I really haven’t questioned staff about their circumstances but have had some discussions with a few. I know one couple who both worked for Holland America years and years ago for several years. Their dream was to save enough money to go back to the Philippines and start their own business. They were both bar staff and well known by Holland America regulars some of whom are still in contact with them. The “happy ending” story is that they opened a successful restuarant and bar back home. Forward to a little over two years ago and my wife and I are having a beer in a sidewalk cafe in Kotor, Montenegro. Our server is a young lady about thirty who speaks pretty good English. She is curious about if we’ve come off the cruise ship docked across the street. We say yes and she asks if we like it but more importantly do we think the crew and staff like it. Our answer was that it appeared they liked it but honestly didn’t know for sure. She went in to say she had an appointment to interview for a job with Norwegian Cruise Line and was very nervous about it. She wanted the job as they were telling her she minimally make about 1,500 Euros a month. She was only making 300 Euros a month in Kotor and sharing a one bedroom apartment with two other girls. So we go back to Kotor a year or so later and back to the same cafe. Struck up a conversation with the manager and asked about the young lady. He grumbled that indeed she got the job and has proceeded to recruit three of his best servers over the past few months. Obviously it works for her or misery loves company.