Norwegian Cruise Line will reduce cleaning services in guest staterooms aboard all of its ships in 2023. According to a letter sent to crew, the company will adjust the current daily stateroom (turn-down) service provided to guests in all categories below a Suite level. Guests staying in Studio, Inside, Oceanview, Balcony, and Club Balcony Suite will receive once-daily stateroom service. The letter goes on to explain that all other suite and Haven categories will continue to receive twice-daily stateroom service.
The first ship to implement the new policy will be Norwegian Epic, starting January 8, 2023. The new company policy will be rolled out to the entire fleet in the following three-month period, expected to be completed with the Norwegian Pearl on March 31, 2023.
According to NCL the reduction in daily housekeeping service will have a positive impact on the company’s “commitment to environmental sustainability”, and aligns with current “standard practices in the cruise and hotel industries by conservation of water, energy and reducing the use of chemicals.”
“Over the last two-plus years., the collective hospitality industry has evolved tremendously. From airlines, hotels and cruise lines, a new travel environment has emerged with renewed preferences in all aspects of the guest's travel experience Environmental sustainability is on stage more than ever and will continue to play a crucial role in all business practices now and into the future,” the letter reads in parts.
What does this mean for crew members working in the Housekeeping department?
In order to accommodate these changes the onboard position titles “Stateroom Steward” and “Junior Stateroom Steward” will no longer exist and will be adjusted in a singular position titled “Stateroom Attendant”. With this change the crew holding the position of Junior Stateroom Steward will see an increase in salary, however, this will scale down the salary for the current Stateroom Stewards.
"The elimination of these positions will phase out over time, allowing Stateroom Stewards to complete their current contract. The Jr. Stateroom Stewards onboard will be promoted to Stateroom Attendants on dates according to the implementation dates of the new structure.” NCL said.
Earlier this month, Norwegian Cruise Line said it would hike the daily service charges by 25% for most staterooms, effective Jan. 1.
The new rate for guests staying in Club Balcony Suite and below will be $20 per person per day — a $4 increase. Guests staying in The Haven suite and in other suites will pay a $25 per person per day service fee — a $5 increase.
“At Norwegian Cruise Line, we are committed to delivering exceptional guest experiences at every step of the cruise journey, and with the dedication of our shipboard team, we are able to turn your vacation dreams into reality. As such, we make it easy for guests to show their appreciation for these vacation heroes with discretionary daily services charges, which provide gratuities to key onboard team members, including room stewards, restaurant servers and behind-the-scenes support staff,” NCL said following the service charge increase announcement.
