Marella Cruises releases video showing staff how to smile
In a bizarre (but possibly tongue in cheek move), TUI cruise line Marella has appointed its first ‘head of nautical smiles’, Nic Spanoudis, who has created a ‘smile induction’ video that will become part of the staff training programme.
Spanoudis, who is general manager of Marella Explorer 2, worked with ITV’s This Morning resident psychologist Emma Kenny on the video.
Marella Cruises claimed ‘research’ by Kenny showed that 83% of guests smile 60-plus times a day, which is more than three times the average on land. And 95% agreed that their family members and friends smiled more at sea than onshore, according to Marella.
The cruise line didn’t expand upon how the research was carried out, exactly
The training video demonstrates ‘some easy to follow exercises to enhance Marella staff’s smile giving abilities’, said Marella, along with hints and tips on how to spread more smiles amongst passengers and colleagues.
In fact, the video kicks off with an instruction on how to smile. Who knew it was so hard?
Spanoudis said; "I’m thrilled to have been selected as the new Head of Nautical Smiles. Undoubtedly, the most satisfying part of my job is seeing happy guests and happy crew.
"Emma’s research shows just how happy people are on-board our ships and that’s because they really become part of our on-board community. I am looking forward to our smile induction video rolling out so we can all deliver more smiles per nautical mile."
Marella Cruises’ MD Chris Hackney said: "We pride ourselves on the friendly atmosphere on-board our ships and our staff are key to that.
"It’s incredibly pleasing to be able to prove people smile significantly more on a Marella Cruise and with Nic at the helm of our smile giving training we can look forward to an even friendlier crew delivering more smiles per nautical mile.
"He is the perfect person for the job with an exuberant personality, passion for people and a beaming grin that simply cannot fail to make others smile. I wish him all the very best in his new role."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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