While on our cruise I had the opportunity to chat with our room steward. She was Filipino and had been working the cruise line (Princess) for 8 years. She had a 10 year old daughter her sister was raising for the 9 months per year she was gone. She mentioned that in her own country she would never be able to earn the amount of money earned on the cruise. In talking with others, this is a similar story.
A friend of mine worked for Norweigan as an activity director. Made great money.
I didn't mean my remark as a putdown of the cruise workers. I've taken a couple of cruises and was impressed and a little disturbed at how hard the people worked. I just wonder if there is a pattern of unsanitary practices that is suddenly catching up with the cruise lines.
I also noticed that there is a real heirarchy on those ships. The staff that interact with the passengers as activity directors and the like are all American or European while the cleaning and food service folks are all third-worlders.