Key Aspects:
- Norwegian Cruise Line is no longer delivering the Freestyle Daily newsletter to passenger cabins every evening.
- Instead, cruise guests are being encouraged to get their information digitally on the NCL app or from their stateroom TVs.
- Guests who do want a paper copy can pick one up from the guest services desk onboard or request a copy from their cabin steward.
As the latest adjustment in a wave of recent changes, Norwegian Cruise Line has quietly stopped delivering paper copies of the Freestyle Daily programs to staterooms.
Guests, however, have noticed the change in a big way – and many are not happy about it.
“We just got off the NCL Encore and noticed that the Freestyle Daily was no longer being delivered to staterooms,” a recent guest confirmed.
“After asking our room steward and guest services, we were told this is a brand new policy: paper copies aren’t automatically provided anymore,” they continued.
The Freestyle Daily is a newsletter that was traditionally delivered to guest staterooms each evening with information about activities, events, and dining for the following day.
But now, cruisers are encouraged to check this information digitally via their cabin televisions or on the Norwegian Cruise Line App, which can be used without purchasing a Wi-Fi package.
Some cruisers, however, have expressed concerns about the app glitching, being too difficult to use, or not showing the daily schedule until midnight.
“This was disappointing. The app doesn’t update until midnight (and isn’t particularly user-friendly), and we prefer having paper copies so we can disconnect from our phones while on vacation,” the recent cruiser expressed.
“I would like to be able to see tomorrow’s freestyle daily on there, the day before when it is already available in print anyway…. not wait for the next day,” another agreed.
But rest assured that guests who prefer the old school method can still pick up paper copies at select locations onboard, such as the guest services desk.
Some have also reported that they were able to request to have physical programs delivered from their cabin stewards.
Why Make The Change?
NCL has not issued an official statement on the change in policy, but the reason is likely related to sustainability, efficiency, and cost.
Norwegian Encore, for example, is the biggest ship in the fleet and has 2,043 cruise cabins.
Norwegian Encore Docked in Alaska (Photo Credit: EWY Media)
That means every single day, 2,043 newsletters would have to be printed and hand delivered, which is bad for the environment and takes quite a bit of time and effort.
On a week-long sailing, that equates to more than 12,000 pieces of paper, a good chunk of which is simply discarded.
It’s much more cost-efficient and environmentally friendly to print a few hundred copies (give or take) for the guests that enjoy using the Freestyle Daily newsletter to pick up.
This is also in line with previous efforts that NCL has taken to be more sustainable, such as switching to more sustainable serveware for room service orders starting in summer 2024.
Through a partnership with a reusable plastics company, the cruise line began rolling out bento-box style serveware for room service breakfast orders to lower the use of porcelain plates and plastic wrap.
Read Also: Who Owns Norwegian Cruise Line?
But especially among guests who don’t approve of this change, the majority think money is the main motivation.
“That’s really disappointing. NCL keeps cutting costs in silly ways,” one cruise fan lamented.
“Wow, Norwegian is really cutting back with everything…They better be careful, or they will be going out of business. There are several other cruise lines,” another warned.
Likely adding to this sentiment, the cruise line recently announced a new $5 fee for every extra entrée ordered in the main dining rooms.
Additionally, a fee of $10 per person has been implemented for cruisers who arrive more than 15 minutes late to their specialty dining reservations or don’t show at all.
And most recently, NCL announced that the “More at Sea” drink package will no longer work on Great Stirrup Cay starting in March of 2026. Instead, a drink package specific to the private island will be available for purchase.
Appeared first on: Cruisehive.com
