voyager of the seas Nov. 28th sailng and we never cruised before. I heard you can order everything off of the menu, is this true? Like more than one dinner at a time? Also what kind of clothing do you think men and women should wear? And any other advise you would like to give us would be greatly appreciated. Don

Posts: 47 | From: Laurencr Harbor, N.J. | Registered: Mar 99

Vaccaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 465

posted 08-20-1999 01:45 AM

Hello Crusingary and welcome to the forum!
I'm sure your professional experience will be greatly appreciated and thank you to want to share it with us.
I'm going to think about some questions for you next days.
Bye.

Posts: 1193 | From: France ...where the greatest liners ever are born, ...by far! | Registered: Feb 99

MagnmPI
First Class Passenger
Member # 299

posted 08-20-1999 12:34 PM

Hey Cruzingary! You're gonna be popular. Here are my questions.
1. Does the captain get a suite, or is he below decks like everybody else?
2. How do you deal with crimes (ie.

omestic violence, disorderly conduct, theft) committed on board? Is there a jail cell?
3. I'm a police officer, are there any job opportunities in the cruise industry for someone with my experience?
4. I had a problem with an extremly rude employee at a poolside snack bar. At the end of the cruise, I mentioned my disatisfaction on a comment card and included her first name. What would normally happen with something like that?

Thanks for taking the time. =)

Posts: 545 | From: San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: Aug 99

mrblanche
First Class Passenger
Member # 714

posted 08-22-1999 12:19 PM

Have the recent fines and lawsuits against RCI affected the viability of the line? Especially since Alaska has just filed a new suit...

Posts: 308 | From: Cedar Hill, TX | Registered: Aug 99

cruzingary
First Class Passenger
Member # 541

posted 08-22-1999 09:24 PM

Yes the menu is open to you. You can have everything. Remember that the menu is pretty big, but get what you want. I like dressing the part on the ships. Not everone does so it's your call. Formal nights are a great time to wear a black tie and the ladies are requested to do the same. The longer trips (older average age of the pax) dress for the prescribed evening, but you can get away with Sunday best.

Advise go have fun, don't get caught up in the dress code, if you want to follow the rules go ahead, if not it's your vacation.

Posts: 10 | From: Baltimore, MD | Registered: Aug 99

cruzingary
First Class Passenger
Member # 541

posted 08-22-1999 09:43 PM

MagnmPI

The captain gets THE suite. He lives well, usually with a bedroom and an office/livingroom. He is located right off the bridge just in case of those midnight iceburgs in the cribbean.

Crimes are few and far between, but they have happened. While onboard a cruies ship you are subject to maritime law. That means the captain is the LAW. The Chief Security officer is the eyes and ears on the ship and usually keeps things running smooth. Yes there is a jail on board usually room for 1 to 3 people, it's basicly a locking cabin with a bed and a head. Just for your info their is also cold storage for those who want to take one last cruise before they die.

You might find a place as a Security Officer, RCI used to recruit mainly from the UK but that may have changed. Get a resume together and send it to the different lines Shipboard HR. Most of the Security Officers have military/naval experience but it's worth a try. I should ask, you are single, right???

If you have a problem with an employee and you put it in a comment card they all get reviewed every cruise. He/she will be spoken to and usually required to write a responce about the incident. If this happens more than a couple of times then they will be fired. My best advice is to contact someone that moment, the senior staff (usually) try to do everything they can to make it right for the guests. Once it's been taken care of you can get back to enjoying your vacation. I would suggest to save the comment cards as a last resort.

[This message has been edited by cruzingary (edited 08-22-99).]

Posts: 10 | From: Baltimore, MD | Registered: Aug 99

cruzingary
First Class Passenger
Member # 541

posted 08-22-1999 09:45 PM

mrblanche

It's been a couple of years since I've been there so I don't have any insider information, but I don't think so. RCI is big, really big. I'm sure they will be able to wheather the storm, and still turn a profit.

Posts: 10 | From: Baltimore, MD | Registered: Aug 99

MagnmPI
First Class Passenger
Member # 299

posted 08-22-1999 10:21 PM

Not single here, but married. I understand that this way of life can take a toll on a marriage. My father used to work on a passenger ship in the late 60's early 70's. He quit a year before he was eligible for a pension because he missed our family so much.

Besides the captain, does any other staff get a suite?

Thanks again for taking the time.

Posts: 545 | From: San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: Aug 99

cruzingary
First Class Passenger
Member # 541

posted 08-23-1999 01:32 PM

MagnmPI

Yes there are a few other officers that have a suite. The Staff Captain, Hotel Manager, some senior marine officers and a few senior hotel officers. RHIP if you know what it means. You have to remember that most of these officers have been working on the ships for many many years.

Posts: 10 | From: Baltimore, MD | Registered: Aug 99

MagnmPI
First Class Passenger
Member # 299

posted 08-31-1999 07:48 PM

I don't mean to be tacky but, I'm asking because I have had cruise staff members (waiter and maitre'd) hint to me how they send their paychecks home feed their family. I don't expect much and usually tip over the minimum suggested amount, but how much (in U.S. dollars) does a waiter, maitre'd and cabin steward gross in a year (tip included). I have heard different rumors about salary, including no salary at all, tips only.

Posts: 545 | From: San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: Aug 99

mrblanche
First Class Passenger
Member # 714

posted 09-09-1999 09:24 PM

cruzingary, what do you think will happen to the captain and crew of the Norwegian Dream?

Posts: 308 | From: Cedar Hill, TX | Registered: Aug 99

Sunseeker
First Class Passenger
Member # 438

posted 09-23-1999 08:27 PM

Cruzingary:
Passengers off the Tropical have reported that they were very poorly treated when the ship lost power in the Gulf of Mexico.
What will happen to the captian and crew of the Tropical if the complaints prove to be true?

Posts: 19 | From: Central California | Registered: Aug 99

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 09-24-1999 12:51 PM

For MagumPI - No one seems to answer your post - I too have wonderedt. It has been implied to us that 'he/she' is the family's sole support. Others have come up front stating that they are saving to start a business. Never heard that they relied solely on tips. That does not seem logical. Take a look at the camera equipment they carry ashore at some of the ports - and ask to see some of their pictures. They're all doing pretty well methinks.

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 09-25-1999 01:54 PM

cruzingary -
The inside story about the Amy Bradley/Rhapsody of the Seas post( see Nov.'98 above) would be interesting. Were you on board then?

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99

mrblanche
First Class Passenger
Member # 714

posted 09-26-1999 09:59 AM

Looks like CRUSINGARY has cruised into the sunset. He hasn't been in here since over a month ago.

Posts: 308 | From: Cedar Hill, TX | Registered: Aug 99

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