“We have no problem with our crew having tattoos. They certainly don’t affect their work ethic.”

Cruise Passenger readers always have plenty to say about what’s going on in Australian cruise, and in the broader cruise community. In Your Say, Cruise Passenger looks at the issues our readers are writing to us about on our blogs, posts and newsletters.

It’s extremely rare that to find an issue where cruisers all agree, and the issue of whether Princess Cruises crew members should be able to have visible tattoos, proved to be no exception.

Cruise Passenger readers found themselves particularly divided on this issue, with some making it clear that they believe crew members should be able to present themselves however they please, but other readers not holding their tongue over their distaste for tattoos. 

A Cruise Passenger reader Nancy Cowin wrote: “We have no problem with our crew having tattoos. They certainly don’t affect their work ethic, in fact having to wear long sleeves/pants may quite possibly make it harder to do their jobs efficiently, especially in hot weather.

“Very disappointed that Princess have brought in this rather archaic rule after all this time.”

Another reader Gary Mariott was in agreement, “It should not matter how many tattoos you have, That is not going to change the person inside.”

However, other readers came down heavily on the other side of things. 

Annette Zevaas said: “In my opinion tattoos do nothing in enhancing one’s body. I would prefer crew cover up these unsightly drawings that look as bad as graffiti.”

Another cruiser Roger wrote: “We have travelled on Princess for years, really enjoy everything about them. I think they are correct in limiting tattoos.

“There is nothing worse than sitting down at one of the nicer restaurants and being served by a waiter whose arms are covered in black scrawl. 

“If they must have themselves used as a canvas the very least they could do is wear long sleeve shirts. Good move Princess, maybe other cruise lines would follow.”

Greg Evans added: “I’m not a fan of tattoos, but it’s a personal choice that those who have made a lifelong decision to get them must live with. Something I’m sure a lot will regret later in life. 

“Rather than ban them, I agree that to cover them up would be the best option, and those with them should bear the cost of uniforms that satisfy the company’s policy to cover them.”

So, what do you think? Should crew members have to cover up their tattoos?

In other news, after Cruise Passenger revealed that Carnival Adventure would return to Melbourne, cruise passengers shared some of what else is on their wishlist.

Carolyn Croft wrote: “Adelaide needs some ships come in we’ve lost our fantastic week

end cruises, they were so popular and were affordable, and we didn’t have to fly anywhere to get on.”

Melinda Clark says she’s hoping Princess will return to Melbourne as well.

“Please please, I so hope Princess come back to Melbourne. We can not afford over $2000 to go to Sydney or Brisbane as we have a special needs teen that can’t take the flight or train ride….But loves to cruise.

“We have 2 more cruises booked on Princess before we can no longer cruise.”

With Princess Cruises backing calls for a cruise summit, cruisers had plenty to say on what the Aussie cruise industry needs.

Sonia Jager said: “Australia needs ships home porting out of Melbourne, Adelaide, Fremantle and Hobart. It costs so much extra to fly to Sydney and Brisbane to cruise.

“We also need more itineraries with more options out of Australian ports.”

Les Brok said: “All Freo gets are ships circumnavigating around from Sydney. Bring back cruises that do the Circumference of the Indian Ocean ….like they used to 

“Or up to Singapore and back.”

Another cruiser, Thomas Liardo, points out that we maybe shouldn’t freak out so much when we see cruisers temporarily stuck in waterslides, as it’s more common than you think and lines are prepared.

“To clarify I was just on the Bliss and about a metre behind where she was is an escape hatch as it’s a common occurrence for people not to make it up and over the loop on the slide.”

Please keep those comments coming!

WE VALUE YOUR COMMENTS AND ENJOY READING WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT OUR STORIES. PLEASE KEEP THOSE COMMENTS COMING ON THE STORIES – AND WE’LL PICK OUT THE BEST EACH WEEK FOR THIS NEW COLUMN