BigTravelNews.info - Dec 22,2010 - Norwegian Cruise Line President and CEO Kevin Sheehan has his cover blown while working on the frontlines during the company's episode of the Emmy-nominated hit reality series "Undercover Boss" airing on Sunday, January 2, 2011 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
In the Jan. 2 Norwegian Cruise Line episode, Sheehan is recognized by Silvia, a waitress in the Manhattan Room restaurant on Norwegian Epic. During his undercover journey, Sheehan also hosts the line's signature White Hot Party where he's forced to step out of his comfort zone to lead a crowd of more than 1,000 guests in a line dance. Sheehan also spent time on Pride of America in Hawaii, where he worked alongside a deck repairman, John, a fellow New Yorker, who was quite critical of Sheehan's performance.
"Going undercover gave me a much deeper appreciation for our crew and how hard they work everyday creating memorable cruise vacations for our guests," said Sheehan. "I can now better relate to our crew members. I was humbled by the experience and have an even greater respect for our crew since I've walked in their shoes."
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.
For more information on Sheehan's undercover experience and Norwegian Cruise Line, visit www.ncl.com/undercoverboss.
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.
