Diversity

With over 800 employees on a vessel of this size it is easy to feel a little lost. When you take a good look at the employees it is even easy to be found. When I look at the incredible diversity of the 800 employees and the differences between us I am able to further realize how alike we all are. We all share the common purpose of surviving life at sea while trying to make money at the same time we all wish to see the world. When I was in South Africa and visited the Cradle of Humankind, where it is believed the human race began, the main point that I felt exhibits tried to impress is that while we all live in different places, experience vastly different climates, and speak hundreds (if not thousands) of different languages, we all have being human in common. Now as I work in an environment with over 62 different nationalities working together as team in a efficient and effective manor, I see that human kindness binds us together and it through this we find a peaceful coexistence.

1800 guests surround us at any given moment in this community. Our community works twenty four hours a day seven days a week to provide the best service on the seas. We have mechanics, engineers, chefs, waiters, room stewards, dish washers, laundry workers, tailors, casino dealers, print shop workers, photographers, bartenders, baristas, computer techs, security personnel, environmental officers, tour guides, garbage/ recycling workers, entertainers, video producers, AV techs, stage managers, a captain, and the list goes on. Each and every crew member plays in integral role to the safety, well being, and enjoyment of those 1800 guests. We all know that if we work together and give it our best that the guests will return and therefore we can be ensured a job and a place in the community. It is in all of our best interest to positively contribute for the greater good.

For over 90% of the workers English is not their first language. Yet, as we work as a team we continually turn out an experience that our guests will remember and relish for the rest of their lives. Certainly our community is not ideal. There is a decided hierarchy here that at times seems unfair. The people who put in the longest and most tiresome hours are often not given the privileges of people such as myself who may only work 30 minutes out of the day. A crew member can expect to work up to 14 hours a day all seven days of the week. This leaves barely enough time to get enough sleep let alone relax. Many of the crew who, day in day out, serve people on the lido deck are not even allowed to enjoy lido privileges on their rare moments off. In numerous ports some crew members have to stand on the ship providing a squirt of hand disinfectant for folks as they return, yet that crew member will not even be given more then 20 minutes to venture into the port. However, through all this hard work our crew continually smiles an honest smile and provides the utmost service to each and every guest and crew member they encounter.

When I go to one of the crew bars and get a moment to speak with fellow crew, everyone speaks of how fortunate they are to have a job like this. They can see the world, even if it is from the window of the ship’s café, and at the same time be able to provide a living for themselves and their family. Each person is excited about the opportunity to get to know people from another part of the world. Each person appreciates the diversity around them, and each person is excited when a guest acknowledges a job well done.

This ship holds a first for Celebrity cruises, we have welcomed a crew member from Kosovo. This is the first employee from Kosovo ever to work for this company. I speak with her knowing only what I know from American media of this war torn country. I am amazed with her gleaming smile and her genuine kindness. It is a truly spectacular opportunity to speak with her. Later I head to stage to prepare for the show and enjoy a friendly chat with the AV manager from Trinidad. The next day I sit in safety training stressing over our quiz with a engine room attendant from Croatia. My own bandmaster is from St. Petersburg Russia and his Russian passion often seems to clash with French passion of our French drummer who now calls Thailand his home., but really they are trying to agree on how long the grand pause will be.

While we all have our differences there is no war on board. On board there is a community that perfectly demonstrates how, if we all work for a common goal and appreciate each individuals role in the big picture, peace and happiness will prevail. We realize that each one of us is the change we want to see. We realize that it is what I contribute, what you contribute, what we contribute that make the community not only function, but thrive. We make the world a better place. This is beautiful world we are in and one of the things that make it so beautiful is the human race. Our potential is endless. If we choose to see our potential, embrace it, and be it there is no limit to what can be accomplished.