Cruise Talk: Which ships have the best crew???

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»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Ships » Which ships have the best crew???

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Topic: Which ships have the best crew???

Caronia
First Class Passenger
Member # 1312

posted 06-01-2000 02:39 PM

I would have to say RVS, Caronia and now QE2, with my Dad working on it of course!! How about you? Can you recall any great crew memebers who made your cruise particularly fantastic?

Bye!!

Posts: 31 | From: England | Registered: May 2000 | IP: Logged

geno-r
First Class Passenger
Member # 931

posted 06-01-2000 10:20 PM

I would have to say the crew of the Tropicale. Our cruise on her last Dec. 1998 the crew was outstanding! They made that little ship seem like a upscale version of Carnival.

Posts: 549 | From: Mt. Pocono,Pa. Usa | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

Guest
First Class Passenger
Member # 1157

posted 06-02-2000 04:51 AM

Cunard's Queen Elizabeth 2 has the very best crew. I hear Sagafjord and Vistaford had great crews too. The Caronia is also meant to have a great crew.

[This message has been edited by Cunard (edited 06-12-2000).]

Posts: 1888 | From: Earth | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

gohaze
First Class Passenger
Member # 586

posted 06-02-2000 06:10 AM

An interesting subject as if you go back 20 years or so, most cruise ships still had basically ethnic crews. In other words they were the same nationality. Take Home Lines, all Italian and mostly from around Genoa, Princess, all Italian catering ex Sitmar, and so on. I can recall when on Greek cargo vessels all the crew came from not only the same Island but also the same village.
Today, we have the United Nations crews, and we had a Maitre d' on Princess telling us about managing his "motley mob" compared to before, and it wasn't complimentary!!
Some ships still have a basic single nationality, the Marco Polo with it's long-serving Phillipinos is an example, and at least to me, the difference in crew morale is quite noticeable.
European crewed vessels are becoming a real mixture with the polyglot crowd not always working together very well.
Cunard...sorry to tell you but the worst cruise that we ever had was on the Vistafjord. The food and service were terrible and the cabin was a disgrace - it didn't even make a 100 sq.ft. and was unfinished, and the crew morale was lousy - nobody smiled and there were no greetings or anything like that. The only ship we've ever wanted to get off. Cunard came through with a large credit note and we spent that on the Sagafjord, what a difference a happy crew can make, we enjoyed that ship which had good food and service as well....peter

Posts: 1909 | From: Vancouver.BC | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 06-02-2000 08:42 AM

HAL - Phillipino and Indonesian crew - always smiling, happy and very obliging. They always ask your name when they first meet you a never have to ask you again. I don't know how they do it. Oh, sure you will get the odd surly one, but just think of all the other happy ones.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

RSDavid
Just Boarded
Member # 1230

posted 06-02-2000 09:33 AM

Hi, I'm Filipino living in the Northeast US. Been on a couple of cruises AND YES a HAPPY CREW makes for a HAPPY CRUISE!! Just like what sympatico said 'I don't know how they do it! To me the best and happiest CREW was on the Majesty of the Seas. I'm a bit biased, 'coz I'm Filipino, and the Head Chef of the Majesty was Filipino and most of the Filipino crew was like best friends with him. We had a lot of FUN on this ship. I just don't know how much it has changed since its moved from the Western Carib. to the Bahamas run!

Posts: 7 | From: Nutley, New Jersey USA | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

Gerry
First Class Passenger
Member # 168

posted 06-02-2000 09:53 AM

Caronia,

Is your Dad Andy ? If so I know him well.

Posts: 315 | From: Miami, Florida, (originally from UK) | Registered: Jun 99 | IP: Logged

Caronia
First Class Passenger
Member # 1312

posted 06-02-2000 03:42 PM

Yes, that's right! In fact, i think i might know who you are!

Posts: 31 | From: England | Registered: May 2000 | IP: Logged

NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 06-02-2000 09:21 PM

For the last few years I would have to think
the best are the crews aboard Holland America
Line ships.
If we go back a few years I would say the
French Line and Swedish-American Line. In
my opinion during the 1950-1960's, no one
could touch the crews of the French Line.
As ships began doing more and more cruises
and fewer crossings, the Swedish-American
Line was tops in the 1960's. Another great
crew during the 1950's was that aboard the
Caronia.....they were the very best Cunard
had.

Posts: 2243 | From: Watsontown, PA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

gohaze
First Class Passenger
Member # 586

posted 06-03-2000 12:15 AM

NAL...you could always tell those stewards, mostly scouse, they had "Cunaaard feet" 10 to 2 with a funny sort of shuffle from carrying trays on a moving deck...no stabilizers in those days on the Western Ocean....peter

Posts: 1909 | From: Vancouver.BC | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

Terry
First Class Passenger
Member # 448

posted 06-03-2000 01:10 PM

Peter, perhaps you might know,

The original SUN PRINCESS started life as THE SPIRIT OF LONDON. After the P&O takeover of Princess in 1974 she was renamed. At the beginning she had, like all P&O vessels Goanese stewards and dining staff and British officers. Although the Brits were retained at some point the Goanese were replaced by Italians. Could you shed any light on it.

Following the general line of the thread I would say the best service I have been given onboard ship has been from these splendid staff. Then I would say that: I like their Currys so much.

Terry

Posts: 391 | From: Brandon, Norfolk, UK | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

wendymike_uk
First Class Passenger
Member # 1302

posted 06-03-2000 01:22 PM

Terry,

I agree that Goanese staff are the best ever. P & O ships still have a large percentage of them and the service is first class.

Posts: 21 | From: England | Registered: May 2000 | IP: Logged

Carol C
Just Boarded
Member # 1297

posted 06-03-2000 02:26 PM

I would have to give my vote to HAL, I have been on several of their ships and have not experienced one bad moment with staff, they seem especially sincere to help and I agree always with a smile and courtesy.

Posts: 8 | From: Saskatoon, SK, Canada | Registered: May 2000 | IP: Logged

gohaze
First Class Passenger
Member # 586

posted 06-03-2000 03:17 PM

Terry...she was bought "on the stocks" as the saying goes from one of the Norwegian companies. The change to Italians probably ?? didn't come until Princess absorbed Sitmar.
The Goanese are good and I agree about the curries for tiffin. Our two trips on HAL did not impress us with either the service or the food.
Our vote today goes to the Phillipinos of Orient Line.
btw. Don't you find it rather ironic that the old Spirit of London is back under the P&O flag all these years after they got rid of her.....peter

Posts: 1909 | From: Vancouver.BC | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

Terri Lee
First Class Passenger
Member # 942

posted 06-03-2000 03:31 PM

I would say without a doubt,that the main reason I keep returning to HAL ships is because of the Indonesian and Filipino crews.

After 11 cruises since 1996 on HAL,I know most of the guys on board and they all know me by my first name....no standing on ceremony there! And as a gal travelling alone,they take pretty good care of me and treat me like a Princess.

Each time I board one of their ships,there is always a wonderful welcome with lots of hugs and kisses and of course,WONDERFUL SMILES!!

I love them all to bits....need I say more???

Posts: 292 | From: Burlington Ontario Canada | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 06-06-2000 09:36 AM

Terri Lee.....
I couldn'y agree with you more.....Amen!!

Posts: 2243 | From: Watsontown, PA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

Terri Lee
First Class Passenger
Member # 942

posted 06-06-2000 07:43 PM

NAL...

I am glad I'm not the only one who loves the HAL crews to bits.As they say in Indonesia...
.....WAH BAGUS!!!!!!(to the uninitiated,that means FANTASTIC!!!)

Posts: 292 | From: Burlington Ontario Canada | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Winner
First Class Passenger
Member # 1188

posted 06-12-2000 03:21 PM

No question! We just returned yesterday aboard the ship with the most fantastic crew: Seabourn Pride. By the second day everyone with whom we had come in contact knew our names--and what we like to eat and drink. Service was at your elbow but never intrusive. The Hotel Manager cares about every aspect of the ship and it shows. In more than 40 cruises we had never experienced such an attentive, friendly, professional, and, yes, happy crew!

Posts: 113 | From: Santa Rosa CA USA | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 06-13-2000 08:12 AM

HAL, has the best!

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Mercy
First Class Passenger
Member # 322

posted 06-13-2000 10:53 AM

The best service on any cruise I have been on was the crew on Celebrity's Mercury. Perfect! However, I am going to surprise myself by voting the Norwegian Sky crew the BEST! They gave us extra special service with a SMILE

Something that was lacking a lot on the Mercury. Our waiter was Filipino, and very friendly and sweet. But the other nationalities on board were great too. The assistant cruise director was the best! I can not remember his name. He was from Barbados. He made the cruise fun.

Posts: 697 | From: Stanwood, Wa. USA | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

marble
First Class Passenger
Member # 1122

posted 06-19-2000 07:05 PM

I have only been on 3 cruises, but of those 3 I would have to say that Royal Olympic's, Stella Solaris crew has to be my favorite. The crew was primarily Greek. I was treated like a Queen. I would go again just because of the crew. They were a great bunch of people.

Posts: 14 | From: Ga | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

Gerry
First Class Passenger
Member # 168

posted 07-05-2000 02:30 PM

Caronia,

I was onboard QE2 in New York the other day, your dad says Hi...

Posts: 315 | From: Miami, Florida, (originally from UK) | Registered: Jun 99 | IP: Logged

Justine
First Class Passenger
Member # 1335

posted 07-05-2000 11:23 PM

Definitely without question HAL.

Posts: 126 | From: Northern Ontario | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

Caronia
First Class Passenger
Member # 1312

posted 07-06-2000 05:45 AM

Thanks Gerry! He emailed the other day saying how he'd 'found out' about me on here!! He knows too many people!

Posts: 31 | From: England | Registered: May 2000 | IP: Logged

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