CHRIS WONG Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 Hi everyone, For 6 months, I was working in the shops onboard Independence Of The Seas. I actually got the opportunity to meet some of you guys, and I just wanted say thank you for saying hello! I actually made some YouTube vlogs of my experience during this contract, and wanted to share it with you guys. I'm trying to show what being a Royal Caribbean crew member is like, and I think a lot of you guys will find this very interesting! In this first vlog, I show you the sign-on process. Me, walking on to the ship as a new crew member - followed by a ship tour. https://youtu.be/TwY2wMDjpBk I'm have begun my next contract onboard Mariner Of The Seas for 7 months, starting my new role as a Casino Host. I hope to meet more of you soon, and ask me any questions you may have about being a crew member! Please SUBSCRIBE to my channel as well. One day, I hope to vlog for Royal Caribbean full time! www.youtube.com/ChristopherWongVLOGS Chris The Cruise Junkie, Jmccaffrey, melmar02 and 26 others 26 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 Congrats Chris! It was great meeting you on Indy and congrats on the step up to Casino host! Jmccaffrey and CHRIS WONG 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnK6404 Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 Hi @CHRIS WONG ! Very nice to meet you and look forward to hearing about your experiences! Enjoy your contract on Mariner! CHRIS WONG 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jill Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 I’ll be on Mariner next weekend! I’ll try to stop by the Casino to say Hi! CHRIS WONG 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 Ooh..maybe you and @Matt could work on a podcast about working on the ships or about the casino specifically! Jmccaffrey, CHRIS WONG and SpeedNoodles 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KaydenDeen Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 Hello Chris, I was just wondering what made you want to become a crew member and how did you decide to go with Royal Caribbean? Thanks in advance! Cheers, Kayden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwbaker Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 Always been curious about what it is like. Thanks for the videos, off to watch now. CHRIS WONG 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sk8erguy1978 Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 Hello! Nice to meet you... Thanks! I am Excited to watch! I'll save all questions until the end :). We sailed Liberty in 2015 from Bayonne, NJ to Bermuda. Great ship, excited to see updates via your vlog. Already watching. CHRIS WONG 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisK2793 Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 I’ve seen some of your videos ..... great job! Thanks! CHRIS WONG 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmdrfrag Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 Fantastic, I love Indy, was on her last October and still a cracker. Earned a Sub from me CHRIS WONG 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThyriC Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 Hello Crew Member!! Thank you for all of your hard work. Every day, every moment, making those guests lives a bit brighter because of YOU cruisestuff and CHRIS WONG 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S0nny Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 Love the vlogs! Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with us! CHRIS WONG 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtread Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 9 hours ago, CHRIS WONG said: Hi everyone, For 6 months, I was working in the shops onboard Independence Of The Seas. I actually got the opportunity to meet some of you guys, and I just wanted say thank you for saying hello! I actually made some YouTube vlogs of my experience during this contract, and wanted to share it with you guys. I'm trying to show what being a Royal Caribbean crew member is like, and I think a lot of you guys will find this very interesting! In this first vlog, I show you the sign-on process. Me, walking on to the ship as a new crew member - followed by a ship tour. https://youtu.be/TwY2wMDjpBk I'm have begun my next contract onboard Mariner Of The Seas for 7 months, starting my new role as a Casino Host. I hope to meet more of you soon, and ask me any questions you may have about being a crew member! Please SUBSCRIBE to my channel as well. One day, I hope to vlog for Royal Caribbean full time! Chris Chris, I have to commend you!!! You put everything you need for a six month cruise in one suitcase.....we go on a seven day cruise and take five suitcases!!! That is amazing! I enjoyed your vlog and look forward to more. I am subscribing to your channel for sure. Keep them coming! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 Welcome! IRMO12HD, Jmccaffrey and CHRIS WONG 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 Welcome @CHRIS WONG! And congrats on the promotion! @Pippa_OceanTime, you've got another casino host here on the boards now. CHRIS WONG 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsweat22 Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 Congrats on the promotion! I just got off Mariner a couple of weeks ago. What dates will you be on her? I usually get to know the host pretty well on my recent cruises. Also, going to check out your vlog! Best of luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS WONG Posted October 17, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 19 hours ago, KaydenDeen said: Hello Chris, I was just wondering what made you want to become a crew member and how did you decide to go with Royal Caribbean? Thanks in advance! Cheers, Kayden My first position onboard was working in the shops, and the retail company that I worked for assigned me Independence Of The Seas. We don't get to choose. It could have been any ship, any cruise line. I feel very lucky to have been offered a Royal Caribbean ship. Working for Royal has changed my life! KaydenDeen, SteveinSC and sk8erguy1978 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS WONG Posted October 17, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 6 hours ago, hsweat22 said: Congrats on the promotion! I just got off Mariner a couple of weeks ago. What dates will you be on her? I usually get to know the host pretty well on my recent cruises. Also, going to check out your vlog! Best of luck! I will be here till March! I'm sure we'll see each other soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS WONG Posted October 17, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 20 hours ago, AshleyDillo said: Ooh..maybe you and @Matt could work on a podcast about working on the ships or about the casino specifically! I would love to do this! Amazing idea! SteveinSC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cruise Junkie Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 Welcome Back Chris To The RCBlog.com Froms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS WONG Posted October 17, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 11 hours ago, rtread said: Chris, I have to commend you!!! You put everything you need for a six month cruise in one suitcase.....we go on a seven day cruise and take five suitcases!!! That is amazing! I enjoyed your vlog and look forward to more. I am subscribing to your channel for sure. Keep them coming! Haha! Well our crew cabins are quite small, so we learn to pack light. I think it's a lot harder for the girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 I hope you don't have to fit your uniforms in that suitcase, and it's just for your "off duty" clothes and basics like socks & undergarments! Would stink to lose space to stuff you'll only ever wear on board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS WONG Posted October 18, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2019 16 hours ago, JLMoran said: I hope you don't have to fit your uniforms in that suitcase, and it's just for your "off duty" clothes and basics like socks & undergarments! Would stink to lose space to stuff you'll only ever wear on board. I wear my own suits for work, so yes, my uniform is in the suitcase. JLMoran 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsweat22 Posted October 18, 2019 Report Share Posted October 18, 2019 19 hours ago, CHRIS WONG said: I will be here till March! I'm sure we'll see each other soon! finished up the vlogs yesterday. Do you plan to continue to make some new content? thought it was very interesting! I don't think ill be back on Mariner by March. I am on Anthem in December and Brilliance in March. It looks like we will both be in Nassau on the same day. If you get off the ship would be fun to meet up and grab a beer or something! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillainsGin Posted October 18, 2019 Report Share Posted October 18, 2019 Where are you from Chris, your place of residency when you're not on the ship? Does this affect or hinder your ability to have a relationship with your significant other? How does paying rent work for your house/apartment if you're working on a ship for half a year at a time? (Does someone watch your place and belongings?) How do you make it work with your family and friends since you're gone for such a long duration? Once hired by royal caribbean is there job security or can they terminate at will? Thanks in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS WONG Posted October 18, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2019 Guys, I'm 5 subscribers away from 400! If you haven't already, smash the subscribe button, and keep up to date with all my work on a cruise ship vlogs! www.youtube.com/ChristopherWongVLOGS Thank you again for all the love so far! We're just about to leave Port Canaveral, ready for yet another busy cruise. I spent today in Publix buying lots of essentials. This is how I typically spend my turnaround day. The Cruise Junkie, IRMO12HD and DunkelBierJay 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted October 18, 2019 Report Share Posted October 18, 2019 6 minutes ago, CHRIS WONG said: Guys, I'm 5 subscribers away from 400! If you haven't already, smash the subscribe button, and keep up to date with all my work on a cruise ship vlogs! www.youtube.com/ChristopherWongVLOGS I'm #397. 2 hours ago, TJ! said: Where are you from Chris, your place of residency when you're not on the ship? Does this affect or hinder your ability to have a relationship with your significant other? How does paying rent work for your house/apartment if you're working on a ship for half a year at a time? (Does someone watch your place and belongings?) How do you make it work with your family and friends since you're gone for such a long duration? Once hired by royal caribbean is there job security or can they terminate at will? Thanks in advance! @TJ!, if you want even more info on this than what Chris might be able to give, check out the "Behind the Crew Door" podcast. They talk about all of this and more, it's actually a bit of an eye-opener what crew life is like. I learned about the podcast here, in fact, in one of our semi-regular discussion threads around tipping. VillainsGin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGTLH Posted October 18, 2019 Report Share Posted October 18, 2019 Hopefully I'll venture into the casino next week on Mariner... Who am I kidding, I'll be venturing in. Lovetocruise2002 and JLMoran 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick III Posted October 19, 2019 Report Share Posted October 19, 2019 Hi Chris - Congratulations on becoming the Casino Host on the Mariner of the Seas. My wife and I will be on the Mariner next week (10-21 through 10-25). We will stop to see you in the casino. Right now I'm not very happy with the Casino Royale program. I received an e-mail yesterday welcoming us to enjoy our Casino Royale benefits. In checking I found that my wife and I both had promos for $50 casino credit. When I called the Casino Royale phone number they told me that the promos could not be used because it was too close to the cruise. I was told that the promo had to be requested prior to the final payment date for the cruise. We have another cruise scheduled in January on the Harmony of the Seas and I believe that the final payment date has passed on that on also. So they send me an email informing me that I have a promo and its worthless. My wife and I are both Diamond Plus. We are not big gamblers but play the slots every day on our cruises. Maybe you can contact someone at the Casino Royale program and correct the problem. We will stop and introduce ourselves in the casino. Nick Augelli [email protected]. Loyalty # 371773088 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS WONG Posted October 19, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2019 On 10/18/2019 at 1:32 PM, hsweat22 said: finished up the vlogs yesterday. Do you plan to continue to make some new content? thought it was very interesting! I don't think ill be back on Mariner by March. I am on Anthem in December and Brilliance in March. It looks like we will both be in Nassau on the same day. If you get off the ship would be fun to meet up and grab a beer or something! Yes, I have lots more videos to post. It's just hard to find time to edit with my current schedule onboard the ship. I currently have a 'how much I earn' video nearly finished. hsweat22 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS WONG Posted October 19, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2019 On 10/18/2019 at 1:56 PM, TJ! said: Where are you from Chris, your place of residency when you're not on the ship? Does this affect or hinder your ability to have a relationship with your significant other? How does paying rent work for your house/apartment if you're working on a ship for half a year at a time? (Does someone watch your place and belongings?) How do you make it work with your family and friends since you're gone for such a long duration? Once hired by royal caribbean is there job security or can they terminate at will? Thanks in advance! I'm from Liverpool! It's actually very common to have a relationship with another crew member onboard. It's easier for me because I don't have a girlfriend/wife at home. I'm lucky that I can go back to my parents house in between my contracts. The rest of my belongings are there. Being away from family/friends is the hardest part of the job, and is something you have to adjust to. Lots of Skype calls! Yes, I never have to worry about job security. As long as I complete my contract, I'm always offered another. And with Royal bringing out new ships every year, job opportunities are always there. If I wanted to, I could do this for the rest of my life. raahc 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS WONG Posted October 19, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2019 20 hours ago, CGTLH said: Hopefully I'll venture into the casino next week on Mariner... Who am I kidding, I'll be venturing in. I look forward to seeing you! Jmccaffrey 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS WONG Posted October 19, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2019 2 hours ago, Nick III said: Hi Chris - Congratulations on becoming the Casino Host on the Mariner of the Seas. My wife and I will be on the Mariner next week (10-21 through 10-25). We will stop to see you in the casino. Right now I'm not very happy with the Casino Royale program. I received an e-mail yesterday welcoming us to enjoy our Casino Royale benefits. In checking I found that my wife and I both had promos for $50 casino credit. When I called the Casino Royale phone number they told me that the promos could not be used because it was too close to the cruise. I was told that the promo had to be requested prior to the final payment date for the cruise. We have another cruise scheduled in January on the Harmony of the Seas and I believe that the final payment date has passed on that on also. So they send me an email informing me that I have a promo and its worthless. My wife and I are both Diamond Plus. We are not big gamblers but play the slots every day on our cruises. Maybe you can contact someone at the Casino Royale program and correct the problem. We will stop and introduce ourselves in the casino. Nick Augelli [email protected]. Loyalty # 371773088 I look forward to meeting you Nick. Unfortunately, there isn't anything I can do at this point as our head office always has the final say in what promotions I'm allowed to allocate. I have a lot of guests that come to me with this same problem. Jmccaffrey 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FoxboroCruiser Posted October 20, 2019 Report Share Posted October 20, 2019 The videos are great! Thank you very much for sharing your experience. Jmccaffrey 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS WONG Posted October 20, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2019 On 10/18/2019 at 6:40 PM, CGTLH said: Hopefully I'll venture into the casino next week on Mariner... Who am I kidding, I'll be venturing in. Haha! I look forward to meeting you! Just look for the Asian kid behind the desk! CGTLH and hsweat22 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS WONG Posted October 21, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2019 New vlog has just gone live! I reveal how much money I make working onboard! cobra614, Jmccaffrey, tmp916 and 6 others 7 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS WONG Posted October 22, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2019 Hey guys! So I have some exciting news! I found out last night that I'm going to be transferred to Oasis Of The Seas in 3 weeks time. This is a big step up for me, and a lot more responsibility is going to be put on me - but I'm excited for this challenge. I'll be flying out to Spain to join the ship, and then crossing back to America for the beginning of the Caribbean season. Let me know if any of you will be on Oasis! I look forward to meeting you! Big Tule, sk8erguy1978, S0nny and 8 others 8 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted October 22, 2019 Report Share Posted October 22, 2019 I will be on Oasis Dec 1 and I’m a Club Royale Prime member. Will you be on by then ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanielB Posted October 22, 2019 Report Share Posted October 22, 2019 28 minutes ago, CHRIS WONG said: Hey guys! So I have some exciting news! I found out last night that I'm going to be transferred to Oasis Of The Seas in 3 weeks time. This is a big step up for me, and a lot more responsibility is going to be put on me - but I'm excited for this challenge. I'll be flying out to Spain to join the ship, and then crossing back to America for the beginning of the Caribbean season. Let me know if any of you will be on Oasis! I look forward to meeting you! How exciting! How long is your contract? We board in January on the Oasis. Jmccaffrey 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darketower Posted October 22, 2019 Report Share Posted October 22, 2019 31 minutes ago, CHRIS WONG said: Hey guys! So I have some exciting news! I found out last night that I'm going to be transferred to Oasis Of The Seas in 3 weeks time. This is a big step up for me, and a lot more responsibility is going to be put on me - but I'm excited for this challenge. I'll be flying out to Spain to join the ship, and then crossing back to America for the beginning of the Caribbean season. Let me know if any of you will be on Oasis! I look forward to meeting you! We're heading on Oasis next August - I imagine you'll be done with your current contract by then. If you are back on her next summer, we'll be sure to stop by and say hello! Great work on the vlogs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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