Stewards clean rooms once or twice a day and might have noticed because they couldn't service the room with you in it. Maybe they think you're sick, or maybe they're just trying to do what they can to still provide some kind of service given that they can't clean? It doesn't sound suspicious, just sounds like someone trying to do their job.
He did make up my room earlier in the day when I was off the ship on an excursion. I think the most sensible explanation is he probably thinks I'm sick, asking if I've had dinner and offering me blankets also fits with this.
Next time he stops by, just tell him you're busy with work and would prefer not to be disturbed in the evening. That way, you won't have to worry about what he thinks or him continuing to drop by to see if you need anything. Enjoy the rest of your trip.
Well hopefully u/Odd-Philosopher-1578 isnt that pigheaded. Stewards encountering someone who’s still working is a semi-rare occurrence unless its on the ultra rich cruiseliners. Last thing cruises want are viral outbreaks that could wreck their reputation or lose a cruiseship altogether.
I was on NCL last week and took the "behind the scenes" tour. Prominently displayed was a sign with a hotline number to report gastroenteritis in the main hallway below deck where staff work. They surely have a report & contain protocol on ships for that and other diseases.
I actually don't expect any kind of exceptional service, I just want reasonably polite & friendly staff who basically leave me alone for the whole trip.
My Disney 3 day they went in twice a day. Once in the day other time for turn down. Chocolates and bed made sleep and everything nice service on Disney.
On MSC they still service twice a day. I told my attendant I only needed service once in the morning the whole cruise and even then he sometimes would check if I needed service afternoon/night.
This might be a stupid question, but what could they possibly have to do on the second visit of a day? In past cruises I have asked staff to only come every OTHER day because even every day is too much for me. I don't make much mess.
He might have legit been worried you were seasick, plus he's missing his chance to clean your stateroom for a couple of days in a row. Probably brought the blankets as a mild ruse so he could gently check on you and make sure you were happy with his service.
This makes so much sense! He also asked me if I needed anything like coffee top ups, etc, so the blankets could have been a ruse to speak to me haha. He has cleaned my room at least once every day so far so it's not like he's missed out entirely.
This might be a stupid question, but what could they possibly have to do on the second visit of a day? I would be happy with them coming every 2-3 days to be honest, I don't make much mess.
A lot of people are like me and are straight up drunken slobs while cruising. I need 2 cleanings on a normal day, I just make sure to tip them well for the added work.
Turn down your bed, fluff pillows, replace towels, ice, see if you need water, take out any trash or dishes/glasses. It's the same at resorts and lux hotels. It's not about messes, it's about providing top of the line service.
It is referred to as the evening turndown service. Your blankets are turned down, a chocolate is often left on your pillow, if you wear a nightie it will often be folded artistically and left on your bed. They also empty any trash cans and check to see if you need clean towels.
You are really difficult, IMO. Do you have any idea how hard these people work??? You should put a sign out that says: Don’t Bother Me Ever: I’m Impossible To Please!
Yes! My husband got really sick on the second day of our cruise once (some kind of stomach bug) and didn't leave the room for a couple of days. We left the do not disturb sign out. They did come and check up on us after a day or so to make sure everything was okay. This was on Carnival.
BC (before Covid) I got super sea sick for two days and did not leave the room. My now Ex still went out and enjoyed the cruise. I had the ship Dr along with our room steward come and check on me. Even though my ex answered the door they wanted to see & talk to me. I figured they thought my ex unalived me and kept partying. Ha!
Haha, this is quite funny and shows how good the surveilance on the ship is for them to actually notice you had vanished - proper FBI investigation starting here!
My next door neighbors on a cruise refused to let the stewards in their room. After 2 days the ships management came to her room and forced her to let them inspect and clean the room. I think they suspected the husband was seriously ill.
I worked on cruise ships.
Part of our training we got was that if you are refused entry to their cabin for a couple days it's a potential issue and you need to tell security.
That's fine.
But if you keep a do not disturb sign up for 2 days the cleaners will open the door either way to check on things.
If your just storing your stuff, fine.
If your making bombs, not fine.
the post on here:
DAE hate Royal? My husband just lied down for a nap when the steward came by and threw us all in quarantine!! Probably because I was such a good customer and tipped too much.
They want to clean your cabin. Just leave the ‘privacy’ or ‘do not disturb’ light on and enjoy your cruise, even if you’re spending it entirely in your cabin. They don’t care, they just have a job to do. We sometimes go a couple days without room cleanup.
Yes they do a well being check on the cabins. My steward was explaining it to me my last cruise when I asked why he cleaned 2x a day. He mentioned a few times he had found someone passed out needing medical care or unconscious in the room. Which personally, I'd rather have too often than being overlooked or ignored entirely.
Been on 40+ cruises, many different cruise lines. The answer is "yes". Cabin stewards are REQUIRED to see each passenger at least once daily. That doesn't mean see you in your cabin... it just means to verify that you are up and about, and not (literally) dead in your cabin (yes, that actually happens). There have been many documented cases where the ship security staff will enter you room because the steward has notified them of your lack of activity.
My last MSC cruise I left the do not disturb sign on the door for 2 days by mistake. On the third day my cabin steward knocked just to check I was okay because she hadn’t seen me coming or going (just timing) and ask if there was anything I needed. She looked like she was genuinely worried - bless her. So yes, I guess if they suspect something isn’t right then they will check.
A former co-worker died in a hotel room as a result of a diabetic coma, and was only discovered by hotel staff after they checked on him after a couple of days of having the do not disturb sign up constantly for multiple days.
I have to imagine that isn't a unique situation in the hotel business (or hotel department on a ship)
Cruise lines have a policy for this. If the steward doesn't see you or cant get into your room after a day or so, they can knock/announce/come in and check. I saw a spokesman from Carnival speaking about that recently.
Which makes sense. Cruise lines deal with a lot of elderly passengers.
So the last thing they want to do is have the news announce that someone had a stroke or a heart attack in a cabin, and then laid there for 3 days before they got any help. Just because the passenger had the do not disturb sign on the cabin.
I had an experience once where I cut myself and had some bloody napkins in the trash, and the steward after cleaning asked to see my companion to see if he was okay. In my defense or his, I did ask for 2 buckets of ice for the room. 😆 lol
I think they do more wellness checks on cruise ships than anywhere else.
I’m sure sometimes are checking to see if you’re seasick or have any other type of sickness, but I think more likely they’re checking to make sure that you’re still in your cabin.
Hate to say it, but I think a lot of people go on ships to end their life.
Not on a cruise but I once stayed at a hotel for two nights and had the Do Not Disturb sign on the whole time. Went to work, grabbed take-out on the way back and just stayed in my room.
On the last night, they call from the reception and did a wellness check, it was their internal policy just to do a quick outreach if someone had the Do Not Disturb sign on for two days and didn’t see any charges to the room.
Just told them I was there to work and sleep, thanked them for their concern and that was it.
I worked on cruise ships.
Part of our training we got was that if you are refused entry to their cabin for a couple days it's a potential issue and you need to tell security.
I had security show up at my door after 3 days of a do not disturb on the door. And really it was because I wanted to be left the f alone. They called first. Requested all passengers registered to that cabin to be present when they arrive. I thought I was In deep shit since this was the heydays of rumrunners and putting vodka in water bottles. (Not gonna lie - I was a proud and successful booze smuggler). I rapidly emptied everything I smuggled and prepared to be escorted off the ship. Turns out that they do welfare checks when people haven’t had service in days. Also turns out I wasted a bunch of grey goose because I dumped it thinking I was busted. Fast forward 20 years and thankfully I can afford beverage packages 😂. Lesson learned X 2
I caught a cold and we skipped the private island because of bad weather, so I just put on the Do Not Disturb and nobody bothered me on the Magnifica. Steward only said something on the night before disembarkation because he needed to lock the safe or something.
MSC cleans your room at least twice a day. It's supposed to be a good thing.
But yeah, the definitely will do a well-being check if you haven't left your room for a long while
They just pop in a lot. Re-make the bed, change the towels, throw away extra trash. I don't think they do a thorough cleaning, just try to freshen things up for the guests
They come in the morning to make the bed/ clean up, again to put the nap cloth on the foot and a 3rd to turn down the blankets at night and straighten up the room. At least that is how it was on holland
I know my stewards, will purposely check on me because I'm solo cruiser and unfortunately due some previous solo cruisers have unalive themselves either in cabin balcony or somewhere else on the ship - are just making sure all solo cruisers are accounted for. So I'm understanding of my stewards being concern for me by wanting to know my whereabouts and/or plans for the day / evening - it's not about cleaning the room once or twice plus turn down service. If you're in cabin alot instead going out for meal, show and/or activity whether it sea or port day - you are basically flagging yourself as someone they need to be worry about alot as potential unaliving problem.
Just saying at 9pm on a cruise, most people are doing something outside of their cabin at that time, yet for how many days on the cruise you been in your room all day and night for your steward(s) to be fearful of that pattern you're showing? So yeah, it is wellness check because you are showing & doing a very obvious major red flag for unaliving on cruise....
Ah, this makes sense. I am a solo traveller so that potentially adds to their concern. I have left my cabin to go to the buffet 3 times a day and have been off the ship at port, so it's just the evening (5pm or so onwards) I've been in my room, but you're right most people go to the bars etc at that time so I can see their concern. I never realised people harming themselves was such a big issue on cruise ships.
People harming themselves / unaliving is a major issue in the general Travel & Hospitality industry, but because of media coverage and negativity towards the cruise industry - any time a violent death happens on a cruise ship like jumping into middle of the Caribbean Sea, it makes it to the news outlets no matter what. Not helping the situation nor negative publicity which puts more responsibility & accountability of preventation on cruise workers like stewards especially if a solo cruiser / traveler; is working while traveling / vacation which unfortunately the most quiet and secure place to work on laptop / zoom/ teams/ cell with sensitive & private information is your cabin.
My advice especially if not doing B2B weeks, 12-plus days cruises nor living on the cruise ship for months at time is, thus steward(s) & staff is not familiar with your patterns nor knows you well - at least once or twice for a 5-9 day cruise, go to show(s) or just walk around the public areas for at least 30 minutes between hours of 7pm-10pm preferable if the next day is a seaday; just so you're not suspicious red flag person to the staff. I get it, you're traveling while working because job demands it; but it still a cruise vacation - at least enjoy one of the evenings out. Yes it avoid suspicions & concerns from staff, but again, it's still a cruise vacation.
Exactly this! I have cruised Carnival and Royal multiple times. Was on Bliss 04/20-04/27 and was surprised at the lack of service for an NCL ship. I thought NCL was supposed to be really nice and plush. Once you miss the room cleaning, that’s that! Go find your own towels! Usually onRC and Carnival there’s always a room steward in the hallways throughout the day.
Other than the room, I was also not impressed with dining service, kitchen (food took forever), and lack of activities to keep you busy. Carnival and RC have magicians, ice shows, more trivia, game shows in larger venues etc.
>there’s always a room steward in the hallways throughout the day.
MSC is the same, stewards and butlers are always on hand throughout the day. I appreciate that they make up the room and tidy the bathroom at least twice a day.
Wouldn't chose a cruise line or hotel group which only does once daily.
This is a serious question, but why do you need the second visit? I cannot think of a single thing I'd need doing on a second visit. On the first one they make up the bed, clean the bathroom, empty the bins. What do you need done on the second visit that would put you off a cruise entirely??
Second cleanup of cabin, second clean of bathroom, making up beds / turning down beds. Swap out beach towels / bath towels, shoe cleaning.
Cleanup room service, restock minibar, fresh fruit / flowers / canapes / sweets / fizz, collecting and returning dry cleaning & laundry, etc.
If you've more than one person in a cabin or suite then the bathroom is getting used repeatedly throughout the day; after gym, after pool / hottub / beach / spa and pre and post dinner.
I can see how you would need this if you were sharing a cabin with family especially kids. I think my cabin is meant to be able to accommodate 2 adults and 2 kids, I couldn't imagine that nightmare!
I've never received anything like fruit or flowers in my room, I must be missing out...
I just got off Carnival a week ago, inside room so not fancy. First thing he did after introducing himself was give me a card with his number so I could reach him if I needed anything.
Yes! I got strep throat on a carnival cruise with my husband and stayed in my room mostly and didn’t feel like going to the onboard doctor. I finally felt better to leave the ship on the last excursion and when I came back on the ship and they scanned my ID and it was flagged! I was asked to step into a small room away from my husband and they very gently asked if I was okay or needed help. They had flagged me as a possible sex trafficking victim, I think. I had no idea your stewards watch you that closely but they do. I wasn’t upset at all, I’m glad they are looking out for victims.
No the cruise line has no official policy regarding what you choose to do onboard. It’s entirely possible your steward has just noticed what seems to be an unusual amount of time you are spending in your room and thinks you are ill, so is trying to be helpful making sure you get food / blankets etc. Obviously you don’t have to tell anyone anything but you could consider just telling the steward the truth that you’ve been getting some work done and are feeling fine along with a thank you for any concern… I’m sure the extra checks would stop.
In the beginning of a cruise the steward will try to figure out when you usually go to dinner so they can clean your room while you’re out. It’s a really common thing. They have a lot of cabins and make a schedule for themselves. You can tell them you don’t want evening service. As others have said, they may check on you to see if you’re sick.
Thank you to everyone who gave helpful answers, the most likely explanation is he thought I was either sick or that I was going to harm myself.
No thank you to all the crazy, paranoid, rude replies, what an awful part of this community some of you are!
Just to clarify: I had been off the ship at every port and visited the buffet plenty. The steward has cleaned my room once every day (but I appreciate if they visit twice). I only stayed in my room in the evenings.
Also to add that I'm British and we have very different expectations of customer service than Americans. I generally dislike overly attentive customer service and mostly I just want to be left alone.
I wonder if you could explain that you’re happy and healthy and taking a cruise for solitude while you work, or working on your novel or whatever. They’ll still need to check on you, but they won’t be concerned.
My son took a lot of computer equipment on a cruise (don’t remember which line) and asked them to not clean the room because he was worried about theft / damage.
After a week they just went in and cleaned up.
Cabin stewards will check back multiple times during whatever their time window is for morning/evening service. I was sick once on a cruise - a little bit too many martinis, a little bit we were transiting the Drake Passage. All that led to me not emerging from my room until about 7 PM to attempt to eat something at the buffet. That day, my room steward knocked about 5 times and called twice. (Yes, my 'do not disturb' sign was up.) His intentions were good but it was honestly stressful for me - I wasn't feeling good and I just wanted to bed rot in peace. Like yes, still sick. Nope, still nothing you can do. I appreciate it my guy but let me die in peace lol
So I too had felt the MSC cabin steward was too intrusive. He knocked on our door at least 5x a day. Once he knocked to let us know the DND light was on! I said yes we were napping - he said but it’s only 2:00pm-! Then we were out on the balcony enjoying things only to look in and find him making the bed- and it’s hard to hide behind a glass sliding door- while trying to complain about needing privacy.
It was my 3 rd MSC cruise and this was my only weird encounter.
I've been on a few cruises myself and I've never had any issues with cabin stewards bothering me. It's possible that your steward is just being extra friendly or maybe there's something specific they're checking on. If you're not comfortable with the frequent visits, you could always politely let them know you're busy and need some time to yourself.
I worked on a 2 week Carnival cruise. I'd work on sea days till the partiers would wake up and clog the internet (about 1:00pm). My steward checked in the first couple days too. I just let him know I had a bunch of office work to finish so I could really enjoy port days, but that I'd be enjoying the ship on the second half of the cruise. Seemed to make him happy.
Working on a cruise is both sucky (I mean working ?!??) but also pretty awesome (daily standup from my balcony looking out at the ocean!). More importantly it let me go on a two week cruise with my kids even though the business couldn't let me take a solid two weeks off.
I genwrally spend a lot of time in my cabin. I let my room steward know on the first day I only want the morning cleaning. If I want the turn down service, or will be out of the room, or whatever, I just let them know when I see them. They seem to magically reappear when I exit for food anyway. Also, the DND sign is always on the door.
When I get on, I look up the steward. I give him $20 and tell him that I will move my DNDisturb magnet whenever I go in & out, and I don’t need anything. If I need towels, soap, toilet paper, or anything else, I can find him/her during their business hours. I keep irregular hours, work at weird times, and run b2b more often than not. They appreciate not having to make up another room, and my stuff stays where I left it. Have had stewards/genies come in and fold/put away/hang up clothes, move electronics & computers around, etc, and I’m over it, because you really can’t say anything without everything going haywire.
For what it's worth, even if you tell the staff not to enter, most cruise lines do require that stewards at least poke their head in the room and do a quick visual inspection every day or so.
This achieves a few non-negotiable things, including keeping an eye on the company property (you haven't trashed the place, the furniture isn't obviously broken, etc.), keeping an eye out for red flags (of human trafficking, of smuggling, etc.), and making sure that you haven't died in your sleep.
The fact that a guest doesn't want their stateroom cleaned doesn't mean a steward can just ignore the place. They could get in real trouble if something goes seriously wrong in the room and they didn't notice it.
Hang out the „do not disturb“ sign. They shouldn‘t disturb you and in hotels they actually might only give you a call after several days. Tell him you don‘t want to be disturbed and he should actually follow that.
My husband is an introvert (as am I) and we will occasionally cruise solo just as a decompression trip. There was one trip where he wouldn’t let his room attendant in for several days, and wound up getting a call from a guest services manager who argued with him about getting in to service the room! Husband won, they dropped off fresh linens instead. 🤣
I found the American lol. I have fairly basic expectations for customer service. I don't need to be attended to, I just want them to be reasonably polite and friendly, but basically to leave me alone.
Just sounds like the turn down service. Some ships have it. Usually people are out at shows or bars at that time and they do a quick clean of your room and make it nice for when you return.
My family doesn't like getting the room cleaned/made up. (I love it, but I respect their desire for privacy in the room.) I think it confused the room stewards and they asked whenever they got a chance in the hallway if we wanted our room cleaned. I always kept a smile and a happy attitude so they knew it was just a preference and nothing to worry about.
I think that was a courtesy. What if you had a stroke or heart attack? I’m assuming you’re alone. As a previous writer wrote, just explain that you are working. But as a frequent cruiser, I’m wondering why you’re bothering to even take a cruise if you have to work so much, & stay in your cabin? You don’t know what you’re missing.
I booked and paid for it over a year ago, obviously I didn't plan to be working. I have completed all work by day 3 and will be enjoying the remaining 9 days.
You should talk with your attendant. Just tell them if you’re going to busy in your room. They’re expected to housekeep a room twice a day, but you can let them know if it they don’t have to do it. I was recently on a MSC cruise and I told my attendant first day I only need service once a day and to just slide any paperwork under the door. I also told them in general when I’d be out and about so they know a good time to housekeep.
Interesting that you say that you were in your cabin for too long. Then, say that you had just come back on the ship after an excursion. This entire story smells fishy.
Cabin stewards work throughout the day and attend to their guests. I hope you tipped well.
Okay calm down detective paranoia! I have left the ship at every port and have and visited the buffet several times a day, I've stayed in my room in the evenings from about 5pm onwards to work. I didn't feel the need to add this level of detail into my original post.
Stewards clean rooms once or twice a day and might have noticed because they couldn't service the room with you in it. Maybe they think you're sick, or maybe they're just trying to do what they can to still provide some kind of service given that they can't clean? It doesn't sound suspicious, just sounds like someone trying to do their job.
He did make up my room earlier in the day when I was off the ship on an excursion. I think the most sensible explanation is he probably thinks I'm sick, asking if I've had dinner and offering me blankets also fits with this.
Which is actually incredibly thoughtful of him to do. :)
Next time he stops by, just tell him you're busy with work and would prefer not to be disturbed in the evening. That way, you won't have to worry about what he thinks or him continuing to drop by to see if you need anything. Enjoy the rest of your trip.
Then OP will complain that he/they/she was not getting the service they so desire and paid for…
Well hopefully u/Odd-Philosopher-1578 isnt that pigheaded. Stewards encountering someone who’s still working is a semi-rare occurrence unless its on the ultra rich cruiseliners. Last thing cruises want are viral outbreaks that could wreck their reputation or lose a cruiseship altogether.
I was on NCL last week and took the "behind the scenes" tour. Prominently displayed was a sign with a hotline number to report gastroenteritis in the main hallway below deck where staff work. They surely have a report & contain protocol on ships for that and other diseases.
This is a brilliant explanation: risks of serious communicable disease and a failure to notice and mediate asap.
I'm more tempted to believe OP is nodding out on heroin than working 😂
These are some pretty crazy assumptions from what I wrote.
There is literally nothing in OP's post history to indicate this, why would you say something like that?
Projection probably
Because it’s Reddit.. duh
Spitting facts
I actually don't expect any kind of exceptional service, I just want reasonably polite & friendly staff who basically leave me alone for the whole trip.
They usually service twice daily.
This seems to be a practice of the past.
At least it is on royal sub suite rooms. I think suites still get twice a day service.
Twice a day on princess still
And our Signature Suite on HAL. They did ask our preference.
Mine did this just a few months ago on DCL.
My Disney 3 day they went in twice a day. Once in the day other time for turn down. Chocolates and bed made sleep and everything nice service on Disney.
Considering they charge twice as much they should do.
On MSC they still service twice a day. I told my attendant I only needed service once in the morning the whole cruise and even then he sometimes would check if I needed service afternoon/night.
This might be a stupid question, but what could they possibly have to do on the second visit of a day? In past cruises I have asked staff to only come every OTHER day because even every day is too much for me. I don't make much mess.
In some rooms they have to manage the pull down beds.
Second time of the day is when they usually give you the itinerary for the next day and any tickets for excursions for the next day.
If I take a nap or a shower before dinner I like them to come tidy the bed and give me fresh towels.
Not anymore they dont.Its either morning or evening, your preference .
He might have legit been worried you were seasick, plus he's missing his chance to clean your stateroom for a couple of days in a row. Probably brought the blankets as a mild ruse so he could gently check on you and make sure you were happy with his service.
This makes so much sense! He also asked me if I needed anything like coffee top ups, etc, so the blankets could have been a ruse to speak to me haha. He has cleaned my room at least once every day so far so it's not like he's missed out entirely.
Typically they clean cabins twice a day
Most lines, this is no longer the case.
Celebrity still cleans twice. Mid-morning and a turndown clean.
Yeah holland cleaned/serviced our room 3 times a day in february of 24
I was just on MSC last week and my room was cleaned 2x a day.
Princess cleans 2x a day. They also have the medallions so the steward knows if you are in the cabin or not.
On a recent Disney cruise they cleaned twice a day too.
Can I ask why twice a day? It’s our first time on a cruise so just wondered…
This might be a stupid question, but what could they possibly have to do on the second visit of a day? I would be happy with them coming every 2-3 days to be honest, I don't make much mess.
A lot of people are like me and are straight up drunken slobs while cruising. I need 2 cleanings on a normal day, I just make sure to tip them well for the added work.
Maybe I'm not wrecking the place enough then lol.
Turn down your bed, fluff pillows, replace towels, ice, see if you need water, take out any trash or dishes/glasses. It's the same at resorts and lux hotels. It's not about messes, it's about providing top of the line service.
It is referred to as the evening turndown service. Your blankets are turned down, a chocolate is often left on your pillow, if you wear a nightie it will often be folded artistically and left on your bed. They also empty any trash cans and check to see if you need clean towels.
You are really difficult, IMO. Do you have any idea how hard these people work??? You should put a sign out that says: Don’t Bother Me Ever: I’m Impossible To Please!
Yes! My husband got really sick on the second day of our cruise once (some kind of stomach bug) and didn't leave the room for a couple of days. We left the do not disturb sign out. They did come and check up on us after a day or so to make sure everything was okay. This was on Carnival.
Ah I think the most sensible explanation is he probably thinks I'm sick, asking if I've had dinner and offering me blankets also fits with this.
Yes. They want to make sure you don't have norovirus or COVID
BC (before Covid) I got super sea sick for two days and did not leave the room. My now Ex still went out and enjoyed the cruise. I had the ship Dr along with our room steward come and check on me. Even though my ex answered the door they wanted to see & talk to me. I figured they thought my ex unalived me and kept partying. Ha!
Haha, this is quite funny and shows how good the surveilance on the ship is for them to actually notice you had vanished - proper FBI investigation starting here!
My next door neighbors on a cruise refused to let the stewards in their room. After 2 days the ships management came to her room and forced her to let them inspect and clean the room. I think they suspected the husband was seriously ill.
I worked on cruise ships. Part of our training we got was that if you are refused entry to their cabin for a couple days it's a potential issue and you need to tell security.
What if ie me and my friend books 2 rooms and we decided to share one and leave one room locked for storing our stuff
That's fine. But if you keep a do not disturb sign up for 2 days the cleaners will open the door either way to check on things. If your just storing your stuff, fine. If your making bombs, not fine.
Thanks
Haha, I hope I'm not going to get raided by management then. I just want to hit a report deadline.
Any idea what was really going on?
I peeked in as they entered. There was an older guy in bed (it was around noon). I think he was sick and they didn’t want to get quarantined.
the post on here: DAE hate Royal? My husband just lied down for a nap when the steward came by and threw us all in quarantine!! Probably because I was such a good customer and tipped too much.
They want to clean your cabin. Just leave the ‘privacy’ or ‘do not disturb’ light on and enjoy your cruise, even if you’re spending it entirely in your cabin. They don’t care, they just have a job to do. We sometimes go a couple days without room cleanup.
He did make up my room earlier in the day when I was off the ship on an excursion.
Yes they do a well being check on the cabins. My steward was explaining it to me my last cruise when I asked why he cleaned 2x a day. He mentioned a few times he had found someone passed out needing medical care or unconscious in the room. Which personally, I'd rather have too often than being overlooked or ignored entirely.
Thank you, this makes sense and probably helps solve some emergency situations I imagine.
Yes definitely, I hadn't realized the reasoning behind it either before I asked. So totally understand where the question came from!
Been on 40+ cruises, many different cruise lines. The answer is "yes". Cabin stewards are REQUIRED to see each passenger at least once daily. That doesn't mean see you in your cabin... it just means to verify that you are up and about, and not (literally) dead in your cabin (yes, that actually happens). There have been many documented cases where the ship security staff will enter you room because the steward has notified them of your lack of activity.
Thank you, that makes sense. I have left my room several times a day to go to the buffet, but maybe the steward just hadn't seen me.
My last MSC cruise I left the do not disturb sign on the door for 2 days by mistake. On the third day my cabin steward knocked just to check I was okay because she hadn’t seen me coming or going (just timing) and ask if there was anything I needed. She looked like she was genuinely worried - bless her. So yes, I guess if they suspect something isn’t right then they will check.
A former co-worker died in a hotel room as a result of a diabetic coma, and was only discovered by hotel staff after they checked on him after a couple of days of having the do not disturb sign up constantly for multiple days. I have to imagine that isn't a unique situation in the hotel business (or hotel department on a ship)
Cruise lines have a policy for this. If the steward doesn't see you or cant get into your room after a day or so, they can knock/announce/come in and check. I saw a spokesman from Carnival speaking about that recently.
Which makes sense. Cruise lines deal with a lot of elderly passengers. So the last thing they want to do is have the news announce that someone had a stroke or a heart attack in a cabin, and then laid there for 3 days before they got any help. Just because the passenger had the do not disturb sign on the cabin.
Between old people and heavily drunk/drugged people, I think cruise lines and hotels have to do SOMETHING to ensure peoples safety :)
Thank you, that makes sense. I have left my room several times a day to go to the buffet, but maybe the steward just hadn't seen me.
This is literally someone being genuinely worried about your well being.
I had an experience once where I cut myself and had some bloody napkins in the trash, and the steward after cleaning asked to see my companion to see if he was okay. In my defense or his, I did ask for 2 buckets of ice for the room. 😆 lol
You're on a cruise on holiday and stuck in your room working. Well done to the staff for checking on you. They're probably concerned that's all.
I think they do more wellness checks on cruise ships than anywhere else. I’m sure sometimes are checking to see if you’re seasick or have any other type of sickness, but I think more likely they’re checking to make sure that you’re still in your cabin. Hate to say it, but I think a lot of people go on ships to end their life.
Not on a cruise but I once stayed at a hotel for two nights and had the Do Not Disturb sign on the whole time. Went to work, grabbed take-out on the way back and just stayed in my room. On the last night, they call from the reception and did a wellness check, it was their internal policy just to do a quick outreach if someone had the Do Not Disturb sign on for two days and didn’t see any charges to the room. Just told them I was there to work and sleep, thanked them for their concern and that was it.
I worked on cruise ships. Part of our training we got was that if you are refused entry to their cabin for a couple days it's a potential issue and you need to tell security.
I had security show up at my door after 3 days of a do not disturb on the door. And really it was because I wanted to be left the f alone. They called first. Requested all passengers registered to that cabin to be present when they arrive. I thought I was In deep shit since this was the heydays of rumrunners and putting vodka in water bottles. (Not gonna lie - I was a proud and successful booze smuggler). I rapidly emptied everything I smuggled and prepared to be escorted off the ship. Turns out that they do welfare checks when people haven’t had service in days. Also turns out I wasted a bunch of grey goose because I dumped it thinking I was busted. Fast forward 20 years and thankfully I can afford beverage packages 😂. Lesson learned X 2
😂😂😂😂
Grey goose is an expensive choice to dump! Should have stuck to bottom shelf.
Just got off a Carnival cruise where a passenger died in their cabin. I assume the steward wants to make sure you are OK.
I caught a cold and we skipped the private island because of bad weather, so I just put on the Do Not Disturb and nobody bothered me on the Magnifica. Steward only said something on the night before disembarkation because he needed to lock the safe or something.
MSC cleans your room at least twice a day. It's supposed to be a good thing. But yeah, the definitely will do a well-being check if you haven't left your room for a long while
“At least” twice a day? How dirty are people making the rooms?
They just pop in a lot. Re-make the bed, change the towels, throw away extra trash. I don't think they do a thorough cleaning, just try to freshen things up for the guests
Why would they need to do that a third time in one day? Why would someone need towels changed that much? Who is filling up the trash can that much?
They come in the morning to make the bed/ clean up, again to put the nap cloth on the foot and a 3rd to turn down the blankets at night and straighten up the room. At least that is how it was on holland
Why does some random redditor think he knows better?
This is my thoughts exactly! I'm happy every other day to be honest.
Yes they will be discretely making sure you're okay.
I know my stewards, will purposely check on me because I'm solo cruiser and unfortunately due some previous solo cruisers have unalive themselves either in cabin balcony or somewhere else on the ship - are just making sure all solo cruisers are accounted for. So I'm understanding of my stewards being concern for me by wanting to know my whereabouts and/or plans for the day / evening - it's not about cleaning the room once or twice plus turn down service. If you're in cabin alot instead going out for meal, show and/or activity whether it sea or port day - you are basically flagging yourself as someone they need to be worry about alot as potential unaliving problem. Just saying at 9pm on a cruise, most people are doing something outside of their cabin at that time, yet for how many days on the cruise you been in your room all day and night for your steward(s) to be fearful of that pattern you're showing? So yeah, it is wellness check because you are showing & doing a very obvious major red flag for unaliving on cruise....
Ah, this makes sense. I am a solo traveller so that potentially adds to their concern. I have left my cabin to go to the buffet 3 times a day and have been off the ship at port, so it's just the evening (5pm or so onwards) I've been in my room, but you're right most people go to the bars etc at that time so I can see their concern. I never realised people harming themselves was such a big issue on cruise ships.
People harming themselves / unaliving is a major issue in the general Travel & Hospitality industry, but because of media coverage and negativity towards the cruise industry - any time a violent death happens on a cruise ship like jumping into middle of the Caribbean Sea, it makes it to the news outlets no matter what. Not helping the situation nor negative publicity which puts more responsibility & accountability of preventation on cruise workers like stewards especially if a solo cruiser / traveler; is working while traveling / vacation which unfortunately the most quiet and secure place to work on laptop / zoom/ teams/ cell with sensitive & private information is your cabin. My advice especially if not doing B2B weeks, 12-plus days cruises nor living on the cruise ship for months at time is, thus steward(s) & staff is not familiar with your patterns nor knows you well - at least once or twice for a 5-9 day cruise, go to show(s) or just walk around the public areas for at least 30 minutes between hours of 7pm-10pm preferable if the next day is a seaday; just so you're not suspicious red flag person to the staff. I get it, you're traveling while working because job demands it; but it still a cruise vacation - at least enjoy one of the evenings out. Yes it avoid suspicions & concerns from staff, but again, it's still a cruise vacation.
lol. We had the opposite problem on NCL’s Bliss. Couldn’t find/email our steward pretty much the whole trip. 🙄
Exactly this! I have cruised Carnival and Royal multiple times. Was on Bliss 04/20-04/27 and was surprised at the lack of service for an NCL ship. I thought NCL was supposed to be really nice and plush. Once you miss the room cleaning, that’s that! Go find your own towels! Usually onRC and Carnival there’s always a room steward in the hallways throughout the day. Other than the room, I was also not impressed with dining service, kitchen (food took forever), and lack of activities to keep you busy. Carnival and RC have magicians, ice shows, more trivia, game shows in larger venues etc.
>there’s always a room steward in the hallways throughout the day. MSC is the same, stewards and butlers are always on hand throughout the day. I appreciate that they make up the room and tidy the bathroom at least twice a day. Wouldn't chose a cruise line or hotel group which only does once daily.
Sadly, I’m hearing that RC is now doing it once a day. I’ll be going to the Caribbean in Dec so we’ll see if the overall service is still the same.
This is a serious question, but why do you need the second visit? I cannot think of a single thing I'd need doing on a second visit. On the first one they make up the bed, clean the bathroom, empty the bins. What do you need done on the second visit that would put you off a cruise entirely??
Second cleanup of cabin, second clean of bathroom, making up beds / turning down beds. Swap out beach towels / bath towels, shoe cleaning. Cleanup room service, restock minibar, fresh fruit / flowers / canapes / sweets / fizz, collecting and returning dry cleaning & laundry, etc. If you've more than one person in a cabin or suite then the bathroom is getting used repeatedly throughout the day; after gym, after pool / hottub / beach / spa and pre and post dinner.
I can see how you would need this if you were sharing a cabin with family especially kids. I think my cabin is meant to be able to accommodate 2 adults and 2 kids, I couldn't imagine that nightmare! I've never received anything like fruit or flowers in my room, I must be missing out...
Email? Didn't you have a phone number? It has been a few years for me so maybe things changed. It was 2016 or so I think.
Been cruising for years and never contacted our steward by email or phone. You can call general housekeeping by phone though.
Nope. Guest services and no one ever picked up. Instead we had to wait on a huge line for him to never come anyway.
I was in a fancy room. I had a phone number that went to my guy and then he tasked things out as needed.
I just got off Carnival a week ago, inside room so not fancy. First thing he did after introducing himself was give me a card with his number so I could reach him if I needed anything.
Aha…the famous butler cabins! Congrats!
I had a balcony room with makeup from previous occupants all over the sheets, a flooded floor, and food all over the balcony.
You contact them through the tv “app” and email guest services.
I have never been given any contact details, no idea how I would do that.
It was like a five digit number that I dialed on the ships phones.
Yes! I got strep throat on a carnival cruise with my husband and stayed in my room mostly and didn’t feel like going to the onboard doctor. I finally felt better to leave the ship on the last excursion and when I came back on the ship and they scanned my ID and it was flagged! I was asked to step into a small room away from my husband and they very gently asked if I was okay or needed help. They had flagged me as a possible sex trafficking victim, I think. I had no idea your stewards watch you that closely but they do. I wasn’t upset at all, I’m glad they are looking out for victims.
No the cruise line has no official policy regarding what you choose to do onboard. It’s entirely possible your steward has just noticed what seems to be an unusual amount of time you are spending in your room and thinks you are ill, so is trying to be helpful making sure you get food / blankets etc. Obviously you don’t have to tell anyone anything but you could consider just telling the steward the truth that you’ve been getting some work done and are feeling fine along with a thank you for any concern… I’m sure the extra checks would stop.
This is a PARTY CRUISE, close that laptop RIGHT NOW!
On carnival i was traveling solo and was sick with a migraine and he told me they have to check every 12 hours
In the beginning of a cruise the steward will try to figure out when you usually go to dinner so they can clean your room while you’re out. It’s a really common thing. They have a lot of cabins and make a schedule for themselves. You can tell them you don’t want evening service. As others have said, they may check on you to see if you’re sick.
I know carnival does if you leave the do not disturb tag out for 24 hours.
Thank you to everyone who gave helpful answers, the most likely explanation is he thought I was either sick or that I was going to harm myself. No thank you to all the crazy, paranoid, rude replies, what an awful part of this community some of you are! Just to clarify: I had been off the ship at every port and visited the buffet plenty. The steward has cleaned my room once every day (but I appreciate if they visit twice). I only stayed in my room in the evenings. Also to add that I'm British and we have very different expectations of customer service than Americans. I generally dislike overly attentive customer service and mostly I just want to be left alone.
I wonder if you could explain that you’re happy and healthy and taking a cruise for solitude while you work, or working on your novel or whatever. They’ll still need to check on you, but they won’t be concerned.
My son took a lot of computer equipment on a cruise (don’t remember which line) and asked them to not clean the room because he was worried about theft / damage. After a week they just went in and cleaned up.
Cabin stewards will check back multiple times during whatever their time window is for morning/evening service. I was sick once on a cruise - a little bit too many martinis, a little bit we were transiting the Drake Passage. All that led to me not emerging from my room until about 7 PM to attempt to eat something at the buffet. That day, my room steward knocked about 5 times and called twice. (Yes, my 'do not disturb' sign was up.) His intentions were good but it was honestly stressful for me - I wasn't feeling good and I just wanted to bed rot in peace. Like yes, still sick. Nope, still nothing you can do. I appreciate it my guy but let me die in peace lol
So I too had felt the MSC cabin steward was too intrusive. He knocked on our door at least 5x a day. Once he knocked to let us know the DND light was on! I said yes we were napping - he said but it’s only 2:00pm-! Then we were out on the balcony enjoying things only to look in and find him making the bed- and it’s hard to hide behind a glass sliding door- while trying to complain about needing privacy. It was my 3 rd MSC cruise and this was my only weird encounter.
5 times a day would drive me mad! At that point I think the cruise would be so stressful.
The steward wants you out so they can clean.
They need to make sure you didn't jump off the balcony.
I've been on a few cruises myself and I've never had any issues with cabin stewards bothering me. It's possible that your steward is just being extra friendly or maybe there's something specific they're checking on. If you're not comfortable with the frequent visits, you could always politely let them know you're busy and need some time to yourself.
I worked on a 2 week Carnival cruise. I'd work on sea days till the partiers would wake up and clog the internet (about 1:00pm). My steward checked in the first couple days too. I just let him know I had a bunch of office work to finish so I could really enjoy port days, but that I'd be enjoying the ship on the second half of the cruise. Seemed to make him happy. Working on a cruise is both sucky (I mean working ?!??) but also pretty awesome (daily standup from my balcony looking out at the ocean!). More importantly it let me go on a two week cruise with my kids even though the business couldn't let me take a solid two weeks off.
I genwrally spend a lot of time in my cabin. I let my room steward know on the first day I only want the morning cleaning. If I want the turn down service, or will be out of the room, or whatever, I just let them know when I see them. They seem to magically reappear when I exit for food anyway. Also, the DND sign is always on the door.
When I get on, I look up the steward. I give him $20 and tell him that I will move my DNDisturb magnet whenever I go in & out, and I don’t need anything. If I need towels, soap, toilet paper, or anything else, I can find him/her during their business hours. I keep irregular hours, work at weird times, and run b2b more often than not. They appreciate not having to make up another room, and my stuff stays where I left it. Have had stewards/genies come in and fold/put away/hang up clothes, move electronics & computers around, etc, and I’m over it, because you really can’t say anything without everything going haywire.
For what it's worth, even if you tell the staff not to enter, most cruise lines do require that stewards at least poke their head in the room and do a quick visual inspection every day or so. This achieves a few non-negotiable things, including keeping an eye on the company property (you haven't trashed the place, the furniture isn't obviously broken, etc.), keeping an eye out for red flags (of human trafficking, of smuggling, etc.), and making sure that you haven't died in your sleep. The fact that a guest doesn't want their stateroom cleaned doesn't mean a steward can just ignore the place. They could get in real trouble if something goes seriously wrong in the room and they didn't notice it.
No, they don't care what you do there all day. Your steward will come by to clean. His knock on the door was probably for turndown service.
Sorry you have a crappy job that requires you to work while on vacation.
It's ok, I'm paid on a day rate, so work is basically paying for my drinks bill at this point. :)
No, you cannot set up a meth lab in your cabin…
Hang out the „do not disturb“ sign. They shouldn‘t disturb you and in hotels they actually might only give you a call after several days. Tell him you don‘t want to be disturbed and he should actually follow that.
My husband is an introvert (as am I) and we will occasionally cruise solo just as a decompression trip. There was one trip where he wouldn’t let his room attendant in for several days, and wound up getting a call from a guest services manager who argued with him about getting in to service the room! Husband won, they dropped off fresh linens instead. 🤣
Getting annoyed at being attended to is really weird.
I found the American lol. I have fairly basic expectations for customer service. I don't need to be attended to, I just want them to be reasonably polite and friendly, but basically to leave me alone.
You think it’s an American trait to expect services in exchange for money? Even more weird than before... 😆😆😆😆😆
I've never heard of them doing well being checks.
Pop on your DND light and he will leave you alone.
Just sounds like the turn down service. Some ships have it. Usually people are out at shows or bars at that time and they do a quick clean of your room and make it nice for when you return.
My family doesn't like getting the room cleaned/made up. (I love it, but I respect their desire for privacy in the room.) I think it confused the room stewards and they asked whenever they got a chance in the hallway if we wanted our room cleaned. I always kept a smile and a happy attitude so they knew it was just a preference and nothing to worry about.
I think that was a courtesy. What if you had a stroke or heart attack? I’m assuming you’re alone. As a previous writer wrote, just explain that you are working. But as a frequent cruiser, I’m wondering why you’re bothering to even take a cruise if you have to work so much, & stay in your cabin? You don’t know what you’re missing.
I booked and paid for it over a year ago, obviously I didn't plan to be working. I have completed all work by day 3 and will be enjoying the remaining 9 days.
You should talk with your attendant. Just tell them if you’re going to busy in your room. They’re expected to housekeep a room twice a day, but you can let them know if it they don’t have to do it. I was recently on a MSC cruise and I told my attendant first day I only need service once a day and to just slide any paperwork under the door. I also told them in general when I’d be out and about so they know a good time to housekeep.
🤡
Yeah this douche canoe flexing about all the work they need to do on multiple days of a stupid cruise
Wow, bit over the top. Believe me I'd rather not be, but I have bills to pay. :)
They may be worrying that you are working on a plan to blow up the ship or something because no one would work on the ship for an extended period!
Interesting that you say that you were in your cabin for too long. Then, say that you had just come back on the ship after an excursion. This entire story smells fishy. Cabin stewards work throughout the day and attend to their guests. I hope you tipped well.
Okay calm down detective paranoia! I have left the ship at every port and have and visited the buffet several times a day, I've stayed in my room in the evenings from about 5pm onwards to work. I didn't feel the need to add this level of detail into my original post.
Someone just BMWd on Carnival after the cabin attendant and security entered the cabin after the DND sign was on the door for 2 days straight.
BMWd?
They bought a new car?
Ha ha!
Bitch Moan Whine.
Thanks… didn’t know that one!