The Staff and Crew of Your Cruise

Cruise ships have a number of things in common with each other. One most recognizable is their international flavour. Workers from around the world are on each and every ship. Cruise lines choose some of the friendliest people you have ever met, and I am confident that you will become good friends with a number of staff members you meet during your cruise.

Because there are so many nations and cultures, and their respective personal dispositions and characters, onboard, you may not know what to expect when you embark upon the journey which is your cruise. It is then good to know what to expect from and of the cruise staff and crew members.

Most of the crew are honestly very happy to have you onboard with them. You can be sure that 98% of those smiles are genuine. O. K., sometimes it will be a forced smile, but that's only because they've been away from home for SO long, they are really really interested in going home, and getting away from tens of thousands of people. Nothing against you. For the most part, however, they will really like to have you onboard with them.

Some of them will make such a good impression on you, you will want to thank them in a special way. The best way to do that is to write them a simple thank you note when they have been especially pleasant and helpful. It means more to them than a financial tip.

Since so many of the cruise ships are gargantuan in size, and nearly impossible to discover without a map, you will likely get lost or confused at least once. Feel free at any time to ask one of the crew members or staff to help you. They are more than willing and very capable of helping you. Many times, in fact, they will even take you to where you want to go!

Sometimes, though, there are a few dishonest people who work in the cruise industry. They tell you that unless they get very good or excellent ratings on you comment cards, they will get fired. That is a lie. Report that person immediately. The cruise lines read each and every comment card, and you really should be honest on each question they ask. Praised people do get promotions and raises. If you have any complaints on the comment cards, they should be there along with possible solutions.

There are a number of signs on the ship that say "Crew Only". Those areas are just that, for crew members and staff only. They are also very necessary places where they go to get away from work. Just a nice, quiet area to rest their feet and relax.

You will likely see the captain at least once walking around the ship at one time or another. On my latest cruise, I was walking down my stateroom corridor and here comes the captain walking the other way. If you come across him, don't ask "Who's driving the ship?" That joke is way too frequent and it's up to the point of being annoying now.

Tipping

Tips and gratuities are usually included in the total price, and are paid before getting onboard. If you want to have them removed, you can once you get on the ship at the customer service desk. Typical tips usually total $75 per person for a 7-day cruise. People who aren't usually tipped are hotel manager, executive chef, bar manager, cruise director, or purser. However, you can buy them a drink to express your appreciation and thanks, if you so desire. When you order a drink at the bar, however, a 15% gratutity is automatically added to the bill. You are welcome to add more if you want to.

Finally, the Captain's Table. Who ARE the people who get to sit there? Well, first of all, the social host and concierge personally choose who get the opportunity to sit at the captain's table for suppers and formal dinners. Most likely, the chosen few are special VIP people, celebrities, very frequent travelers, guests who experiences serious enough misfortunes onboard, and people who are sophisticated, but very much fun!

So, when you are ready to have the wonderful interactive experience onboard a cruise ship, go over to www.kingarthur.myttn.com and book your next cruise!