Cruising
Cabin staff reveal what it’s really like to work on a cruise ship
It’s undoubtable – cruises are a fantastic way of meeting new people. Couples, families, individuals and even the staff themselves can help make a trip memorable. But have you ever wondered what it’s like to work on a cruise, meeting new people every single day? USA Today sat down with two Carnival Cruise crew members to find out.
- Prepare to be pranked – Carnival Breeze worker Galyna Berzina from the Ukraine revealed that some passengers like to play pranks on the crew and vice versa! Some of these practical jokes include stuffing a bed with pillows to make it look like someone’s lying there. One staff member took it a step further, creating a “pillow person” sitting in the bathroom, giving one passenger the fright of her life!
- You hear all types of requests – young couples often ask the crew members to make adults-only “naughty” towel animals for them, but Berzina says staff aren’t allowed to.
- It’s always busy – Carnival cabin staff work in five-hour shifts with a four- to five-hour break in between. They usually have to take care of around 26 cabins a day. Carnival Fascination crew member Merlyn Parola from the Philippines says, “to work as a cabin stewardess is not much different than working at a hotel, though you need to be more speedy.”
- You get a decent break – cabin crew usually work for between six and eight months at a time, followed by a two-month break. In between their shifts, staff can go onshore or remain on the ship like a regular passenger.
- You get paid well – staff are mostly paid from passenger tips, which are pooled together and distributed amongst the crew. Berzina says the income is enough to keep her and her family financially comfortable. “The salary is good, I can't complain. I pay for my son's education and I support my family.”
- The crew quarters are comfortable – staff have access to a phone, Internet, TV, and a decent selection of food. However, unlike regular passengers, they don’t have windows.
- Meeting people is the best part – Berzina says meeting the passengers is the highlight of the job, particularly children who are fascinated by towel animals. “People come from the U.S., Europe, Asia, and honestly, it's interesting. They talk about different things. It's stuff you can't learn in a book.”
Image: Getty