Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines

[zonino]

Me too - Carnival, applied via email/website. all paperwork was dealt with via Miami Head Office

[DRG]

there are loads of full sailers out there that had some rather strange programming techniques... :D

The Full Sail comment made me chuckle because my wife went there!

Although it's my understanding from her that the courses are mostly audio based, and they have very little in the way of lighting instruction. That probably explains the strange programming techniques! I know quite a few "Full Sailers" with RCCL, but only know of 1 who is a light tech. He's only a light tech because he was a stage staff (who was training to be sound tech) who was asked to step-up when someone left unexpectedly.

I know all about the horror of dry-dock. I was on a 3+1/2 week "revitalisation" (gut the ship and start again) dry-dock on Empress of the Seas which started with my 2nd week with the company. Freeport, Bahamas is certainly a place I've no desire to go back to!

 

Which ship were you on Gazlights? I've been on Empress, Splendour, Radiance, Jewel, and Rhapsody.

[TaliaS]

I've always got my medicals done by Health Management Ltd, at 127 Harley St. Tel 0870 060 5450.

It was £264 (just over a year ago) for everything you need (let them know it's for a RCCL medical). I found it to be a lot more expensive trying to get a medical locally (I lived in the NW).

 

Thanks for the number! I decided to go with this one but it's now £380!! My GP was no way any cheaper because they can only do one part of the check and I'd have to go to a private hospital to get the rest (chest xrays and all) and they quoted a silly amount. I have exactly a month to get everything sorted while working full time on a production which is now going into production week so things are really hectic.

 

Just a few more questions... How did you get your criminal record check done? Who do you contact in order to do this?

 

and what is life like generally on the ship.. the cabins, the rules, do you take tools with you if you're stage crew etc etc?

 

Many thanks,

 

Talia

[mac.calder]

Cabins - Stage Staff share with one other within the same department - bunk beds, bathroom, wardrobe, TV, nothing special, but not too shabby either.

 

Rules? Indy is fairly liberal, just be polite to guests, greet and smile etc, there is a matrix of bars and clubs you are and are not allowed to visit (the ones you can't are the ones you generally don't want to go to anyway, like the casino one), keep your uniform neat and tidy etc. You will pick it up quickly just by being around people. Blackshirts tend to either go to the back deck (crew bar) or the disco, or the odd cabin party.

 

As far as tools go - for stage staff, no. Just bring your multi-tool and a small flash light. Light and sound techs, tools are advisable (although we made a huge tool order on the Indy before I left, so there should be tools gallore).

 

Ship life is different... You work and live with the people around you, so a big thing is to avoid big, damaging arguments... That, and to find somewhere to be alone occasionally

 

As far as the "Pizza Stripes" (as in they mean very little, except they decide what size cabin and where you can drink and eat), Stage Staff are 1, Technical Stage Staff (Freedom and Voyager class ships) are 1 1/2, techs are 2, PM's are 2 1/2, Cruise Director 3, Hotel Director 4.

[DRG]

Get your police check here UK Police Certificate I just had to get one for my Green Card paperwork. Very fast service these days. Funnily enough, when I got my C1/D (5 years ago) you had to go to the police station and apply there. It took ages to come back (like 2 months), and I didn't have it when I went to my visa interview. They didn't even ask me for it! Nor did they on the ship. There was once a guy on one of the ships I worked on (galleyman from The Phillipines), who went a bit loopy (turned up to work without shoes/ tried to get involved in the safety demo/ jumped around the outside of the balconies on deck 8 whilst in port - all in one morning!). They put him in the brig (ship jail). They couldn't put him off in Italy, had to wait till Barcelona, so he was there for 2 days. In conversations with the Security Officer, it turned out this guy had been fired from 2 other cruiselines; once for head-butting a passenger (which he denied), and once for stabbing a crew member (which he admitted)! Makes you wonder. Although the cruiseline will blame the hiring partner for not weeding these kind of people out.

 

Stage staff share cabins (bunkbeds). Generally speaking, the newer the ship, the smaller the cabins. As Independence is new expect small. You'll be very fortunate if you get a porthole.

Lots of rules. Mostly to do with public conduct (GOLD anchor standards) and safety (everyone gets an emergency duty, you second more important job - enjoy the weekly boat drills). Your first 2 weeks will be training fun galore. If you're lucky, they wont all be at 8am. If your even luckier, you wont get a safety/environmental officer who loves the sound of their own voice way-to-much.

Try to travel light if you can. The only tools I would take are a multi-tool (Leatherman etc), and a torch. The Independence is new, so that should mean that they should have plenty of tools onboard, because nobodies had the chance to steal them yet.

 

I had the exact same problems with my GP. At £380 though, don't think I'll be going back to Health Management!

[RedlightSparks]

I have to agree with DRG about the background check, when I signed on Explorer of the Seas as a Light Tech I tried to show them mine, but no one was interested. I think this is something the Cruise and Sports staff need, but not really the techs as such no one will want to see it when you sign on. As for the medical I payed £200 for mine in a place recommended by Crown down in Elstree.

 

For the most part I enjoyed the experience of working with RCCL, though the person who handed over to me in the Theatre was incredibly unhelpful and blamed me for a plethora of problems caused by shore side (you will learn to loathe them), and I didn't think much of the interview process, as it misplaced me in a role beyond my skills.

 

I ended up terminating my own contract because of the situation I found myself in, and the way some members of the crew were treating me. Just as I joined they were weeks away from a complete show install in the theatre, the Theatre's PM was leaving as was the Sound/Senior Technician in two weeks - only to be replaced by a PM who no one seemed to want to work with, and a first time sound tech. I should note that not only was I being expected to learn the handover for Light Tech but also for Sound Tech as well as familiarising myself with Studio B - a nightmare.

 

This left me to inherit the senior technician role on a ship I was still learning. The Studio B light tech was a first timer like me who'd only been on six weeks, the sound tech a recent promotion from the lounge; and nothing was looking good due to the state of the handover I recieved and the knowledge of the rest of the crew. Sure the head stage crew was an ex light tech so we had backup, but it really was no a good situation to walk into as a first timer - one who'd been misplaced by shore side at that. I would have been much happier if I'd of been in Studio B rather than the Theatre, but these things happen - all would have been okay if it wasn't for the impending install and handovers.

 

Other than that rather bad experience it's a good life, though I hope you like taking showers and getting changed...I seemed to be doing that 3 or 4 times a day.

 

As for me, I'm waiting for a ship and departure date for DCL, though this time I'll be going as a General Technician. So far they've been far more involved in there own recruitment process, with a formal interview in Manchester and a telephone interview with a Production Manager on the Magic. Looking forward to working with them.

[mac.calder]

Other than that rather bad experience it's a good life, though I hope you like taking showers and getting changed...I seemed to be doing that 3 or 4 times a day.

 

That depends largely on the HD and CD - I am in the same pair of blacks from 8am to Midnight, with the exception of formal night.

[DRG]

Actually, I believe the police check is to do with getting the C1/D visa.

 

Getting up at 8am sounds like crazy talk to me!

 

I've always found that about 50% of the time handovers have been a woeful experience. I've had 1 new hire light tech that knew what they were doing, the rest have either been out of their depth, clueless, or worst of all deluded that they knew what they were doing (try giving people like that advice). I myself wobbled a little at first. I didn't get a handover, and I'd never seen an ETC desk, or used the Richmond system before.

Even those with experience can be a "problem." I had one guy, who'd been with the company years, proudly announce to me that he "didn't think that the lights should be more interesting than the show!" As well as being amongst the dumbest things I've ever heard, this was his code for "I've got the artistic vision of a brick, I'm not interested in learning or making an effort, and I'm no good at operating either." What's worse, is that he didn't think he needed to pay attention during rehearsal, and would program lights going a million miles an hour during ballads etc. This guy was so oblivious, when at the end of the cruise we had backstage tour. A lady asked him why he had lights flashing into the house (and in her eyes) during some of the shows. He seemed confused as to which shows, when the answer to that was every show you programmed you moron! He was also an angry little gnome, a total jobsworth over some silly little rules, and one of those people that goes out of his way to make you look bad so he looks better. I also found out that after I left, he tried to change the lighting of a magic show I'd programmed. He said to the turn that he thought the lights "detracted from the show" (because they were good). The act informed him he was very happy with the existing lighting, and he could change things over his dead body, so this guy actually tried to argue! His one redeeming feature was that his maintenance skills were good.

 

Enough ranting, most people out there are fine!

[Micken]

Wohoo, back with another question.

 

Recieving word that I can go ahead and book my visa has made me believe I actually have this job afterall...still no ship mind, but apperently places are starting to move now...I guess in the run up to the new ship.

 

I was wondering if people have a problem with excess baggage, and what it normal costs?

I'm sure with all the uniforms, tux, suits, casual wear, bits and bobs for the bathroom, PSP and some CDs or what not surely this takes you over your limit? espically as a tech as our shoes are steelies!

I have no plans on bringing tools other than the torch and leatherman as suggested in info pack and above.

 

Also how many pairs of steelies do you tend to take with you?

Mine only last me around 6 months, as by that time the steel is well and truley showing, covered in paint ect.. which clearly wont be acceptable as uniform I'm guessing?...but then again, I'm also unsure how often they will come into a position where they will be scuffed.

 

Lastly, how fit do you need to be for the medical? I'm a smoker, should this be a concern for passing the test?

[Bryson]

In my experience, you used to get a much increased "seamans allowance" for baggage - and as you were involved in the tourism business, airline checkin clerks tended to look the other way if you were over that. I certainly never paid for excess baggage, despite having some very, very heavy bags indeed. 42kg combined as I recall!

 

I took one set of steels and virtually never wore them! (It transpired that my job was more desk based. Both types of desk, that is...)

 

I used to shower and change 3 times a day too.

 

If you're reasonably healthy then the medical won't be a big deal. They just want to be sure that they won't get saddled with a sick crewmember who can't work and just costs money...

[mac.calder]

Some airlines (*COUGH*UA*COUGH*) now charge all passengers for checking in bags. RCCL refunds the checkin fee for the first, but not the second.

 

Flash your LOE and they do look the other way for a few KG

[Bryson]

Soon they'll also charge extra for a seat, a safety briefing and a sick bag.

 

Also: Fuel surcharge? Isn't the fuel an integral part of the flight I bought? What's next, a wing surcharge?

[DRG]

The extra crew allowance is no longer in existence, but you can sometimes get away with it with the above tactic. The Seaman's Book can also work (but you won't have one of those). Try to pack smart. Instead of CD's, get an iPod etc. Surely you would put a PSP in carry-on? As for steel-toes, you can actually buy safety shoes on-board. Might not be as nice as the ones you can get on the high street, but as the contract length is now 6 months 3 weeks that might be a better option for you. You can just leave them behind when you leave the ship. If you're porting in the USA, and you don't like the ship shoes, you'd also have many chances to buy a pair in the shops over there. More than likely cheaper than over here (even with current exchange rates).

 

 

 

A concurrent post has been automatically merged from this point on.

 

Soon they'll also charge extra for a seat, a safety briefing and a sick bag.

 

Also: Fuel surcharge? Isn't the fuel an integral part of the flight I bought? What's next, a wing surcharge?

The cruiselines introduced fuel surcharges last year. Not sure if they still have them.

[RedlightSparks]

You really shouldn't be over weight - remember you'll be spending most of the time in your blacks anyway so there really isn't any need to pack much in the way of casual clothes. Something for the gym, something for the evenings down the crew deck/officers bar, something for on shore...Bare in mind your itinerary and that it can still get pretty cool at sea. Oh a swimsuit, the number of people in my group who did lifeboat training in underwear due to not bringing one was hilarious - as was only myself and a small blonde trumpet girl being able to climb back up the wooden ladder onto I95. (We were in Bermuda so I95 was a good two meters above water level) It was pretty funny watching all these big Americans utterly fail at it .

 

Most of the uniform you can buy onship for next to nothing. Shoe polish etc would probably be a good idea, I forgot to pack some but will be doing next time.

 

Out of interest, how many of you got shipped off to LA for three days to see HighEnd? Myself, an Irish guy midway through his contract and a Mexican were treated to two days at HighEnds offices training with the Wholehog 3 - not that I've touched or seen one since, doubt they have either. One was on a Vision class the other Radiance. A fairly interesting way to spend two days, though flying Manchester - Heathrow - LAX - JFK in three days was incredibly tiring. Oh and someone had entirely failed to book me into a hotal in LA, so I'm stood there with nowhere to go and no one's answering the phone in Miami! Woo!

[DRG]

You really shouldn't be over weight - remember you'll be spending most of the time in your blacks anyway so there really isn't any need to pack much in the way of casual clothes. Something for the gym, something for the evenings down the crew deck/officers bar, something for on shore...Bare in mind your itinerary and that it can still get pretty cool at sea. Oh a swimsuit, the number of people in my group who did lifeboat training in underwear due to not bringing one was hilarious - as was only myself and a small blonde trumpet girl being able to climb back up the wooden ladder onto I95. (We were in Bermuda so I95 was a good two meters above water level) It was pretty funny watching all these big Americans utterly fail at it .

 

Most of the uniform you can buy onship for next to nothing. Shoe polish etc would probably be a good idea, I forgot to pack some but will be doing next time.

 

Out of interest, how many of you got shipped off to LA for three days to see HighEnd? Myself, an Irish guy midway through his contract and a Mexican were treated to two days at HighEnds offices training with the Wholehog 3 - not that I've touched or seen one since, doubt they have either. One was on a Vision class the other Radiance. A fairly interesting way to spend two days, though flying Manchester - Heathrow - LAX - JFK in three days was incredibly tiring. Oh and someone had entirely failed to book me into a hotal in LA, so I'm stood there with nowhere to go and no one's answering the phone in Miami! Woo!

The Martin service training they'll send you on is better. I got 6 days in Austin, Texas for that. Did have to fly from Venice to get there though. I think they mostly try to send people to Martin in Florida. Didn't do the HighEnd. Was already pretty well versed in Hog 3 when they started offering that, so I never bothered. I think Radiance might've been getting a Hog 3 this year? When I was there (2006), the Hog 2 was looking worse for wear. I know they send all new riggers to Las Vegas to Foy. Although that's mandatory because Foy wont let you touch their gear without it. I also understand they'll send sound techs on a Yamaha course, although I did hear that it was pretty worthless, in that it doesn't teach anything that a sound tech should already know.

 

I refuse to buy any of the ships uniform out of principle! When I first started, it was free! Since then, I've always bought it shoreside. You can actually get black polos etc cheaper in a lot of places.

 

Did you mean life-jacket training? I can't imagine anyone doing lifeboat training in a swimsuit/underwear? Afterall, the lifeboat is supposed to keep you dry! I also had life-jacket training in the harbour at Bermuda. Although most ships do that training in the swimming pool on the pool deck.

What's annoying is that if I go back, I'm at 5 years, which means I'll have to re-do a lot of the safety training because mine will have expired.

 

As for luggage weight. I always seem to be at maximum, because the wife can never pack light, and I end up carrying loads of her stuff too!