Hey, hear, I get it, Norwegian Cruise Line. The shutdown, which crippled the cruise business, hit you guys onerous, and also you wound up shedding some huge cash.
So now, you’re doing what you possibly can to try to get issues again on observe. But right here’s the factor that solely individuals who actually, actually love you can be sincere sufficient to say: You’re making some choices which have loyal visitors questioning in the event that they’re in a one-way relationship. The newest instance? The cuts which might be being made to Norwegian Cruise Line leisure choices.
Paying More, Getting Less
I’m unsure in case you guys are conscious of this or not, however these cellphone calls you’ve got with traders each few months. We can hear these. So when y’all speak about the way you’re going to make your self worthwhile by charging document ticket costs — after which discovering methods to get passengers to spend more cash as soon as they’re on board — we’re listening.
But we don’t solely hear your conversations. We additionally hear what crew members are saying after they obtain letters through which you dismiss them with little-to-no discover.
We see the letters through which you say you intend to “reduce our entertainment department manning across all vessels and as a result, your scheduled assignment has been canceled and your services are no longer required.”
Read the total leisure layoff story right here.
Selling Norwegian Cruise Line Entertainment
Over the previous few years, you, Norwegian Cruise Line, have made a really large deal concerning the leisure you present on board. This has been very true of ships within the Breakaway class and people which have come since. From Rock of Ages to Six, you’ve elevated what passengers can count on once they step on a cruise ship.
While some strains make do with jukebox musicals that are little greater than a collection of hits strung collectively by the loosest of ideas, you’ve introduced not simply Broadway model leisure however precise Broadway exhibits to your ships. And we’ve liked it.
So listening to that you just not solely shut down Kinky Boots on the Encore however let go of solid members in the midst of their contracts leaves us with a nasty style in our mouths.
Where do the cuts cease? Will we see an increasing number of pre-recorded music versus stay bands?
Messaging Matters
More and extra, I’m starting to assume that you’ve got a serious communication challenge. Too typically, information that ought to be coming straight from you is coming from different sources.
Rather than creating alternatives to current info in the very best mild, you’re leaving your passengers and even your journey companions at midnight, fumbling for info.
You’ve heard the previous saying, “There’s no such thing as bad publicity”, proper? Well, you appear decided to show that flawed.
An amazing instance?
You introduced a large hike within the day by day gratuity charge at the very same time that you just stated, “Oh, by the way, we’ll be reducing the number of room stewards and cutting the services which they will be providing.” Now, would-be passengers have to listen to it by the grapevine that you just’re reducing again the leisure provided on board.
READ MORE: Norwegian Increases Gratuity Charge by 20 Percent
Be cautious, mates, as a result of it feels as in case you’ve discovered completely nothing out of your brethren at Walt Disney World. In latest years, the House of Mouse has adopted an analogous trajectory — providing much less and charging extra — and incomes themselves a black eye amongst their most devoted followers within the course of.
Only now starting to see the error of their methods, Walt Disney World has been saying adjustments designed to, as Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, informed the New York Times, “make sure our fans are feeling the love. We’re listening to them, and we’re trying to adjust.”
Having been listening to what our readers should say relating to Norwegian’s cost-cutting measures, it feels protected to say they aren’t feeling the love.
It could be price remembering that whereas Walt Disney World is just about distinctive in its subject, the identical can’t be stated for you. Cruisers have choices… and in the event that they really feel like they’re not being appreciated, they’ll begin buying round.