Disneyland is supposed to be the most magical place on Earth, so what does that make Disney cruises? From the sounds of it, Disney cruises are just as magical as going to one of the parks – perhaps for some folks, it may be an even better time since you’re out at sea! There are tons of entertaining things to do on a Disney cruise, from meeting the characters to hanging out in one of the clubs or activity centers to indulging in a tempting buffet. Most guests leave happy (and maybe slightly bloated) after setting sail on a Disney cruise.
But what about the employees? Things change when you’re working onboard a Disney cruise rather than just enjoying it. Cruise employees get to see all of the behind-the-scenes drama. There’s not much room for downtime or having a personal life when working on a cruise since you can’t exactly get off the ship when your shift ends. Working on a Disney cruise sounds like a lot of hard work, but at the same time, many current and former staff say it was one of their best experiences. Keep reading to see 15 things Disney cruise employees have actually said about working on the water.
16 “Lie To Us To Get An Upgrade”
Some staff is able to give guests upgrades at their discretions, such as free goodies or better accommodation. While there’s no single way to get on an employee’s good side, one Reddit user who used to work for a Disney cruise liner recommends fibbing about special occasions “Tell them it's your birthday trip, you're proposing, anniversary, etc. Disney loves to celebrate!” DisneyAMA explained online.
15 “We Work Over 100 Hours Per Week”
According to employee reviews on Indeed, Disney cruise employees are expected to work long hours without necessarily getting adequately compensated. A former chef de cuisine for a Disney cruise wrote this scathing review; “verbal and physical abuse, forcing us to lie about our working hours, stopping us from having a break.” Another former employee adds that it’s not uncommon to work “100-110 hours a week.”
14 “It's Possible To Get Fired Mid-Cruise”
Just because you’re in the middle of the ocean doesn’t mean your job isn’t on the line. Disney AMA explains that employees who are fired mid-cruise are expected to get off the ship when it next docks. “If it's a very serious offense, they'll station a security guard outside your room and you'd be escorted for the rest of the time on the ship,” the Reddit user explained.
13 “We Totally Date Each Other”
Although we’ve all been warned not to date our co-workers, it doesn’t sound like Disney cruise employees take that to heart. DisneyAMA admits many co-workers become involved with each other during their time at sea. “You are confined on a ship from 4-9 months with only these people,” the Reddit user wrote. “The young 21 years olds hook up just as much as the 40 something married with kids people do!”
12 “Don’t Expect Us To Potty-Train Your Kids”
Disney cruise employees are not allowed to take a child to the bathroom for legal reasons, but when the parents are off somewhere enjoying the adult-friendly cruise activities, they don’t always have the option to wait. “We are not allowed to clean them or wipe them if they have accidents,” DisneyAMA explained on Reddit. “We do because the parents are awful and never actually answer their phones.”
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11 “We Can Be Fired For Becoming Friends With Guests”
Disney cruise employees are expected to provide stellar service, but they’re also expected to remain professional. This means no exchanging personal information with guests, even if they’ve developed a friendly dynamic with one another. I became friends with one family and exchanged contact information,” DisneyAMA explained. “The mom and I have become quite close friends... which is a huge no-no and a terminable offense.”
10 “It's The Kids (Not Adults) Who Start Fights”
Disney cruises are a fun, family-oriented vacation. But given how many kids are on board a ship at one time means some things are bound to go wrong. Writing on Reddit, DisneyAMA revealed that their worst guest interaction happened when one child hit another, sending the parents into an uproar. “We had a kid who was hit in the head by another kid. the former employee explained. “[The parents] wanted the kid (Who was about 4) and his family all kicked off the ship and demanded HUGE compensation...”
9 “We Can Get You The Best Seat... Just Ask”
All you’ve got to do is ask! If you want a seat to remember, such as one of the coveted Enchanted Garden Booths, then simply ask one of the cruise employees. It’s not a guarantee that they’ll be able to fulfill your request, but according to Travel + Leisure, this is the most convenient way to ensure you have an incredible dining experience at sea.
RELATED: 15 Strange (But True) Facts Parents Should Know About Disney Cruises
8 “This Jobs Takes A Toll On Our Mental Health”
Disneyland may be the happiest place on Earth, but we’re not sure if that applies to the employees. Former Disney cruise employees have been honest about the toll working on the infamous ships takes on their mental health. Having to smile 24/7 – no matter how rude guests maybe – isn’t as easy as it sounds. “I really enjoyed my time on the ship, but it was truly a roller coaster of emotions. You are always exhausted, so emotions are heightened,” Reddit user DisneyAMA explained.
7 “There’s A High Turnover Rate”
While there are some employees who have been with Disney cruises for decades, many of the staff you’ll encounter are relatively new, as there’s a high turn-over rate. After their first 4 to 5 months, many staff is hesitant to sign up again because of how taxing the job is. There’s even a high turnover rate when it comes to management. “The management onboard changed every three or four months and some managers are good at being managers where others should not be managers at all,” one ex-employee wrote on Indeed.
6 “The Accommodations Are Cramped”
It’s obvious that cruise ship employees are expected to sleep on the ship during their time at sea, but according to ex-Disney cruise employees, the accommodations are anything by lavish. A former youth Activities Entertainment Host described the rooms as “tiny cabins with a roommate.” Don’t expect much privacy during your hours off!
RELATED: 15 Intense Rules Passengers Have To Follow Aboard A Disney Cruise
5 “We're Forced To Take Vacation Time”
Business Insider explains that most crew members are on a four to five-month contract. But after that expires, they’re required to take an 8-week ‘vacation’ before they’re allowed to work on another ship. One ex-employee tells the publication it’s a way to protect the mental health of the staff. "Let's face it, it's hard work being 'on' six days out of seven. It's good to go home and see our families and recharge our batteries," they explained.
4 “We Get To Enjoy Free Food”
One of the best parts of cruises is the buffet, and when you’re working on a Disney cruise ship, you can fully expect to enjoy the large quantities of food. Many former employees note on Indeed that staff gets their food for free. The only downside? Don’t expect a lot of variety or the highest quality of food.
3 “Don’t Bother With The Character Meet-and-Greets”
It’s understandable why guests would assume the character meet-and-greets are the best places to say hi to Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck – but it’s actually not! Travel + Leisure recommends waiting until you see a character freely wandering around the cruise, like on the pool deck or even in the elevator. That way, you won’t be waiting in line for hours.
2 “We Put Up With A Lot Of Wardrobe Changes”
Many guests are impressed by how intricate the employee uniforms are – there’s basically a different uniform for every position. One former employee admitted on Indeed they would change their “uniform 3 times a day for locations,” depending on where they were needed to work.
1 “Careful What You Say On Comment Cards”
Many guests don’t realize how much of an impact filling in a comments card can be. According to Business Insider, complaints are taken seriously by management. "Our managers really do read all of those, and if we've made a guest unhappy, we'll definitely be reprimanded," a former employee tells the publication, adding that staff may also be rewarded for a very positive comment card.