Frank Del Rio told travel advisors on Thursday that the media is taking advantage of the cruise industry being the only travel sector that tests, tracks and reports Covid cases.
The CEO of the Norwegian Cruise Line said that the company's full fleets will be operating before summer despite the surge in passengers.
The war we're fighting is the most difficult war I've ever seen, and I'm 100% confident that we'll win it.
Del Rio believes that the disruptions caused by omicron will not affect the cruise industry or the three brands' ability to have their full fleet operating by late spring.
Del Rio said that the industry has been unfairly targeted by the media, which is taking advantage of the fact that the industry offers robust testing, that we track cases and that we diligently report them to the CDC and other public health administrations.
"It's something that no other industries are required to do, not hotels, resorts, theme parks, airlines or any other part of the hospitality industry," Del Rio said. There are different rules for the cruise industry that hurt our industry in many ways.
They sensationalize the news for a cheap headline. We're the only industry that they pick on because of our honesty. It's something that we have to live with, but it's something we don't like.
Del Rio said that protecting the health and safety of guests, crew and the communities it visits is not just a slogan, but the core of what it does and will always be its number one priority.
He is confident that all of NCLH's three brands will be in the water despite having to cancel sailings due to omicron.
It cuts both ways.
Gottlieb said that he still believes that cruise is a safe environment, despite the negative media attention given to it. He said that he will be on a cruise ship this summer.
Gottlieb said that consumers who understand risks and know how to reduce the chance of spread can give people a higher degree of assurance.
He said that all travel has congregant settings.
We're trying to reduce spread. We make sure that the crew is tested regularly and that infections are turned over. We're giving access to the testing for the passengers. We're assuring people that they are protected from vaccine-related diseases. He said that it can give people a higher degree of assurance of safety.
The double edge is that the industry reports infections and does routine testing, which captures public attention and the media's attention. It's compounded by the fact that one or two cruise ships became a symbol for the early spread of the virus. I don't think that's an easy narrative to shake.
The war is almost over.
Del Rio hoped Thursday's conversation would make advisors feel reassured.
He said that one of the main services and greatest value that their advisors provide is reassurance. Hopefully after today's session, you can do that. Knowing that you are selling and promoting a cruise vacation experience that puts health and safety above all else, and in much greater focus than just about any other vacation experience that you can possibly undertake.
He told advisors that it's not time to quit.
He said that they have lived through one of the most difficult tests that their generation will ever face. wars have been fought every generation before us. It's usually an enemy combatant. This is a war that we're still fighting and that I am 100% confident we're going to win, because it's been our war and it's tested our mettle like nothing else I've seen in my life. You've been fighting with us. We have to keep fighting. There is no time to give up. We are almost there.
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