Royal Caribbean has announced its annual raise of automatic gratuities for the crew. Starting January 2, 2018, guests in regular staterooms will pay a $14.50 per guest per day service charge and $17.50 for guests in Grand Suite and above. That is one dollar raise from the previous service charge, which means one dollar extra for the crew. That is one dollar extra for the crew in theory. Reality is something different.

As a former crewmember that has worked for several cruise lines, I can relate to the constant high stress situations that crewmembers must endure on a daily basis. There are so many foreseeable challenges that crewmembers must face when starting a life at sea on the other side of the planet, but there are also some unforeseen ones that can really disrupt what could’ve been a great contract.

On December 6, St. Nicholas day, the patron saint of seafarers, Celebrity Summit made its inaugural call to Kingstown Port, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. At the helm of this majestic vessel was the first American female to captain a mega-cruise ship, Captain Kate McCue. During a short video filmed by SVG Tourism Authority, Captain McCue explains the maneuvering procedures to the island and shares her knowledge of St.

I have received a message from MSC Cruises crew member saying that the onboard security officers are confiscating the sauce SAMBAL from the Indonesian crew. Allegedly the sign-on crew which has brought sambal from back home are not allowed to bring it on the ship and security takes the sauce. Now you will say it’s not a big deal and why bother to write about it. Well, that’s not all.

Crew members always have a hard time when USPH deep cleaning needs to be done. However, these crew members prove that sometimes you can have fun during USPH cleaning.

Hurricane Irma left devastation to the Caribbean islands, and St Maarten was one of the hardest hit. There aren't words to describe the impact that Irma left behind, causing catastrophic damage to thousands of homes and businesses. The crew members favorite spot, Honky Tonk Bar in St Maarten was also destroyed.  That’s why Cara Charne, a Royal Caribbean crew member has started a fundraising to help the owners rebuild this special place with many great memories.

Jucelino Junior is a 33-year-old Brazilian high diving athlete who is competing in the Red Bull Cliff Diving Championship. After first making his cliff diving debut in 2009 he become permanent diver in the 2015 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series. Today he is also part of the Royal Caribbean crew performing on Allure of the Seas as a high diver.

Zero alcohol policy for all no discrimination. This comment on the social media by Costa Cruises Chief Electrical Engineer Roberto Pibiri sparked huge debate between crew and officers. As of August 19th, Costa Cruises will implement zero tolerance alcohol policy for employees working in the engine department, bridge officers, medical and deck department. This means that they are not allowed have alcohol in the crew bar, disco or any bars aboard the ship.

The Brazilian Sivlana Costa is raising her voice on behalf of the crew members rights in a form of petition. She along with other Brazilian cruise ship employees has expressed dissatisfaction with the changes that have taken place in the agreement signed by the Cruise Lines and MPT companies in November 2016. According to her, the law needs to be more flexible, giving the crew power of choice and not just obey by something that was imposed. 

How can you describe crew member’s ship life? The cruise ship, as many cruise directors love to say is crew member’s home away from home, and as funny as it seems they are right. This is not your typical nine to five job, when after you go home to your wife and kids and for weekends relax and enjoy. Cruise employees work, live, fall in love, and party together 24/7.