- Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has reworked air travel for guests and crew
- The company expects an additional $100m in run-rate benefits
- A smaller proportion of guests will sail with airfare included in the cruise fare
- Promotional changes were made earlier this year with benefits phasing in over 2026, 2027 and 2028
- The company rolled out a new base loading strategy across most second-half 2027 sailings and all 2028 sailings
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has reworked air travel for guests and crew as part of a cost and yield push. The company expects an additional $100m in run-rate benefits from guest and crew air optimisation and refinements to promotional offerings. A smaller proportion of guests will sail with airfare included in the cruise fare.
Chief executive John Chidsey described the airfare programme as a marketing subsidy and linked its removal to the revenue line. The crew cost element sits in the cost line. Mark Kempa, executive vice president and chief financial officer, revealed that operational and commercial capabilities around air had improved alongside changes to promotional activities.
The company has rolled out a new base loading strategy across the majority of its second-half 2027 sailings and all 2028 sailings. The savings phase in over the latter part of 2026, 2027 and 2028. Crew air benefits are expected more in 2027.
John Chidsey shared “I look at this airfare program that we were doing as basically a marketing subsidy, and so when that goes away, that obviously will affect your revenue line”
