Tag Archives: crew

Free WhatsApp for Holland America Crew

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Oosterdam

Holland America Line is giving crew free WhatsApp access across its fleet in time for the holidays.

Holland America Line also launched its Crew Self-Service (CSS) platform, which gives crew free access to their employment information.

“Our crew members are at the heart of our operation, and we know how important it is for them to be able to communicate with their loved ones from anywhere in the world, especially over the holidays,” said Orlando Ashford, Holland America Line’s president, in a statement.

“We’re always looking for ways to ensure our crew know how much we value and appreciate them, and we’re happy to be able to offer WhatsApp along with other new applications like CSS to make communications easier and more efficient for them.”

Through the CSS system, shipboard employees can access their contact details, see port details, rotation schedules and more. An announcements board within CSS enables the company to communicate directly with all crew electronically.

Missing Crew in NYC Force New Rules

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Manhattan Cruise Terminal

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has put in a new temporary restriction regarding crew shore leave in New York and New Jersey following a recent spike in desertions, according to a statement.

“During a two-week period in September 2019, seven crewmembers deserted after being granted shore leave while in the New York/Newark seaport,” a spokesperson said.

The new rules also coincide with the spike in cruise traffic in the Northeast with fall foliage season.

“Crewmembers must now complete five contracts prior to being eligible for shore leave,” the spokesperson said. “CBP recognizes the hardship this may place on crewmembers; however, this protocol is necessary to address the increase of desertions at this port.”

On a recent call overnight call in New York, a senior officer told Cruise Industry News that only 9 per cent of his ship’s crew met the new criteria, which is not in place in other U.S. ports.

QE2 crew on strike amid Ukranian political crisis

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By Phil Davies

QE2 crew on strike amid Ukranian political crisis The crew of the former Cunard flagship QE2 in Dubai is on strike ahead of plans to sail it to China to be refitted as a floating hotel.

Ukrainian workers on the ship say they were not paid in March or April.

Owners Oceanic Group said an agency had been paid and blamed the political situation in Ukraine for difficulties in dealing with crew issues.

The company said it was still planning on eventually locating the vessel in Hong Kong or Singapore where it is due to become a ‘heritage hotel’ with 400 bedrooms and suites.

The BBC said it had obtained a letter from the Ukrainian captain to the ship’s owners stating the 48-strong crew has been on strike since May 15.

Winnie Ip, vice chairman of owners QE2 Holdings Ltd, said: “We are waiting for new crew to replace the existing ones on a sign-on/sign-off rotation basis, but, given the present political situation in Ukraine, it is difficult and a little slow.”

She said the consortium was still committed to sailing the QE2 to a Shanghai shipyard under its own steam for the refit.

Its 900 cabins are to be converted into 400 larger suites as part of the planned £62 million refurbishment.