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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.

NCLH Concentrating on Product, People and Partnerships

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Harry Sommer, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, said his strategy is built on the three Ps: product, people and partnerships.

Speaking aboard the brand new Regent Seven Seas Grandeur, Sommer said he was not worried about the influx of new luxury cruise competition, pointing to new tonnage from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and Explora Journeys, but instead was focused on competing with luxury hotels.

“We are super focused and passionate on delivering an unrivaled product to our guests across all three brands,” said Sommer. “The three brands are different. NCL is in the contemporary space. Oceania is in the upper premium and foodie space that we created, and Regent is in the ultra-luxury space.

“When you know your main mission in life is to deliver an outstanding product to guests it really focuses everyone on what they are doing,” Sommer continued.

Since taking the helm at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings earlier this year, Sommer said he had visited about half of the ships in the company’s 32-ship fleet and has plans to visit the rest in 2024. He said when he’s aboard he makes time to meet with the captain, general manager and also talks to crew and guests.

“I sit down with guests and ask them what they like, and about challenges and what we can improve,” Sommer explained, noting he held a forum aboard the Grandeur, talking to some of Regent’s most loyal guests and asking for feedback.

The second P in his arsenal is for people, with Sommer noting the company’s 40,000 employees both shipboard and shoreside.

For partnerships, Sommer pointed to the high commission rates Regent pays its travel advisor partners, and said the company was committed to being the easiest and most profitable cruise line to do business with.

“I know the commissions we give the trade are the highest by far in the industry mostly due to our all-inclusive packaging,” Sommer said. “We essentially pay commission on everything.”