I have been reading all the reviews and cruisebruise.com.

I can't believe how many crimes are commited on ships while cruise lines cover them up.  I am booked on this cruise and haven't heard that much positive things to say.  Plus, we found out we are on the lowest passanger deck which sucks.  Do the workers really work 12-14 hours a day with little pay?  I will not involve myself in salvery.

the crew knows the demands of the job that they go out to get. someone has to work for you to be satisfied so there

 I have been on many cruises and have never had any problems with theft,of course you have to use common sense about leaving valuables out in the open .Theft happens not only on cruise ships but in every day life so to single out cruise ships is kind of harsh.As far as your cabin location there is nothing wrong with the lower decks unless you are way in the back,in which case you will feel the vibration from the propeller.Just enjoy your cruise,don't get too caught up in the theft hipe,but do use common sense.

I spent a lot of time talking to the stewards, servers, etc while I was on my cruise.  Yes, they do work hard which is why it is always a good idea to tip them for a job well done.  The men and women on the ship really work hard to make sure you have a good time.  I didn't worry about theft from my steward or any of the other employees on the ship.  Frankly I'd say it would be more likely that a passenger might have sticky fingers.  That being said I agree with the previous poster.  Treat this like any other vacation or trip you've taken.  Be aware of what's going on around you.  Don't leave items unattended in public areas.  Before leaving your room make sure that you haven't left valuables sitting out in the open for the world to see.  Use the safes provided.  Only take things with you that you must have.  I didn't bring my most valuable jewelry with me, I didn't bring my all my credit cards (I only brought the card that the S & S was using).  As far as being on the lower decks I didn't notice a difference.  I am an insomniac and the sleep on the ship was the best I've had in 6 months!!  Don't worry!  I KNOW you will have a great time.  Just roll with the punches and decide before you leave that you're going to have a great time!  Happy Cruising!

We cruised last year and had no problems!  Use the safe.  Talk and visit with the cabin guys.  They work for room/board/food.  Their pay is their tips.  We tipped like the 2nd day and tipped again at the end of the cruise.  They also received our gratitiy,  which I prepaid.  They treated us SPLENDID!!!   Never had anything out of place.  He came in at least 3-4 times daily picking up our cabin and my son's cabin (which was alful).  Treat them right and they will treat you right!!  Guaranteed!

Thanks for the info.  I'm not talking about theft, but other crimes such as assault.  There are no laws in the open waters.  I plan to tip well, especially after reading how much people make there.  Unreal. 

Hi Tallbunch, Maritime laws make the laws of the open waters the same as the laws of the port of debarkation. There is a security crew on board but you would not recognize them because they are uniformed like the rest of the crew. The one place they might stand out is if you were very observant in the Casino. When you have 3000 guests aboard there is a possibility that one or more are "bad". On one cruise I was on, I heard rumors of an assault and fight on one of the floors that I was not on. That was all I heard. When we got back to our embarkation port (I like to watch the activity when a ship comes into port or leaves) I was on my balcony and witnessed at least four police vehicles on the dock. Before anything else was done, two people were brought out in handcuffs and taken away. There is security on the ship. Have a good trip.

 All I can tell you is that I have been on eight cruises and have never seen anything more violent than a couple having an argument, and let's face it that happens everywhere!  As for the crew although they work hard the really do seem to enjoy there jobs for the most part.  Take the same precautions you would on any vacation but the most important thing you can do to protect your cruise is to relax and enjoy it,  I think you will find it the most worry free vacation ever.

Hi Tallbunch a second time. While I am cruising, I have made an attempt to connect with some of the crew (I am a long time Union member and a Union organizer). We have many instances of crew members from a former cruise who are not serving us coming to give us a special welcome. A gal from Bulgaria has a standing offer for us to be entertained by her family if we ever cruise that part of Europe. One gentleman who was from Guiana has been on two of our cruises as a server. He explained to me that he worked hard in his school which was run by the Catholic Nuns in order to qualify for the training that the cruise lines put them through before assigning them. His working for the cruise line for "room and board" and tips has allowed him to support his extended family back home at a level that they never had dreamed of. He proudly told me that his son also qualified and was now on a cruise line. Another bonus of talking to these people is that he told me the best beach to go to on an island. He also told us that he would have the afternoon off and would be there but could not talk to us because crew are forbidden to make any contact with guests of the ship (I am being a bit cryptic about where and when because there is a possibility that his friendship might also be considered inappropriate.) We went to his beach and had a great time. Someone invited us to take part in their barbecue which we enjoyed. Our gentleman server was there but never acknowledged us. That night at dinner he revealed that the person doing the barbecue was one of the ship chefs. The hours they work is another interesting topic. I was told that they do not care to spend a large amount of time lounging. They rest on their day off. A crew member might be a technician who works on keeping systems running for eight hours. When he is done, he will change uniforms and maybe go and work for the head room steward for a floor who will pay him out of the tip money for doing a certain number of rooms. Even the entertainers will do double jobs. (I have heard that some of the dancers are hired to go out to the pool area near the bar to sun themselves, keeps the men there buying drinks). I have yet to find an employee who was not proud to be who they were. But do tip well, they deserve it.

tallbunch:

I have been reading all the reviews and cruisebruise.com.

I can't believe how many crimes are commited on ships while cruise lines cover them up.  I am booked on this cruise and haven't heard that much positive things to say.  Plus, we found out we are on the lowest passanger deck which sucks.  Do the workers really work 12-14 hours a day with little pay?  I will not involve myself in salvery.

Hey tallbunch,

I have heard that the lower floors are better because they feel less motion of the ship going from side to side.  I am not sure how true it is, but I wil sewhen I go.  Being on the lowest passenger deck might be a good thing.  Plus, last time I went on a cruise we were hardly in our room. We were only only in there when we were sleeping.

 

Read cruiseaddicts.com for more news. Interesting article in there.

tallbunch:

I have been reading all the reviews and cruisebruise.com

There's a mistake.

tallbunch:

I can't believe how many crimes are commited on ships while cruise lines cover them up.

Crimes are committed everywhere.  Crime data is only relevant when done as a percentage of the people in a given population. 

Question: would you rather live in a community whch has, say, 10 murders, ... or 100?  Would you change your mind if the 10 murders occured in a town of 5,000 and the 100 murders occured in a city of 5,000,000?

[Answer: you'd better]

 

tallbunch:

Do the workers really work 12-14 hours a day with little pay?  I will not involve myself in salvery.

How do you define "little"?

I cruised the Celebration last year and I didnt hear of one incident.  I believe that if you put yourself in a bad situation, then something very well may happen. No different from clubs, bars, motels, highways, ect...  Quit Worrying and enjoy life.  There is way to much that is great about cruising to spend your time focused on the bad.

                                                       Rachael

Myston, Thanks so much for sharing this interesting information about the crew members that you have come in contact with.

Hey there Tallbunch, 

     With everything, you will find good and bad and it just depends on what you read or whom you are talking to that will sway your thoughts negatively or positively. I went on the Celebration and had one of the best times of my life and I am going on my second this May 09 for my birthday. Go into it with optimism and have a blast!