Crew Interviews - The Shocking Reality of Cruising During a Pandemic

Editorial Summary

This video features interviews with two Royal Caribbean crew members, Riley and Kate, regarding their experiences working on cruise ships during the pandemic. Riley, a lighting technician stationed in Asia on the Quantum of the Seas, and Kate, an entertainment professional on the Navigator of the Seas in Miami, discuss the sudden shift in their professional lives. They describe the initial signs of the crisis, such as declining guest counts and empty muster drills, followed by periods of voluntary and mandatory quarantine. The crew members detail the changes to daily life, including social distancing measures, limited dining variety due to reduced staffing, and the impact on their employment status. While they initially received pay and access to specialty restaurants, their contracts eventually ended when venues closed. The interviewees also touch upon health protocols, noting that while they avoided major outbreaks, a single fever led to a strict fourteen day quarantine for some. The video concludes with updates on their respective journeys, as Kate begins a transatlantic crossing to return home while Riley remains in Asia without a definitive repatriation plan.

Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.