The Division of Labor

Traveling on a cruise ship on a longer than normal journey gives one a unique opportunity to observe both passengers and crew and engage in some interesting conversations with many different kinds of people about their perceptions of what constitutes "work". 

Considering the time of year in which I am traveling...early Spring in North American and Northern Europe, and the amount of time the cruise takes: 14 days, most of the folks on board are the kind that have a bit of time on their hands.  Many are either retired or folks who can do their jobs long distance.  Also several have own or did own a family business.  Not too many children on board, mostly toddlers with a smattering of school-aged kids traveling with parents and grandparents across the Atlantic.

The crew, on the other hand, is an interesting mix of people from all over the world that presents an interesting study in the division of labor and the perception of "hard workers" among the traveling public.  Although the cruise lines has the word "Norwegian" in its name, and it has a large office in Tampa, Florida, the cruise line is incorporated in Nassau in the Bahamas.

It is an international crew. They sign on for a series of three month contracts.  Many are from third wold nations with a significant number coming from India, the Philippines, South Africa, Peru and various West Indian islands. Others come from Easten Europe, Scandinavia, Australia and New Zealand.  A smattering are Americans, Canadians and Brits. They work ten or twelve hour days, seven days a week. 

There is a definite hierarchy on board.  Most of the folks who cook, clean, wait on tables, tend bar and do the facials and manicures at the spa are Third World residents who are on board doing these tasks to support families back home.Many of these workers are here to learn skills that will allow them to work successfully in the hospitality business back home, or to climb the cruise line ladder until they reach the "glass ceiling" that seems to keep most of them at the middle management level on board the ships. They can rise to manage a limited number of departments on board: Maintenance, Kitchen Staff, and Laundry Services are top heavy in Third World workers who have limited skills, but are eager to learn English and progress through the ranks.

On a different level are young Americans, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders  and Brazilians who are involved in the entertainment end of the cruise business.  These are the staff under the direction of the Cruise Manager, a witty and funny Aussie who is in charge of keeping the passengers entertained during the voyage.  Most of the entertainers are here to gain professional experience, and they work hard at it.  Besides engaging in professional practice, rehearsals and performances, many of them help out in the library , lead dance and exercise classes and assist in general help on board.  Specialized acts: comedians, magicians, animal acts ( there is a very long albino python on board until we reach Dover, England...he has his own sealed space on the third deck) each have separate contracts with the cruise lines and are only responsible for their performances and don't have other responsibilities.

On the top of the heap are those Europeans who are part of corporate, technical or navigational skills.  These are mostly males who possess unique skills necessary for the smooth running of this vessel.  The crew who serve at the front desk; the team that oversees the vast array of technological equipment and devices that keep this boat afloat, and the guys on the bridge who actually sail this ship are mostly European...mostly Northern European at that.

All of these people work extremely hard to make this ship what it is....a floating resort hotel.  Don't  get me wrong....I do love cruising, but I also appreciate the work of all aboard who make this possible.