Cruise line loyalty to employees seems like it’s at an all-time low.
Yesterday we reported that Carnival Cruise Lines unceremoniously ended its retirement benefit program for its crew members on its 24 cruise ships, leaving them feeling shocked and betrayed.
There is always a cheaper way of doing things, isn’t there?
It seems like many cruise executives spend most of their time scheming on how to increase profits by laying off employees and then looking to third world countries for cheaper labor.
Travel Weekly reports today that the new UK and Ireland managing director of Royal Caribbean International is trying to reassure agents about the outsourcing of its UK call center to Guatemala.
Stuart Leven told Travel Weekly that Royal Caribbean was busy training the new Guatemalan call center staff and he would soon visit the Central American center.
Travel Mole reported earlier that Royal Caribbean planned to shrink its UK and Ireland guest and trade services center with the loss of up to 100 jobs. The center for Royal Caribbean, currently based in in Surrey, will be operated in Guatemala.
I suppose that this is an integral part of the "globalization" of the industry. Money saved yes, at the expense of terminating loyal employees. Not to mention running the risk of demoralizing the remaining staff and offering substandard services.
I hope the sales office in Guatemala works better than the service center in India I have to call when I’m having a computer problem.
Photo Image Credit: The Guardian