cruise staff royal caribbean

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Discover firsthand what makes Royal Caribbean a great place to work by watching this video. Hear Security Officer Sharon and Reshma Security Staff share their experiences and passion for being part of our team.

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Ever wondered what it’s like to be part of our crew onboard?

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Royal Caribbean Cruise Staff Job Description

Cruise Staff are responsible for hosting and providing a varied range of entertainment, social and leisure opportunities geared towards adults and families in order to enhance their cruise experience.

Cruise staff serve as master of ceremonies to motivate, inform and entertain small and large groups of guests hosting events such as:

• Games shows
• Your own events based on your personal talents! For example, you could be the Master of Meditation, Leader of Line Dancing or the  Queen of Zumba

Working on Royal Caribbean cruise liners, you will be on board for 6 months and 3 weeks at a time, with short breaks in-between contracts.

Essential Requirements

• Relevant degree or qualifications in performing arts or equivalent
• A minimum of two years previous experience as Master of Ceremonies or in high profile entertainment in theatre, music, dance, comedy, etc., or in resorts, cruise lines or recreational facilities.
• Ability to coordinate and provide instruction for basic recreational activity classes for large groups and/or individual sessions, such as dance Zumba, craft class, fitness classes, singing, etc.
• Sports and sports hosting experience
• Ability to operates spotlight equipment for production shows and assist with coordination of audio or visual equipment
• Working knowledge of computers, internet access, and the ability to navigate within a variety of software basic packages.
• Excellent customer service skills

Essential Attributes

• Outgoing nature
• Excellent communication skills, preferably with additional European languages
• Ability to capture and manage the attention of a large audience, using effective and courteous microphone techniques.
• Should be a good planner, a well-organised person.
• Gain amazing experience worldwide
• Competitive salary
• All meals and accommodation costs included
• Form a worldwide network of lifelong friends

Application Deadline

• We are seeking individuals for an immediate start.

Apply for this job

Meet The Team

Youth Staff - Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd

Ready for an adventure at sea? Royal Caribbean Cruises is looking for Youth Staff to join thier amazing onboard team working with kids and creating spectacular memories

Minimum requirements

Age : at least 21 years old

Language skills: English – advanced level – MANDATORY

• Bachelor's degree in education, recreation or related field from an accredited university or college or the international equivalent.
• Three to five years’ experience working with large groups of youths ages 6 months -17 years.
• Experience working in school sponsored youth groups, YMCA, camps or similar positions preferred.
• Infant and child CPR certification and lifesaving certification from the American Red Cross or similar certifying organization.
• Working knowledge of computers, internet access and the ability to navigate within a variety of software packages such as Excel, Word and Power Point.

Job Description

Participates in embarkation procedures by disseminating information regarding the Adventure Ocean Program, Youth Evacuation Plan, and directing and escorting guests to staterooms.

Determines the activities to initiate based on the ages and the needs of the children assigned to participate in the scheduled activity. Organizes and leads a variety of established age appropriate activities. Maintains discipline within assigned group to ensure safety precautions are followed.

Detailed position description

Organizes and leads youth activities, ages 6 months -17 years, in designated activity centers, assigned areas and throughout the vessel by performing the following essential duties and responsibilities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• All duties and responsibilities are to be performed in accordance with Royal Caribbean International’s Gold Anchor Standards, SQM standards, USPH guidelines, environmental, and safety policies.
• Each shipboard employee may be required to perform all functions in various venues and throughout the ship. In accordance with Royal Caribbean International’s philosophy of Anchored inExcellence , each employee conducts oneself in a professional and courteous manner at all times. This consists of physical and verbal interactions with guests or fellow shipboard employees and/or in the presence of guest contact and crew areas.
• The Royal Babies (6-18 months) and Royal Tots (18-36 months)
• Age-appropriate activities that combine skill-building with storytelling, creative arts, music,
• The Aquanaut Program (3-5) offers Sail into Storytime, Adventure Science, Adventure Art, Adventure Theater and specific theme sessions such as Pirate Night, Pajamarama Movie Night, and Animal Kingdom. As well, it offers a variety of both active and passive games.
• The Explorer Program (6-8) offers Adventure Science, Adventure Art, Adventure Theater and specific theme sessions such as Pirate Night, Rock n’ Roll Party and Extreme Olympics. The Program also offers games and activities to encourage the children to work together and meet new friends.
• The Voyager Program (9-11) offers a variety of activities and games that are designed to encourage participation in a fun atmosphere. Adventure Science, Adventure Art, Adventure Theater, scavenger hunts, sporting activities and specific theme sessions such as Survivor Night, Gladiator Night and Rock n’ Roll Party are also offered.
• The Teens 12-14 and the Teens 15-17 offer activities and events that are hosted by the Youth Staff. These programs can include Nightclub, a Pool Party, Karaoke, sporting activities, icebreaker activities, Battle of the Sexes and Scavenger Hunts.
• Acts as a role model for the youth with regard to leadership, friendliness, diplomacy, honesty, fair play, sportsmanship and open-mindedness. Exercises discretion and good judgment when interacting with the children. Maintains a constant awareness of the children’s whereabouts and their safety. Intervenes when a conflict arises or when a child needs extra attention or assistance in order to enjoy the activities. Responds to any type of emergency.
• Directs children in eating, resting, and toileting.
• Helps children develop habits of caring for own clothing and picking up and putting away toys and books.
• Maintains discipline within assigned group to ensure safety precautions are followed.
• Serves meals and refreshments to children and regulates rest periods.
• Communicates with parents in a tactful and courteous manner to generate a high level of comfort. Acts as liaison between the Youth Activities Manager and the parents.
• Keeps current on children trends regarding music, dance crazes, fads, computer games, reading materials and physical activities.
• Organizes teen-related activities. Performs Disc Jockey duties for teen parties. Operates audio equipment to play music and keeps inventory of music library.
• Assists youth of all ages with computer operation, instruction and navigation, etc.
• Participates in maintaining a clean working environment including 12. the inventory of equipment and supplies. Notifies the Youth Activities Manager when repairs or replacement is needed.
• Assists the Youth Activities Manager in planning, organizing and implementing entertaining and educational programs for all ages 6 months -17 years.
• Follows the detailed safety and security measures of the Youth Evacuation Plan in the even of an emergency while children are under the supervision of the Youth Staff. Utilizes good judgment and pays close attention to all details when escorting children to the parents or guardians in the assigned muster stations.
• May participate in a variety of activities associated with Shore Excursions, Cruise Programs and/or the Sports Deck.
• Prepares a variety of reports and letters utilizing personal computer system and equipment.
• Attends meetings, training activities, courses and all other work-related activities as required.
• Performs related duties as required. This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the shipboard employee occupying this position. Shipboard employees will be required to perform any other job-related duties assigned by their supervisor or management.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum hiring, language and physical requirements to perform the job.

Hiring Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, recreation or related field from an accredited university or college or the international equivalent.
• Three to five years experience working with large groups of youths ages 6 months -17 years.
• Infant and child CPR certification and life saving certification from the American Red Cross or similar certifying organization preferred.
• Ability to mediate, diffuse and/or resolve problems and negotiate resolutions.
• Ability to design creative activities while containing costs.

Language Requirements:

• Ability to speak English clearly, distinctly and cordially with guests.
• Ability to communicate in English tactfully with guests or parents to mediate, diffuse an/or resolve problems and negotiate resolutions.
• Ability to read and write English in order to understand and interpret written procedures. This includes the ability to give and receive instructions in written and verbal forms and to effectively present information and respond to questions from guests, supervisors and coworkers.
• Ability to speak additional languages such as Spanish, French or German preferred.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the shipboard employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; and taste or smell. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

All shipboard employees must be physically able to participate in emergency life saving procedures and drills. Full use and range of arms and legs as well as full visual, verbal and hearing abilities are required to receive and give instructions in the event of an emergency including the lowering of lifeboats. Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

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Cruise Ship Ranks and Hierarchy

Working on a cruise ship is a unique environment. Although one may argue that it’s just a floating resort, a look closer identifies that hierarchy and ranks are embedded in each cruise job onboard. By understanding the difference in stripes and ranks you’ll get to know how the chain of command works on a cruise ship.

Overview of Cruise Ship Hierarchy

A cruise ship is run like a small corporation. Similar to the president of a company, the Captain is in charge and is ultimately responsible. The Captain has a handful of senior officers that report to him just like a handful of vice presidents that would report to the president of a company. Beyond those high level ranks, the larger the cruise ship, the bigger the organizational chart of other ranks and cruise ship jobs that there are.

Typically, each department has a department head, managers, supervisors and crewmembers. (The actual title of each cruise job varies by cruise line). This equates to a chain of command that all those working onboard must adhere to. Another term for cruise job is rank. The rank of all officers and crew on cruise ships governs not only their working environment but also their cabin assignment, where they eat, their emergency duty, and whether or not they have access to passenger facilities.

History of Hierarchy and Rank on Cruise Ships

When you look at both naval ships and cargo vessels, there has always been a strict hierarchy of command. Maritime laws govern safety of life at sea with regulations that must be followed by all officers and crew working onboard the vessels. The Golden Era of ocean liners evolved into the cruise industry today where cruise ship safety is also paramount.

In the past, cruise ship hierarchy was a very militarized organizational structure with lower ranks rarely questioning the authority of higher ranks. In addition, only few departments such as the Deck Department and the Engine Department wore stripes to indicate their officer status.

Although there are many differences in how cruise ships are managed today, the officer ranking system continues to be in place and has inevitably been expanded. In an interview with Royal Caribbean’s Captain Erik Standal for the website, Beyond Ships, Standal explains that the traditional militarized hierarchy on cruise ships is still necessary.

“We are a small community and in a community you have to have some order to control certain people.” He points out, “You have the ranking system in order to make it clear who is making the decisions…”

Cruise Ship Management Hierarchy

On today’s cruise ships, in addition to the Captain being in charge, there are a handful of senior officers that manage the ship’s operations and report to the Captain. These jobs include Staff Captain, Chief Engineer, Hotel Director, Cruise Director, Doctor, Food and Beverage Manager, and Staff Engineer.

Each of those department heads have managers and supervisors that report to them as well. (See the Cruise Ship Job Positions for more information.) Plus, each department is responsible for specific emergency duties.

Cruise Ship Officer Stripes

When you first start working on a cruise ship it may be overwhelming to understand how all the departments work together, who’s in charge of what and who reports to whom. Getting to know how to interpret the stripes on their epaulets is the first step. (Reading the officer’s name tag is an alternate method). For starters, each department’s stripes are represented by a specific colour of stripe.

• Deck Department  –  Black and gold stripes
• Engine Department –  Purple and gold stripes
• Hotel Department  –  White and gold stripes
• Medical Department  –  Red and gold stripes

The number of stripes indicates the rank of the officer. The more stripes, the more authority the officer has within their department. Each cruise line varies slightly with how many stripes a particular cruise job may have. In all cases, the Captain has the most stripes (4+ black and gold stripes)

Comparatively, in the Hotel Department, the Hotel Director is the head of his/her department. He/she may have four stripes. This person looks after all guest services, entertainment and revenue on the ship. Therefore, the Cruise Director, Doctor, Food and Beverage Manager, Customers Services Director, and Human Resources Manager all report to the Hotel Director and typically have between 3 – 3.5 stripes.

In some cases it’s difficult to tell who’s who on a ship because there are so many people wearing stripes. (Note: Some cruise jobs may not actually wear stripes but their job has a stripe equivalent in the case of the Cruise Director.)

Cruise Ship Chain of Command

Each cruise line has a slightly different organizational chart when it comes to the chain of command. Yet, most cruise lines follow the same chain of command protocol.

Click here for a simple diagram of cruise ship organizational hierarchy .

On cruise ships, you are expected to follow the chain of command whenever you have a complaint or concern. Always speak to your immediate supervisor first and allow them to make an effort to solve the issue. At no time should you jump the chain of command and proceed directly to the Captain.

When the Chain of Command Breaks Down

There may be times when you feel that your immediate supervisor has not dealt with the issue at hand. Or, possibly your immediate supervisor is the issue. If that’s the case, you take it one step up the chain of command and speak with the next in line.

Most cruise ships also have a Human Resources Manager onboard. This person is onboard for situations that you feel that can’t be resolved within your own department and also for situations that you feel are sensitive or personal. Feel free to speak this onboard HR manager.

All in all, working onboard a cruise ship can take a bit of getting used to, with its overly structured environment. But, once you experience it, you appreciate it. You know exactly what you can and cannot do. You know what your responsibilities are. You know who you need to report to. This military style is not for everyone, but many crewmembers and officers careers thrive in this environment.

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• Royal Caribbean International

Do gratuities really go to the staff?

By JIA2000 , September 19, 2019 in Royal Caribbean International

Recommended Posts

Hello. Last year, I was on Harmony of the Seas. In a few weeks, I will be on Symphony.

When I was on Harmony I put my gratuities of $101.50 on my credit card. I like this convenience. I don't want to have to deal with cash. Please forgive me if I sound cynical. I have heard a few people say that if you put the tips on your credit card, Royal Caribbean may keep some of it and not give 100% of it to the staff who earned it. Does anyone know if this is true? I want the hard-working staff members who serve me to get what they earn. If the reports of staff not getting their tips that filter through RCL are accurate, then I will accept the inconvenience of paying tips in cash. Thanks in advance for your input on this.

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taglovestocruise

13 minutes ago, JIA2000 said: Hello. Last year, I was on Harmony of the Seas. In a few weeks, I will be on Symphony.   When I was on Harmony I put my gratuities of $101.50 on my credit card. I like this convenience. I don't want to have to deal with cash. Please forgive me if I sound cynical. I have heard a few people say that if you put the tips on your credit card, Royal Caribbean may keep some of it and not give 100% of it to the staff who earned it. Does anyone know if this is true? I want the hard-working staff members who serve me to get what they earn. If the reports of staff not getting their tips that filter through RCL are accurate, then I will accept the inconvenience of paying tips in cash. Thanks in advance for your input on this.   Justin

They receive 100% of all gratuities. If you remove auto tips and pay them in cash then they must turn all the tip money into the pool. If you only tip in cash you have no way of tipping those in the Buffett, other house keeping staff, or others behind the scenes.  Don't pay any attention to those on these board who keep saying the cruise lines keep part of the tip money. happy cruising

10 minutes ago, taglovestocruise said: They receive 100% of all gratuities. If you remove auto tips and pay them in cash then they must turn all the tip money into the pool. If you only tip in cash you have no way of tipping those in the Buffett, other house keeping staff, or others behind the scenes.  Don't pay any attention to those on these board who keep saying the cruise lines keep part of the tip money. happy cruising

Wow is that true because on Anthem next week I was planning on giving my room steward 20 bucks cash over my pre paid gratuities of course. He/she won't even be able to keep that? That kinda stinks, the room steward is the person you interact with the most, like every day and can really make your trip much smoother.

9 minutes ago, JAMESCC said: Wow is that true because on Anthem next week I was planning on giving my room steward 20 bucks cash over my pre paid gratuities of course. He/she won't even be able to keep that? That kinda stinks, the room steward is the person you interact with the most, like every day and can really make your trip much smoother.

If you leave your auto tips in place then any cash you give over and above can be kept by them

5 minutes ago, GTO-Girl said:   If you leave your auto tips in place then any cash you give over and above can be kept by them

Ah ok great, I was confused, thanks.

Anything you hear from fellow passengers is just their opinion.  No one on this thread or any other on this topic knows anything for certain about how Royal Caribbean conducts its business.

35 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said: Anything you hear from fellow passengers is just their opinion.  No one on this thread or any other on this topic knows anything for certain about how Royal Caribbean conducts its business.

This.  There have been many threads about how tips, prepaid or cash, are distributed.  Some claim they know, but thruth is nobody does.

not-enough-cruising

2 hours ago, taglovestocruise said: They receive 100% of all gratuities. If you remove auto tips and pay them in cash then they must turn all the tip money into the pool. If you only tip in cash you have no way of tipping those in the Buffett, other house keeping staff, or others behind the scenes.  Don't pay any attention to those on these board who keep saying the cruise lines keep part of the tip money. happy cruising

As a rule I don‘t expect greedy corporations to do the right thing. Yes I‘m a cynic, but I don‘t think there‘s any chance that RCCL isn‘t skimming a little bit of that off the top. So while I won‘t remove the auto gratuities, I always make sure to give at least a little something to the people that actually take care of me.

neverbeenhere

One truth is many know how, when and why the gratuities are distributed. Another truth is that when someone explains the truth many dispute that individuals statements, even though the statements are the truth. 

“And that’s the truth” - Edith Ann

Thorben-Hendrik

2 hours ago, Merion_Mom said: Anything you hear from fellow passengers is just their opinion.  No one on this thread or any other on this topic knows anything for certain about how Royal Caribbean conducts its business.

And if you do not like the way they do business you can remove all gratuities and save a bunch of money! 🤑

smplybcause

Here's my thought process

1) it's easier to just go with the auto - set it and forget it

2) the employees aren't stupid and the gratuity rates are public. If the cruiselines weren't passing it along they'd piss off their employees

3) because the vast majority of the gratuities are paid with a credit cards there's a paper trail to all this and even if it's not a line on the p&l they release, trust me their auditors are on top of the money and where it goes and while I hate accounting so I can't be for sure, I'm pretty sure they'd frown on telling customers it's for the crew and then pocketing the money. 

1 hour ago, neverbeenhere said: One truth is many know how, when and why the gratuities are distributed. Another truth is that when someone explains the truth many dispute that individuals statements, even though the statements are the truth.    “And that’s the truth” - Edith Ann  

DOUBLE HUH?????

Any money you hand over to an individual is kept by them. They may distribute it to others among their team; it's up to them.

The officially collected gratuities are distributed following a formula that the cruise line gives out basic info about; all of this money gets distributed to eligible employees based on this formula.

If you add an additional gratuity on a bar check it goes to the server or bartender that served you. They may choose to distribute some portion to others on their team.

Pre-collected gratuities such as for drink packages get distributed based on some formula the cruise line doesn't really disclose, but all of it gets to staff in some way directly; it's not kept by the company or redirected for any other purpose.

If you remove the officially collected gratuities you will reduce gratuities someone receives; you won't be able to get to every person affected by your removal of those gratuities in order to compensate them directly.

Lots of intrigue with this topic but here's the 'reality'. Whether you continue with the current system is your choice.

1) Auto-tips are distributed 2 weeks after you leave the ship.

2) Royal takes 20% of your tip.

3) There is no list of who has or hasn't removed their auto-tips. 

4) Crew keep the cash you give them or sometimes share with helpers - Cabin Stewards for example.

5) There is no obligation for crew to hand cash over to Royal.

17 minutes ago, MJDMV said: Lots of intrigue with this topic but here's the 'reality'. Whether you continue with the current system is your choice.   1) Auto-tips are distributed 2 weeks after you leave the ship. 2) Royal takes 20% of your tip. 3) There is no list of who has or hasn't removed their auto-tips.  4) Crew keep the cash you give them or sometimes share with helpers - Cabin Stewards for example. 5) There is no obligation for crew to hand cash over to Royal.  

Wow, talk about living in a fantasy world...

14 minutes ago, MJDMV said:   3) There is no list of who has or hasn't removed their auto-tips.     

Thats interesting, I like chatting to  staff on different ships we go on and when tips has come up they have said otherwise.

Also met a couple from the UK who unlike ourselves struggled with the tipping concept and they removed the tips upon boarding. They became convinced that staff knew by the service they were receiving.

Whether true or not I don’t know but they got quite paranoid about it by the end of the cruise. To be honest I had little sympathy.

4 hours ago, Thorben-Hendrik said: 👍 And if you do not like the way they do business you can remove all gratuities and save a bunch of money! 🤑

What is a bunch ? I understand what is money  , but you remove all gratuities. ? How ungrateful and you should have a better savings plan than the price of a drink savings plan  wish you the best you deserve.

And thumbs up you too ... 😄 😂

1 hour ago, MJDMV said:     3) There is no list of who has or hasn't removed their auto-tips.   

This was left in our cabin in May by our cabin steward .Presumably he didn't have a card for those who had removed auto tips so he must have known.

Also like many others we've done the galley tours and seen the lists on their notice board about which passengers have tipped or not.

To the OP, I have no idea if all of the money we prepay goes to the crew but I'd like to believe it does. What I do know is that many of them come back contract after contract so they must be happy with the way things work.

12 minutes ago, kernow said: To the OP, I have no idea if all of the money we prepay goes to the crew but I'd like to believe it does. What I do know is that many of them come back contract after contract so they must be happy with the way things work.

As a recently retired dinosaur I can't understand how people live with jobs with no contracta & zero hours but many of them keep coming back,can't imagine that is because they are happy with the situation but maybe that is just the changing world.

I think many of them are genuinely happy though. Over the years we've talked to many cabin stewards, waiters, bar tenders etc who have worked for RCL for years and have nothing but praise for the company. Lots of them have family members also on the ships. Their jobs enable them to fund lifestyles back home that they could never afford otherwise and that's what they choose to do. I admire them greatly for doing it.

I know it's a bit different as he's not in a tipped position, but the current thread by Chris the British guy who works in the casino shows how some people really enjoy ship life.

Yes..the people who serve you DO get those tips.  No worries.

2 hours ago, kernow said: Really? This was left in our cabin in May by our cabin steward .Presumably he didn't have a card for those who had removed auto tips so he must have known. Also like many others we've done the galley tours and seen the lists on their notice board about which passengers have tipped or not.

Just curious,I have been told in the past that you can remove the tips up to the last day,I would have thought that passengers doing that would seriously mess up any system letting the crew know who has & who hasn't.

Also I have seen posts about these lists seen on tours before,has anybody taken the time to really examine the list to check if it is a list of current passengers by any chance I wonder.

12 minutes ago, snaefell said: Just curious,I have been told in the past that you can remove the tips up to the last day,I would have thought that passengers doing that would seriously mess up any system letting the crew know who has & who hasn't. Also I have seen posts about these lists seen on tours before,has anybody taken the time to really examine the list to check if it is a list of current passengers by any chance I wonder.

I've never examined them that closely but we did ask our waiter after we had seen it and he confirmed that they know who has pre paid or auto paid. As you say I suppose some people could wait until the last day to remove tips but from what I have observed many will remove them early on. 

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What licensed medical staff/doctor and services are available onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship?

Every Royal Caribbean ship offers limited professional medical services through licensed (international or domestic) physicians and nurses. All Royal Caribbean Group ships have shipboard medical facilities that are built, staffed, stocked, and equipped to meet or exceed guidelines established by the American College of Emergency Physicians Cruise Ship & Maritime Medicine Section.

Depending on the size of the ship and number of passengers and crew members, each RCG ship has two to three licensed doctors and three to five licensed nurses available to passengers and crew members 24/7. Our doctors do not have NPI numbers, as that is a US-based requirement, instead they use tax IDs. 

Our medical facilities are stocked with a variety of equipment including cardiac monitors, automated external defibrillators, ventilators, x-ray machines and processors, laboratory equipment, a formulary of acute care medications, and a variety of minor surgical and orthopedic supplies. Our doctors also have access to online informational resources and 24-hour support from shoreside medical professionals for additional assistance. Royal Caribbean Group also requires all doctors and nurses to maintain Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training. In responding to medical emergencies, our goal is to first stabilize emergency patients and, when necessary, evacuate the patient to an appropriately equipped and staffed shoreside medical facility.

If you have been treated onboard, and need to request your medical records, please fill out the request form .

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Fire breaks out on world’s largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, weeks after passenger fell to death

A fire broke out on the world's largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas , weeks after a passenger fell to their death.

The fire broke out while the Royal Caribbean ship was docked in Costa Maya, Mexico , with passengers being alerted with onboard announcements before the blaze was "quickly extinguished”. The cruise line said there were no injuries and the overall on board impact was “minimal.”

Passengers reportedly experienced a brief loss of power during the incident - with the fire starting in a 'crew area' of the vessel. It comes weeks after a passenger died after going overboard from the Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas - plunging 90 feet to his death after he jumped from the running track on the fifth deck, according to a source.

READ MORE: Royal Caribbean passenger plunged 90ft to death after 'jumping from running track'

READ MORE: Luxury cruise ship carrying 206 people runs aground in Greenland with help DAYS away

On the first day of the week-long journey, the man—who has not been named—leapt from the running track on the fifth deck of Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, a security team member said on Saturday morning as the ship arrived back in Miami .

The service member indicated that since each deck is around 20 feet high, the man fell from a height of about 90 feet. They claim staff on board knew what had happened before he even hit the water.

Crew members told the New York Post the man's body was driven in a van to the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner's Office. At the ports, police also met the ship, obtained statements, and obtained a copy of the CCTV film showing the tragic event. A member of the security team said: "Almost immediately after the man jumped on May 26, the overboard detection system was activated, prompting onboard staff to take action."

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"We knew what had happened literally seconds after he hit the water. The protocol is that we’re supposed to immediately make visual contact to see if we can spot him,” the source said, noting that one guard also saw the man jump on a security camera feed.

The record-breaking Icon of the Seas measures nearly 1,200-foot-long and 250,800 gross tons.

Why Cruise Fares Are About To Get More ‘Honest’

To comply with a state’s junk fee ban, the world’s largest cruise operators will now disclose all taxes and mandatory fees up front. Experts say it’s a win for consumers.

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BYE-BYE, HIDDEN FEES: Thanks to a new California law banning junk fees, the cruise price you see will be the price you pay.

T his Monday, California’s new “ Honest Pricing Law ” goes into effect, requiring businesses to disclose all costs up front so that the price a consumer sees is the one they pay. It’s a ban on so-called “junk fees,” hidden charges added to the advertised or listed price for everything from hotel rooms and airline tickets to concert tickets and restaurant food.

For cruise fans, the impact of the law is reaching far beyond the Golden State. Starting July 1, the world’s largest cruise operators—Carnival, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean—will begin disclosing up front all taxes, port fees and other mandatory charges on all cruises, no matter where they originate.

This is a sea change in the way the cruise industry has been displaying prices for as long as anyone can remember. Currently, only Viking Cruises and Explora advertise fares inclusive of added fees, and they will continue to do so, according to Cruise Critic , a popular review site owned by Tripadvisor. But now transparent pricing will become the norm across the entire industry, at Carnival (and its sister brands, Holland America and Princess); Royal Caribbean (and its sister Celebrity); Norwegian Cruise Line; and MSC.

The industry-wide shift is a big win for consumers, says Aaron Saunders, senior editor at Cruise Critic. “It provides more transparency upfront, allowing travelers to more accurately gauge costs as part of the shopping process—versus further along in the booking process,” he says. “While overall fares will remain the same, shopping for a cruise will be easier knowing the total cost prior to narrowing down your choices.”

“We are updating the way we display our pricing in the U.S. beginning July 1,” a Royal Caribbean spokesperson confirmed to Forbes . “Guests booking with Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises will now see pricing that is inclusive of their selected cruise fare and all required taxes and fees.”

“To comply with this new law and to simplify the booking experience for all our guests based in the U.S. and Canada, Norwegian Cruise Line will be incorporating applicable taxes, fees and port expenses into our advertised pricing by July 1, 2024,” a Norwegian Cruise Line spokesperson said in an email to Forbes , noting that the change “will only impact the way we display our prices and will not affect the prices that our guests pay.”

Carnival also confirmed a change in policy. “In compliance with new advertising rules, we are displaying prices to include mandatory fees and taxes for both the cruise fare and onboard products and services. The final price paid does not change, simply the way it is displayed,” a company spokesperson told Forbes .

Cruising’s new pricing transparency comes as more travelers than ever are taking to the high seas. In its 2024 State of the Cruise Industry report released in April, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reveals that 31.7 million people took a cruise last year— surpassing 2019 passenger volume by 7%.

The report also highlights that the industry is still growing, as 27% of cruisers over the past two years were coveted “new-to-cruise” travelers. More transparency is particularly good news for first-time cruisers. “Because cruise ships visit a number of destinations in one trip, the cost of these added fees is sailing-specific—based on the destinations on your itinerary, or the port from which you’re sailing,” explains Saunders . “Because of that, there’s currently no easy way to truly estimate what those added fees will amount to, and if you’ve never booked a cruise before, those fees—that amount in the hundreds—can often be a bit of a surprise.”

President Joe Biden has been railing against junk fees since he took office. The attorneys general in 19 states support a ban on hidden fees, which they say “can trap people into paying for goods and services they may not have purchased if they had known the total cost upfront.”

But while lawmakers in a handful of states—including Hawaii , Illinois , New York and Pennsylvania —have introduced bills that would prohibit “drip pricing” or “junk fees,” California became the first state to implement such a measure when the Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB478 last October.

Experts say more transparency is a good thing for consumers, who are often stunned at the difference between the listed price and true cost of a cruise. “This change will help to demystify added costs,” says Saunders, “and, in turn, eliminate much of that sticker shock.”

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