CHRIS WONG

@hayley_bopp There's no official rule for this, but crew members will often tidy and clean the cabin for before their replacement arrives. It's just a nice thing to do really. We have cabin inspection every week, and there is a standard to which we have to maintain our cabin anyway.

@JLMoran Yes mate, this is actually what happens. Because the cast have a lot of free time on the ship, some of them will find other jobs onboard by helping out other departments - and they can add these hours to the system, so they can earn a bit of extra money. The tech-crew actually helps us shop staff out whenever we have big set-ups to do, that require a lot of heavy lifting. In our crew areas, we actually have a bulletin board where departments can post jobs where they need a bit of extra help. @JLMoran The majority of us crew all socialise with each other anyway, so there aren't any hard feelings towards each other.

@LetsTryThisTech You don't need to work on a ship - if you win the lottery, book a year long cruise!

@Floski Is liquor cheaper on the ships compared to the airports?

Thanks @RestingBirds! I just hate the idea of - someone else will come along and clean it up.

@Floski This is a great collection! So I always wonder - I never complain about guests buying liquor, but how do you carry all this home?

@Floski Do you tend to buy alcohol when you cruise?

@Floski It's actually very rare that guests will buy something like this. It's often found cheaper in the Duty Free shops in port, like Jamaica. We actually don't get individual commission! We have a sales target at the beginning of every cruise, and anything achieved more than that, will result in a bonus on our salary.

@twangster We do have access to internet, but it's not great. It can only be used to email and Facebook. It's not strong enough to load YouTube videos. I tend to find wi-fi in port - this is how I usually communicate with people back home. It costs about 10c a minute, but it so should be free!

@FLGooner Then you'll know all about our parties in the crew bar! From themed nights, fancy dress, birthdays, independence days - you name it! Alcohol is really cheap for us, and we have to let loose every once in a while. That's 2 scouse comments now, I can't get away from it even off the ship.

@littlemom also, I am very excited for your cruise! I won't be there to say hello unfortunately. I hope you have a fantastic time!

@littlemom I have yet to come across anything like this. I have seen guests with walkie-talkies - a bit of old school technology!

@Sabrinaklai Lucky for me, every crew member can speak really good fluent English. There is a lot of crew members from the UK as well, which also makes it a lot easier for me to make friendships. I would say in general, you have to be an outgoing person in order to enjoy working on ships. Going off into port, and exploring new parts of the world with your fellow crew mates is half the fun.

@JLMoran This is a great question! Firstly, there are definitely jobs onboard that are more stressful than others. Crew who are cabin stewards, cleaners, waiters - I would say work harder than anyone on the ship. I actually never see crew members from these positions socialise or in the crew-bar. There either constantly working, or asleep. As shop staff, although we work long hours, I actually have a pretty good life onboard. But you are right, there are crew members who have definitely switched cruise lines for a better work-life. In fact, I have heard about crew members on other cruise lines that have gone off into port and not returned to the ship.

@rjac Haha! Imagine if that was the case. The possibilities of where I would go is exciting. I have been to the Bridge though, and sat in the Captain's chair.

@Floski I'm glad you enjoyed my insight into our crew life. A lot people seem to think crew life is terrible.

@Lindsay Wow! You're like the perfect guest! My mother is the same. I thank you on behalf of all crew members for helping us keep the ship clean.

@rjac Thanks for taking the time to read my article! I get irritated when guests leave cups and plates in the shop. Sometimes guests will try and bargain with me to get a lower price, and when I say the price is final, they will ask another shop-staff - thinking they will get a different answer.

@Rxatsea Thanks! I'm glad I can provide a little insight into our crew lives.

@HLWIser I'm loving your questions! When you work on ships, time goes so fast. You completely lose track of days, and a 6 month contract flies by. Engaging and interacting with the guests definitely keeps the job exciting. I actually enjoy exchanging life stories with one another. We party all the time! There are lots of events and themed nights in the crew bar - I guess this helps us stay loose during the course of a contract, and this is also how we socialise with all the other crew members. I've had some of the best nights in the crew bar - my birthday was a lot of fun! When it comes to my next contract, you can request what ship you would like to work on, but it really depends on availability. My recruiter will tend to give me an option of 2 or 3 ships. I personally prefer the bigger ships, just because it keeps me busier. I'd be so bored on a quiet ship.

@Ray Ha! Thanks Ray. I always get jokes like this from the guests.

@twangster I'm from the UK, I like tea!

Hey @Lindsay, I'm glad you enjoyed my blog. Yes, I usually go home between 4-6 weeks, and then I start a new contract. Working on ships is quite a fast paced life.

@Neaxan Thanks for taking the time to read my blog! Yes, depending on your job, your whole life onboard can be so different. I'm glad I can show you my ship life.

Haha @Sabrinaklai! I feel honoured that @twangster commented on my discussion!