Ladies and Gents I would like you to meet Rick, who, as you will see, is someone who is truly passionate about the cruise industry and is now a major part of the continuing success story that is Holland America Line……enjoy

1. Rick, you have had a varied and hugely successful career, please can you tell us how and where it started and where the journey has taken you so far.

Thanks. The cruise industry has provided a lot of people chances to find their own success. Personally, I’ve always had a quest for travel. My Dad worked for TWA his entire career, enabling our family to travel the world, that’s where I got the travel bug.

I started working as a Travel Agent my senior year of high school and continued during college. As an agent, I promoted cruise groups to radio stations. It was then I was introduced to Carnival Cruise Lines by my excellent regional sales manager. Shortly after, I had the opportunity to meet and have dinner with Micky Arison and Bob Dickinson during a trade convention — I was so impressed with their vision of the industry and future plans for Carnival. Within a few months, the regional sales manager relocated, and I had the opportunity to interview for the perfect job. In 1984, I started working for Carnival as the Regional Sales Manager for Kansas and Missouri.

That was an exciting time to join the company, as we had three beautiful new ships joining our fleet – the Holiday, Jubilee and Celebration. After a few years, I took on a new challenge as Director of Sales in the Central US, working with a bright team of 22 sales managers in 19 states.

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Good Morning from Istanbul………our last time here this season……………so of course………….something had to happen……..and it did. At 8 am this morning the Captain called me to let me know that we would be late into port this morning. There was a ship called The Antarctica docked in our place and because of some difficulties she would not be able to leave on time ………. Thus ……we would be late alongside. Our scheduled arrival is 9 am and the captain informed me we would not be alongside until 10 am……………..no big deal I hear you say……….ahhhhhhh, well, actually it is.

First of all we have 2,200 guests booked on a shore excursion this morning. Each one of these 2,200 people have to come at designated times to collect a coloured (spelt correctly) and numbered sticker from the Victoriana Lounge. This is scheduled so that each tour meets and leaves at 15 minutes intervals so there are no long lines and ample seating.

Because we are one hour late, this means that all 2,200 would be in the lounge at the same time………….problem………the lounge seats 1,500 people. So, after meeting with the staff Heidi sent her troops into action and I made the following announcement at 8:45am – in my underwear.’

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