Goldconnection

4 hours ago, www3traveler said:

Crew members are very literate in their own launguages.  English is one of the most difficult languages to learn.  There are groups of on ship employees that are not required to speak English, especially those that do do interact with passengers: laundry workers, Deck and Engine Personnel for two.  If an staff members deals with passengers, they have to speak English.  At one time there were English classes available for crew members.

To answer your question, I was 14 when I go my first real paycheck and NO I did not know about deductions for taxes, insurance, social Security, etc.

Thanks again to poster chengkp75 for once again setting the record straight by debunking this myth. 

8 hours ago, www3traveler said:

Crew members come from all over the world.  Some speak and understand English better than others.

 

Do you remember the 1st time you ever got a payroll slip?  Did you know what it said?  Codes for payroll deductions can be very confusing.  Most young people I know multiply the number of hours they have worked by whatever their pay rate is and think that what they will get-- it isn't.  Same thing with crew.  

 

For many direct deposit is new-- some countries still do not have it.  So crew gets paid and has to wire money home.

 

You said they could not read. My question stands…Are you saying they are illiterate? And you’d I understood my first payroll slip. Didn’t you?

On 11/20/2022 at 5:27 PM, chengkp75 said:

I will make my one and only post to a tip thread, I'll state this based on my years with NCL, and will not argue it with anyone.

 

The crew sign an employment contract that defines their total monthly compensation.  For quite a lot of crew (most front of house, and some hotel back of house), this total compensation is outlined as so much "base salary" and so much from "DSC contributions".  The amount of "DSC" is noted in the contract as being "variable" depending on the contributions by the passengers (i.e. how many reduce or remove the DSC).  There is also a statutory minimum salary listed, and typically the base salary is less than the minimum salary.  Therefore, unless the amount of removed DSC brings the crew's salary below the minimum, the cruise line does not have to make up the difference.  The line is only required to make up enough that the crew receives the minimum amount.

 

The amount of "DSC contribution" contracted to crew is based on the historical occupancy (typically 105%), so occupancy below that will reduce the crew's total compensation.

 

The cruise line will also keep a percentage of the DSC (most frequently the amount from occupancy above the norm) for a "crew welfare" fund that is used to purchase things the crew want in their lounges, and to pay for various holiday crew parties.   The cruise line does not "keep" any of the DSC money, which is why they are allowed to charge it as a separate item, it is a "pass through" expense from their revenue.

Enough said and well stated. 🤜🏽🎤 Thank you!

On 11/20/2022 at 12:51 PM, www3traveler said:

EXACTLY   Every crew member gets a "Base" Salary.  Many get gratuties added to it.  It is recorded on their payroll statement which many to not know how to read.  A good many have their salaries direct deposited which confusing them further.

WOW…How do you know many of these people can not read or are confused with direct deposit? Are you saying they are illiterate?

8 days, 13 days, and 28 days (b2b2b).

$500 🤬

Food Hall

We did a room only once near the elevator and stair never again. Lesson learned. 

Shorts are ok to wear in Cagney’s.

4 hours ago, Mike45LC said:

Stop already with all these "How Safe ..." posts!!  The Mexican tourist towns and cities are safe if you are a safety conscious traveler.  Stay away from illegal drug areas.  Stay out of red light zones.  Do not get drunk/stoned and foolish.  Don't start trouble.

Thank you for stating the obvious. I too am sick and tire of the “how safe”…post. If you are truly that afraid stay or vacation somewhere you think is safe. Just use your common sense just as you do when you are on your home soil. 

On 11/2/2022 at 1:50 AM, pbenjamin said:

Flamingo poop.  😂🤣😂🤣

I totally agree with you! Hopefully others don’t take everything said by this poster as the truth and nothing but the truth.

7 minutes ago, dandelpino said:

I thought Epic had a pretty extensive drydock last year? Maybe the crew is just bad at upkeep?

I believe the Haven was only renovated. 

Our first sailing on the Epic was 2011 and our last 2021. I will have to agree. She is looking pretty tired. In need of a serious renovations. 

Are you could just ask the cruise line you are traveling with. 

11 hours ago, cocod08 said:

I didn't and now I wished I would have. 

I am one of those who still wears a mask everywhere. When I fly I double mask.

On 10/10/2022 at 11:15 AM, UKstages said:

 

i travel with my own self-test kits.

 

We travel with our own self-test kits also. We test before all trips we take and after all trips. Our insurance company like most, allows us to receive free self test kits (up to eight test self-test monthly between DH and myself) and we take advantage of this. We can pick them up at CVS or Walgreens absolutely free. We have a b2b2b coming up and we will test before boarding, after each leg as well as any time during should we start showing symptoms.

15 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

Your multiple prior comments would lead people to believe otherwise. 

G.A.L. Your multiple/constant comments would lead me (can't speak for others) that you don't have one. 

17 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

@Goldconnection Your comments came well after the comment you tagged.  It is important to realize that what happened to you was not acceptable would fall into the ships/brands conduct on their ship.  That said, the crew is in a rock and a hard place; not just on NCL.  On all brands, in all segments and on all itineraries.  If a crew member attempts to enforce a policy, they are often the recipient of a complaint from that guest. This effects their income and status.  I don't like this fact but it is a hard cold part of cruise crew reality.

 

Whether it is the uncalled for remarks you got; chair hogs at the pool; people touching food on the Buffet; or they person holding a row for their 10 family members at a show whom never show up.  Rarely do you see a crew member get involved.  

 

The purpose of my post was to make sure you knew, that what happened to you is not acceptable and the post you quoted was not focused on your situation.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

I never mentioned getting the crew involved. Not sure why you felt the need to mention anything about the crew. I simple stated a fact about kids (paying customers) having fun/enjoying their cruise at my expense and how I handled it. Thank you for for your input. I always cruise well and enjoy each and every moment. I have no reason not to do so. You do the same.

On 9/2/2022 at 9:30 AM, BirdTravels said:

From my perspective, kids are paying customers and have the right to enjoy their vacation and the cruise ship. Just like the adults who have “enjoyed” their beverage package. So long as they are somewhat within the guest code of conduct (no violence, no skateboards, no saving loungers or theater seats, no climbing outside exterior rails, no smoking pot, no wandering around crew areas like the bridge). 
 

Not within my rights, or anyone’s rights, or NCL’s rights, to dictate how others (including kids) behave on a ship or land base hotel or Disneyland so long as they are within the Code of Conduct. 

WOW…so the kids who made ugly racist remarks at me a few years ago while on the cruise ship elevator ( I am assuming they were enjoying their cruise as they thought it was funny) have the right to do so because because they are paying customers and I suppose as you put it within the guest code of conduct by your standards.

I try hard to stay away from unruly kids. On a cruise a few years ago a group of young kids made some racist remarks towards me the only Black on the elevator. To make matters worst they were loud and obnoxious in general when I saw them. Their use of profanity was horrible. I chalked it up to a lack of home training and/or simple repeating what they were hearing in the environment and doing what comes natural to them at home. In my opinion children don’t wait to get on a cruise ship to be unruly and disrespectful. They are most likely that way at home so I chalk it up to a lack of parenting. Just like most drunks on a cruise ship don’t wait to become drunks while cruising. 
 

Once I spot unruly/disrespectful children and drunks on a cruise I keep my distant. Trust me it makes for a better vacation for all.

21 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

No kids are running over old people. 

Really…🤔

6 hours ago, DCGuy64 said:

You said you could care less, so you do care, then? 😉

G-A-L 😉

I have never attended a meet & greet and could care less about meeting the officers. I am sure they could care less about meeting me as well and that just peachy with me.

On 8/12/2022 at 8:18 AM, MoCruiseFan said:

 

I can hardly wait until they start selling bagged air!

I’ll take two bags please.

On 8/11/2022 at 6:01 PM, BirdTravels said:

We decided to drink bottled water rather than stuff out of the tap.

 

Please retire this picture. I am tired of it being posted. It is very misleading.