Hospitality: answering each section

Journal #10- Assignment

#10/A (MLO#01 - Describe the formation of modern cruising)

The birth of modern cruising began in the 1960s with Miami entrepreneur Leslie Frazer, who chartered two ships and promoted them exclusively for cruising. In 1966, Ted Arison, a young Israeli, together with Norwegian Knut Kloster, launched the Sunward, the first ship designed specifically for cruising. The company they founded, Norwegian Caribbean Line (NCL), became a pioneer in transforming Florida's cruise industry from a collection of old transatlantic ships to a fleet of new ships dedicated to the Caribbean cruise market. Another important figure was Ed Stephan, who founded Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCCL) based on innovative designs, such as the Song of Norway and Sun Viking. Princess Cruise Lines, founded by Stanley McDonald, also played a crucial role with cruises to the Mexican Riviera. In 1977, the popular TV show The Love Boat radically changed the image of cruises, presenting them as affordable and fun vacations for everyone, not just the wealthy. Ted Arison's success continued when he left NCL and founded Carnival Cruise Lines. Initially, the venture encountered difficulties: the first ship, Mardi Gras, ran aground shortly after departure. However, Bob Dickinson, vice president of marketing, devised a fundamental change, transforming cruises from destination-oriented experiences to a vacation where the ship itself became the destination. This “Fun Ship” concept made cruises accessible to a younger, more informal audience.

In my opinion, Ted Arison was the most influential in the development of modern cruising. His vision of making cruising fun, affordable, and accessible to the masses, along with the founding of Carnival, revolutionized the industry, transforming it from an exclusive experience for a few to a mass vacation, creating the world's largest cruise group.

#10/B (MLO#02 - Explain how a cruise ship is organized and managed)

A cruise ship is organized similarly to a large floating resort, but with some key differences from other hospitality, travel, and tourism enterprises. At the top of the hierarchy is the captain, who has primary responsibility for the ship, passengers, and crew. The captain is responsible for enforcing national and international laws, and oversees the key departments: engines, bridge, and hotel. The engine department is managed by the chief engineer, while the bridge department is under the leadership of the first officer. The hotel department, which oversees the guest experience, is headed by the hotel director, responsible for food and beverage, housekeeping, entertainment and other services such as the casino and concessions on board. Depending on the ship, a cruise director may oversee entertainment. The hotel director is not in charge of the sales and marketing part on board because these aspects are managed ashore.

This hierarchical structure differs from other hospitality, travel, and tourism companies in that decisions and operations are influenced by international maritime laws and regulations, as well as national and local ones. The officers and crew of a cruise ship cannot simply walk off the job, as might be the case in a land-based hotel setting. In addition, the hotel director has a very broad role and must manage not only food and beverages, but also entertainment, shore excursions, and other services. This different approach to managing staff and operations is due to the closed and specific environment in which ships operate. A crucial role in the hotel department is that of the purser, who serves as banker, guest account manager, and human resources manager on smaller ships. He also manages front office operations like those of a traditional hotel, making sure that financial transactions run smoothly and that passenger problems are resolved. In addition to the purser, there are other managers such as the food and beverage manager, chief housekeeper, and cruise director, each with specific responsibilities.

If I decided to take a Caribbean cruise during the 2024 winter vacations, I would choose Royal Caribbean. This company is known for excellent service quality and a wide range of entertainment and dining activities on board. In addition, their attention to detail in meal preparation, along with the variety of dining options available, aligns perfectly with my personal preferences. Finally, modern technologies such as the Ocean Medallion make the passenger experience much more convenient and interactive, further enhancing my choice.