A new career at The Rembrandt Hotel
At a very early age, I developed a passion for traveling and after completing my studies in Austria, the first stop was a 5* hotel in St. Moritz, Switzerland. After having enjoyed seasonal work both in summer and especially in winter, I moved to France for almost a year followed by 4 months in Italy. Not long after, the opportunity to work on a cruise ship came along. I first joined the cruise industry in 1996, working for a German line called Peter Deilmann. I was fortunate to work on both ships, the MS Berlin as well as the MS Deutschland. Both ships were featured as “Dream Ships” on a famous TV series in the German speaking market.
In November 1999, I joined Regent Seven Seas Cruises (formerly Radisson Seven Seas Cruises), with the main office in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. I started my sea experience working as a Receptionist and Night Auditor. Determination and hard work has allowed me to move up the career ladder and become Second Purser, First Purser, Crew Purser, Chief Purser as well as Front Office Manager and Financial Controller. In all these years, my work has enabled me to travel around the world more than once. I had the opportunity to be part of a World Cruise, circumnavigate around South America three times, travel extensively through Asia, Australia and New Zealand, explore all corners in Europe, and sail from Alaska down to the Antarctica.
The main difference from working on a ship to a hotel is that “days off” purely don’t exist. The rotation is based on a 4-5 month, 7-days a week contract, followed by a 6 to 8 week holiday. Like this, I have learnt to appreciate weekends, freedom of choice as on a ship, there are only limited options. However, I have been lucky enough to work with many great individuals and learn how to react to different situations; this I feel has prepared me for working in my current job roll in London.
I am happy to have been given the opportunity to work at The Rembrandt Hotel and also meet and work with such a great team. I would like to thank the entire team for a very warm welcome and a good start to my “land based” career.
