Cruise Lines You Should Stay Far, Far Away From 

While I'm unlikely to work on a cruise line, I'd say how the cruise line treats the crew does have an influence on the experience the passengers get from that crew.

I sailed on the Oceanic when it was owned by Home Lines. Back then we had assigned tables for dinner. There was a woman at the next table that was constantly complaining to the waiter. On day 3 she went to the Maitre'd and said she wanted a new table that she "didn't like the waiter." His reply... "Fine, he doesn't like you either." Lol!

My parents went on an MSC cruise and saw one of the officers yelling and lambasting one of the crew. It made them really uncomfortable. They felt the person should have been pulled aside and given a talk if needed, not in front of everyone. It left an impression and they never cruised on MSC again.

Great insight, Lucy. I'm not planning to change careers but it's good to know what things crew members are up against. That can help me make their lives a little better when I cruise.

What a time to know of it😄 m getting onboard my first cruise ship contract next week..hope it gives some exciting adventures. Thanks Lucy...

I saw you are back on board! Can’t wait to come visit you soon!

Aww, Lucy, I'm glad U could have a lovely vacation! Thanks ❤

Hi Lucy, thank you so much for this review. You have said it all. The content is absolutely true! Unfortunately, I’m from MSC and resigning from this company.

Thanks for this eye-opening video.

Just prepping to join my first contract in April. And have been very thankful to find your videos. I was originally offered Celestyal, glad that the timing for joining didn't work out for me, as i have heard some not great things since.

#TeamReplay…not a crew member and over 60 doubtfully will not be looking for a cruise job…I absolutely love your information and love the info you provide ❤

Once again, you speak your truth tactfully and bravely. The sociology of cruise ships would be so fascinating to me.

Gosh, ty so much for this video, i'm going to ncl sky line in a few weeks and the itinerary is 1 seaday 1 port so it's amazing, i'm going as a shoppie on Dufry.

Oops, I messaged on IG. But not with a question. Just said I just discovered your channel or something like that. Not likely to join a cruise crew (but you never know, life can change up at any time) but I’m still enjoying your videos. It’s easy to be oblivious to crew experiences when on a cruise vacation so it’s nice to know what I can do that won’t annoy crew and maybe be of help. (Haha, we’ve only cruised once and it was just a couple of weeks ago.) Great channel!

I'm one of those wacky outliers that's not crew and doesn't want to be crew. This video was still helpful and informative for me. Thank you for taking the time to share. 👍

Well said , you are doing a great job. I will never be a cruise member , because i am old but i am a cruise customer and everything you say is accurate.

Your experiences are very useful for us, thanks once again Lucy to share this thing with us otherwise we wouldn’t have been knowing this ever. These are all informative specially for me as a new hire. A big Thanks 🙏

Hi Lucy! I am an aspiring passenger! I could have enjoyed working on a cruise ship when I was younger! I enjoy your topics of conversation!

I am Italian, I agree with you. Mostly of the time, when we speak English it’s seems like a different language because of accents and above all Italians speak English like if they are talking in Italian (they translate word for word from Italian hence that’s the reason we are incomprehensible). Anyway, Italians are kinda racists this could be one of the reason that they stay together. (I am not trying to justify them) As an Italian myself I apologize for anybody who had a difficult time with us. In a few weeks, I am going to work with NCL, I will join as a Guest Service Associate and I will be on a cabin with 3 different people.. I hope it won’t be a problem for me .. Sorry for the repetitions

Hi Lucy! Thanks for this great insight as always. I do have a request that you might have a knowledge or idea about, can you share anything about working on a luxury yatch such as the ritz-carlton yatch collections. I am interested and intrigued in working with them as I have seen hiring posters from them however theres none to just a little information I could find online about how is it like working on luxury yatchs compared to working on a cruise ship 😅. Thank you!

Definitely. It would help to focus and get work done faster so on to free time.

I think all your opinions are very valid. Difference with me, as a minority African woman from one of the smallest countries out there, everywhere I go, its always very difficult either way. I have seen things. Even on cruise lines you would never suspect.

money you earn as shop seller on MSC allow you to close eyes on all the flaws. I had pretty good time here. And regarding mafia and benefits I felt it big time when I was working on Hardings with British. So please guys everywhere is same shit. Eventually we are all here for money, the rest depends on you and your perception.

For few years I worked in a recruitment agency partnered with few cruise lines and I was designated person for MSC cruises. The horror stories I've heard from crew members I sent onboard, were crazy. However, those that survived 1-2 contracts or more I did recommend to other cruise lines and they thrived over there.

I had a suite on Oceana just before she was sold by P&O. I was making a coffee one day when the roof of my passenger suite partly collapsed. A wooden plank fell from the ceiling, hit me on the knee and injured me. Along with other disasters on that cruise we made a claim and got all of our cruise fare back.

I love Cunard! ❤ But now I want to try the modern Virgin Voyages

I have worked on ships for 14 years and never once heard a good thing about working on MSC.

Lucy, LOVE your content, so helpful. I'm looking at a possible contract as a musician. Do most lines have a family discount for family members to visit during the cruise? How does that work. My contract will most likely be with Royal Caribbean. Thanks for any insights!!

Cruise lines are aware that they make more money off first time cruisers and shorter itineraries. As sailors, we love the long cruises. But your are right--there isn't nearly the same per diem spending as on the short ones. We were quite disappointed at the merchandise on Valiant for the October crossing. There were a lot of things we would have purchased that they either didn't stock or were out of. For example, they didn't have the hammocks for sale! They kindly gave us a card with the company information and we were able to purchase it when we got home, but that didn't help the shop to meet a target. They had NO shirts or other merchandise specifically for the TA. They were selling Bimini merchandise, but our cruise didn't go to Bimini. Several of us made comments in the survey about things we would have purchased. I do realize that t-shirts from the logo shop are not the same as a purse or jewelry, but every bit counts...and the hammock was $190, so not a "nothing" sale.

It's funny how easy it is to listen to a youtuber that looks like a supermodel. Great advice also. 😁👍

I LOVE your accent! 😊 Most Americans don't realize that we speak Anerican, not English. Found that out, first trip to Europe.

1:33 At the Сarnival CL it was called "Paisano business".

Yes, you are right. Queen Mary 2 is crazy. I was there. Not anymore. Scary Mary and we were almost 8 days at sea. The rough see was not the problem, but all the guests really crazy . Never go off in NYC cuz of your contract. We said, 2 fullfilled contracts on queen Mary 2 bevor you can go out out. I quit my job after one month. Thank you Lucy.

I actually work for msc for the moment and i think of signing off Because it much worse than that the salaries are low im already 4 months on board and i got only 6 hours off in total and they always make extend without paying you or giving you your time back and the schedules are very bad and people here are very disrespectful even the supervisors they always do their hest to put stress on you for bo reason

I talked to quite a few Pilipino that was working on Royal and they all came from MSC and were much more happier working for Royal.

So just wanted to throw in my observations on MSC having been on 6 times, 8 by the end of this year. I really think that Philippines, Indonesia, Latin/South American, and India are by far the largest groups we’ve seen on board. We travel in the YC and being Italian-American, of course this line attracted us from the beginning, however Ive always been a little surprised there aren’t more Italian crew on board. OFC the Bridge Officers, the Engineering Officers are mostly Italian. The Cruise Directors have been US, as a matter of fact the very best of them recently passed away and was only my age. Anyway, I’d have to disagree and say that in North American market, Italians aren’t the dominant crew population, from a passenger’s point of view. Maybe in Europe it is. Nothing but respect to Lucy as always but wanted to share my perspective as well. 😊

Your work is amazing. I'm not able to sustain the effort you put in to work on the ship. But your work helps me learn how to be fair to cruise staff. And I love learning about what they do.

Queen Mary 2 is doing carabbien and world voyage as well and Hamburg-new your, Norway and Canada.

Queen Mary 2, yes during the summer it is on the Atlantic Run as the worlds last liner (but yes in the USA seafarers are treated like criminals), however during the Northern Winter season she does the World Cruise which is pretty epic. Horses for Courses. :)

Thank you going to it for the travel x

Hey Lucy, love your videos. No plans to work on a ship, just a passenger but still enjoy watching. Whats your tictok page called?

Hi Lucy. 2 of the "newer' Fred olsen ships are ex Holland America ships. Might not be as bad as the other 2 ships

INTERESTING INFO! Even if I finally decided crew life wasnt for me and rejected Harding offer, I really like to listen to you and learn about this trade. Plus, I love your British accent. I am an english into Spanish Argentinian translator. Keep it up Lucy, both as an influencer and as crusing crew. ❤ tati

This video was very helpful. I'm a nurse and thinking of applying to Cunard but there aren't vacancies right now. Queen Mary 2 would have been my first choice but what you've said has made me think twice. Would I likely be able to get off in new York after a few months in the job? Or is the turn around so fast it would be pointless?

Hello Lucy, would you choose Oceana for a special occasion? I’m looking for an upgraded experience. What would you recommend? I don’t think Virgin is for me. Thanks So much

Hi Lucy! Could you tell me if some cruise lines have shorter contracts than others? What is the shortest and the longest contract?

Just thought I’d leave this message about Queen Mary 2 you can get off in New York on a first contract as most nationalities. I went on in 2022 first contract and most of us got off UK, Polish, Indian, Philipino etc.

Curious to know exactly which Fred Olsen ships you’re referring to here. If we’re talking Borealis and Bolette, can the same be said for Marella as their fleet is of similar age?! TIA x

For any service industry, If you are happy at your job, you can't keep it a secret in the view of your customers.

Hi since the shop's or hardin no longer were on the ship are you going to work now are you going back to the spa? And when are you going back on board

This is off subject for this video but can you elaborate on salaries of the cruise ship officers? Especially, what about the Captain….how much does he make? How are the working relationships between the upper echelon Officers and the crew members? I’m guessing there is a aloofness but that is only a guess.

I need to know about MSC explora journey.. Please make a video about that.. YOUR VIDEOS ARE VERY HELPFUL BiG love from Shaan (India)

I work with NCL and plan on doing another contract. On that note I have met many people who came from ACL and said that living as well as working accommodations are horrible there. They told me they worked so much that they slept in their work clothes! Also wanted to add if you do any long voyages and plan on working in restaurants take into consideration you will literally be working all day, especially on embarkation day and work most of the day on port days.

Hi, Lucy I have a C1D visa can you explain how to change this type of visa, please? thanks

Sun Cruises, I can talk about them because they went bankrupt in 2004, which doesn't surprise me. One ship caught fire in Singapore, I got fired off the Sundream, which 6 months later was impounded, so I hear, for about half a ton of finest Jamaican heroin being found by customs underneath all the seats in the main lounge. The plumbing and electrics didnt work at all in the crew cabins - try getting ready for your duty without those basics - and was never going to, because passenger plumbing and electric gets repaired first obviously. Management couldnt organise a proverbial in a whatsit.

Msc shuffles crew around. On my msc cruise to norway and then after being there 2 weeks he was transferred to carribbean

How true is this for officer staff? I'm 1st engineer on a bulk carrier and I'm getting offers from cruise companies, so I'm considering it. Most of my friends are not on cruise ships.

I work in the service industry. You get better service if the employees are treated well.

Can’t agree about MSC we have been on 3 of their cruises and found main country crew were from was Indonesia.

The last cruise I went on (NCL) the captain was Italian. He was a fantastic captain but the Italian accent was very thick. Thankfully he knew that he had a really thick accent and would joke about it himself. Many of the passengers on this cruise were Chinese and could hardly understand English, let alone someone speaking quickly with a thick Italian accent. It must have been insanely frustrating for them. After almost every announcement the cruise director (British) would come on and clarify what the Italian captain said.

Hi Lucy, what about independence of the sea?

I think the info on QM2 may be outdated sightly because it does a lot of world cruises and stuff in Norway I wouldn't mind the transatlantics anyway And I like QM2 a lot too-

The scary Mary it is but it does not just do back and forth it does 3 / 4 month world cruise Christmas cruises etc Germany

Hello! I was wondering I quit a contract mid way with NCL because of family emergency but I want to go back into the industry, what should I say or do to get employment again

Hi there! thank you so much! It all was utterly helpful. I am thinking of appyling perhaps next year for youth counsellor with 10 years of au pair and nanny experience mostly from uk, Im fluent in english, I also have a strong beginner german, I picking up languages very easily and I understand all accents 90% of the time. Currently I am studying for class assistant for kids, and I will do a camp animator course and have some experience next summer as a kids camp animator in hungary. Do you think I stand a chance without a bachelors degree in childcare to get on a cruise ship like carnival and royal Caribbean or princess?

Honestly, I plan to stay away from all of them. There's way to many people for me. I would rather just have my canoe. But I do enjoy the videos.

I’m a passenger not a crew member and as a passenger I also tend to stay away from MSC as they cancelled my cruise ON THE DAY OF EMBARKATION and didn’t offer us any future cruise credit, only a refund. To clarify further I was ringing MSC on the day of embarkation to find out if I was sailing, MSC DID NOT EMAIL ME TELLING ME I WAS NOT ALLOWED TO EMBARK, the reason they cancelled me was because they changed their terms and conditions the day before embarking

You need to rise into the executive level at a cruise line. You'd be good at it.

Hi Lucy and everyone - re QM2, what you said wasn’t 100% accurate - so just wanted to set things straight for anyone considering Cunard or who may have been offered Queen Mary 2. QM2 does indeed spend around 6 months of the year operating transatlantic crossings, Southampton to New York. During those 6 months she also does cruises to Norway, Germany, the Med, Canada and other parts of the US such as Boston. During November and December she operates cruises to the Caribbean from New York. Then, from January to mid April, she does the world voyage from Southampton, all the way to Australia calling at places such as Oman, Dubai, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, Bali, Mauritius, South Africa etc. and it’s a fantastic world voyage (I’ve done it). Please don’t be scared off by QM2 - she’s a fantastic ship, has a great crew and social life (thanks to the sea days) and first contract crew can indeed get off in New York and the US - just maybe not the very first time you call there. Some nationalities may be restricted (but this can be the case in many places around the world sadly). Hope this helps and clears things up!

Please answer, there's this espit group that I am gonna have an interview with, shop seller position. They pay base on commission. What's your advice please 🙏

Am beginning to worry about the annual overboard number on board cruise ship

Is it true that some cruise ship employees do not get off for almost a full contract?

Any chance that Gary and you will host a video together?

Hi Lucy! I have a quick question! I'm about to work on a Marella cruise ship and I'm worried about my phone! How do you go about your mobile and stuff? Heard some horror stories about roaming charges haha! Thanks!

how about the Princess fleet?

Carnival is top tier the best cruise

Video request: interview with ship photographer

Hello out there. I’m 50 yo and seriously thinking about getting started on a cruise ship. It’s the end of 2023 so please help me. Signed, Tired of being bored, broke and desperate for change. 13:12

you have english accent too 🤣🤣, you are so funny, Im laughing with your comments

I cannot agree more. I dont think cruise lines understand the danger when they hire from predominantly one nationality. Cliques and 'mafias' are so dangerous and they make life onboard so much more difficult than it needs to be.

I did not like MSC Europa, as a person of color, I was often stared at and felt uncomfortable.

When do you start your next contract?

I'm going to work on an American Cruise Lines ship in a few weeks, anyone have tips?

I have a job offer on carnival ... engine department..I have postponed my embarking day from Jan 20th to April 11th 2023.. I am currently working for the United States Department of State.. Iraq embassy..as a Mechanic technician.. the pay was fair..but PEPSI CO. Sent me a waaaaayyyyy better offer😂😂😂...

Mam can you tell me is saga cruise is a good cruise ship for crew members??

Hi Lucy, great video!!. I'm a Bellydancer from Argentina wanting to work as an artist on a cruise ship. Have you ever seen this profession on board? Wich cruiseline would be the best for me? Thanks, and greetings!!

I'm still 15 years old. My brother will be working on a cruise ship in like 3 months. I am having interests to also work in a cruise ship. I would say my english is decent and it would be good enough to do daily conversations (English is not my first language). But i do have my concerns so if any crews or former crews are here, your help would mean a lot. So first, what are the medical checkups to work in a cruise ship? I personally have some concerns. I have some crooked teeth and also have keratosis Pilaris (Both of which are fixable but won't be easy haha). Second, I am worried about one major thing, and that is my social life. As a teen who spent a huge portion of my life in my home with very little social life because of Covid. I stutter quite a lot when saying repetitive words. I always say those words too fast so it almost becomes hard to know what I'm saying Third, i am an introvert. Even though I'm not badly introverted, sometimes during a conversation i don't know what to say or what to choose the topics of the talks are Fourth, How is the daily expenses on cruise ships? I know the food and cabins are free, but how is the other stuffs like Wifi, and etc? Especially that I'm looking to work as a food service which have a low pay compared to others Lastly, what is the work time? What is the time you spend at work daily? I've heard that sometimes it's around 8-16 hours a day and 7 days a week which is quite a lot but still manageable So yeah, that's about it, if anyone's reading this please give some advice haha

I’ve sailed on chartered MSC cruises a few times. The mafias exist and I witnessed tons of higher placed Italians yelling Italian obscenities at their brethren, and treat all other workers accordingly to their ‘caste’ or position while treating us guests like gold. We all joked about it and I plan on going on next year’s charter. Thanks 🙏

According to my understanding, the maker of this video hasn't worked for the MSC Cruises. I think she shouldn't talk like that about a cruise line she hasn't worked for. I would encourage everyone, especially people who are about to work for MSC Cruises or other cruise lines mentioned in this video she hasn't worked for, to approach these cruise lines with an open mind and positive attitude. Don't let anyone to poison your mind before your contract has even started. No offense Lucy! 🤗 Thank you for reading everyone! ☺️

how can you bash cruise line that you have never woked for?

the queen mary route from southhampton to new york is the same pathway of titanic

Would you prefer seabourn or Oceania? I have no idea who to go with

Most of high position like the master or safety officer are italian nationality , then u have the guest service and front desck fewer then the other departement its more rare to meet italian . So although its an itlian company but not most of it is itanlian , most likely its indian philipine, madagascar mauritious and others this is regarding MSC

my trip to Italy was less than enjoyable. Only the French were ruder than Italians, and that says something. We were going to do MSC because the price was nice, but research showed that to be a bad idea. We booked Carnival. I have enjoyed NCL and Carnival both.

is virgin cruises a good company? im been offered to work as a barsteward,what do u recommend?

How much salary for assistant cook viregine pay in $ dollar...

I had Mexican Mafia in my team and my experience was AWFUL 😢 Not only for me, but for everyone who’s not Mexican. You’re absolutely right, about everything you said in regards the Mafia onboard. I would add DCL on this list. They have too many strict rules and you can live, literally

You are hilarious !

Adorable person!!! Use some more video to back up your stories.

Hi sailers, i got question for you... In few days, im starting first cruise. My phone battery is alnost dead, and i would like before i go to ship, to fix this. Buzt my actal question is - Can i buy new mobile phone on cruise ship? And is it cheaper ? Do any sailer know something about phone prices, and is it possible to buy any on cruise ? Thanks in advance