- Company
- Msc
- Ship
- Sinfonia
I am writing to you anonymously as a current crew member in the cruise industry. I am reaching out because there is no safe internal channel to speak openly, and I believe the issues described below are of legitimate public and industry interest.
What follows is not an isolated complaint, but a pattern of behavior observed over time onboard, involving favoritism, selective enforcement of procedures, and lack of transparency.
One of the most visible issues concerns guests being brought onboard outside approved procedures. Certain officers are able to bring non-family individuals onboard with minimal or informal approval, often through direct personal contact with senior onboard leadership. These approvals appear to bypass the established visitor process entirely.
At the same time, crew members requesting family visits in Brazil are subjected to long and complex approval procedures. Even when all requirements are met, visitor passes have been revoked due to administrative mistakes beyond the crew member’s control. In these cases, crew members have no direct access to decision-makers to resolve the situation, creating a clear double standard.
Another recurring concern involves appointments and promotions linked to personal or family connections with shoreside management. Individuals perceived to have such connections have been placed in positions of authority despite limited experience. Their lack of operational knowledge and empathy has had a direct negative impact on morale and career progression for hardworking crew members who follow proper channels.
There have also been welfare and compliance inspections by external authorities intended to assess onboard life. However, these inspections are consistently escorted by HR representatives, which prevents crew members from speaking honestly. The presence of management during these checks creates fear of retaliation, making transparency impossible and rendering the inspections ineffective.
It is widely believed onboard that management is aware of many of these practices but tolerates them due to personal relationships and long-standing connections. This perceived protection of certain individuals has eroded trust in leadership and discouraged adherence to company policies.
Many crew members feel trapped between the desire to do their jobs professionally and the reality that speaking up can result in negative consequences. This is why this letter is being sent anonymously.
I am sharing this information in the hope that independent attention may lead to greater accountability, fairness, and transparency within the industry.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Respectfully,
A Concerned Crew Member
What follows is not an isolated complaint, but a pattern of behavior observed over time onboard, involving favoritism, selective enforcement of procedures, and lack of transparency.
One of the most visible issues concerns guests being brought onboard outside approved procedures. Certain officers are able to bring non-family individuals onboard with minimal or informal approval, often through direct personal contact with senior onboard leadership. These approvals appear to bypass the established visitor process entirely.
At the same time, crew members requesting family visits in Brazil are subjected to long and complex approval procedures. Even when all requirements are met, visitor passes have been revoked due to administrative mistakes beyond the crew member’s control. In these cases, crew members have no direct access to decision-makers to resolve the situation, creating a clear double standard.
Another recurring concern involves appointments and promotions linked to personal or family connections with shoreside management. Individuals perceived to have such connections have been placed in positions of authority despite limited experience. Their lack of operational knowledge and empathy has had a direct negative impact on morale and career progression for hardworking crew members who follow proper channels.
There have also been welfare and compliance inspections by external authorities intended to assess onboard life. However, these inspections are consistently escorted by HR representatives, which prevents crew members from speaking honestly. The presence of management during these checks creates fear of retaliation, making transparency impossible and rendering the inspections ineffective.
It is widely believed onboard that management is aware of many of these practices but tolerates them due to personal relationships and long-standing connections. This perceived protection of certain individuals has eroded trust in leadership and discouraged adherence to company policies.
Many crew members feel trapped between the desire to do their jobs professionally and the reality that speaking up can result in negative consequences. This is why this letter is being sent anonymously.
I am sharing this information in the hope that independent attention may lead to greater accountability, fairness, and transparency within the industry.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Respectfully,
A Concerned Crew Member
