Miami - Nov 23, 2010 - Norwegian Cruise Line and CBS jointly announced today that Norwegian's CEO Kevin Sheehan will appear on an upcoming episode of the Emmy-nominated hit reality series "Undercover Boss" on the CBS Television Network.
"With 11 Freestyle Cruising ships in our fleet and more than 16,000 employees both shipboard and shoreside, it's challenging to keep in tune with our crew who are the face of the company and interacting with guests on a daily basis," said Sheehan. "When I joined the company, one of my goals was to ensure consistency across our fleet and make sure that we are delivering exceptional cruise vacations for our guests. Participating in 'Undercover Boss' helped me to see that we have phenomenal crew members who are working extremely hard to deliver on that promise, but it also shed some light on areas that could be improved."
Each week, "Undercover Boss" follows a different executive as he or she leaves the comfort of the corner office for an undercover mission to examine the inner workings of their companies. While working alongside their employees, they see the effects that their decisions have on others, where the problems lie within their organizations and get an up-close look at both the good and the bad while discovering the unsung heroes who make their companies run.
During the episode, Sheehan went undercover on two of the company's Freestyle Cruising ships: Norwegian Epic, the company's newest, largest and most innovative vessel; and Pride of America, the only US-flagged passenger cruise ship sailing inter-island cruises in Hawaii. While on board, Sheehan worked alongside crew members in various departments.
"It definitely was an eye-opening experience," added Sheehan. "I've always had the utmost admiration for our crew, but after this experience, I can proudly say we have truly remarkable crew members throughout our fleet."
For more information on Norwegian Cruise Line contact a Freestyle Cruise Specialist at Cruising2Mexico.com #1-800-738-8837.
About Kevin Sheehan
Since taking the helm of Norwegian Cruise Line in 2008, Kevin Sheehan has overseen major company initiatives including vastly improving on-board service and amenities across the fleet; expanding the line's European presence; repositioning two of the line's Hawai'i-based ships creating a profitable business model; revitalizing top management with a mixture of cruise industry and outside expertise; and using his extensive 30-year background in the business world to help Norwegian post a sharp turnaround in profitability in the midst of a tough economic climate.
Sheehan comes from a diverse professional background that includes helping to found Spanish-language television network Telemundo; taking several companies public including rental car giant Avis; aiding in the inception and launch of the Sega Channel, the first interactive game platform over cable; teaching full-time at Adelphi University in New York and consulting for a variety of private equity firms, including Apollo Management, a Norwegian shareholder. Sheehan's tell-it-like-it-is persona and personal philosophy of leading by example has allowed him to reinvigorate the organization by opening lines of communication and creating a positive corporate culture.
Before joining Norwegian in 2007, Sheehan was Chairman and CEO of Cendant Corp Vehicle Services Division where he was responsible for Avis Rent A Car, Budget Rent A Car, Budget Trucks, PHH Vehicle Management, First Fleet and Wright Express. While there, he integrated the Avis and Budget rental car brands into one network and also successfully completed a 100 percent initial public offering of Wright Express.
Prior to joining Cendant Corp, Sheehan served in leadership positions at STT Video Partners LLP and Telemundo Group, Inc. He also spent two and a half years consulting to private equity firms and lecturing full-time at Adelphi University in New York as a Distinguished Visiting Professor of Accounting, Finance, and Economics.
Sheehan, a native New Yorker and avid basketball fan, is married with two children.
About Undercover Boss
CBS's reality series UNDERCOVER BOSS was the Emmy-nominated No. 1 new series of the 2009-10 season and, in its second season, has featured companies such as Choice Hotels International, Great Wolf Resorts, DIRECTV, Frontier Airlines, NASCAR, Chiquita Brands International, The Chicago Cubs, Lucky Strike Lanes and SUBWAY Restaurants.
About Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line is the innovator in cruise travel with a 44-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising which has revolutionized the industry by allowing guests more freedom and flexibility.
Today, Norwegian has 11 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed cruise vacation on some of the newest and most contemporary ships at sea. The Company has reached an agreement for two 143,000-gross ton vessels for delivery in 2013 and 2014.
Norwegian's largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Epic, debuted in June 2010. Norwegian Cruise Line is the official cruise line of Blue Man Group, debuting for the first time at sea on Norwegian Epic, as well as the official cruise line of Legends in Concert, Second City Comedy Troupe, Howl at the Moon Dueling Pianos, Gibson Guitar, and Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids. Cirque Dreams" & Dinner is also featured on board Norwegian Epic as the first show of its kind at sea under a big top.
Posted by Denise at November 26, 2010 12:32 PM