CRUISE SHIP CABIN TOUR | LIVING ON A CRUISE SHIP |

[@beardymusicteacher]

Remember cruise contract days all too well. As part of the ents team I was either sharing with one of the dancers (so basically cabin to myself - she pretty much shared with an officer throughout the contract) or the sound man (alcoholic who was unconscious most of the time we didn’t have a show on). Also as ships bass player I essentially had lowest level of responsibility of ANY crew member, which is why I was always chosen to be a corpse during safety drills. Great days!

[@EatsLikeADuck]

I hope "professional corpse" is still featured prominently on your resume.

[@jackstiteley5439]

Joe, Love your videos! Sailed in the US Navy for 30 years and you still have more space than I did as a Master Chief Petty Officer. Not complaining, mind you, but you only have to share the head with 3 men. Our head was not much bigger than your cabin and we had 32 Chiefs aboard. Still love listening to your stories. Keep up the outstanding camera work and narrations on your channel. Fair seas to you.

[@xpatsteve]

And to think that as an E-5 on a carrier, I would have killed for the space the Chiefs had 😁. Also not complaining, but Navy and commercial are obviously two different worlds.

[@DMNSAV]

It’s definitely the narrations for me. It’s relaxing as hell.

[@obamabigears734]

I signed on my first ship in the Swedish merchant marine back in 1982 and already all cabins were single occupancy, no matter what kind of ship, at least for AB's and higher.

[@Bill_N_ATX]

Interesting. The Pride of America is the only US flagged blue water cruise ship and the first one in over 60 years. As a US flagged vessel it has to use a mostly US crew and follow US labor laws and thus its deck and engine crew are members of a US maritime union. Which is a long way to say not cheap as crew from some third world country. Crew space looks closer to what you’d expect from navy crew space. Not as bad as Navy, but still small. You regularly see videos from foreign flagged cruise ships but it’s usually officers, shops, or entertainers who create them, not deck or engine crew. I look forward to his upcoming videos on what working on the POA is like. I know they’ve had a hard time recruiting and retaining crew members because few Americans are willing to work the demanding schedule that most cruise ships demand, at least not at the salary they are willing to pay regular crew members.

[@andrewvenor8035]

It's a lot more space than I had in the Navy where I had to share the berthing compartment with 220 of my closest friends.

[@Bill_N_ATX]

@@andrewvenor8035 Indeed, it’s closer to what you see for junior officers in the Navy. Small but not a berthing space of a few dozen men who share the same space and a small head, plus get a coffin rack as private space.

[@thereissomecoolstuff]

People that are attached to the Penitentiary system have more space than many enlisted sailors both above and below the seas. An inside passenger cabin isn’t much bigger. In port every night with internet in Hawaii isn’t going to be Joe’s worse experience.

[@tomelko]

I knew a merchant marine who always worked on cruise ship in the Sea of Japan. Does the union place folks on non-US flagged ships too?

[@andrewvenor8035]

@thereissomecoolstuff if you watch the movie Escape From Alcatraz, you'd see that the federal prisoners were wearing the same dungaree uniform as a Navy enlisted man. So back in the day, I would tell people that joining the Navy was like going to prison but with a higher chance of drowning. 😆

[@lifelong5425]

Cramped, and sharing not only that tiny space, but an entire boat full of....others....gimme cargo any day

[@pileofstuff]

On the other hand no dusty, flammable or toxic cargo to deal with.

[@scottwheeler2494]

@@pileofstuffthe cargo he has got are for sure toxic and dangerous - worse than hauling nitrates IMHO. You know what happens with that shit. Humans are totally unpredictable. No other cargo can feel entitled and go all Karen on you.

[@pileofstuff]

@@scottwheeler2494 Luckily Joe's tasks as a deckhand generally won't put him in contact with passengers. Security and guest services can deal with their crap.

[@5boysandamom]

Very interesting! Been wondering what you were doing! Can't wait to see more 😊

[@user-rg2kk7fv4m]

Like your adventures Joe…..my family did all this stuff and never shared, some of them are still doing it all around the world..👍🇦🇺🇳🇿

[@Quick045]

Just signed on a month ago with a cruise company as a cadet, I have one roommate another cadet. I must say that it's pretty nice. Thanks for the video Joe

[@tomelko]

This is likely the closest I'll ever get to a cruise ship. Thanks as always, Joe.

[@ryanm4013]

Why is this? They aren’t expensive to go on unless if you baller out for a suite

[@tomelko]

@@ryanm4013 Eh, justified or not I can't get past the whole floating Petri dish aspect of it. I spend a lot of time on the water, just prefer to do it in solitude.

[@jakeb92980]

Looking forward to the full length vlog working on a cruise ship

[@JoeFranta]

Coming soon!

[@wayphun72]

Working on a cruise ship seems like a hardship tour right out the gate, will be interesting to watch your experience unfold throughout what follows.

[@JoeFranta]

Keep an eye on the channel it!

[@mikejones3rfs]

​​@@JoeFrantafuck the pride of America. How can you sail on that slave ship plantation of hell!!!???

[@localcrew]

My gf and I were on the Pride last December. Beautiful ship. We had a great time. Our cabin was a little bigger than this one!

[@tomskid27]

Yea! Joey ‘bag o’ donuts’ is back. Can’t wait for more videos.

[@acidreign8551]

Those three storage cabinets take up a lot of space, dont understand why they are so freaking big. That could have been laid out a whole lot better, but it is what it is i guess.

[@jaredbaratono897]

Can’t wait to see more of this it’s a long way from offloading some type of ore/grain/commodity in God knows where. You channel is the best…. Thank you.

[@JoeFranta]

Thanks Jared! You are right this was a totally different experience!

[@handieman60]

When I was in the British Merchant Navy 1980’s we avoided passenger ships. No overtime!

[@javeydones5163]

Hey Joe! I was an Apprentice in the Deck department over there. Just signed off August 5th. Must’ve just missed ya.

[@phtevlin]

I worked in a resort that provided housing for the employees. Usually two to a room if the room was small, three to a room if the room was large. No choice as to whom you'd be rooming with. Bathroom/showers down the hall, as was the kitchen & one fridge for all the people living on your floor. Did that for 3 summers.

[@trooperdgb9722]

Being an old Navy man gives me a different perspective..lol. THAT was both bigger, and better appointed than the three berth OFFICERS cabin I shared with the Ships Doctor and one of our Helo pilots - for 6 months in the Persian Gulf... . Your OWN bathroom? Luxury. No walk down the passageway to the heads for you!

[@jeremiahlumpkin7601]

I’ll see you there! Im less than a week.

[@bill2066]

Thanks!

[@JoeFranta]

Thank you Bill!!

[@bill2066]

did you have a chance to see my questions..@@JoeFranta

[@williamwhite2908]

It’s worth living in paradise!

[@jd218]

I worked at Newport news shipyard 82-94 back then cruise ships were beautiful wear customers saw and filthy everywear else

[@beckyumphrey2626]

That is some tight living quarters.

[@cameonet]

Better than an "open bay" & sleeping in a hammock! 😉✌💋💖

[@joepasquale4877]

WOW, so surprised to see you working on a cruise ship! Hope, if you're allowed, to see some behind the scenes of what you're doing on POA.

[@JoeFranta]

Keep an eye on the channel!

[@jasondohrman7098]

Nice to see you agian thanks for the video!

[@larrygorst8749]

Not what I expected at all. Thanks for sharing Joe.

[@YouTubeTyler]

Thanks for the video. Keep up the good work. Audition for Below Deck!

[@kennethgrindrod6438]

Sailed as deck crew in the UK Merchant Marine on three passenger ships back in the 70,s with 4 to cabin ,a bit cramped passenger ships can be fun to work if you can put up with the bull, do you have a choice of what ship you want to sign on to ? .We used to go to what was called the pool or shipping federation to get a job ,there used to be a list on the wall of what was going at the time so it was up to the person what they wanted and you knew by what company they were as to where they were going ,or maybe a tramper and you could end up anywhere all part of the adventure

[@ericsyoutube]

Oh nice! I’ve wanted to see something like this.

[@ChristopherNips81]

A good note to add to this video is that this was shot shortly post-Covid, so the 600+ crew members he is refering to is far less than the normal ~930 or so that would be considered "fully staffed." When I started on this ship in 2005, I had four to a room as a Jr. Waiter. This is typical for these jobs. As an Asst. Shore Ex Manager, I either had one roommate or had my own two person cabin to myself (if I was lucky). Deck Officers/Engine Officers have their own cabins. You must be good with close quarter's living! lol

[@deanrotering879]

I was gonna ask you what you did to end up in prison.😂 PS. Got my Tanker Stache hat!

[@JoeFranta]

Thanks Dean! Yeah the room was rough but Hawaii has its perks! The hat is a good piece of merch for sure.

[@tristanwright5986]

Awesome man!!!! Loving all your videos brother keep sailing for the boys down here in Tennessee 🤘🏴‍☠️

[@AliceConsortium]

I'm going on my first cruise later this year, so I'm really looking forward to seeing your viewpoint over this series. And even though I'm on a different cruise line, it's nice to know there are sensible people working on the ships

[@Kevin_747]

Nothing surprises me. I was in the Navy.

[@sergioviatsky9483]

An amazing journey awaits us. 👍

[@ianyams]

Thanks for the tour Joe 👍🇬🇧

[@Gopackgo1000]

I worked on the Mississippi queen in the early 90s ans there cabins were so small

[@onniegranados8489]

US flagged? So no casino or duty-free shopping? Bummer! 😉But the Hawaiian islands are so lovely, I'm sure they make that small cabin worthwhile when you get liberty. Oh, and great camera work, music, and crisp, clean, clear narration.

[@JoeFranta]

It is a US flagged ship. Keep an eye on the channel for the full length video in the near future!

[@Bloosee]

Bigger than my officer's stateroom in the US Navy. We did not have a head, our closets were smaller, but we had two desks (officers have paperwork to do). I don't like how narrow it is.

[@bill2066]

JOE! Do you have any advice on over-coming sea sickness? How long does it take to permanently get rid of it? I was also wondering if the onboard catering is taken out of your salary (technically at least), or if its a strict gratuity (gift?) from the Cargo CompanY? Finally, ever been to Honolulu Harbor (my hometown) and/or Pearl, Hilo, etc..

[@JoeFranta]

Hey Bill this got lost amongst the comments. I have heard some of the sea sickness bracelets work but I don't get seasick so I cannot say much about them. Our meals are included when on board. And I got to visit lots of great spots in Hawaii my latest video of my time on the cruise shows them all!

[@86FxBdyCpe]

The typical oral medications work well but generally don't mix well with alcohol (if that's a priority). I've seen many people with the bracelets and patches so I'm assuming they work. I've also heard that ginger root works good. As far as a permanent solution, this usually only comes with continuous exposure.

[@MetalheadSailor]

Never got the cruise ship experience yet since being with SIU. I'll have to give it a shot at least once.

[@toms5676]

youre really good at this!!

[@michealcain5355]

Glad to see ya again. What is your job on this cruise ship? Will they let you do any videos outside of your room? Mike from Las Vegas, NV.

[@JoeFranta]

Keep an eye on the channel for the full length cruise ship video coming soon! All will be answered there!

[@pileofstuff]

Looking forward to this series. I predict a lot less dusty work, but a lot more dealing with lines and docking (IIRC, NCL Pride visits a port almost every day).

[@JoeFranta]

Pretty good predictions.. Lots of port visits for me as well :)

[@mattwolfe70]

Dude, your videos make my happy, great vibes & interesting content 👍🏽👍🏽

[@SuSpicious9748]

Tight. Good luck!

[@billgjura2620]

Joe, what are you doing on a cruise ship!?...great videos!

[@JoeFranta]

Keep an eye on the channel for a full length voyage video that will explain it all!

[@bobstay1]

The most important furnishing for a bunk - the curtain...

[@cammy2100]

I would imagine most of the crew will be from the entertainment and catering, I have a agood friend who is an entertainment director on the carnival ships.

[@cappaveli1]

That’s insane

[@geturchinchecked]

When you opened the bathroom door I was thinking there was gonna be somebody sittin there droppin a deuce for some reason lol

[@krassos]

Just got admitted to the SIU program. I've wondered about working cruise ships.

[@a-fl-man640]

has some things somewhat in common with your RV lifestyle.

[@kirbygulbrandsen4507]

I do enjoy them Joe but they are too short and not very often. I couldn’t live in that tight of a space. I’m thinking you aren’t able to go out for fresh air. Reminds me of prison. Watching from Panama City Florida, USA. 🇺🇸🦅

[@torgeirbrandsnes1916]

Great vlog as always! How long is the contract now? Keep up the good work. Be safe! Soon 100k! Go Joe!

[@kathybrandt6060]

So when you’re not on duty, are you allowed to go hang out with the passengers?

[@mcgoo721]

Yeah won't be taking cruise ship contracts. I'm grown im not sharing a closet size room with 2+ others

[@Sal_G101]

Cool what is your duties on this ship?

[@dougall1687]

Jeez this looks closer to naval berths than what I've seen in modern cruise ship crew cabins. Maybe you'll miss the Sam Laud at some point! (or not)

[@xpatsteve]

Still, it's more space than we had in enlisted berthing on the Enterprise back in the 80s. 😅

[@chefmike9945]

I didn't know cruise ships used union workers, must be a U.S. ship? Once again, thanks for your videos. Never enough of them, yet they are always interesting.

[@JoeFranta]

The ship I was on was US flagged.

[@chefmike9945]

@JoeFranta thanks for the reply Joe.

[@morat242]

US law (PVSA 1886) requires that transporting passengers between US ports be on US flagged (and therefore mostly US crewed + built) ships. Foreign flagged ships can start and end in the same port if they visit a foreign port, or start and end in different US ports if they stop in a port outside North America or most of the Caribbean. So on the foreign flagged ships, Hawaiian cruises have to stop in Canada/Mexico/Tahiti, while this ship can just repeatedly cruise within Hawaii. This is also why the cruise line will fine you if you are on a Miami-Bahamas-Puerto Rico-Miami cruise and you decide to end your journey in Puerto Rico, they get fined by the government for transporting a passenger between two US ports on a foreign flagged ship.

[@NorthwestMariner]

Never stop making videos man

[@susanclark7872]

Well actually you have much more space than I had crewing on a 46 ft steel hull catch from the Mediterranean to Belgium 🇧🇪.

[@tomwilliams8675]

Joe you forgot to show us your balcony 😂😅

[@NOLAgenX]

Where is this in your timeline? The last was the voyage to Ascension, Senegal, and Norway, correct? And there were several other ships before that. So when does this ship fit into it all? Thanks!

[@apejones4759]

Short but sweet

[@todd8109]

Joe are you currently on board or talking about break? All the best from Connecticut

[@COOPERSCICHILDS]

Small but coooool

[@Austin4098]

Thanks for the look round the crew quarters Joe. Do you all work the same shift, or is there some kind of 24hr pattern, so that you are not all in the room at the same time?

[@garymcfc1888]

What happened to the series of you on the ship in the gulf ?

[@bill2066]

Cool channel dude. Just found you. Liked and Sub'd. Question: Im always amazed at these youtubers on how they learned video production, etc...How did you personally learn all of this video stuff?? I dont think I could even come close and would probably just give up. Find a different, hobbie, etc..I dont have the patience.

[@JoeFranta]

Many many years ago I took film and video production classes. It is a lot of work but I love sharing the end products with everyone here!

[@pacificrules]

You should already earn your Sparrow tattoo by now 🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🕊🕊🕊🕊🦅🦅 I think you earned it awhile back on those container ships 🚢🚢⚓⚓

[@edl5731]

Do you and your roommate have the same or different shifts? I would imagine different shifts would be better, you have privacy when they are working and vice versa

[@melissalambert7615]

Storage doesn't seem too bad. But the desk/chair in front of bunk beds would be an issue. So many questions. Can you eat in your room, or is it just snacks? Is the computer yours or the ship's? Is there a crew rec room? Looking forward to next vid.

[@JoeFranta]

Keep an eye on the channel for the full length cruise ship video for the answers to those questions... and more!

[@dyoung3536]

Don't think I could do it. I'd prefer cargo. Bulk, containers, tankers, etc. Cruise ship doesn't interest me enough to even take one. Perfect world, I'd do the Great Lakes (grew up there) but preferably something newer than the Sam Laud. 🙂

[@Saltmancer]

Joe there better be alot more videos u got some explaining to do. Is this through the siu job board? What did you sign on to do?

[@JoeFranta]

I did get the job thriugh SIU job board. There will be a full length cruise ship video coming very soon about everything else.

[@tombowers3681]

well that's a let down. I can see if they cram in the kitchen staff, or the cabin stewards etc, but having such a tiny cabin for a Licensed, watchstanding mariner is just wrong.

[@paulliebenberg3410]

Above or below the water line? Can you hear the engine when underway?

[@AndrewTingle-nn7fx]

They’re trying to put us on that ship for phase 2 at the siu

[@JoeFranta]

A lot of my class was on there for their Phase 2.

[@bill2066]

JOE...I've heard through the Grapevine that Cargo Ships are now (or have been for awhile now) allowing paid passengers (like in the old days). Any Truth to this?

[@JoeFranta]

I'm not really sure. Hasn't been the case for any of the cargo ships I've worked on.

[@kennytieshisshoes]

This was cool to see. What are some of your roles and responsibilities?

[@JoeFranta]

I'll have a full length video of my time on the cruise ship coming out soon about all this!

[@kennytieshisshoes]

Awesome I look forward to it!@@JoeFranta

[@karenshepherd2412]

I cant imagine being female, of sharing a room that cramped when you have to get ready for work, doing hair and makeup! You better like your room mate a whole lot!

[@markleuver9757]

Wait.. what made you pick a cruise ship ? What is your role ?? Is the contract the same as a merchant ship ?? Seems interesting but not what is expected !

[@JoeFranta]

For the answers to all those questions and more keep an eye on the channel for the full length cruise ship video coming soon!

[@admranger]

The only cruise ship that has to pay a living wage since they don't dock at a foreign port. Majority of the crew (all?) are US citizens.

[@BourzamaAbdellah]

Hi, how to sign to a cruise ship?

[@adamfischer6768]

Geeeze...when I saw the title "cruise ship cabin tour" I thought you were on a cruise vacation and wanted to put your spin on a passenger cabin. Oh well...back to work!

[@BuceGar]

I love your videos, but the background music is way too loud in this.

[@Charles-yd1os]

You can’t be serious. You get your own room. If you were in the real Navy you would have to share a room with 120 other guys.

[@laker3]

Why do you switch rooms so much

[@Madurbu]

I couldn't live in that room

[@johnzee691]

👍

[@Gopackgo1000]

I knew it lol cruise ship

[@seamannotes]

How you did a lot views on your channel 😢?

[@kostasevia]

The worst on seaman life on ship is to shear the cabin 😢

[@SoldierDad1980]

I followed you from the beginning but why a Cruise ship you stepped down on pay.

[@JoeFranta]

I want to try all the different types of ships before I become a mate.

[@BC-te9ow]

Ok, so cruise ship cabin or cargo ship cabin???

[@elcastorgrande]

"We all live in a yellow submarine."

[@hugoarturodelagarza2926]

small difference with passangers rooms.. jajaja......

[@Jutols]

Are you a 3rd mate yet and if not how much longer

[@JoeFranta]

Not yet. But once I have the hours I will go for it.