Tag Archives: crew members

AIDA Shows Off 3D Virtual Tours of Crew Areas

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AIDA Shows Off 3D Virtual Tours of Crew Areas

AIDA Cruises is now offering a glimpse of its crew areas through a series of 3D virtual tours created in partnership with Liquid Ambient.

According to a report by Crew Centre, the 360º views give seafarers and future employees a behind-the-scenes look at life onboard.

The tours allow potential crew members to explore crew areas, including dedicated restaurants, bars and training centres.

The feature is available for all AIDA vessels, with tours divided by the fleet’s three ship classes: Helios, Hyperion and Sphinx.

Future employees can also explore staterooms onboard the vessels, which include single cabins, single cabins with a shared bathroom and double cabins.

The company said that its ships are not just a place to work but also a “second home” for their employees.

As such, all AIDA vessels also offer further features for crew members’ well-being, including gyms, saunas, sun and pool decks, hairdressers and relaxation areas.

The vessels also offer a Crew Recreation Centre, which is said to provide books, movies and board games.

According to the company’s website, AIDA currently employs 18,000 personnel worldwide in two offices and on 11 ships.

The company’s staff comes from 60 countries and spends three to six months onboard its vessels per contract.

With two newbuilds debuting in the future, the company is expected to add at least 2,500 new crew members to its lineup over the next six years.

Ordered from the Fincantieri shipyard earlier this year, AIDA’s next-generation vessels are set to enter service in 2030 and 2031. At 150,000 tons, the new LNG-powered ships will have a capacity for 4,200 guests each.

In addition to building new vessels, AIDA is currently investing in updating its Sphinx Class ships, which are set to undergo refits over the next few years.

As part of the AIDA Evolution program, the seven vessels are getting a fresher look, as well as more suites, updated public areas and new features.

Fred. Olsen Crew Members Receive Service Awards

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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ crew have received Norwegian Ship Owners Association Medals for their long service at sea.

Eight crew members have amassed over 270 years’ worth of service onboard Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines ships, according to a press release.

“Our crew are a vital part of everything that we stand for and they are central to the specialness of a Fred. Olsen cruise,” said Pete Deer, managing director of Fred. Olsen.

“We are incredibly proud of our wonderful team on board who, in turn, are proud to welcome our guests. To have so many crew members who have decided to spend more than 30 years of their career with us is truly special and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines would just not be the same without them.”

The longest-serving crew members Victor Magbanua and Carmelita Lao have each spent 37 years with the cruise line, the company said.

Magbanua, an oiler, began his career with Fred. Olsen in August 1986 as he wanted to work at sea and travel the world. He has worked on board the Black Prince, the Black Watch, the Borealis and the Balmoral.

“My favorite ship to work on was the Black Prince and New York is my favorite destination,” he said. “I’ll be retiring soon so I’m enjoying my remaining contracts and will really miss working on board the Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines fleet.”

Room stewardess Carmelita joined Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines in February 1987 after founder Frederik Olsen visited the Philippines to hire crew for the Black Prince.

“I was one of the lucky ones who was chosen and was so fortunate to be able to provide for my family,” Lao said. “Black Prince – which I called Happy Ship – was my favorite, but I’ve also worked on Boudicca and Balmoral, and I’ve loved visiting a variety of new places and meeting people of all different nationalities.”

First engineer on Balmoral Jose Villalobos and fitter Roberto Rebite have served for 34 years each.

“My role as first engineer in the technical department ensures the smooth operation of the ship,” said Villalobos, who began his maritime career in October 1989. “I love the strong sense of camaraderie on board, it feels like I’m part of a larger, seafaring family.”

Rebite also joined Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines in October 1989 on board the Black Prince. His work spans various departments including deck fitting, engine fitting and welding.

“I really enjoy working on small ships and my favorite is Black Prince,” he said. “I love working for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and hope to do so for as long as possible.”

Assistant Housekeeper Ruth Manaog has been part of Fred. Olsen since December 1991. She has worked on the Black Prince, the Boudicca, the Black Watch, the Balmoral and the Borealis.

The five crew members were presented with their long service awards during the Fleet in Funchal event in November.

Three other crew members have also been recognized for their service but were unable to attend the celebrations in Madeira – tank cleaner Roberto Cortez for 36 years, deck carpenter Noel Cuevas for 33 years and chef de partis Gimmie Macatangay for 31 years.

Carnival Corp Named One of the World’s Best Employers for Third Time

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Carnival Corporation was named one of the World’s Best Employers for 2023 by Forbes for the third consecutive year.

Carnival Corporation was recognized among 700 international employers spanning more than 20 industries for cultivating a positive workplace environment, work-life balance, career advancement opportunities and employee diversity, according to a statement. 

Presented by Forbes and Statista, the World’s Best Employers list was determined via a survey that involved more than 170,000 employees from 55 countries working part-time or full-time. Participants were asked if they would recommend their employers to friends and family, and to anonymously rate their workplaces based on criteria such as image, economic footprint, talent development, gender equality and social responsibility.

Employees could also rate other companies in their industries and countries. Based on these factors, only the top 700 companies out of thousands of organizations were recognized as the World’s Best Employers by Forbes.

“Our highly talented global team of shipboard and shoreside employees are at the heart of everything we do and we want to make sure we are fostering an environment where people from all different backgrounds, experiences and walks of life can thrive,” said Bettina Deynes, global chief human resources officer for Carnival Corporation.

“As we continue to prioritize a positive company culture and drive initiatives to grow each of our team members’ careers, we are honored to be recognized once again by Forbes for our efforts and commitment to be the employer of choice for hospitality, travel and leisure careers.”

Carnival Corporation has over 160,000 employees, who represent 150 countries.