Crew hanging out on wrap around promenade

[disneyfan1313]

I'm currently on Liberty of the Seas and having a wonderful time. Love the Freedom class of ship and amazed at how great the crew is on this ship so far... With one exception....

 

This is the first cruise (on 20+ cruises on all lines) I've been on where there seems to be crew at all hours of day and night "hanging out" on the deck 4 wrap around promenade. I realize that officers and others with "guest area" privileges are able to do this, but these are food and beverage, casino and stateroom folks. Last night there were 4+ talking very loudly on their phones and a few smoking on the smoking side. And today we've seen a few taking up chairs and sleeping (!!!) when chairs are hard to come by.

 

I've never seen this before and while I want the crew to be well taken care of, this seems odd since they have their own indoor and outdoor space on this class of ship. Has anyone seen this before? Are they just not policing it on this ship?

[NorbertsNiece]

As you are on the ship I suggest you take this up at Guest Services if their presence disturbs you.

[Langley Cruisers]

Forgive me, but why would you not bring this up while onboard right now? Guest Relations Desk... Hotel Director? Any number of people could give you an answer. It obviously bothers you enough to have posted about it here. I'm not being mean about it, just merely curious :) The time to get a straight answer (hopefully!) and bring it to someone's attention is while you are onboard.

.

[disneyfan1313]

Fair enough question! It just seems so incredibly random and out of character for what I've seen on a cruise before that I wanted to check here first to see if it's something that has changed recently on RCCL with the rules loosing up, etc.

 

It's not that it really bothers me - it's just very "weird".

[ehfl]

I hope for a speedy recovery for the victims. My thoughts are with those inconvenienced by this whole episode.

[Setting sail for fun]

I don't think I have ever experienced that. Just sailed 2 weeks ago. I know they have their own outside and inside areas.

[klfrodo]

 

It's not that it really bothers me - it's just very "weird".

 

Sadly, it bothers you very much.

You've taken time from your vacation to post on Cruise Critic while on a ship with extremely slow internet speed.

 

I'd get this cleared up immediately with those in charge before the crew gets too comfortable.

[perditax]

I got the sense the OP was looking for a reality check--meaning, did others find it odd--rather than seeking a resolution or hoping to engender outrage.

 

(As someone who very much enjoys interacting with the online world, I wouldn't personally want to be critiqued for spending some of my vacation time online. That's just me.)

Edited April 12, 2015 by perditax

[Thoie]

On the Independence last year you'd occasionally see bar staff from near by bars taking a quick (10 minute) break out there - it probably meant they got an actual break rather than spending 10 minutes walking to a crew only area and back. 2 or 3 friends would sometimes be together. You'd sometimes see crew going from A to B choosing to go via the promenade rather than down and up again.

 

I never saw any flaking out on deckchairs - that's the only bit I'd find odd.

[Kevin's girl]

Fair enough question! It just seems so incredibly random and out of character for what I've seen on a cruise before that I wanted to check here first to see if it's something that has changed recently on RCCL with the rules loosing up, etc.

 

It's not that it really bothers me - it's just very "weird".

I also think it is unusual behavior for crew. There are places set aside for crew to enjoy their free time without taking up the chairs that are paid for and in short enough supply for passengers.

 

I also feel embarrassed by the increasing number of very rude resonances to questions or comments that may be even slightly negative toward this cruise line. This site used to be very helpful and possitive on nearly all counts. Not so anymore. I mean comments like:

 

As you are on the ship I suggest you take this up at Guest Services if their presence disturbs you.

and

I hope for a speedy recovery for the victims. My thoughts are with those inconvenienced by this whole episode.

 

Come on CC friends did your parents never teach you that if you can't say something nice, then don't say anything at all? Please put your pompoms away and play nice.

[setsail]

Deck 4 is not the promenade. Not sure what 20+ cruises has to do with crew using a cell phone/smoking:rolleyes: Deck 5 which is the promenade has a crew area aft which they use for those things.

[Clarea]

Deck 4 is not the promenade. Not sure what 20+ cruises has to do with crew using a cell phone/smoking:rolleyes: Deck 5 which is the promenade has a crew area aft which they use for those things.

Deck 4 is the outside promenade on Voyager/Freedom class ships.

[disneyfan1313]

Sadly, it bothers you very much.

You've taken time from your vacation to post on Cruise Critic while on a ship with extremely slow internet speed.

 

I'd get this cleared up immediately with those in charge before the crew gets too comfortable.

 

Hah! While I appreciate the sarcasm, I'm actually enjoying the speedy unlimited internet at $10 a day that I have. I rarely have time to post in my "normal" life, so to me, having time to read and post on cruise critic is a lovely part of my vacation. :)

[RiotAct]

I hope for a speedy recovery for the victims. My thoughts are with those inconvenienced by this whole episode.

 

 

Haha

[Big_G]

Deck 4 is not the promenade. Not sure what 20+ cruises has to do with crew using a cell phone/smoking:rolleyes: Deck 5 which is the promenade has a crew area aft which they use for those things.

 

Well if the OP said in all their 2 cruises they never saw this behavior before, it would put the statement into a different context and provide more fuel for the flame throwers.

 

...but I suspect you knew that.

[compuryan]

Deck 4 is not the promenade. Not sure what 20+ cruises has to do with crew using a cell phone/smoking:rolleyes: Deck 5 which is the promenade has a crew area aft which they use for those things.

 

The universal term for the deck which wraps around a cruise ship under the lifeboats is promenade. What you're referring to on deck 5 is specifically the Royal Promenade.

 

 

OP: what the crew are doing is blatantly against company policy. Bring it up to guest relations and it will be dealt with promptly. Most likely management on this ship does not spend much time on deck 4 promenade and hasn't noticed, otherwise they would have dealt with this already.

[setsail]

Deck 4 is the outside promenade on Voyager/Freedom class ships.

 

I did not know there were 2 promenade decks on V/F class ships

[Langley Cruisers]

For the record, we have seen crew on passenger decks on every cruise we've taken, but not for as long as OP or doing what she said they were doing. We have seen them taking a break, making a quick phone call while in port, using their iPad. Have never seen crew sitting or sleeping in passenger areas.

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

I did not know there were 2 promenade decks on V/F class ships

 

Sorry, but Bob is completely correct. The outside Promenade deck is most definitely on deck 4. (But the Royal Promenade is on deck 5, if that's what you're speaking of;))

 

To the OP: speak to Guest Relations while you're still onboard!

Edited April 12, 2015 by OfTheSeasCruiser

[MADflyer]

I have sailed on Liberty several times and think you are referring to the area around the back of the ship on deck 4. If the crew are in uniform and 'on duty' I think they do sometimes 'take a step out' from the crew areas right there (the galley) and have never thought anything of it.

 

Crew also have an exit from the crew areas to the promenade and 'occasionally' you will see a server or bar staff use the exterior to make there way to the aft section. At sail away there are often a few crew in this area as well and always very respectful of passengers.

 

I guess I see a cruise ship as a community and that these staff and crew and officers have every right to the limited space on the ship as I do. The crew areas are very limited and mostly used when they are not on duty.

 

RCI is very strict about when and where crew are allowed. All deck areas are monitored by both video and circulating security staff at all times of the day.

 

I would think any crew that took a deck chair and was sleeping in a passenger area would most likely be terminated, but am unsure.

 

Cruise staff employed mostly by the Entertainment Department do have access to passenger areas on Royal Caribbean.

 

If these were crew that were not on duty or moving toward their station or on a quick break from the bar or restaurant, then it would be a problem.

 

I think that depending where the ship is located, crew and passengers alike may be outside to grab a signal for their mobile phone to send a quick message or catch up with family. The crew have very limited use of the ships wifi so that passengers get the best access possible.

[cruisinfanatic]

I'm currently on Liberty of the Seas and having a wonderful time. Love the Freedom class of ship and amazed at how great the crew is on this ship so far... With one exception....

 

This is the first cruise (on 20+ cruises on all lines) I've been on where there seems to be crew at all hours of day and night "hanging out" on the deck 4 wrap around promenade. I realize that officers and others with "guest area" privileges are able to do this, but these are food and beverage, casino and stateroom folks. Last night there were 4+ talking very loudly on their phones and a few smoking on the smoking side. And today we've seen a few taking up chairs and sleeping (!!!) when chairs are hard to come by.

 

I've never seen this before and while I want the crew to be well taken care of, this seems odd since they have their own indoor and outdoor space on this class of ship. Has anyone seen this before? Are they just not policing it on this ship?

Where should they go? Keep them cooped up inside 24/7?. There are very few areas outside for crew. What reason are you there day and night that you've noticed this. That is a crew area more than passenger area anyway

[splash_in_the_water]

I hope for a speedy recovery for the victims. My thoughts are with those inconvenienced by this whole episode.

 

that was funny lol:D

[disneyfan1313]

Where should they go? Keep them cooped up inside 24/7?. There are very few areas outside for crew. What reason are you there day and night that you've noticed this. That is a crew area more than passenger area anyway

 

Actually on the Freedom Class ships there is a very large (by crew standards) outside area for them by the helicopter pad.

 

The reason I am there day and night is it is a very popular area for guests to sit outside and still be covered from the heat and sun. It is *not* a crew area more than a passenger area - not sure why you would think that.

 

For those of you mentioning crew stepping out or passing through - this is normal and I see that all the time. This is not what I've been seeing - They are "hanging out" for longer periods of time. Very different than what I've seen on other cruises.

 

I did tweet RCCL about it and they responded. Not interested in complaining at guest services and waiting in line but thank you for the suggestion.

[Laney219]

 

I did tweet RCCL about it and they responded. Not interested in complaining at guest services and waiting in line but thank you for the suggestion.

 

What was their response?

[ehfl]

Come on CC friends did your parents never teach you that if you can't say something nice' date=' then don't say anything at all? [/quote']

 

On the other hand, some parents teach their kids that all human beings deserve to be treated with dignity....yes, even the "help". If people don't want to be called out for intolerance, they have the option to smile to the crew they see on break, and maybe say "have a nice day" to them instead of raising the alarm that a bartender has escaped and was last seen on deck trying to steal the passengers' fresh air.