Maritime HR Insights
The Perils of Overlooking Maritime HR Expertise
In the cruise industry, the collaboration between operational and HR functions is critical for success. Yet, a persistent issue undermines this synergy: the tendency of operational leaders to underestimate the complexities of HR, believing it’s “just about managing people.” This flawed perception often leads to operational leaders encroaching on HR responsibilities, dismissing the expertise of HR professionals, and compounding the disconnect between ship and shore.
Stop Working in Silos: The Cost of Shoreside Initiatives that Fail Shipboard Teams
In the cruise industry, the disconnect between shore-based leadership and shipboard teams remains a glaring problem. Shoreside operational leaders frequently implement grandiose initiatives designed in silos, with little understanding of how these projects will impact the people who actually execute them—shipboard teams. These initiatives often cost a fortune, consume valuable time, increase workloads, and contribute to administrative bloat, all while failing to provide meaningful return on investment.
"But We’ve Always Done It That Way" — Time to Rethink, Refine, and Reevaluate
If you’ve spent even a day in the cruise industry, you’ve undoubtedly heard the phrase: “But we’ve always done it like that.” It’s tossed around like a badge of honor, a comforting mantra that nods to tradition and stability. But here’s the thing - just because something has always been done a certain way doesn’t mean it should be. And, in an environment as fast-paced and ever-evolving as a cruise ship, it’s often the quickest path to inefficiency, frustration, and wasted effort.