Silversea looking to hire youth counselor

[joe_90]

Hi all

I was looking at the silversea web site tonight and found this job advertisement in the careers section.

Looks like children will now be welcome?:eek:

John





Description:
Job Title: Youth Counselor
Department: Entertainment Department
Reports to:Cruise Director
Performance Responsibilities:
This position contributions to the Company’s Mission, values, and strategic priorities by implementing the service principles of Aggressive Hospitality in the following areas:
- To deliver first-rate children’s entertainment and care for passengers of the cruise line. Children defined as aged 3-17 years old.
- To take part in all facets of daytime and evening children’s entertainment activities as directed by the Cruise Director.
- To schedule children’s entertainment and activities, taking full account of passenger profiles, nationalities and ages and ensuring that the specific schedules are fully publicized and delivered accordingly.

[ventmo]

Are you suggesting that Silversea currently does not welcome children? If so, that would be news. I know many of their customers feel that the pricing may limit the number of children, but I don't think the company itself ever turns away children or discourages children. Silversea not offering the same service directed at children as other cruise lines is a function of the pricing and not a conscious decision to limit passengers based on a minimum age.

[CASHIPman]

Are you suggesting that Silversea currently does not welcome children? If so, that would be news. I know many of their customers feel that the pricing may limit the number of children, but I don't think the company itself ever turns away children or discourages children. Silversea not offering the same service directed at children as other cruise lines is a function of the pricing and not a conscious decision to limit passengers based on a minimum age.

Silversea doesn't actively dissuade children but, by design they haven't regularly offered any children-specific activities. I do though think this has been a conscious decision by Silversea, at least in the past.

I've traveled many a SS trip and there have usually been a few kids on board. By in large they've been very well behaved but I do think if SS offers kids' activities then the the feel of the experience could change.

[Silver Spectre]

Suspect this is aimed at the 7 day Med cruises in the summer on the Spirit. For anything other than a holiday period this is seriously bad news.

[billcrooz]

What's the old saying? Death by a thousand cuts! No more caviar,no fruit in the room, the same menu every night in La Terraza, I could go on and on.I know one thing ,no more 7 day cruise. Pretty sad.......

[Goldens4]

Yes, the experience will change drastically. However, if SS indicates this in their brochure, such as VS discount and Gentlemen Hosts, it wouldn't be too bad. We could then make an informed decision. I would also like SS to have a special "family" dining hour so the rest of us can dine in peace.

[Emtbsam]

What's the old saying? Death by a thousand cuts! No more caviar,no fruit in the room, the same menu every night in La Terraza, I could go on and on.I know one thing ,no more 7 day cruise. Pretty sad.......

Yes, they don't offer caviar the way they used to, which for me is a non-event since I don't care for it. I understand that others may feel differently.

You can still get fruit in your suite. You just need to ask for it. I hated to see so much fruit going to waste, so for me, this is a positive step. I get exactly what I want. Yes, LT has pretty much the same menu every night, but they do vary the specials, especially the fish.

The most important thing is that Silversea stays in business and continues to offer the high quality of cruise experience that we have come to enjoy so much. If it means that they must cut back on certain things, so be it. Haven't we all had the desire to cut back on something in these challenging economic times?

[billcrooz]

Yes, they don't offer caviar the way they used to, which for me is a non-event since I don't care for it. I understand that others may feel differently.

You can still get fruit in your suite. You just need to ask for it. I hated to see so much fruit going to waste, so for me, this is a positive step. I get exactly what I want. Yes, LT has pretty much the same menu every night, but they do vary the specials, especially the fish.

The most important thing is that Silversea stays in business and continues to offer the high quality of cruise experience that we have come to enjoy so much. If it means that they must cut back on certain things, so be it. Haven't we all had the desire to cut back on something in these challenging economic times?


Very true, but they haven't cut back on prices!

[dusababy]

Very true, but they haven't cut back on prices!


Well, my fuel, food, and other expenses have gone up drastically, so I'd find it difficult to "cut back on prices" too.

[wripro]

We can only hope that the presence of a youth counselor onboard will not, in effect, change the tenor of the experience on SS by attracting a greater concentration of kids. The fact that they are advertising only for one such position and not five tells me that it's for the Spirit and not the entire fleet, as mentioned above. So in my cruise considerations all I have to do is eliminate Spirit cruises during the summer and holidays. All others should be okay.

[Travelcat2]

Perhaps the youth counselor position will only be on the Spirit. IMO, the other ships are too small to share with groups of children under the leadership of a youth counselor. Do you take turns using the pool? Where would outdoor activities be held? For that matter, where would indoor activities be held? How many counselors would they need for ages 3 - 17? Probably three? When Regent runs their children's program in Alaska, they typically get between 100 and 150 children per week (the ship holds 490 -- not much more than the Spirit).

[Jaffa]

After speaking to SS today in Aust, l was told there are no plans to change SS policy on childrens programes or direct marketing to familys with children.

The youth counselor position has come about due to requests by charter clients.
Large internationals (companys) that whole ship charter are often requesting child supervision whilst company activitys onboard are taking place.
Until now SS said they have been unable to provide assistance in this area.

I would assume with the market being so tight SS is doing everything it can to attract and consolidate their charter opportunitys.
Sorry for the spelling, its late and l really should be asleep.

[wripro]

Perhaps there's space for youth activities in the brig!

[meow!]

We have had such discussions on this board before

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=966272&highlight=children&page=6

Specifically posting #119 by Mr Tucker on that thread.

[dudesdynamos]

I hope Mr. Tucker is still listening.

Kids on a charter are fine.

If SS thinks there is a market for luxury sailing for kids, have them buy a Disney ship, upscale it and dedicate it to fmailies that want a luxur cruise.

Kids are great, just not on a luxury cruise. I'm sure mnay people who bring kids on a Silversea cruise will tell you "My kids are different".

[wripro]

Parents who bring kids on to a small luxury ship are only thinking of themselves. If they were thinking of their children's welfare they'd be on Disney or RCCL.

[Delilah21]

We did a 7 day Med cruise in Whisper a few years ago and it was the only time that we have experienced children on a Silversea cruise. It was a nightmare. I do not expect to see high chairs in the main restaurant at dinner and also at breakfast in the main restaurant. There were about 12 children on board ranging from toddlers to age 15. The youngesters were obviously bored and on several occasions we had to complain about them running around on the deck above the pool deck and of course commandeering the pool jumping in and splashing guests. We said we would never ever do a seven day cruise in the Med again. One of the bonuses for us is that Silversea are usually child free

[wripro]

Unfortunately, the summer months in the Med are filled with nothing but seven day cruises now on all luxury lines. They want that younger demographic which comes with kids. Those of us who do not want to cruise with kids need to be very careful to avoid all those sailings.