I find myself less than comforted after reading Carnival Cruise Lines Wikipedia Page

[sfaaa]

. I am doing my best to relieve the concerns and anxieties of 40 different people.....

 

 

 

Then do the right thing and get everyone a CHEERS drink package. That's it. Done. No more concern and anxiety for the entire cruise.

[stealthy]

Less than 10 out of 111 have included any sort of concern. I highly doubt anybody would consider that a sizable amount. I am doing my best to relieve the concerns and anxieties of 40 different people and I am simply inquiring about the ship, the cruise line, and the industry from the people who I would assume know it better than anybody else. I have stated hardly any personal views (as opposed to the actual negative reviews I read on here daily), and have simply asked a bunch of questions. I am sorry if I have upset you. That was not my intention.

 

 

 

I don't know how the 40 people venture out the front door.

Live it up like its your last day on this earth and have FUN

[Carleeb12]

Then do the right thing and get everyone a CHEERS drink package. That's it. Done. No more concern and anxiety for the entire cruise.

 

Nobody drinks. 😕

[stealthy]

[emoji850]

[chengkp75]

The hourly rate is low due income tax in their home countries. Gratuities are not considered income therefore escape the tax man.

 

 

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Another urban legend, at least for quite a few crew. I haven't researched every country that the crew typically come from, but I do know that the Philippines specifically says that anything that comes from the employer, whether called wages or gratuities, or whatever, is taxable income. The only gratuity that may be considered tax free (and there are limitations) is if it is given directly from a customer to the employee.

 

 

The real reason the wages are split into wages and gratuities is for the cruise line to try to build a team response to customer service, since if one person performs badly and DSC gets reduced, then all in the pool suffer a little. Makes the employees exercise peer pressure, not the management having to come down on the under performer. Also, it gives the lines the opportunity to say when the crews' pay is reduced by removed DSC, "we didn't cut your pay, the guests did".

 

 

Financially, the hourly wage is required to be sent to the home country, where the crewing agency, as well as the tax man, takes a cut. The DSC is paid to the crew onboard, where they put it into an account, which can be used at the crew shop, etc, or mailed home without the crewing agency being able to take their cut.

[Je Souhaite]

Another urban legend, at least for quite a few crew. I haven't researched every country that the crew typically come from, but I do know that the Philippines specifically says that anything that comes from the employer, whether called wages or gratuities, or whatever, is taxable income. The only gratuity that may be considered tax free (and there are limitations) is if it is given directly from a customer to the employee.

 

 

Another reason I prefer to pay tips in cash.

[Kittybork]

The crew members have a good job and (to them) acceptable wages. I'm sure why people argue about their pay. No one is being indentured, and many choose to work on the ships for years.

 

What I feel is sad is that the foreign workers have so little recourse if they are hurt on the job. If they're killed, it's even harder for the families to traverse the draconian international court systems.

[sc4125]

Let me start with this - I worked onboard Carnival ships back in the 80's for several years. For those that say, "things are much different now," my daughter just did her first contract on the Glory. I was a gift shop manager and my daughter was on the Cruise Director's staff. So, no neither of us were waiters, cabin stewards or bartenders, but we hung out with all of them & certainly have some idea of crew life. I also worked as a Purser for Paquet Cruise Lines on the Rhapsody (now defunct) for several more years.

 

 

Having said that, it's true that many of the crewmembers work 10-12 hours a day ( that includes cruise staff, gift shop girls, and casino host by the way for at least some of the days each cruise). Many earn very little money in wages - I was the payroll officer on the Rhapsody and crew were paid twice a month - the salary (at that time) for a cabin steward, waiter, etc. was $45 each pay period. However add to that - 3 meals a day, a place to sleep, uniforms, medical attention while on board, a crew lounge where drinks are like $1.50 - and you can see why many love working on ships. Unless you choose to spend $$ in ports or in the crew lounge, you can bank everything you make - there are no other expenses required onboard.

 

 

In reference to those from third-world countries - not only do they bring home more money to their families than they could in a professional position at home - they also pay to get a job. A few months ago, one of the crewmembers and I were talking and he paid over $2,000 to an agency to get the job.

 

 

If you want the cruise lines to pay even minimum wages based on U.S. - the lines would go out of business - or only the very wealthy could afford to cruise.

 

 

I'm not a Pollyanna who thinks that CCL can do no wrong - but for people to jump all over them for their lousy wages, you have no idea how much it cost the company per crewmember to provide food, medical, and cabins.

 

 

And as everyone else has said - no one if forcing these crewmembers to work onboard. They are there because it benefits them - and lets face it - it's also a lot of FUN!!

[Herfnerd]

Less than 10 out of 111 have included any sort of concern. I highly doubt anybody would consider that a sizable amount. I am doing my best to relieve the concerns and anxieties of 40 different people and I am simply inquiring about the ship, the cruise line, and the industry from the people who I would assume know it better than anybody else. I have stated hardly any personal views (as opposed to the actual negative reviews I read on here daily), and have simply asked a bunch of questions. I am sorry if I have upset you. That was not my intention.

 

I think the point we are trying to make is that you took one incident and are questioning the entire cruiseline - I pointed out similar incidents that happened on HAL, Princess and Royal.

 

 

Its not your responsibility to relieve concerns and anxieties of others - if they have an issue than they just won't sail. If they ask why Carnival and not someone else, point out that incidents like this are few and far between and point out that no one is immune. You are not going to make everyone happy no matter how hard you try.

 

 

However, you started this thread by saying YOU find yourself less comforted by what you read.......

[NCbmwmom]

We are going on the Triumph in April. Not only am I not worried, I'm super excited. My last cruise was during a hurricane in October 2016, and we ended up with a free day. Excited to see what happens this time. LoL

[Havingfun2010]

A few points to consider. Why care what someone makes? When I travel internationally, I don't ask anyone what they make, on their job. That's plain rude, and personally non of my business. Next, Holidays off. Exactly what does that mean. 40 different countries on the ship. Do they have a national holiday for each of those 40 different countries? Does the ship shut down to celebrate? Of course they work on Holidays. Or do they not work on Holidays? A holiday is only in the country celebrating it, so outside of the country, the Holiday does not exist. Next, days off. They are on a ship. They work 4 - 6 month contract and then they are off for several months without pay. Isn't that the same thing? Do you think a employee should have the weekend off? What exactly do you think they will do all day on a ship, in the middle of the ocean, without getting any tips, because they are off.

 

These people, either love it or hate it, but it is their job they signed up for. The job of taking care of you, the customer.

 

 

As far as the ship is concerned, Carnival cuts costs on the hotel side of the ship. Generally speaking, companies that cut costs, will cut cost both on the front end and on the behind the scenes end, where most of the cost is associated. You decide on the cruise line of choice, but I stay away from Carnival

[dan4182]

Less than 10 out of 111 have included any sort of concern. I highly doubt anybody would consider that a sizable amount. I am doing my best to relieve the concerns and anxieties of 40 different people and I am simply inquiring about the ship, the cruise line, and the industry from the people who I would assume know it better than anybody else. I have stated hardly any personal views (as opposed to the actual negative reviews I read on here daily), and have simply asked a bunch of questions. I am sorry if I have upset you. That was not my intention.

 

 

Good luck on assuaging the concerns and anxieties of 40 people re a cruise or anything else!

 

 

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[SLCfirsttimer]

It states the following:

"On February 10, 2013, Carnival Triumph, with 3,143 passengers aboard, suffered an engine room fire, leaving the ship adrift for four days in the Gulf of Mexico.[20] The ship was towed to Mobile, Alabama, docking on the evening of February 14.[21][22] In subsequent litigation, Carnival documents were uncovered that revealed multiple generator maintenance problems creating a "disaster waiting to happen." In response, Carnival's court filing takes the position that the contract that passengers agree to when they buy a ticket "makes absolutely no guarantee for safe passage, a seaworthy vessel, adequate and wholesome food, and sanitary and safe living conditions."[23]

 

Do all the other cruise lines claim the same thing? I thought there were government regulations in place to keep these things in order. Isn't a seaworthy vessel what we are all paying for?!

 

Additionally, this makes me sad:

"The company has reportedly been paying wages under $1.50 per hour to employees with low-to-nonexistent benefits, such as holidays or minimal vacations.[14] Monthly salaries of the high paid workers is around $1,300. The crew wages are supplemented by gratuities, and one former Carnival crew member cited that crew receive up to 95% of their income from tips.[15] Employees report strenuous working conditions such as 14-hour shifts with no days off. As of October 2013, they are also revoking retirement benefits."

 

I have a cruise scheduled for the first of April and I'm not sure how I feel about it now. :o

 

 

Hi Carleeb,

 

 

I can certainly understand your concern, prior to my first cruise I too had a lot of questions including several about the safety of the ship.

 

 

What really helped me (and might help some of your traveling party) is to step back and put everything into perspective. Here are a couple of things to consider that hopefully can ease some of the concerns for you and your traveling partners.

 

 

1. Millions of passengers sail on these ships each year, the significant majority of those passengers do not experience any issues on their trip and have a wonderful vacation.

2. Hundreds of sailings each year go off without a hitch, no mechanical issues, no fires, etc... There are the rare occasions where something happens, like what happened on the Triumph. But when compared to the overall number of sailings, it is a really quite rare that something on the scale of the Triumph fire happens.

3. The cruise industry is thriving right now. If they were sailing ships that were not seaworthy, would they be making money hand over fist?

4. These ships are subject to regular inspections by the Coast Guard to ensure that they are safe to sail on. I do not know all of the ins and outs of a Coast Guard inspection, but I am quite confident it is very thorough and they look at everything from the life boats and jackets to the engine room and fire suppression systems to the sanitation and food safety (along with probably a long list of other items as well).

 

 

I hope this helps out, try to focus on the awesome time you and your party will have when you go on your cruise. Try to encourage those that are sailing with you to apply some rational perspective to anything that they are viewing as a possible negative outcome, when appropriate context is applied I think it will help alleviate many of the concerns they may have.

[Carleeb12]

Hi Carleeb,

 

 

I can certainly understand your concern, prior to my first cruise I too had a lot of questions including several about the safety of the ship.

 

 

What really helped me (and might help some of your traveling party) is to step back and put everything into perspective. Here are a couple of things to consider that hopefully can ease some of the concerns for you and your traveling partners.

 

1. Millions of passengers sail on these ships each year, the significant majority of those passengers do not experience any issues on their trip and have a wonderful vacation.

2. Hundreds of sailings each year go off without a hitch, no mechanical issues, no fires, etc... There are the rare occasions where something happens, like what happened on the Triumph. But when compared to the overall number of sailings, it is a really quite rare that something on the scale of the Triumph fire happens.

3. The cruise industry is thriving right now. If they were sailing ships that were not seaworthy, would they be making money hand over fist?

4. These ships are subject to regular inspections by the Coast Guard to ensure that they are safe to sail on. I do not know all of the ins and outs of a Coast Guard inspection, but I am quite confident it is very thorough and they look at everything from the life boats and jackets to the engine room and fire suppression systems to the sanitation and food safety (along with probably a long list of other items as well).

 

 

I hope this helps out, try to focus on the awesome time you and your party will have when you go on your cruise. Try to encourage those that are sailing with you to apply some rational perspective to anything that they are viewing as a possible negative outcome, when appropriate context is applied I think it will help alleviate many of the concerns they may have.

 

 

Thank you for this. My character flaw is that I feel personally responsible for everyone having a good time. And since I planned it, the anxiety is often overwhelming. To combat the anxiety, I tend to over-research and over-analyze everything in an attempt to give them all the information up front so they won't be disappointed. It is hard for me to have a good time if others are having a bad time. Does that make sense? It is very draining to say the least, and years of therapy still haven't done the trick. :o

[ryano]

Thank you for this. My character flaw is that I feel personally responsible for everyone having a good time. And since I planned it, the anxiety is often overwhelming. To combat the anxiety, I tend to over-research and over-analyze everything in an attempt to give them all the information up front so they won't be disappointed. It is hard for me to have a good time if others are having a bad time. Does that make sense? It is very draining to say the least, and years of therapy still haven't done the trick. :o

 

You are gonna have yourself a stroke before the cruise even leaves! I really hope there is a way you can get over this. There is NO way you can be responsible for 40 people having a good time. People either love cruising or they hate it. Chances are at least one or two in your group will hate it and in no way should you hold yourself personally responsible.

 

 

As far as the cruise line and ship goes, just thank how many millions of guests cruise every year versus how few incidents there are. You and your group are MUCH safer on ANY cruise ship on ANY cruise line than you are getting in your car and driving to the grocery store!

 

 

Try to be calm. Its gonna be ok! :)

[SLCfirsttimer]

It does make sense, I can get that way as well, especially when I have spent a large amount of money for something. I am confident you and your group will have a great time. Try to ignore the snarky comments on the boards here, there are quite a few helpful people who post on here and will provide you with good information.

 

Thank you for this. My character flaw is that I feel personally responsible for everyone having a good time. And since I planned it, the anxiety is often overwhelming. To combat the anxiety, I tend to over-research and over-analyze everything in an attempt to give them all the information up front so they won't be disappointed. It is hard for me to have a good time if others are having a bad time. Does that make sense? It is very draining to say the least, and years of therapy still haven't done the trick. :o

[joepeka]

If you think that is bad I hope you don't Google "Costa Concordia" and/or know that Costa is a Carnival brand and was a sister ship of of the Carnival Conquest class. ;)

 

The Costa Concordia is the same build as the Carnival Splendor (and I suppose they could therefore be considered sister ships) but the Splendor is not a Conquest Class ship. :)

[sfaaa]

Thank you for this. My character flaw is that I feel personally responsible for everyone having a good time. And since I planned it, the anxiety is often overwhelming. To combat the anxiety, I tend to over-research and over-analyze everything in an attempt to give them all the information up front so they won't be disappointed. It is hard for me to have a good time if others are having a bad time. Does that make sense? It is very draining to say the least, and years of therapy still haven't done the trick. :o

 

No, make absolutely no sense. If you already know your character flaw and stress issues, why did you insist on being the cruise organizer for the group? Know your limit and let other people handle their own research and affairs. You are not their babysitter or personal assistant. So stop acting like one and start delegating.

[Carleeb12]

No, make absolutely no sense. If you already know your character flaw and stress issues, why did you insist on being the cruise organizer for the group? Know your limit and let other people handle their own research and affairs. You are not their babysitter or personal assistant. So stop acting like one and start delegating.

 

Because I'm the only one who will take it on, and I'm thorough. They trust me to do the research and ask all the questions. :)

[dan4182]

Because I'm the only one who will take it on, and I'm thorough. They trust me to do the research and ask all the questions. :)

 

 

Assuming most of these people are adults, do you dress them each morning, brush their teeth etc etc.?

 

They let you do this because of their laziness and the fact that you seem to enjoy doing it, not because they are incapable of doing it.

 

 

 

 

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[john91498]

I've taken many first time people on cruises. It's been around 50/50 on whether they like it or not. The most people I've planed for is 6. There's no way in heck I'd plan for 40. That's just a disaster waiting to happen.

[Carleeb12]

Assuming most of these people are adults, do you dress them each morning, brush their teeth etc etc.?

 

They let you do this because of their laziness and the fact that you seem to enjoy doing it, not because they are incapable of doing it.

 

 

 

 

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Perhaps.

[dan4182]

Perhaps.

 

 

When you get back from the cruise in April post a review and let us know how it turned out.

 

Out of 40 people I feel pretty confident in predicting that same will have really enjoyed themselves, some will say it was just OK and a few hard to please ol' grumps will say they hated it!

 

 

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[sammee]

I shouldn't have read this thread. I'm so tired of people lookiing for the worst in Carnival. I love both Carnival and RCC, but I left the C&A group on FB because of this today. They both have their goods & bads in every category. Hell I'd even feel safe on a Costa cruise. One bad apple doesn't make the whole line crap. More people get online and complain than compliment.

[ryano]

but I left the C&A group on FB because of this today. .

 

I did too. Months ago.