A video shared on YouTube shows what crew cabins are like on the world's second-largest cruise ship. 

Bryan James, an entertainer for Royal Caribbean, has worked on numerous ships in the fleet, including Wonder of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, and Odyssey of the Seas. Currently, he's at the shipyard in France gearing up for the launch of their newest ship, Utopia of the Seas. 

When he isn't singing, you can find him playing video games or making videos for his social media channels. On Instagram, he's amassed nearly 200,000 followers, while his TikTok has over 800,000. 

In his most recent YouTube video, he gives viewers a look into the crew accommodations on Royal Caribbean's sixth Oasis Class ship. Despite the small quarters—particularly the shared bathroom—, the video has received positive comments thanking James for sharing. 

@Disneyobsessed23 wrote, "Omg this is so cool man! I am now thinking about working on a cruise ship now!"

"Downside: tiny room.  Upside: it's not shared with another random crew member (like most crew cabins on most ships)," commented @pileofstuff.

Let's look at his single crew cabin onboard Utopia of the Seas. 

Read more: 7 new things coming to Utopia of the Seas, including a giant slide and train restaurant

"I think...the strangest part about being on a ship is the tiny, tiny rooms we have to live in"

Before showing viewers his stateroom, James tries to explain just how small the room is: "Imagine your adult walk-in closet and then cut it in half, and then cut it in half two more times...that's about the size of our rooms." 

Cabins aboard Icon of the Seas were redesigned to maximize limited floor space; however, those on Utopia don't appear to be as modernized. While James doesn't have to share his stateroom with another crew member, the available space is minimal. 

What you see when you enter is pretty much what you get. The single twin-sized bed is directly across from the personal sink and closet. There's not even a nightstand to store the cabin's phone, so it's hung on the wall. The television is affixed to the wall at the foot of the bed, too. 

James' friend and fellow performer Jeff, who is about 6'4" or 6'5", laid in the bed to show just how small it is. To comfortably fit, he says he curls up when he sleeps. 

The Jack-and-Jill bathroom means he shares it with another crew member

Despite sharing the washroom, there's just barely enough space for a toilet and shower. Both crew members have their own sinks in their stateroom, eliminating the need to work one into the bathroom's floor plan. 

Jeff once again serves as a model to showcase the overall size of the shower: "If I just barely go up on my tiptoes, there's the ceiling." 

"You can never get the shower head actually over your head; you have to kneel down," says James. 

Since there's not a ton of floor space, he has to store the stool in his wardrobe

According to James, the only stressor of his crew cabin on Utopia of the Seas is trying to effectively manage the space: "That's why I try to only bring one bag of stuff because if you have anything more than one bag,...there's no room." 

Above the bed, he shows two cabinets and one open-face shelf for more personal items. The latter is where James keeps water bottles, while the cabinets are where he stores his laundry bag. Jeff has a different approach, as he claims he keeps his clean clothes in the concealed cabinets. 

Beside the stateroom's door, there's a small built-in shelving unit that houses the safe, and there are a few hooks on the wall. Since cruise ship cabins have magnetic walls, James could bring more hooks to hang items like hats, lanyards, small bags, etc. 

You can follow along on James' journey on Royal Caribbean's newest party ship on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. According to his Instagram, he'll be onboard Utopia of the Seas until September 9, 2024. 

Have you ever wanted to know what working on a cruise ship is like?

Kristine Kugler, an Elite Dancer in the Theater Cast onboard Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas, has been with the company for about two years. 

Ovation of the Seas is a Quantum Class ship initially launched in 2016. Now, the 168,666 gross registered ton vessel splits its time between Alaska and Australia/New Zealand before sailing year-round from Asia beginning in April 2026. 

From live music in the lounges to high-tech shows in Two70 and original production shows in the main theater, there's plenty of entertainment for guests to enjoy. 

Kugler also shares her experiences on her YouTube and Instagram accounts.

In an interview with Kugler, which has been edited for length and clarity, we spoke about what it's like to be a crew member on a cruise ship. 

Kugler grew up in Florida and always wanted to be a performer

I am originally from Miami, FL [and had] always wanted to work on cruise ships from sailing with my family at a young age, so I geared my dance training towards this professional route. 

I started dancing when I was 2 1/2 and continued competing in dance throughout my high school years. In university, I studied Business Management & Entrepreneurship, while simultaneously training at a dance academy to keep up with my artistry and technique.

Auditions for parts on a cruise ship are competitive

It is very difficult and can often take many auditions to be considered for a contract. I auditioned for Royal Caribbean for the first time at 18 and received a contract when I auditioned at 22! 

The audition is physically and mentally challenging because we have to quickly learn the choreography and perform it in front of the panel of judges. 

The casting directors are also always looking for what you can personally bring to the table, as well as your attitude during the audition! 

It can also be difficult because they are not only looking at your technique and style as a dancer, but your [appearance] and height to fit in with what they are looking for in specific shows on certain ships.

Her job is more than just performing in shows

An average week is different on every ship and itinerary! We are currently sailing in Alaska on 7-day cruises, so we can expect to perform two shows a night for two nights of the cruise! 

On the first day of the cruise, we participate in the muster drill, which entails giving guests their safety briefing when they first arrive on the ship. We also have one mandatory dance class weekly from a volunteer cast member, so it’s something new every week! 

We can also expect 1-2 safety drills to ensure we are proficient in our safety duties. Other responsibilities we can expect in our weekly schedule are to spotlight shows in the 270 theater, dressing room cleaning, cabin inspections, and tech runs on show days.

Working on a cruise ship means seeing the world

My favorite things about the job are the people onboard and the travel. I have met some incredible fellow crew members from all over the world and listened to stories about people’s home countries and childhoods that are so different from how I grew up. Yet, we have many similarities that caused us to end up on this ship together!

Through this career, I have been able to sail around the Caribbean, Mediterranean, New Zealand, Alaska, and more places around the world. It’s created a strong motivation to see as much of the world as I can in my lifetime. 

I am so blessed to have a career that not only continually inspires me, but also pays me to have experiences I never would have before. 

Kugler loves the opportunities being a cast member provides

The greatest benefit to being a performer on a ship is to have a career I am passionate about. We have worked our bodies and so much time during our childhoods to work on improving our craft as a dancer. Being on a Royal Caribbean contract feels like a full-circle reward for all our hard work. 

Another huge benefit is our time off to explore destinations around the world. We spend so much time perfecting our shows throughout the rehearsal and installation period that once we get settled into the routine of performing shows, we have lots of free time to ourselves. 

Since we perform shows at night, we can often explore a port during the day before we have to be back for our shows. I understand that is not a perk many other crew members get, so I take full advantage when we are given a day off.

Time off is spent reading and working on social media

During my time off, I am usually filming or editing a video! I have a YouTube channel where I share videos of the behind-the-scenes of the shows, living my life on the ship, and my travels every week! 

I am also an avid reader who has an endless list of books I want to dive into! Spending time on these hobbies never lets me get bored on the ship.

It's being widely reported Captain James MacDonald passed away.

Cruise ship Captains are a select few, and people that cruise a lot certainly have their favorites based on personality.

On April 30, it was reported from passengers on Harmony of the Seas that Captain MacDonald had to depart the ship in order to seek medical attention in Cozumel, Mexico.

The ship had to make an unscheduled stop in Cozumel, where Captain MacDonald disembarked. Guests were informed via the ship’s public address.

On Thursday, various reports came that Captain MacDonald had passed away. On Radiance of the Seas, the ship made an announcement and blew the ship's whistle as a mark of respect to Captain MacDonald.

An internal email in the company confirmed the passing of Captain MacDonald while in a hospital in Miami.

"A valued team member for 34 years, Capt James was an exceptional leader known for his dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to our company. His contributions have left a lasting impact on our team and the company as a whole."

"Over the years he was instrumental in the development of thousands of our crew including many sailing Captains. He was also key to leading our success in Texas cruising where he will be missed by crew and guests alike."

All Royal Caribbean ships will fly their flags at half mast on Friday, May 17 in honor of his passing.

RoyalCaribbeanBlog readers shared photos of the flags at half mast.

Oasis of the Seas

Harmony of the Seas

Remembering Captain James

Cruisers shared their memories of Captain James across social media, recalling fond memories.

Shirley Arredondo posted on Facebook, "My husband and I sailed with Captain James during Hurricane Harvey on the Liberty of the seas and we absolutely fell in love with him. He was funny and loved to walk around and talk to everybody."

Michael Gould added, "Maybe others will remember this: during his daily announcements, he’d always make a point to say, we’re doing a great job staying healthy, washin’ those hands, keep it up! My wife and I often use that line. I’m in healthcare and she’s a teacher; it’s both useful and always makes us smile about happy memories onboard."

"Captain, thanks for the smooth seas and fond memories. You’ll do a great job watching over the fleet from above."

Kevin Kuehlwein wrote on Facebook, "Seemed very down to earth and was very good at his job. May he rest in peace."

Doug White shared his memories of him, "Captain James was a special guy; he was the Captain of the Jewel when I became the Mayer, and he had the upmost respect for everyone that he dealt with. I remember a lot of great times with Captain James on the Jewel including gatherings in his cabin for cocktails then going on the bridge to top the evening. He will be sorely missed."

Nicole Pugliese wrote, "This is so sad to hear. We had the privilege of sailing with Captain James on the Liberty and he very quickly became our favorite for his laid back demeanor and great sense of humor."

The Captain from Texas

Most cruisers knew Captain James as representing Texas.  He was quite often in command of ships that were based in Galveston.

He joined Royal Caribbean in 1990 and was the first captain of Radiance of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, and Brilliance of the Seas.

Most recently Captain James was the Master of Harmony of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas while the ships were based in Texas.

What's it like when a cruise ship sails without any passengers onboard?

It's quite rare for a cruise ship not to be full with paying passengers to enjoy all the fun activities, restaurants, and ways to relax. The cruise industry is quite profitable, but it requires its ships to sail with every cabin sold in order to generate revenue from the cruise fare, but also the lucrative add-ons guests inevitably purchase.

For the last few days, Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas has been on her way from Port Canaveral, Florida to Galveston, Texas without a single passenger onboard, and that is quite rare.

The ship is in the process of transitioning from one homeport to another, and the Cruise Director has been sharing bits and pieces of what it's like.

Marc Walker is a legend among cruisers, for having been a well-known and well-liked Cruise Director.  The Cruise Director's job is to ensure guests are having a great time by orchestrating entertainment from morning to night, every day of the cruise.

The ship's entertainment includes live musicians, dance parties, trivia, competitions, and activities.  The Cruise Director is even responsible for the ship's Adventure Ocean youth programming, more commonly referred to as "kids camp".

Even though there are no passengers onboard, crew members are still working onboard, albeit in a different atmosphere.

A laid back approach to work

On Mr. Walker's Facebook page, he's been sharing photos of glimpses of what's happening on Mariner during this usual sailing.

The cruise began like all Royal Caribbean sailings, a buffet lunch.

Even though there were no passengers onboard, the ship's buffet that is usually for passengers was opened up to crew members.

"The crew for the next 4 days will experience the Windjammer Marketplace for breakfast, lunch and dinner! We have an amazing F&B team here," Mr. Walker posted.

In fact, the ship's Captain even joined in by serving his fellow crew members.

Later, his entire staff got to pose for a photo on the helipad, which is a rare opportunity for everyone working under the Cruise Director to gather in one spot.

This included:

• Theater Cast
• Ice Cast
• Adventure Ocean
• Activity Staff
• Technicians
• Stage Staff
• Musicians
• Sports Staff
• Senior Staff 

One policy that changed for crew members on this sailing without guests is that uniforms aren't necessary.

Mr. Walker posed in a t-shirt for one photo.

Work is still happening on Mariner. After all, it needs to be ready for passengers when it arrives in Galveston.

The non-revenue sailing means not only do crew members not have to wear their uniforms, but they can address areas that might be difficult to get to ordinarily.

Mr. Walker shared a look at one of his meetings, where the crew went through their routine, but in casual clothing.

Mr. Walker did not document everything that's different about life on a cruise ship without passengers. It's merely a glimpse of his work.

Over the years, other ships have done similar activities and we've seen guest areas opened up to crew members as a way to reward them.

There were auctions for being able to stay in a passenger cabin, enjoy guest activities, and crew member parties.

Why are there no passengers onboard

You might be wondering why Royal Caribbean doesn't have any paying passengers on this particular sailing.  After all, there's probably some people who would want to pay to take a one-way cruise to Texas.

The cruise line hasn't said why, but the answer is likely based in maritime law.

Royal Caribbean wants to shift where Mariner of the Seas homeports, from Port Canaveral to Galveston. Changing homeports is common within the cruise industry, because the needs one cruise market can change.

This game of "cruise ship musical chairs" isn't instant, and it takes a few days for a ship to get from one homeport to another.  In the meantime, that means no cruises from either homeport.  Moreover, if they had paying passengers on the open-jaw sailing, it would take even longer to get from Florida to Texas, because the ship would need to make port stops along the way.

So why can't the ship just sail from Port Canaveral to Galveston with no stops, so that it can transition to its new home and make some money along the way? It's against United States maritime law.

All of Royal Caribbean's cruise ships are flagged in a foreign country, including Mariner of the Seas. 

The Passenger Vessel Service Act (PVSA) of 1886 requires foreign flagged cruise ships to call on a foreign port if sailing a closed-loop cruise form the United States.

This means, cruise ships cannot sail from Port Canaveral to Galveston without visiting a port of call outside the United States.

The justification for both the PVSA is to protect the U.S. Merchant Marine (the licensed (officers) and documented (trades) personnel on the ships) and to protect U.S. shipyards that both build and repair the ships.

Frankly, my opinion is it's an outdated and protectionist law, but it's the law of the land.

Since there's no passengers onboard, the PVSA regulations do not count.

Some crew members stand out from the rest, especially one woman who makes a simple task a big deal.

If you’ve ever been on a Royal Caribbean cruise, you know going to the ship's buffet involves sanitizing your hands. Often the crew member repeats a friendly refrain (that has probably gotten stuck in your head).

“Washy washy before you yummy yummy!”

“No washy washy, no foody foody!”

The idea is to make a memorable way to remind guests what to do, and it's been in place for many years.

But one crew member in particular goes above and beyond when it comes to the “washy washy” job.

Stacian has gained a cult-like following for her washy-washy duties

Stacian is a crew member who works hard at making the Washy-Washy job fun and memorable. 

She has reportedly worked for Royal Caribbean for 22 years and has a total of 14 distinct costumes for her Washy Washy duties.

From a Minnie Mouse to a nurse's uniform, each outfit is completed with a hat or a sash that reads “Washy Washy.” You're going to quickly notice her if you're on her ship.

She greets guests with a huge smile, singing her own refrain of “Washy-Washy” to remind guests to clean their hands.

Her fun demeanor and unique outfits have garrned a following among cruise fans who make a point to stop and say hello if they see her.

A user on the Royal Caribbean Dining Facebook Page shared a post memorializing Stacian’s influence on her cruise. Over 300 people commented that they too had seen her on a ship and loved her energy.

“My favorite part about waking up on the Wonder of the Seas is knowing that I get to see Stacian,” Dana Meeks wrote.

“It never fails to put a big grin on my face.”

Hundreds of commenters resonated with the influence Stacian had during their cruise. 

“She is such a joy to see first thing in the morning!” Jackie Pellegrini Hamilton wrote. “[A] great way to start the day!”

The washy-washy crew members wake up early to greet guests entering the Windjammer, which opens at 7:00 A.M. for breakfast.

Often, these crew members will be the first smiling faces that guests see in the morning.

And many guests agreed that Stacian made their morning delightful.

Stacye Greer remembered Stacian as well, calling her “a Royal treasure.”

“She is great! So much fun.”

Cindy White Menser Bazzy commented, “She informed us that she creates all of her costumes and she is the one who started the washy-washy. We absolutely loved her.”

She makes the experience uniquely memorable

Each crew member that stands at the Windjammer entrance seems to have the freedom to give the task their own, fun twist: some play ukuleles, while I’ve seen others blast pop music through speakers while they sing along with a parody involving the “washy-washy” message.

However, you won’t find another Stacian on any other ship.

In addition to being credited with starting the “washy washy” job, she goes above and beyond to make the task brighter.

Wearing colorful costumes (that she makes herself) and greeting guests with high energy and a bright smile, she has garnered quite a fanbase.

Stacian is one such crew member who makes the job brighter by wearing fun, colorful costumes. She is also credited with starting the job, beginning the trend of brightly reminding guests to wash their hands. 

“She is fantastic! She sets the bar!”

“I always love the staff on Royal, but Stacian is the most memorable and brought the energy every day,” Jim Jarvie wrote.

Read more: 11 things you should never do at a cruise ship buffet

However, not everyone seems to enjoy the washy-washy experience. 

Sassafras Johnstone commented on the Facebook post, saying that the “washy-washy people are ridiculous.”

“We are not two years old. [It’s] so annoying. I think the job is demeaning to them as well.”

Some cruisers don’t like the music and singing outside the Windjammer, or feel offended at being reminded to wash their hands.

Why is hand hygiene important?

Washing your hands isn't just something to do at the buffet. It's one of the most important personal hygiene tasks you can do on a cruise ship.

No one wants to get sick, and washing your hands often minimizes the chances of getting sick from germs on the surface of something you touch. The best way to avoid spreading or catching germs is to wash your hands, especially before you eat or after using the restroom. It's also smart to wash your hands after touching a handrail, elevator button, or other high-touch surfaces.

Royal Caribbean ships have hand sanitizer available to use, but most health experts agree washing your hands is a superior strategy. Hand sanitizer is more than adequate when you're not near a sink. In the case of the Windjammer, many of the larger ships have hand washing stations as you enter the venue.

Hand-washing helps prevent the spread of disease, especially in a public, shared space like the Windjammer buffet.

One of my favorite cruise tips is to pack liquid soap to keep in your cabin bathroom to make washing your hands easier than using the provided bar soap.

Read more: 21 Cruise Cabin Essentials Everyone Should Pack

Have you ever wanted to take a peek into crew cabins onboard the world's largest cruise ship?

Chris Wong, an Assistant Casino host onboard Icon of the Seas, gave a tour of his cabin on his YouTube channel. The video, which is titled "Seriously, The SMALLEST Crew Cabin EVER!" was posted on March 16 and has garnered over 64,000 views. 

This isn't the first time that he's provided insight into exclusive crew areas, either. In early March, he posted a video tour of crew-only areas, including their Windjammer equipped with portholes, fitness center, gaming lounge, nightclub, bars, barber shop, and more. 

The video received many positive reactions, with comments praising the work Royal Caribbean has done to provide their crew with comfortable and enjoyable spaces. 

Read more: Photos show the secret crew-only areas on Icon of the Seas

@juanitafurtado8805 wrote, "Royal definitely took it to the next level with these crew areas. Happy crew means happy guests. A special shout out to the crew bar, every bit as nice as any guest bar. Outstanding!"

"Thanks for a visit to the crew neighborhood. It is great to see Royal upping their game in caring for their tireless crew members," commented @billbruff9613.

"While cruise guests are continuing to pay increasingly higher prices, it is nice to see some of that money being well invested in crew amenities and not just pocketed as more profits. Thanks Chris."

One thing the video didn't cover, however, was the crew cabins, which are traditionally much more compact than guest staterooms. Within the first minute of the tour, he acknowledges the size, claiming that it's probably the smallest cabin he's ever had while working on a cruise ship. 

"At the same time, this is also one of the modern, and almost nicest, cabins that I've stayed in," Wong says. 

Let's take a look at his single crew cabin onboard Icon of the Seas. 

The cabin was designed to feature more storage space. In fact, he says that there's so much he can't fully utilize all of it!

"I don't really have too [many] personal belongings," he admits, "I think it's probably a bit more of a struggle [to fit everything] if you are a female...and you naturally just have a lot of things."

A neat feature of the wardrobe is the slide-out rack, which makes it easy for Wong to pursue his clothes. 

The other half of the closet is comprised of built-in shelves, where Wong stores things like spare toilet paper, snacks, video equipment, and more. 

Read more: Photo tour of a balcony cabin on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas

The wardrobe is also home to Wong's desk, which he can pull out whenever he wants to use it. Otherwise, it can remain tucked away to increase floor space. 

It's large enough to comfortably fit his MacBook, iPad, work phone, and AirPods without feeling too cluttered. He doesn't even have to store them elsewhere, either, as they squeeze into the wardrobe when he wants the desk retracted. There are two built-in outlets, too. One is a standard American socket, whereas the other is European. 

The fold-up chair for the desk is hung near the door to the cabin. When the chair isn't being used, Wong likes to hang it underneath the coat hooks to maximize the amount of available floor space. 

The bottom cabinet of the closet is where the mini-fridge resides. The two additional shelves are home to Wong's socks and undergarments. 

Just like in the guest cabins, Wong can store stuff underneath his bed, too, such as his suitcase and shoes. "As you can see, there's still quite a bit of space in the back that I haven't even utilized," he says. 

There's even more storage directly underneath his bed. The sliding doors open up to reveal folded clothing. He has quite a bit of unused space, so he could have certainly packed more if he wanted to! 

While he doesn't show viewers the contents behind the other door, he says it's where he keeps his dirty laundry and other miscellaneous items, such as plastic bags. 

The bed is raised to accommodate all of the built-in storage that's underneath

"For me, being 5'10", [it's a] very, very comfortable length," he says after he demonstrates how he hops into bed. 

He flips the camera around to reveal a large flat-screen television, which he believes is larger than the one he had while working onboard Symphony of the Seas. 

Royal Caribbean provides basic options like the cruise map and other line-specific channels, as well as plenty of movies to keep the crew entertained while resting. 

There's a small reading light affixed to the wall that features a USB port, allowing Wong to charge devices from the comfort of his bed. The light can be adjusted, too, so he can rotate it to his liking. 

And, of course, even more storage! There's a small cabinet attached to the ceiling next to the air conditioning unit. While he doesn't actively store anything there, it's pretty deep, and he thinks it could be a neat place to keep a PlayStation. 

Next to the television, there are a few open shelves that he doesn't use, either. One is occupied by the cabin's telephone, whereas the shelf above it is where he stores the remote for the TV. 

The cabin's sink is right next to the entrance 

Since it's tucked into the corner of the room, there's no real vanity space. Instead, there's a medicine cabinet above it, which is where Wong stores his toiletries. 

Though it looks like he doesn't utilize all of the space, he says that the overall storage is pretty minimal: "You can fit too many things inside of the medicine cabinet...which is why I like to keep a lot of my personal belongs that I need in the old wash bag." 

The singular shelf underneath the sink is where Wong opts to keep some cleaning supplies, including Lysol wipes, sponges, and bleach spray. 

Read more: I stayed in a 200-square-foot room on the world's largest cruise ship

While Wong has his own stateroom onboard Icon of the Seas, he does share the bathroom, which consists of the toilet, shower, and some extra storage that isn't used

"A lot [of viewers] may think this is small, but if you're going to have a shower on an Emirates plane, this is certainly probably bigger than that I imagine, or a very similar size," Wong remarks. 

While it doesn't feature the glass doors that are a staple in guest cabins, there are two racks inside the shower for toiletries. 

It's also tall enough for Wong, who is close to 6" tall, to comfortably stand. His head doesn't appear to be too close to the adjustable showerhead. 

"Could you see yourself living in here?" he asks as he concludes the video. 

"This is definitely the smallest crew cabin I have ever stayed in throughout my entire career," he says.

"At the same time, one of the nicest crew cabins I've ever stayed in...I do feel at home." 

A Royal Caribbean crew member has been arrested for reportedly installing hidden cameras in guests' bathrooms to secretly spy on young girls. 

Arvin Joseph Mirasol, 34, a cabin steward from the Philippines, was arrested on Sunday after a passenger onboard Symphony of the Seas found a camera in her bathroom earlier that week. 

The guest found the concealed camera when she reached under the sink to grab a roll of toilet paper. Afterward, she went to Guest Services, with the ship's security team responding to her cabin. 

According to a post-Miranda interview, Mirasol claimed to have been hiding cameras in staterooms since he began working on the ship in December 2023, as well as hiding underneath the bed when guests were in the shower. Additionally, he said that he would pleasure himself after recovering the camera and watching the obtained footage. 

He was detained on the ship until it returned to Fort Lauderdale on March 3. Upon arrival, Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection, and the Broward County Sheriff's Office reported to the scene to speak with security and Mirasol. 

They investigated his electronic devices and found videos of women undressing, as well as child pornography. There was an additional video that actually showed Mirasol installing a camera. 

A statement issued by Royal Caribbean said, "We have zero tolerance for this unacceptable behavior. We immediately reported this to law enforcement and terminated the crew member, and we will continue to fully cooperate with authorities.”

"I will be checking under [the] sink and bed now"

People have taken to social media and online forums to discuss the incident. The majority of comments condemn Mirasol's actions, while others wonder how he was able to get away with such vile acts. 

One woman, whose Cruise Critic user name is link99, wrote that she'll be checking underneath the sink and bed on future cruises. 

Link99, who will be boarding Symphony of the Seas in two weeks, later made up a hypothetical situation to add to their concern: "Just add this to your thoughts. [You're] at the Pool with your kids. They happen to need something from the room. You send them without another thought about it."

"No parent should have to worry about a person hiding in [their] room much less a cruise line employee. [It's] just sad. Yes [it's] just another thing to worry about. If it happens once it can happen again. I am serious about checking under the bed and sink each time we enter the cabin."

Thisguylikestocruise commented that the situation is going to give him "nightmares," while Sunshine3601 claimed that it was "creepy." Pochi Hanaki went as far as to compare it to a "horror movie." 

User Gilley shared similar sentiments as Link99. As posted on a Royal Caribbean Blog discussion forum, they claim that they'll be "...taking a good look at every inch of [their] cabin moving forward," going so far as to potentially even flip the mattress. 

Despite ONECRUISER'S claim that "...statistically, [it's] more likely [to] get stuck by lightning or fall overboard twice," other users say that it's still unsettling, especially if it were to happen to your wife, daughter, granddaughter, husband, son, or grandson. 

Bead Pirate shares that their RAVIAD Detector gives them great peace of mind while on vacation

In fact, they claim that the detector, which can be purchased on Amazon for around $50, has helped them locate both microphones and hidden cameras in rental housing. 

"We throw it in the suitcase whenever we travel land/sea/air does not matter. Takes 2 minutes to scan a room or can do a house in 5 minutes. Great peace of mind...," they said. 

All you have to do is turn the device on and walk around the perimeter of the room, as well as near any furniture. 

This is the second time in the past year that someone onboard a Royal Caribbean ship has been charged with hiding cameras

In May 2023, Jeremy Froias was arrested in Puerto Rico while sailing onboard Harmony of the Seas and charged with video voyeurism and attempted possession of child exploration material, according to court documents. 

Froias allegedly placed a Wi-Fi camera in a public restroom, as well as on the top deck between one of the FlowRider simulators and a bar. The following day, another passenger spotted the camera and told the crew. 

Harmony's security took possession of the camera and found hours' worth of video files on a memory card containing footage of Frois hiding the camera. More than 150 people, including around 40 children, were present in the videos. 

While these instances are rare, they're a great reminder to be vigilant while on your cruise. Despite being safe, you should never let your guard down, and if something seems off, don't be afraid to report it to the ship's staff for further investigation. 

Read more: Things that can get you kicked off a cruise ship in an instant

From one-of-a-kind experiences to the first-ever Chief Dog Officer, Icon of the Seas is truly unlike any other ship at sea. This distinction extends to its crew area as well. 

While you can book a behind-the-scenes tour to view areas such as the Bridge and galley, they won't take you into the majority of crew-only areas. 

For the first time ever, Royal Caribbean designed a dedicated neighborhood for crew members that includes a private gaming lounge, multiple bars, and even a Windjammer with porthole windows and televisions. 

Chris Wong, an Assistant Casino Host onboard Icon, recently took to YouTube to give viewers a look inside of their living areas. He begins the video by saying, "Welcome to Icon of the Seas, the newest, the biggest, and best cruise ship in the world." 

While some areas are confidential, let's dive into Wong's tour of the crew neighborhood on Icon. 

The Crew Windjammer is impressive

The first area he shows in his video is the Crew Windjammer on Deck 2. That's right— crew members have their own mess hall, and yes, they have a handwashing station, too! 

On the day of filming, it was the crew appreciation dinner, so the spread was more expansive than it usually is. The Windjammer was also decorated with banners, balloons, and even an ice sculpture of the infamous Crown & Anchor logo. 

Like the standard guest Windjammer, there are different stations available to the crew, including "Off the Grill," "Fresh from the Garden," "International Flavors," and "Pasta."

"On this side, I can see steak, chicken, [and] a whole bunch of other meats. Look at this, [I] see all sorts of rice and bread rolls, cold meats, hot meats, cheese platters...can you believe this is all for the crew?" Wong says. 

Moreover, there's complimentary coffee, juice, and tea available to crew members.

He explains that this is where he eats breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day; however, since this day of filming was crew appreciation night, he notes that dinner isn't always as exciting. Additionally, he says that it's rare he sees it as busy as it was. 

The seating area is bright and colorful, with multi-color chairs and light that floods in from the porthole windows. That's actually a first, as all other crew Windjammers in the fleet don't have any natural light or ocean views. 

On the back walls are a couple televisions, so the crew can watch the latest sporting match or other program while dining. 

Unlike the guest Windjammer, they are responsible for cleaning up their own dishes, rather than leaving them to be collected by someone else. 

Read more: 7 most important crew members to meet on your cruise ship

Wong leaves the Windjammer and heads into the Java Cafe

He describes it as a "chill-out area," that features tons of seating, television screens, and board games, as well as a coffee bar where they can purchase cold beverages like soda or specialty beverages. 

"You will never get anything like this on another Royal Caribbean class of ship; this is only on Icon Class," Wong remarks. 

Inside of the Java Cafe is the crew shop; however, on the day of filming, it was already closed. 

Thankfully, Wong's able to press his camera up against the storefront gate to show viewers a decent look at what's inside, which includes snacks, toiletries, and other essentials. "I do like buying instant noodles and chips," he says. 

There are also pool and ping-pong tables for the crew to enjoy, which are located right outside of the Crew Gaming Lounge in the back of the Java Cafe. 

Nearby are the machines that they use to recharge their SeaPass cards, as well as an ATM. 

Read more: A look at the secret crew-only areas on the world's biggest cruise ship

The Crew Gaming Lounge is a paradise for crew members who enjoy playing video games

The guidelines posted on the exterior of the door indicate that food and drinks shouldn't be brought inside, and they're to sanitize controllers before and after every use. Moreover, when the gaming room is full, they are to limit their time inside to 30 minutes. 

Inside the Gaming Lounge are numerous televisions and consoles, including Xboxs and PlayStations. 

Wong admits that he hasn't spent too much time here yet; however, after his reaction to seeing Grand Theft Auto, I presume he might make more of an effort to venture to the Gaming Lounge every so often. 

"Honestly, there's so much in this [crew neighborhood], I forget what's here sometimes," Wong confesses

After walking back through the Java Lounge, he pans to the Crew Barber Shop. 

There are two barber chairs onboard Icon of the Seas. While it's not too large, Wong says that it's a nice little space. It allows the crew to stay on top of their grooming during their contracts. 

Read more: Photos show the cabin a dog lives in on the world's largest cruise ship

The Crew Nightclub and Karaoke Lounge can be found on Deck 3

The Crew Nightclub & Karaoke Lounge features a small dance floor, as well as a bar where they can purchase beverages. According to Wong, it's not as loud or hectic as the main crew bar, which is located on Deck 7. 

It's amazing to think about all of these spaces hidden beneath the guest areas. While you're watching an AquaTheater show or hanging out at the Dueling Pianos, crew members are having their own night out at their dedicated club. 

Directly across from the Crew Nightclub is the Training Center

Essentially like a large conference room, this is where all crew are required to go to complete various trainings, especially when they begin their contracts. 

"[I've] had many, many hours spent in here learning all the things that we need," says Wong. 

Those wanting to look like an Icon (i.e., strive to meet their fitness goals) will have to venture down to Deck 1

When comparing Icon's crew gym to other ships that he's worked on, Wong claims that he likes the look of Icon's: "It's very visually pleasing."

While there's a nice variety of machines, he does add that the free weights section is pretty limited. He does, however, have access to the guest gym, though, this isn't the case for all crew members onboard. 

The main crew bar on Icon of the Seas is reminiscent of an English-style pub and has forward-facing windows, allowing plenty of light to fill the space during the day

Deck 7 is home to many amenities for guests, including the brand-new Surfside Neighborhood, as well as the upper level of the Royal Promenade. Did you know, however, that it's also where the primary crew bar is? 

Passengers won't be able to access this venue, as it's only accessible through crew-only corridors that are hidden from the public. 

According to Wong, this is where a lot of the crew like to go get a drink after work in the evenings. 

The bar is connected to the Crew Patio, which features a smoking area. 

After walking through the smoking area, you'll find an exclusive outdoor deck for the crew that's located near the helipad, or as Wong calls it, the "winch pad," as helicopters aren't able to actually land on Icon. 

While slightly limited, the available seating seems to be the perfect place to relax outdoors during time off, especially if it's during sunset or when sailing into port. Fun fact: this area is where the champagne was smashed during Icon's naming ceremony! 

Wong ends the video by asking, "What do you think? Is this pretty cool or not?" He says it is by far the best crew area he's ever seen on any ship that he's worked on, and he enjoys spending time around the various exclusive venues. 

Have you ever wondered what it’s like being a bartender on one of the world’s biggest cruise ships?

Operating a cruise ship is a massive undertaking, especially onboard one of the biggest cruise ships in the world. Each of Royal Caribbean’s cruise ships have thousands of crew members working hard to ensure guests have a fantastic vacation.

Perhaps one of the most demanding jobs onboard a cruise ship is being a bartender. Although all crew members work tirelessly with long hours, bartenders are working in a fast-paced environment in cramped spaces. 

Additionally, drinking is an integral component of cruising for many. Most cruise ships have anywhere from 10 to 15 bars and lounges onboard, even the smaller cruise ships. Moreover, cruise ship passengers are drinking from sun up to sun down thanks to Royal Caribbean's unlimited drink package. That’s a lot of alcohol flowing from the bartenders into the hands of cruisers!

This week, one of Royal Caribbean’s former bartenders took to social media to anonymously answer questions from curious cruisers. On the r/royalcaribbean subreddit on Reddit, one former bartender from Oasis of the Seas posed an AMA - or ask me anything - to followers. The post was titled "Worked as a bartender aboard Oasis of The Seas AMA."

The former bartender shared in the description, “For everyone interested about cruise life, tips and tricks or wanting to know how is the job - ask me anything, would be glad to answer.”

The open-ended question prompted quite the response from followers. The former bartender received hundreds of responses from curious Royal Caribbean cruisers. These included all sorts of questions, such as how tipping works, handling rude or drunk passengers, how much bartenders get paid and more.

Here’s what it’s like being a bartender onboard one of Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships from a former bartender.

Gratuities and Tipping

The most popular responses for the former bartender included questions about tips and gratuities. For instance, for guests who purchase a drink package, gratuities are already prepaid with an 18% service charge. Additionally, a-la-carte drink purchases from the bar have a service charge. How does it all work?

First, many were wondering whether Royal Caribbean’s bartenders receive prepaid gratuities. The former bartender explained there is a difference between guests with drink packages and those purchasing a-la-carte.

With a-la-carte purchases, guests automatically pay 18% for a service charge and the bartenders receive a portion of this. For Oasis of the Seas bartenders, he explains, “If you purchases a $14 cocktail, the bartenders receive $1.12 from your drink.”

For guests who choose to leave a cash tip, the former bartender shared that 100% of cash tips will always go directly to the bartender. 

Similarly, tips that you leave on your drink receipt do, indeed, go directly to the bartender. However, these receipts need to be entered into Royal Caribbean’s system for tracking. This is not as preferred as a cash tip, as it's a slightly tedious process and slows down bartenders from serving more drinks.

“Just my advice. Bring cash tips of one dollar bills. It takes 1 minute to punch a check tip - it's a drag. The same is true if you have like 20 checks with tips, you lose around 15 min instead of rest,” replied the bartender.

Another cruiser asked if tipping upfront - such as $20 on the first day of the cruise - has any difference with service and drink quality from the bar. The former bartender responded that it depends on the situation, as some bartenders work in the same bar for the entire cruise while others rotate as needed; for example, the pool attendants usually rotate more frequently.

“Find someone that’s stationed and is eager to serve you all the time. If you tip in advance, you will get the best service from that guy. If you tip a bar support guy, he will do the same, but you won’t find him everyday all day at the pool,” he responded.

The former bartender continued to share that it’s rare for guests to tip at the beginning of a cruise. Typically a handful of passengers will tip anywhere from $30 to $100 at the end of the cruise. Instead, most guests choose to tip $1 to $2 with each drink along the way.

As for drinking in the casino? The former bartender revealed those workers rely solely on tips - and “get paid nothing."

Read more: Tipping on a cruise ship: what you should and shouldn't do

Drink Package

Along with tipping, many comments inquired about how the drink package works from the bartender’s perspective. Since guests who purchase drink packages already prepay gratuities, many users on Reddit were wondering how this works for bartenders actually receiving the service charges.

Following up with many tipping questions, the former bartender explained how Royal Caribbean has a system called package check value for drink packages. With this system, Royal Caribbean calculates the gratuity amount for each drink served onboard every sailing. 

The check value is calculated based on the total cost of drink packages sold by the cruise line. This can differ week by week depending on the itinerary and how many packages were sold.

On Oasis of the Seas, he stated the check value was around $1.00 USD per drink on average, although it can fluctuate based on the sailing. For every cocktail sold, he would receive around $1.00 per drink. On an average sea day, the former bartender estimated that he made anywhere from 80 to 250 drinks.

He also shared that smaller ships typically have a lower check value, as low as $0.50 USD per drink. This means that bartenders on smaller ships need to sell more drinks to reach their base pay threshold. Therefore, bartenders prefer to work on newer ships because these vessels have the best check values for tipping compared to older ships. In the same way, no one wants to work on a brand-new ship because these vessels have the stricter beverage departments.

Even still, the former bartender shared, “Oasis is one of the stricter ships for beverage department, which comes from the bar managers and supervisors. But, the check value is one of the highest, if not the highest in the fleet right now.”

Read more: How much is a Royal Caribbean drink package?

The former bartender explains this is why it’s so important for your SeaPass to be scanned even when the bartender knows you have the drink package. This ensures the employees receive their service charge per drink.

Finally, one responder asked if the bartenders prefer to serve customers who have drink packages or if there is more incentive from a-la-carte purchases.

The former Oasis bartender responded, “People that are a-la-carte complain more just for the sake of it sometimes. But, if you have the drink package, you don't complain, you just swap drinks. I prefer package because [there is] less drama all in all.”

Guest Interactions

As you can imagine, the former bartender had varying experiences onboard Oasis of the Seas when it comes to guest interactions. From rude passengers to bonding with others like family, the former bartender shared multiple instances of notable guests onboard.

First, Royal Caribbean's bartenders will cut off passengers who show signs of being overly intoxicated. “If you show signs of toxicity, most bartenders will stop serving because we can lose our job. It doesn’t matter if someone gambles or not. Management strictness has big role in this.”

One responder posed a question about whether the bartender noticed any change among passengers from pre-pandemic to post-pandemic. He responded that the guest behavior typically depends on cruise prices. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean Drink Prices

"In my experience, the truth is sad. The cheaper cruises have more bad apples than the expensive ones, percentile wise. But, in my experience, I have rarely had rude guests because part of being in hospitality is to handle people and volatile characters."

When it comes to behavior and overindulgence on a cruise, the bartender shared that this really depends on the person. He found that some are very friendly and others are not friendly. However, his approach was always to be professional and he was confident in his ability to handle every situation.

The former bartender also reveals that guests can have their alcohol access and drink packages revoked, per Royal Caribbean’s policy. Bartenders are alerted to guests who they are not allowed to serve alcohol to, typically because of a guest’s actions that resulted in alcohol restriction.

One responder asked whether bartenders on Royal Caribbean ships are actively looking for people sharing their drink packages, as this is not allowed onboard.

“Not necessarily,” he responded. “We notice everything, but if you are rude and try to make me a fool when I advice you to be more subtle with sharing, I am reporting you.”

The former bartender shares he once reported a guest who thought he could outsmart the bartenders. However, at the end of the cruise, Royal Caribbean revoked the guest's drink package and charged the passenger for every drink consumed during the cruise - at the normal price.

“He had a $3,000 charge for drinks,” shared the former Oasis of the Seas bartender.

But what’s the craziest bartending experience he had while onboard? 

“I had become so close to two couples in their 40s. They tipped me $500+ and offered me a job at their company if I somehow could get a green card. We talked a lot - and we cried at the end.”

Salary and Job Satisfaction

There is no denying that crew members commit to contracts with long work hours and very few days off. Some of the responses to the former bartender asked about how he obtained his job, his salary and overall job satisfaction with working long days onboard.

According to the former bartender, he applied for his position from an advertisement in his home country, somewhere in Europe. The whole process from application to getting onboard Oasis of the Seas took about six months, in his experience. It cost around $500 in his country for medical and personal preparation, which was paid for out-of-pocket.

Additionally, the former Oasis bartender continued to share that he believes Royal Caribbean is the best cruise line for employment in regards to the beverage department. While some cruise lines only provide a fixed payment for bartenders - typically around $1,500 to $2,500 each month - Royal Caribbean’s bartenders can earn much more.

Read more: 25 times Royal Caribbean crew members wowed cruise ship passengers with excellent service

In his responses, the former bartender shared that he was paid "extremely well" and made around $5,000 per month during his seven months onboard - and estimates he served some 40,000 cocktails!

Within one month, the bartender estimates he worked a minimum of 300 hours, although sometimes he worked closer to 400 hours. He received a minimum base pay regardless of the number of drinks he served, but he often earned much more than that with gratuities and tips.

The biggest perk of the job, says the former bartender, is getting to see the world. “Only perk I would say after pay is traveling and seeing stuff you won’t be able to see in your lifetime without being a millionaire.”

Finally, the bartender reveals he no longer works for Royal Caribbean because his goal was always to work and save his money for education. Since he had a long term relationship back in his home country, he was returning there to attend school with the money he earned.

The former Oasis bartender felt that while being away from everyone he knew back home was hard, the salary made it worthwhile.

“Is it worth making your monthly salary back home in 2 days? Absolutely. It’s all sacrifice, I started school when I saved enough, so I did a bit of sacrifice but I won’t need to go again,” he concluded.

A cabin steward on a cruise is the individual responsible for ensuring that your stateroom is maintained throughout your sailing. 

Often referred to as cabin or stateroom attendants, they'll perform tasks such as making the bed, removing trash and used dishes, cleaning the bathroom and replenishing towels, and leaving cute towel animals. They are also the person responsible for leaving important disembarkation documents. 

You don't have to be present for them to service your stateroom, as they have their own key. In fact, cabin stewards on Royal Caribbean ships will ask if you have a preference between whether your room is cleaned in the morning or afternoon. 

If you're staying in a suite, however, they'll service your room two times per day, rather than just once. 

Compared to housekeepers at hotels, you can expect your experience with a cabin steward to be far more personalized. When you pass them in the hall, they'll often address you by your first name, and they'll take the time to introduce themselves on the first day of the cruise. 

On embarkation day, you can let them know of any preferences that you may have

Typically, you'll meet your cabin steward on embarkation day, and they will ask whether or not you have any special requests. This could be anything from separating beds to additional hangers, fresh ice, wine glasses, etc.

They'll also give you a business card with their name and extension, so you can call them throughout the cruise if any needs arise. 

When you meet them, they will also ask if you have a preference for when they freshen your stateroom. While they cannot guarantee a specific time (i.e., 10am if you select the morning), you'll be given a time frame.

It is best that you consider how you plan on vacationing. Do you expect to be up early each morning to make the most of your time onboard the ship, or will you be using your PTO to catch up on sleep? 

Related: Spotted: Royal Caribbean cuts cabin housekeeping from twice to once per day service

Cabin stewards are not responsible for anything except the cleanliness of your stateroom

Throughout the cruise, you may find yourself in a situation where you need to speak to someone about getting a new cruise card, or perhaps you have a question about your onboard account. Those issues can best be handled by Guest Services, rather than your cabin steward. 

Additionally, they cannot help you book shore excursions or dinner reservations. Thankfully, it's easy to do so through the Royal Caribbean app either before embarkation or once you get on the ship. 

If you get a craving for a late-night snack or want breakfast delivered, make sure that you contact room service, rather than your steward. 

For any child-related needs, you'll want to visit Adventure Ocean. Rather than waiting to register your children on the first sea day, you should take advantage of the open house on embarkation day. 

While children won't be able to stay and partake in any complimentary programming quite yet, you'll be able to tour the facilities and get acclimated to the program before sailing away. 

Finally, even though your cabin steward will deliver your luggage outside of your cabin, they won't help you unpack. Similarly, they won't be of any use when you are packing on the last night of the cruise, so you will want to ensure that you allot enough time to get this done. 

Leaving an extra tip isn't required; however, it is a nice gesture 

When you book your cruise, you'll notice that you have an option to pre-pay for your gratuities. If you choose not to, they will automatically be added to your onboard account to be settled at the end of your vacation. 

As of November 2023, the automatic gratuity rate is $18.00 per person, per day for standard cabins (Junior Suites and below) and $20.50 per person, per day for suites.

Gratuities are divided amongst the crew members who work to make your time onboard so memorable, including your cabin steward. However, it's not unusual to hear about passengers leaving an extra tip. 

The amount that guests leave varies. According to Ampurp85 on a Royal Caribbean Blog forum, "...I normally give my room attendant between $35-50 depending on length of cruise. I like to give them $10-15 halfway through and the rest at the end."

"For a typical 7-night, we did an additional $20/p for head waiter, $15/p for asst waiter, $20/p for stateroom attendant, $1/drink for bar staff," wrote KJones. 

What's the difference between a cabin steward and Royal Genie?

While there are technically three different tiers to Royal Caribbean's Royal Suite Class, only those who booked a Star Class suite will have access to a Royal Genie, who is pretty much like a private butler. 

Suites within the Star Class include the Royal Loft Suite, Owner’s Loft Royal Suite, Grand Loft Sky Loft Suite, 2-Bedroom Aqua Theater Suite, and 4-Bedroom Family Suite. 

Having a Royal Genie is all about making your life onboard easier, so you can expect them to assist you with making dining reservations, booking shore excursions, and more. 

Additionally, since their job is to provide next-level service, you can ask for just about anything, whether it's fresh coffee in the morning, arranging in-suite parties, or scoring reservations to a fully booked show. 

That being said, Royal Genies do not take the place of cabin stewards. As such, they aren't responsible for the cleanliness of your stateroom. Just like standard staterooms, you will have a dedicated cabin steward throughout your sailing.

Related: My advice for someone using a Royal Genie on a Royal Caribbean cruise

If you don't want your cabin serviced, utilize the "do not disturb" magnet

Stateroom doors are magnetic. In addition to fun decor, they can also serve a functional purpose. If, for instance, you wake up feeling unwell and want to remain in bed, you can place the "do not disturb" magnet outside, which will let your cabin steward know that you're inside. 

Perhaps you told them that you'd prefer your cabin to be cleaned during the afternoon, but you want a nap before dinner. 

Whatever the reason, the magnet will let your steward know that it's okay for them to skip your room.