As many of you know, I’m Italian and love chatting. When there’s some free time on a cruise, I enjoy talking to crew members and hearing their stories.
I’ve been writing about cruises for many years, and I’ve often had conversations with crew members on board. Some are more reserved, while others are happy to chat, especially in the evening when most guests have gone to bed.
Keep in mind that if crew members seem distant, it’s often not out of rudeness. Their contracts usually prohibit them from sharing certain information or getting too familiar with passengers.
Breaking these rules could cost them their jobs, which most of them (for obvious reasons) want to avoid at all costs.
What Do Cruise Workers Think of Passengers?
One night, I was at a bar on the outer deck around 10 PM, and there was practically no one else around.
I won’t mention the ship or cruise line to avoid getting the crew member in trouble, even though everything they said about the cruise line was absolutely positive (not so much about the passengers).
However, what many people don’t understand is that behind the scenes of these dreamy vacations are countless crew members who work around the clock to ensure everything runs smoothly.
They greet you at the buffet, tidy up your cabins, and organize engaging activities onboard.
Nonetheless, cruise employees sometimes face uncivil or rude behavior from passengers despite their dedication and hard work.
Working on a Cruise Ship is Already Not Easy
Working on a cruise ship is different from working at a normal hotel or resort on land.
The crew members basically live at the same location that they work at. Many are far way from their families for many months (or years), sharing very cramped cabin and subsequently having quite limited personal space.
Even though the measure of cruise lines may be good, it’s never easy. Work periods can be quite lengthy; each day may have twelve to fourteen-hour shifts. Quite often, there are no days off for multiple weeks.
As said before, some cruise lines treat their staff well, even if they work long hours.
Workers eat on the ship (often the same food that passengers eat), have accommodation included in the contract, and have access to areas dedicated to them such as lounge, bar, and gym.
The salary might not be high by some standards, but it can become more consistent thanks to tips.
You can find out the salaries in the specific article where we looked at how much waiters, cabin stewards, chefs and other workers earn on cruise ships.
Which Passenger Behaviors Do Cruise Workers Dislike?
That said, I’ve occasionally had crew members complain to me about how passengers treated them.
Although many passengers are polite, friendly, and deeply appreciative of the service they receive, there are always a few who make life difficult for crew members.
As the bartender I mentioned earlier told me, some guests annoyingly snap their fingers to get attention, raise their voices over minor inconveniences, or make unreasonable requests at impossible hours of the night.
The bartender also told me about how some passengers try to cheat the crew by sharing their drink package with others or walking away with a drink without presenting their cruise card to be charged. These behaviors can put the worker at risk and even cost them their job
This disrespect wears workers down and can make them feel undervalued despite their best efforts to provide excellent service.
One of the most challenging parts is staying professional in the face of rude or dismissive behavior, and anyone who works with the public knows this all too well.
Cruise workers are trained to remain calm, polite, and efficient, even if they are under stress. No matter how harsh a passenger’s words might be, they should respond calmly and professionally.
This constant pressure to keep a positive demeanor can be both physically and mentally exhausting.
We Must Have Mutual Respect
Cruise vacations are supposed to be joyful experiences for both passengers and crew.
After all, the crew’s main goal is to make each journey memorable, and passengers have the opportunity to show kindness and gratitude toward the staff who work tirelessly on their behalf.
Remember that a positive environment on board ships pleases everyone. Try to be respectful and kind, and leave a tip to show your appreciation if you have received great service.
In addition, before your next cruise, check the list of things cruise workers hate to see from passengers and to avoid unpleasant situations, take a look at the cruise rules that many people break without even realizing it.
I have tried several of them but these are the most durable and sturdy.
