Cruise ships are all about excellent service delivery and luxury, so cruise ship waiters, kitchen staff, bartenders and stateroom stewards, cleaners of public spaces, laundry staff are extremely valuable on a cruise ship.
As with all departments there is a seniority and hierarchy that you will notice. In every food service area you will meet food servers, drinks services and staff busing tables. Depending of the restaurant or bar, some drinks servers may be trained wine stewards, sommeliers or cocktail mixologists. Even though each has their own task they are always willing to assist you or send another staff member to you if you request. The next level of staff above this is the Front of house staff, Head Servers and Maître D.
Some regular cruisers might say that the most important crew is the Captain, the Officers or the Executive Chef, I say it is the faceless nameless crew behind the scenes that are the important crew and the ones who deserve the greatest amount of credit. For example, crew employed as food preparers work 8 to 9 month contracts just doing that one task. There is activity in the galley 24 hours a day, crew are rostered during the night to cut and prepare the food needed to be cooked through the day. There is dedicated crew employed in the laundry, washing linen and clothes items in a 24 hour endless cycle. I have only been privileged enough to see a working laundry on board a couple of time, each time my admiration is boundless as they perform the same monotonous vital job day-in day-out.
I encourage cruisers to be always be courteous to the lower level crew. If you ever have the privilege of meeting these crew, make additional effort to smile and greet them. I will engage with them while not interrupting their job, they are lovely, hardworking, happy people. I try to send a note to via the Executive Chef thanking these behind the scene crew, who work tirelessly without and formal acknowledgment.
As you cruise you may develop a close relationship with your stateroom attendant. There is no facility for you to take them home with you so enjoy every effort that they make for you while you are on board. Part of the iconic experience is the folded towel in your stateroom each night. Not all cruise lines offer this service, it remains one of the most joyful elements of the cruise experience.
Within the Food and Beverage department, the two groups work in tandem to plan and stock all the necessary provisions to deliver you a culinary and beverage adventure during your cruise. Stock levels are worked out with a combination of a computer program and human intuition. Menus are planned via Corporate Chef, based on the local themes. The buying power of the cruise lines means that the provisions are ordered two different ways first mass produced stock is sourced globally and secondly local provisions are sourced from local providers and delivered to the dock as needed.
Meal plans are based on a 7 or 14 day rotation. There are variances managed by each Executive Chef on board if stock levels run low or provisions are not delivered. There is no quick run to a local supermarket in the middle of the ocean when stocks run low. Usually there are additional provisions that could last up to several weeks if required.
Galleys or kitchen are very regimented and organised environments overseen by an Executive Chef. Food preparation is performed at the strictest standards. Food groups do not cross over within the storage or in the preparation in the galley. For example all fruit preparation is done in one dedicated space in the galley. Food storage is separate, meat, fish and produce are stored in different refrigerators. If you ever get an opportunity to do a galley visit you will be amazed at the amazing magic happens in such a tight space.
Once again I say that a cruise lines is just like a floating city, so it has parallel jobs just like on land. On board you will find bakers, butchers, pastry chef, sous chefs. If you are interested in seeing more of the galley or the workings of the ship keep an eye on the daily newsletter to participate in different activities. Galley tours, culinary demonstrations, Martini tasting, Wine Tasting, beer tasting Chef’s Table etc for a nominal fee.
Amazing service and experiences await you. Pack your bags, see you on the high seas.
