One of Royal Caribbean's most famous crew members is bidding life at sea a fond farewell.
Chris Wong, a crew member who has worked on cruise ships since as far back as 2013, is taking his final bow after years of service on some of the line's most dazzling vessels.
"I have officially announced and decided that this will be my last ever contract as a crew member for Royal Caribbean. After a long career with this company, it is now time to move on to the next phase of my life. I am excited and nervous for what is to come," he shared on a Royal Caribbean Blog discussion forum.
Wong's 11th — and final — contract is aboard Allure of the Seas. Allure finished up a massive dry dock a few months ago and is sailing in the Mediterranean for the first time since 2015.
He shared on his Patreon that taking this contract was a difficult decision. However, working aboard Allure after her multi-million dollar renovation in Europe was too enticing to turn down.
Although he wasn't planning to return to sea, he states that there's no way he is going to change his mind about continuing to work on cruise ships.
"No matter what happens this year, this is going to be my final contract...this will be my last year as a seafarer," he says in a video posted to his popular YouTube channel.
"Now is the time. I've always been told that you will know when the right time is for you to walk away from this life."
He rose to fame during the pandemic, giving cruisers a first look at ships as they restarted
Wong started sharing vlogs on YouTube in 2019, shortly before the global pandemic caused the cruise industry to shutter. Since then, he's amassed 114,000 subscribers and over 8 million views.
His content during the cruise shutdown offered a rare, behind-the-scenes look at what life on cruise ships was like during one of the most uncertain times in the industry's history.
He posted videos showing what it was like to be stuck in quarantine as a crew member, as well as providing updates on their protocols.
For example, the crew wasn't allowed off the ship for a while, but he was happy to share that in May 2022, they were finally granted shore leave again.
After the pandemic, he continued to vlog about his experiences as a crew member. He provided great coverage of Icon of the Seas during her launch, going as far as showing what their newly designed cabins looked like and the crew-only neighborhood.
Read more: Photos show a tiny crew-only cabin on Icon of the Seas
"This has given me everything"
Working on cruise ships for over a decade allowed Wong to travel the world.
Not only that, but he was part of some amazing projects, including working on Ovation of the Seas during her restart after the pandemic, as well as on Icon of the Seas during her inaugural season as the world's largest cruise ship.
2024 was a big year for Wong, too. In August, he received his 5-year recognition award, followed by a major promotion to Casino Host in December.
Yet, despite his success within the company, Wong felt it was time for a change.
"The way I was able to travel, the way I'm able to make friendships that span the globe, the opportunity to create this online community. My whole professional life, what I'm trying to say, has been incredible, and I owe it all to Royal Caribbean," he says.
Read more: Photos show the secret crew-only areas on Icon of the Seas
Wong will make the transition to becoming a paid passenger
After finishing his contract on Allure of the Seas, Wong's plan is to continue to sail aboard cruise ships. However, he wants to experience them as a passenger, rather than a crew member.
His overall goal is to work his way up the ranks of Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society, ultimately becoming a top-tier Pinnacle Club cruiser — a status reserved for the most loyal fans.
That said, one of the ways he hopes to fund this next chapter is through the Chris Wong Membership Club. This is a subscription-based community for fans who want to support his journey, gain behind-the-scenes access to his adventures, and receive exclusive content.
He also plans to provide tips on how to book cruises, review pre- and post-cruise hotels, talk about dining reservations, and more.
"This is going to be a crucial part to start my journey to becoming a Pinnacle member within the Crown & Anchor Society," Wong explains.
Pricing starts at just $1 per month.
Read more: Royal Caribbean crew member shares how much he makes working on a ship
