You would think that stopping off at a beach or a port would be an exciting prospect for just the passengers. But no. The staff can also get in on the action. Whenever the ship makes a port call, the crew knows that they are in for some fun.
When passengers leave to roam around, the staff can too. They wait for these days like no other. The crew is finally allowed to rest, after working tirelessly for days on end. It’s also a chance for them to get some time away from annoying passengers, rude managers, and all the drama on board.
Management is Mean
While the workers are renowned for being amazing in their hospitality and being hard workers, there is a reason why they are so good at their jobs - the whip is often cracked on them pretty harshly. Cruise ship management is known for being mean. What usually ends up happening is that managers are given separate private quarters and the power to discipline.
The managers watch everything on cameras, and if a staff member acts up, they will be left at a port. No joke. No matter how badly managers mistreat their staff, there are always more people applying to work on the ship.
Behind Bars
If you are thinking about doing something illegal while on a cruise liner, you might want to think twice. And there's a good reason for this. For those who break the law, steal, or generally act criminal, the ship has a jail. The captain and his officers have the authority to put you behind bars while on board.
They can legally arrest someone until the ship reaches port and the police can take them away. Guess what? The crew is thrown behind bars themselves sometimes too! So if you are going on a cruise anytime soon, you should go with the approach of not wanting to do any criminal activity while on international waters.
The Crew Doesn't Care
Though you may think that you have created a bond with the staff, you are just another person who has come in and out of their life. Of course, they are paid to care, but behind that huge smile, they are just waiting for you to leave before they have to move on to the next guest. It's just a business, at the end of the day.
More precisely, they're waiting to go below the decks for the next drama. If you tip them, you may stand out...but other than that, you're just another face in a crowd of passengers.
The Law is Still Very Real
It’s actually pretty common for people to equate being on international waters with complete freedom from any type of legal matters. But laws are still very real, and they can be enforced. How? With the help of “maritime law,” which around the United States, is enforced by the Coast Guard.
Maritime law is exactly how Melina Roberge and Isabelle Lagace were caught when they attempted to smuggle about 200 pounds of illegal substances back with them on a Princess Cruise ship, in 2016. The two women were caught and are now facing up to twenty years in prison. The narcotics were worth an estimated $16 million and were found in the women’s suitcases.