This story initially appeared on Enterprise Insider.
This essay relies on a dialog with Gianna Alexis, a former Disney Cruise Line crew member. The next has been edited for size and readability.
I used to be three years outdated once I sailed on my first Disney cruise and I believed it was the most effective factor ever. It was the most effective trip ever, and I went each few years after that.
I’ve all the time been excited in regards to the thought of working for Disney, so I utilized for a job with Disney Cruise Line in 2017. Once I came upon I bought the job, I used to be so excited I cried.
Earlier than the job began, Disney put us by a coaching session designed to get us excited in regards to the job. On the final day of coaching we had been advised to prepare at 4am. Then the corporate had a sniffer canine sniff our baggage, which I did not count on in any respect — all the things appeared totally different as a result of the one expertise I’ve had of boarding a cruise ship is from the visitor’s perspective.
I used to be first employed as a store assistant after which the corporate moved me to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, which was my absolute dream. This boutique is a spot the place youngsters between the ages of three and 12 are reworked – we do their hair, make-up and nails.
Lots of the ladies I did would come again the subsequent day simply to see me. Of their eyes, I used to be like their fairy godmother — it made me really feel prefer it was essentially the most magical job I’ve ever had.
Along with that job, I additionally helped the employees to deliver meals, items and toys to the shops. I did not know that the work could be bodily demanding – I believed I’d simply do youngsters’s hair, make-up and nails.
I give up my job after solely 4 months
As a younger 24-year-old, I went into this enterprise blind and utterly unprepared.
I labored from 8:30 am to 9 or 10 pm Earlier than beginning this job, I did not, or could not, think about what an 80-hour work week could be like and not using a time off. There was no work-life steadiness.
I had so little time to myself. Through the downtime, I did not even need to watch TV or motion pictures. Once I bought half-hour to look at, I would reasonably simply sleep as a result of I used to be so drained – sleep grew to become my precedence. The one “me” I had time for was a fast masks in my room, and that was it. My room was so small that I might nearly contact each partitions with my outstretched palms.
I bought a stress fracture in a single foot from standing 80 hours every week in costume footwear – it was so onerous to face. With regular work, you’ll be able to name in sick when you’re not feeling effectively. However for me, if I do not present up for work, my supervisor would possibly come down from the store to see what’s fallacious, how a lot day without work I’ll want, and if I would like medical consideration or if I am faking it.
Engaged on a cruise ship meant that my residing house was additionally my work house. Managers and colleagues might spot us at any time when we had been out at night time. I needed to be “on” a number of the time, and that performed an enormous half in how rapidly I burned out.
Within the fourth month of my contract, I felt defeated and exhausted to the purpose the place I made a decision to give up.
Disney Dream cruise ship at sea. David Roark/photographer through BI
I used to be making lower than minimal wage
I labored no less than 70 hours every week and was paid $423 every week, in order that was about $6 an hour. There was no time beyond regulation price.
We acquired advantages together with onboard medical care, free Disney theme park admission, reductions at choose resort lodges, and Disney merchandise at Disney places world wide.
Many cruise members come from all around the world. They earn US {dollars} and typically much more than docs or attorneys of their house international locations. A woman from Portugal labored on ships for 10 years. She appreciated it as a result of she was making good cash for herself and her household overseas – she despatched them cash often.
The cruise life was completely value it to her, however for me there have been different higher paying jobs I might have simply utilized for. Among the ship’s crew thought I used to be taking a job from somebody who might have benefited extra, as somebody who wanted to assist his household abroad.
We don’t eat the identical meals because the visitors
Crew members eat within the crew restaurant, a big cafeteria that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There may be additionally a small salad bar and a number of other cooked choices. I often had hard-boiled eggs for breakfast. I had veggie burgers for lunch and dinner (I used to be a vegetarian on the time). Throughout holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, we had particular meals like cake and ice cream.
Generally the corporate threw events for us. For instance, if our service has acquired excessive rankings in visitor surveys and suggestions, then we will need to have higher tasting visitor meals. I keep in mind one time they introduced jalapeño poppers.
Buena Vista Theater contained in the Disney Dream cruise ship. Matt Stroshane/photographer through BI
Not everybody on board has the identical freedoms
Not everybody has the identical freedoms by way of what they’ll do or the place they’ll go on board. Every thing above the deck we lived on was “privilege” – we weren’t allowed to roam the ship freely.
If we wished to go to locations just like the cinema, we needed to name our supervisor beforehand and get written permission. If the cruise was full, we might must make room for visitors. I labored within the retailers and our staff was a small group of 30 crew members. We might simply go to extra locations on the ship.
Often bigger groups couldn’t get authorized. The eating room staff, for instance, is a staff of 300 individuals. If their supervisor gave everybody on that staff permission to roam the ship, the visitor quarters would turn out to be overcrowded.
I had a buddy who was a server within the eating corridor. She could not go to the films or the pool like me. She was solely allowed on the ground she lived on and in a spot known as “Deck 14”, which is a small out of doors smoking deck.
Deserted the boat and nearly bought placed on Disney’s ‘no rehire’ record
Engaged on a ship for a number of months took a toll on me mentally. Per week after I gave my 30 days discover, I advised my supervisor that I’d be getting off the ship the subsequent time we got here again.
I keep in mind being advised that leaving earlier than 30 days might imply I would not be capable to work for Disney or any of its associates like ESPN and ABC.
It was a scary thought as a result of Disney was the one firm I labored for as an grownup. However the ache in my foot and the burning had been so unhealthy that at that second all I cared about was getting off the ship. So I left after 4 months.
The work on the cruiser was not unhealthy
Working on the boutique was a lot enjoyable. I additionally had an exquisite roommate and made nice mates with the individuals who stay down my corridor. I felt like I used to be residing in a dorm, and all of us grew to become shut mates in a really brief time.
The distinctive cruise expertise was a bonding alternative that introduced us all nearer collectively. Those that have not lived on a cruise merely would not perceive. General, I worth the friendships I’ve made with my colleagues.
Disney didn’t reply to a request for remark.