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THE TRUTH! What Life Working On A Cruise Ship Is REALLY Like!

CHRIS WONG
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CHRIS WONG Diamond Plus

CHRIS WONG

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What's up guys! I thought some of you out there might find this interesting!
 
I'm Chris from Liverpool, and I am a crew member on Independence of The Seas! I work in the Duty Free shops.
 
If any of you have ever wondered what being a Royal Caribbean crew member is really like, give my cruise article a read, and let me know if you recognise me. (there are no ads on my article)
 
I talk about my job, social life, travel, and overall ship life.
 
 
Ask me any questions about working on cruise ships, or Royal Caribbean in general, and I will give you all the gossip. For example, what is the crew cabins like? Who better to ask than someone who has been on the inside!

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twangster Pinnacle

twangster

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19 minutes ago, CHRIS WONG VLOGS said:
What's up guys! I thought some of you out there might find this interesting!
 
I'm Chris from Liverpool, and I am a crew member on Independence of The Seas! I work in the Duty Free shops.
 
If any of you have ever wondered what being a Royal Caribbean crew member is really like, give my blog post a read, and let me know if you recognise me.
 
I talk about my job, social life, travel, and overall ship life.
 
 
Ask me any questions about working on cruise ships, or cruising in general, and I will give you all the gossip. For example, what is the crew cabins like? Who better to ask than someone who has been on the inside!

Welcome to the message boards!  

Very interesting blog, thanks for sharing.  I was on Indy over Christmas.  Were you on then?

I've often wondered how much art is sold during a cruise.  I just got off Liberty and it seemed like there were more art auctions and events than ever before.  How many pieces of art are sold during a typical cruise? 

accio7 Diamond Plus

accio7

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Hi Chris,

Your blog post was really interesting and well-written, thank you for posting! Just out of curiosity, what are the nationalities of the staff and crew members currently onboard Indy?

You all provide a great service to Royal Caribbean :) 

CHRIS WONG Diamond Plus

CHRIS WONG

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8 hours ago, twangster said:

Welcome to the message boards!  

Very interesting blog, thanks for sharing.  I was on Indy over Christmas.  Were you on then?

I've often wondered how much art is sold during a cruise.  I just got off Liberty and it seemed like there were more art auctions and events than ever before.  How many pieces of art are sold during a typical cruise? 

@twangster Thanks for the warm welcome, and thanks for taking the time to read my blog. Thought it would be nice to give a little insight into our crew lives.

Yes I was there. I love the Christmas/New Year period on cruise ships. The festivities were so much fun!

Did you enjoy have a good time? And wow, you've just got off another cruise, seems like you sail a lot!

The art onboard can range anywhere from $100 to $100,000 - it depends on whether you're buying a 'graphic' or 'one-of-a-kind'. Auctioneers all have their own way of doing things, some may prefer more auctions, some may prefer less. It will be different on every ship you go on. In terms of how many works of art are sold, again it's different every cruise. On average, I would anywhere between 10-30 works of art will be sold.

CHRIS WONG Diamond Plus

CHRIS WONG

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8 hours ago, accio7 said:

Hi Chris,

Your blog post was really interesting and well-written, thank you for posting! Just out of curiosity, what are the nationalities of the staff and crew members currently onboard Indy?

You all provide a great service to Royal Caribbean :) 

@accio7 I'm glad you enjoyed my blog, a lot of people seem to think us crew are treated like slaves! And thank you for your kind words - as a crew member we really appreciate it when a guests compliments our service.

Crew members on the ship are literally from all over the world. I would say the most popular is Filipino and Indian. With the shop staff - we are mainly from Europe, South Africa, and India.

Neaxan Diamond Plus

Neaxan

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Hi Chris,

thank you for your blog, it was really enjoyable. In Germany we have a TV series called "Verrueckt nach Meer" (Crazy for Sea) that follows crew members on Phoenix Cruises, but most staff they feature works in the kitchen. It was interesting to read another perspective. 

CHRIS WONG Diamond Plus

CHRIS WONG

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2 hours ago, Neaxan said:

Hi Chris,

thank you for your blog, it was really enjoyable. In Germany we have a TV series called "Verrueckt nach Meer" (Crazy for Sea) that follows crew members on Phoenix Cruises, but most staff they feature works in the kitchen. It was interesting to read another perspective. 

@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.

CHRIS WONG Diamond Plus

CHRIS WONG

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36 minutes ago, Lindsay said:

Hi Chris, 

Awesome blog!  After a 6 month contract, do you go home before you sign another contract?  

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.

HLWIser Platinum

HLWIser

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Hi @CHRIS WONG VLOGS! Thanks for sharing!

I've always been so curious about crew members' lives onboard. Would you say from week to week it ever becomes monotonous - or do the different passengers and guests each week that you are able to meet keep it interesting? Do crew members have parties on board that change week to week?

Not sure if you're able to answer this due to policy reasons but just out of curiosity - is there a level of seniority amongst crew to where you are able to choose which ship you are on for a contract? Are the larger vessels more or less desirable (more people = more stress but also more money?)

 

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CHRIS WONG

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19 hours ago, HLWIser said:

Hi @CHRIS WONG VLOGS! Thanks for sharing!

I've always been so curious about crew members' lives onboard. Would you say from week to week it ever becomes monotonous - or do the different passengers and guests each week that you are able to meet keep it interesting? Do crew members have parties on board that change week to week?

Not sure if you're able to answer this due to policy reasons but just out of curiosity - is there a level of seniority amongst crew to where you are able to choose which ship you are on for a contract? Are the larger vessels more or less desirable (more people = more stress but also more money?)

 

@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.  

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rjac

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Hello Chris,

Your posts are great! What are some of the things that cruisers do that really piss you off as well as other crew members (other than being cheap on tips)? Thanks.:27_sunglasses:

CHRIS WONG Diamond Plus

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2 hours ago, rjac said:

Hello Chris,

Your posts are great! What are some of the things that cruisers do that really piss you off as well as other crew members (other than being cheap on tips)? Thanks.:27_sunglasses:

@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.

Lindsay Diamond Plus

Lindsay

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1 hour ago, CHRIS WONG VLOGS said:

@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.

Oh my gosh Chris!!!!!  The trash, cups and plates guests leave everywhere irritates the YOU KNOW WHAT out of me too and I am guest!  When I see anything out of place I pick them up and put them in the proper place.  My husband gets SO irritated with me...he is like - Honey, why in the world are you cleaning?  We are on vacation.  

I also clean up my stateroom like this.  I make sure everything is in the trash and things are not left out and about.  I make the bed and I even compile the towels and put them in the bathtub when we are ready for new ones.  It drives my husband crazy (even after being together/married for 22 years)!  But I know that it's appreciated.  That is why I do it.  

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2 hours ago, Lindsay said:

Oh my gosh Chris!!!!!  The trash, cups and plates guests leave everywhere irritates the YOU KNOW WHAT out of me too and I am guest!  When I see anything out of place I pick them up and put them in the proper place.  My husband gets SO irritated with me...he is like - Honey, why in the world are you cleaning?  We are on vacation.  

I also clean up my stateroom like this.  I make sure everything is in the trash and things are not left out and about.  I make the bed and I even compile the towels and put them in the bathtub when we are ready for new ones.  It drives my husband crazy (even after being together/married for 22 years)!  But I know that it's appreciated.  That is why I do it.  

@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.

CHRIS WONG Diamond Plus

CHRIS WONG

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1 hour ago, Floski said:

What a great blog!

 

I'm sure that each of us who love to cruise are interested in the lives and experiences of those who make our voyages so wonderful.

Thank you, Chris, for your insight; please keep posting!

 

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

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Hi @CHRIS WONG, very interesting read from the "insider's perspective"! I'd be curious to know if during your stints on the different ships you met crew members who had transferred in from other cruise lines and what their opinion was as far as how Royal treated everyone and general workload compared to their prior line. After reading so many comments here and on CC / ShipMate about MSC Cruises staff always appearing understaffed, overworked, and constantly stressed or frazzled, I can't help but wonder if folks who went through something like that decide to almost literally "jump ship" and never work on a cruise ship again, or do they switch to another line like Royal, have a much better experience, and feel like it's actually a good job after all.

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Lovetocruise2002

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32 minutes ago, CHRIS WONG said:

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

I'm guilty of assuming that.  I do wonder if you enjoy it because you seem to be a pretty outgoing individual?  Or are most crew happy and involved even with some of the language barriers that some have?

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CHRIS WONG

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16 hours ago, rjac said:

So Chris, is it true that the Captain of the ship lets the crew member of the week (hardest working, most loyal/dedicated/best looking) drive the ship the following week? :3_grin:

@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.

CHRIS WONG Diamond Plus

CHRIS WONG

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15 hours ago, JLMoran said:

Hi @CHRIS WONG, very interesting read from the "insider's perspective"! I'd be curious to know if during your stints on the different ships you met crew members who had transferred in from other cruise lines and what their opinion was as far as how Royal treated everyone and general workload compared to their prior line. After reading so many comments here and on CC / ShipMate about MSC Cruises staff always appearing understaffed, overworked, and constantly stressed or frazzled, I can't help but wonder if folks who went through something like that decide to almost literally "jump ship" and never work on a cruise ship again, or do they switch to another line like Royal, have a much better experience, and feel like it's actually a good job after all.

@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.

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FLGooner

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We have a friend (also a Brit Ex-Pat) that used to work as a dealer on the ships, most of her stories are great. We've always heard that the crew have more fun than the passengers.

Thanks for the blog, great read. And someone's already beaten me to the Scousers and Hub caps comment :)

CHRIS WONG Diamond Plus

CHRIS WONG

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19 hours ago, Sabrinaklai said:

I'm guilty of assuming that.  I do wonder if you enjoy it because you seem to be a pretty outgoing individual?  Or are most crew happy and involved even with some of the language barriers that some have?

@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.

CHRIS WONG Diamond Plus

CHRIS WONG

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19 hours ago, littlemom said:

Hello Chris... will be traveling on Independence of the Seas next week.  Is there an app that we can use to stay in touch with our friends onboard the ship?  

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

CHRIS WONG Diamond Plus

CHRIS WONG

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On 07/03/2018 at 10:11 PM, littlemom said:

Hello Chris... will be traveling on Independence of the Seas next week.  Is there an app that we can use to stay in touch with our friends onboard 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!

CHRIS WONG Diamond Plus

CHRIS WONG

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7 hours ago, FLGooner said:

We have a friend (also a Brit Ex-Pat) that used to work as a dealer on the ships, most of her stories are great. We've always heard that the crew have more fun than the passengers.

Thanks for the blog, great read. And someone's already beaten me to the Scousers and Hub caps comment :)

@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.

CHRIS WONG Diamond Plus

CHRIS WONG

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On 08/03/2018 at 6:33 PM, twangster said:

Does crew have access to the internet on board and what does it cost?  How is it communicating back home to family?

@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!

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