Ex- Disney Crew Member Q&A

[@jcraigshelton]

Experienced DCL cruiser here. I sincerely HOPE that other people who are planning on taking a DCL cruise in the future watch these crewmember and ex-crewmember videos. Your fantastic experiences do NOT happen by accident. These people work super friggin hard and long hours for you and your family to have the perfect experience. It may seem effortless but it is not. Tip them like you mean it and be KIND TO THEM PLEASE!

[@blewyd]

You are a legend!

[@sacredsquirrel1643]

Awesome comment!!!

[@sentient7707]

Why are you an experienced DCL cruiser? It has not as much to offer as competition and costs wayy more

[@MrKarmapolice97]

I cruise on DCL at least once a year, I always tip well to cast members and am polite, these guys work really hard.

[@mathewrussell1533]

Feel for the huge amount of crew members on the ship who are not allowed to accept tips.

[@blewyd]

Yup. Cruising is good, bud you need to tip well for the hard working crew members.

[@kauske]

*Disney:* We will prevent any sexual activities by keeping roommates same sex! *Same sex relationships:* Am I a joke to you? *Edit:* Yikes, spammers responding to my comment, do not go to their links kids, it's a trap! Unrelated, thanks for the heart OP.

[@kauske]

@Atlas Kelvin You too, alt account of spammer. And anyone seeing these two spammers, pelas do not follow their directions, it is a scam and you will likely lose your instagram account to them.

[@Tisha502]

I’m interested to know more about the staff levels and the benefits and perks of each one.

[@LM53180]

I appreciate the hard work crew members do to make the experience great for guests. Thank you!

[@coleschubert9868]

6:45 yes I am not alone. When I was cruising in the Bahamas everyone was hyping up Nassau for no reason at all. Nassau is just a market place!

[@polemius01]

Loving Disney & feeling sad about its treatment of Cast/Crew Members are not opposite positions. The best we guests can do is to show appreciation for the workers in any way we can: recommendations on the post-trip survey, smiling, saying " thank you," tipping as well as you're able. But, if I ever get near a Disney executive, s/he'll get a piece of my mind!

[@jeshirekitenkatt1212]

Agreed! Disney is still a corporate entity at the end of the day, operating separate from it's individual creators and staff but still managing how funds and resources are spent, and its deadline is to make money... even at the expense of the people in its employ. If you love Disney, you openly chastise it (and NOT it's employees) when it's doing wrong because otherwise nothing will improve for the staff you actually get to interact with OR guests.. Not because it means you hate Disney, but because it's the only way we have as consumers to help really preserve what's left still 'magical' about it in the first place. That's just kind of the world we live in these days, I guess. It's good to be made aware of these things. And of course everyone should be kind to the cast and crew, they work hard for you.

[@polemius01]

@@jeshirekitenkatt1212 Wise words. Thank you!

[@10531089]

You always have the right to your views and be able to express them, you were measured and to the point, no histrionics or rants so in my book it was all good. Interesting views from the other side so thanks for the upload

[@C2R1]

It's incredibly important for new hires to see this type of video, I don't ever remember seeing something like this, I was fantasy, magic and wonder crew, I was BBB and yes when you have no windows and it is rough sea sickness is awful, also not being able to walk around that made it tough, It was really great to come across your channel I recognised so many fellow crew. sorry not sorry about to watch all other DCL videos from you x

[@michelleambrosino-weber7601]

My Alaska cruise with DCL, I was so appreciative of the lifeguard. His name was Ryan. He made sure that the correct age kids were in Nemo’s Reef (Dory...can’t remember which one now) . My son was 3 at the time and has brittle bones. I was so happy to have a safe space for him to play and that Ryan provided that without even knowing my son’s condition. I definitely filled out a compliment card for his efforts. Do those things do anything for the staff?

[@EJourdanLewis]

This actually makes me more comfortable with the idea of going on a Disney Cruise in general. I like knowing behind the scenes as well as the performance of the cruise itself. Thank you!

[@CorB-qh4co]

I am glad you are sharing. I have so many stories working for Disney cruise line Why should we not share our experience ? Good and bad. I had the most amazing times but also some of my hardest times working for the mouse. The way management run these ships is clique and wrong...It is about who you know and not what you know sadly as a crew member. keep sharing

[@madlikebunnies]

Just wanted to say hi! Fellow past dcl crew/cast member here. Galveston was the absolute worst. The only time I ever got seasick. I think we were on the Wonder at the same time in 2018 or maybe the Fantasy in 2017...but maybe not. Anyway, loving your videos. I feel so seen.

[@RaisaLynn]

Yes! I never had any issues on the Fantasy, that thing was a tank compared to the toy boat that was the Wonder. I'm so glad I worked on the upper deck or else I would have been throwing up all the time. Thanks for watching!

[@morgandavis4334]

I went on my first Disney cruise over New Year’s Eve and it was awesome. I’m obsessed with Disney. ❤️❤️

[@sandrakloszewski7080]

you have the right to speak the truth about your experience my experience with Disney was horrible they treat their employees like animals

[@Roady1013]

so basically the navy but without the tradition and cleaner bathrooms. Seems like fun. cool video marathoning these in kinds of vids in quarantine

[@KaisTheLimit]

toughen up

[@jimsmallwood5746]

Ri, you are an awesome human being. Keep doing you.

[@jessyka74]

Loved your video.... just wish the music in the background didn’t get so loud at times!

[@RaisaLynn]

Ah, thanks for the feedback. Sometimes I forget to listen to my video without headphones on top volume. I'll try to be better about that in the future. :)

[@FoxyStealth]

Agree

[@donroy6503]

That sunken ship was the Costa Concordia. And Ah, Galveston, I am from that area. The dirty looking water of that part of the Gulf of Mexico , looks very uninviting.

[@edvaira6891]

Really enjoyed your recent video (the “Why I resigned...” one)....Sobering to hear about, since both of my kids are about your age (my daughter was an employee for two summers at Legoland California near our home in San Diego and she pretty much liked it, and was considering an offer for a contract on RCL...glad she didn’t, after hearing some of your experiences j

[@RaisaLynn]

Thanks! Obviously, everyone experiences something different on the ships. I don't want to come out and outright say that "you shouldn't work on a ship", but I 100% recommend people who are interested to actually do some research.

[@AD-hq2uz]

Great video. And your opinion was great for people who would not like the same things. Thoss people are just sad.

[@jessmartin7036]

Wait I think I experienced the same storm in the Golf when I was on my ship out of Alabama. It was the craziest day I've ever experienced. I was the only one on my team that wasn't sea sick.

[@cappyjones]

I hope I don't sound too pervy, but I was in the military stationed in far away places with members of the opposite sex. How much...uhh...."commingling" goes on on the ship between cast members? Alaska and Korea were isolated posts so there was quite a bit, so I'm wondering if the same dynamic existed on the ship. 😁

[@alexferg13]

DERRELL!!!! @ 11:35 He’s literally my favorite!

[@JollyHolidaywithMary]

I like you, you're just real. And i totally think you should do you!! I liked your other video. I'd be the same way as you if I was on a ship. I did the college program for like a month and did not like it and Disney didn't care, i was not mentally well after moving there and starting working and I tried to tell them i needed to go back home and they just told me if you do that you will be banned from ever working for Disney the rest of your life. So disappointing. they did not give a crap. It was like "K next." so. idk, i get you.

[@RaisaLynn]

Thank you so much. It feels good to know I'm not crazy. I want to create an environment where others can relate to my experiences and share their own. P.s. your thumbnails are aesthetic af

[@JollyHolidaywithMary]

​@@RaisaLynn oh gosh! thank you!! I'm pretty new so I really appreciate the feedback! You're totally not crazy, and your genuine and open forum style is really welcoming. I felt for a long time that i was the only one who didn't totally jive with the Disney employment atmosphere and it brought me down for a while after i got back home. So i really appreciate your videos. A friend actually told me to watch the cruise one and then i had to watch this one too, it was so refreshing and validating.

[@West103]

Hi I love watching your videos and experiences cuz it helps me stay calm lol. I’m starting a contract on the Disney Wonder and while watching I noticed you said you could be in alot of trouble or fired for being in guest state rooms. My family will come on the ship eventually…would I need to fill out paperwork to stay with them?

[@akaisha0000]

Love these videos! I know this is an older vid and I've not watched anything newer, but the BG music is definitely a tad loud. It's hard to hear you sometimes :)

[@RaisaLynn]

Sorry about that! I was struggling with my editing and finally got some nice studio headphones.

[@nerdypickle]

Cannot hear with the music :/

[@1marilynable]

I always had a feeling it would be hard to work for their cruise line. I can't believe they make you guys stay in one area.

[@JustCallMeAnnie]

Great video, Ri! 🤩

[@funkygirlkathryn]

But what if you get sick what is the sick day policy

[@franksmith8210]

Not that I know you very well, but I feel like we are probably popular opposites as far as personalities and I still think you seem like as good person.

[@nooneherebutuschickens5201]

I enjoyed this video and the one where you talked about why you quit. As a former Disneyland cast member, I completely understand. I left in early 1990 to work for an airline, simply because I couldn't afford to live in Orange County at the rate they were paying, and I couldn't see management as a viable option, either. If you make a followup video, I'd love to know how you got to go on the excursions, especially the Alaska excursions. Were you on them as part of your job, representing the cruise line, or were you on your own time? If you were on your own, did you at least get a discount, I hope? Don't ever apologize for having an opinion, even if it's not popular. All the best to you, wherever life takes you.

[@RaisaLynn]

Thanks so much! I did post a couple videos of the few excursions I got to go on, swimming with sea turtles/stingrays, dog sledding & flying in a float plane. I did have to pay for the dog sledding but I got a crew discount. The rest of them were covered by Disney and the only thing required of me was to fill out a survey about each one. They prefer if we don't disclose that you're crew but you don't get into trouble if you do. I hope that answers a few of your questions.

[@jamesrini7]

Don't second guess yourself !!!

[@m7con506]

What was your typical daily work schedule like?

[@tesskoontz6418]

I’m going on a transatlantic cruise in May with my family! Do you know if it will be rocky or if you think I will get seasick? PS I love your videos (:

[@RaisaLynn]

Thanks so much! I’ve never been on the Magic, I’m not sure what their conditions are on that cruise. It is a smaller ship so if it is rocky, you’ll probably feel it. Look into ginger candies, they’re great.

[@polemius01]

I took the Magic from Barcelona to NYC in September, 2016. Some rough spots, but nothing horrible. I loved all the ship time! Ports were Azores, & two stops in Nova Scotia. You may have different stops. My 11 day trip was less expensive than a Bahamas cruise! Even the veranda rooms! And I learned something: The ocean is BIG!

[@rosalieb9632]

Omg I was on the wonder dec 2017! And there was a huge storm. Were you on the ship??

[@RaisaLynn]

Yep! It was a wild cruise for sure.

[@alimaewilson]

Do you have to have a passport to work for DCL? Current WDW CM, watching videos to see if I want to make the switch when this world goes back to normal.

[@RaisaLynn]

Yes, you do need a passport that won’t expire during your contract. They also train you in a bunch of seafarer things and those certificates are good for like five years if you want to switch cruise lines. If you are a current cm, know that if you switch it’s like applying to a whole other company. You’ll lose your seniority and once you leave cruise line, you’ll need to wait 6 months to apply for another Disney job.

[@germanalibab92]

Yes! Please make more videos so we can SEE YOUR FACE

[@jordanlaica3982]

Hello! So I am a current Lifeguard at WDW and I have a few questions for you. Do y’all have a trauma bag? Do you make cabin calls for illnesses and injuries because the guards have the training? Do you assist in Medivacs? Thanks!

[@RaisaLynn]

Yeah! So each pool has it’s own trauma bag/backboard. We don’t handle anything that didn’t happen on the pool deck, unless we happen to be walking through a guest area. We are the second most trained group to respond in a medical emergency after the doctors onboard, but it’s very rare that we do. We are actually trained to call them to help us respond in certain emergencies or we bring the guests to the medical center ourselves.

[@jordanlaica3982]

@@RaisaLynn ok! I know we don’t respond to room calls unless it is during a hurricane ride out and Reedy Creek can’t respond. How did you guys do IST? Shipboard guarding is just interesting to me versus resort/shoreside guarding

[@RaisaLynn]

Oh totally, we actually train with resort lifeguards before we embark. Then we train on the ship for that specific environment. We do weekly/monthly ist training and if the ship is docked in Florida, the secret lifeguard police will film us every so often, like they do resort guards. (I can’t think of the name of the cert but I hope you know what I mean) Then you get the lifeguards who work on the island and that is a whole other conversation.

[@jordanlaica3982]

@@RaisaLynn ah the Ellis auditors

[@Andrewatlanta]

Blond dude at :45 is awesome-cute!

[@rosalieb9632]

My dream is to be a fairy godmother in BBB. These videos are Kinda scaring me that I wouldn’t be able to handle it mentally 🥺🥺

[@myavallejo]

I love your channel! -A fellow sun devil

[@keylala87]

Yah Panama 🇵🇦 represent!! 😊👍🏼

[@rosalieb9632]

Were you allowed to bring snacks and drinks onto the ship from ports?

[@RaisaLynn]

yes, you can bring stuff on the ship but there are rules on what you can/can't have in your room like dairy products or liquor. Everything gets scanned/searched when you leave and return to the ship.

[@emsch2470]

Hi! What were your average daily hours? About what time did you start/ end? Was it different for port days?

[@adambilling3280]

I know this is an old comment but thought I would offer some insight anyways... For my role I was contracted 10 hours per day and I could have worked more if I wanted to but chose not to. Start and End times change quite often and it's not a standard 10 hour day, you could work for 3 hours then have a break then work for 5 hours before another break and then a final 2 hours. This is only specific to my role on the ship but thought you might have liked to know

[@barbaravyse660]

Music is too loud!

[@Octuly]

Do you Know The Benefits Of Working For Disney Cruises?

[@RaisaLynn]

I have an entire video on the perks of working for DCL :)

[@ashlynwilliams4080]

Wait... you’re from Phx. Az??

[@RaisaLynn]

Sure am. #GoDevils

[@ashlynwilliams4080]

Hi I'm Ri I love watching youtubers from my hometown!

[@tim-hypnotherapist]

Always tell the truth. It is your opinion. You are entitled. Work is work...and you have learned to not eat where you cook.

[@mahamsultan6919]

Just curious, why didn’t you like Nassau? My cruise is coming up soon.

[@BubbleGumzKorner]

Because Nassau is BORING. I have been there on MSC, Royal and HAL. It never changes. Atlantis is over $100pp to go to and it is HUGE and not worth it. Just walk or take a taxi 10min from the port to Junkanoo Beach. It's not the BEST beach if you've been to Half Moon Cay's island via HAL or Carnival, but it's FREE. Nassau is a very disappointing port. If you want to pay for excursions, sure, pay. But just walking around? Do it once and then just stay on the boat next time.

[@BubbleGumzKorner]

Also, check out the ShipMate app and lookup the Nassau port to help you navigate the crazy dangerous port that is Nassau. Mind you, ALL of the Caribbean is dangerous, but the Bahamas non-private islands are so bad, Royal issued warnings on ship and the Bahamas Tourism Minister said no, don't do that. We're safe! Never did anything to MAKE it safer, they just didn't want anyone to say it wasn't.....last year. ShipMateApp let's you go port by port and ask advice, see pics and see excursions and prices. You don't HAVE to buy via ship. You can purchase on your own online with vendor. Or just show up in port. You just have to be back on time!!! shipmateapp.com/

[@RaisaLynn]

couldn't have said it better myself.

[@polemius01]

Hi I'm Ri is correct about the price for the Atlantis shore excursion. It's pricey, and the people who lead the tour could take a few lessons from Disney about how to make the tour come alive. I tend to go ashore on the shopping street, perhaps look at the government buildings. It usually takes less than an hour. The next day, though: CASTAWAY CAY!!!!!!!!!

[@user-bv6ts4fb1h]

Omg I went on a Disney Cruise January and we got off there. Five minutes on that island and I hated it. Granted there was six other cruises docked there so the island was a mad house. So cramped. The people living ok the island were a huge problem. Super rude, super pushy, super manipulative. They kept getting in my families face and pushing items for them to buy. We never left an island so quickly 😐

[@stillageek]

Hey.....you.....you....are....awesome....You Do You!

[@FoxyStealth]

This was v interesting! Good job 👍🏼. The music is a little loud. I had to run it back several times & listen to your words again bc it wasn’t clear bc of the music. Same in last video. Loved your vids though!

[@user-ii4vn8hw7z]

Here's a dandy of a question: What is the protocol for handling guests who inevitably get randy in public spaces? Do you have any stories of such embarrassing encounters and how it was handled? Keep up the great work.

[@emilynevaboliver]

can people send mail or packages to you while you’re on the ship?

[@RaisaLynn]

yeah, just depends where the ship is docked. For example if we were sailing out of Cape Canaveral, that's where we get our mail whenever we were in port there.

[@emilynevaboliver]

awesome!!! thank you!!!!

[@Ceannethomas]

We’re there gaps in between each cruise?

[@RaisaLynn]

They are the dates that I get to go home for "vacation"

[@juniorclovis4663]

Are crew memebers allowed to enter in friends cabin or boyfrurnd and girlfriend? Do crew memebers have relationship with their colleagues?? My girlfriend is on disney dream inda suspicious about her

[@RaisaLynn]

Crew are allowed to visit other crew cabins (with permission of course). There is a large hook-up culture in ship life in general. So yes, many crew do end up dating each other. If you have an issue trusting your partner while she is away, I would suggest communicating that with her and working on your insecurities.

[@juniorclovis4663]

@@RaisaLynn i guess u are right the reason why i asked cause she is on dream she came down for vacation all of a sudden she started tallking about this bartender guy kudero saying his just a friend and she switched up so quick she acts different and forget i supported her through it all n i helped her in so many ways i think sum is up so im jus laying low n trying to see if they got sum going on fr

[@juniorclovis4663]

Can i get your contact info or disney email address ???

[@jacobjames1171]

Could you pass me over that half eaten piece of pizza please.

[@gentrythompson5691]

Girl you should not Care what others think!!

[@RaisaLynn]

trust me, I wish it was that easy

[@daniellilly7591]

Where's your refrigerator??

[@RaisaLynn]

we have mini fridges under our desks

[@daniellilly7591]

@@RaisaLynn He He He...no...not onboard. In your apartment. I see the kitchen but no fridge?!?

[@Ravencross06]

You are so cute.

[@RaisaLynn]

oh stop it, 😊

[@joshl9328]

Why does room mates have to be the same sex?

[@RaisaLynn]

Not sure, I don't make the rules.

[@ghettomarc50]

You can't keep your job if you get pregnant.

[@KaisTheLimit]

take a wild guess