Norwegian Cruise Line, which earlier this month prohibited taking food out of restaurants on its ships, has reversed itself after a backlash from passengers.
Many Norwegian customers and travel agents thought the move was a way for the line to force them to order room service and pay the recently instituted $7.95 delivery charge.
In a May 26 email to travel agents, President and COO Andy Stuart said the company "is reverting to our original policy that will allow guests to take meals from the ship's many restaurants back to their staterooms."
He said the take-out ban "resulted from a leadership team ship inspection and was originally an endeavor to create a higher quality guest experience by eliminating dirty trays, plates and glasses that were observed in the ship's hallways. We saw this as an opportunity to enhance the guest experience onboard, which is always our number one priority. In truth, we simply didn't understand how important it was for so many of our guests to have the option to enjoy meals at their convenience in their stateroom. Based on the feedback we received, it's clear that this is an area many of our guests and travel partners see as important and therefore, we're pleased to share that guests are welcome to enjoy their meals either in the restaurant or in their stateroom, as they always have."
The policy was instituted less than a week after Norwegian started charging $7.95 for room service delivery, which coincided with an upgrade of the menu. However, the line is not charging for morning delivery of coffee and continental breakfast.
Of course, online comments welcomed the change of heart. One commenter on Cruise Critic wondered if the executive who made the decision to ban take-away food was "the same guy who thought up new Coke!"
Another said this: "And sorry, but I have a hard time believing it was a 'coincidence' that it coincided with the room service fee."
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