Hello everyone,
I cannot believe that it is June already and we have been working from home for over two and a half months. So much has happened in that time and I am so proud of the way you have all embraced the new way of working and pulled together to overcome the issues which have arisen.
I really want to thank everyone in the contact centre and in the customer relations team, including those of you who have transferred there temporarily. The pause in our operations, which has now been extended until mid-October, has caused such an enormous amount of additional administration – whether that is creating FCCs, managing and processing the refunds for our guests or just responding to the thousands of guests (some not always very happy!) and their many questions. You have pulled out all the stops to manage what was, and continues to be, an extraordinary situation.
I am so appreciative of those of you who have worked tirelessly to get our crew home and have had constant contact with embassies and governments as well as negotiating a minefield of red tape. We hope that within the next few weeks all our crew who are due to go home will be back with their loved ones. To our teams on board who have managed all the changes in plans and who have done their utmost to maintain the physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing of all their colleagues – a huge thank you.
This is all set against the backdrop of collective consultation which I know is a worrying and very unsettling time for you all. I have seen numerous examples of absolute professionalism throughout this period as well as seeing you supporting each other through different personal circumstances, all whilst still concentrating fully on your day jobs.
Whilst there is much speculation in the media about the travel industry and cruising in particular, I do see green shoots of optimism, primarily in the many messages and positive sentiment from our guests who were due to travel with us and who have bookings for the future. Those Guests who have travelled with us previously really want a holiday and they want to be on board in familiar surroundings – even if, particularly in the initial transition period, life on board feels and looks a little different!
Indeed, just last week there were reports that cruise ships will be able to uphold exemplary levels of health and cleanliness in the industry and we are working hard, and at the highest levels, to build a framework of protocols which will enhance our already very high standards. Once we have these in place we will be demonstrating them to you, to our crew and to our Guests in order to give them absolute confidence to holiday with us.
I do hope that despite the current situation you are feeling the benefit of no commuting and working from home and once the lockdown eases, you can be with your friends and families and enjoy the sunshine with which we seem to have been blessed for the past few weeks.
As we have seen on social media, we will be back and we will be prepared for a new way of operating both on ship and on shore and in Carnival House. I am confident that if we can hibernate for this enforced period and overcome these current challenges when we return it will be with new vitality and renewed hope for the future.
Stay safe, stay well.
Paul Ludlow,
President, P&O Cruises