Seatrade Cruise Talks

In this episode of Cruise Pioneers, host Birgit Liodden is joined by Sophie Galvagnon, serial entrepreneur, polar captain, CEO of Selar Polar Expeditions—the first Arctic expedition cruise line founded by a woman.

Sophie shares her remarkable journey from being the youngest captain decorated with the French maritime merits to pioneering a new, sustainable way to explore the Arctic. She discusses the challenges and triumphs of leading an expedition cruise company with a strong environmental and social mission, emphasising the importance of diversity, innovation, and responsible tourism.

Join us as we navigate the evolving landscape of the cruise industry through Sophie’s eyes, exploring how bold leadership and forward-thinking solutions can drive meaningful change in some of the world’s most fragile ecosystems.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about breaking barriers, redefining adventure, and shaping the future of sustainable Arctic expeditions.

Mentioned in this episode:

TOOL's Cruise Innovators

Explore a world of Cruise Innovators, and nominate your favorite startup!

In the second episode of Cruise Pioneers, host Birgit Liodden, sits down with Njål Sævik, Co-Founder of Havila Holding, and Bent Martini, CEO of Havila Voyages, to explore how a family-owned business is leading the way toward sustainable cruise expeditions in the Norwegian Fjords.

This episode dives deep into Havila’s holistic approach to achieving emission-free and waste-free operations through a robust ecosystem of innovative technologies, circular economy principles, and a steadfast commitment to people and nature.

Discover how Havila Group is setting a new standard for responsible tourism, particularly when sailing through world heritage sites. Our guests share their vision of a sustainable future, where investment in both technology and human capital drives impactful change.

Tune in to learn how this pioneering company is bringing its values to life—from building an internal ecosystem of solutions to championing a greener, more circular cruise industry.

Mentioned in this episode:

TOOL's Cruise Innovators

Explore a world of Cruise Innovators, and nominate your favorite startup!

Join Birgit Liodden, Founder & CEO of The Ocean Opportunity Lab (TOOL), as we embark on a new podcast series exploring the pioneers transforming the cruise industry. In this debut episode, we shine a spotlight on game-changing partnerships that are accelerating the shift from 'pollution to solution'.

Featuring a dynamic panel of industry leaders and innovators, we uncover how collaborative partnerships between corporate cruise players and agile start-ups are driving sustainable, green, and circular solutions. Our guests share real-life examples of how they are tackling emissions, fostering ocean-friendly initiatives, and creating 'Triple P Ripple Effects'—where People, Planet, and Profit align for lasting impact.

This week, Birgit is joined by:

Agnes Árnadóttir, Co-Founder, Brim Explorer

Solvi Hjelmeland, Founder, Purewave AS

Will Pearson, Co-Founder, Ocean Bottle

Gebhard Rainer, CEO, HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions)

Mentioned in this episode:

TOOL's Cruise Innovators

Explore a world of Cruise Innovators, and nominate your favorite startup!

TOOL's Cruise Pioneers Initiative

Explore a world of Cruise Pioneers, and nominate your favorite initiative!

Seatrade Cruise Talks In Conversation with MedCruise, featuring Theodora Riga, president of MedCruise and director of strategic communications at the Port of Thessaloniki. Appointed as head of the association in September, Riga shares her vision for the future of MedCruise, highlighting key initiatives and priorities for the Mediterranean region. She also reflects on her personal journey into the cruise industry, offering valuable insights into her career path and what drives her passion for this dynamic sector.

In this episode of Tech Talks, Ian Richardson is joined by Michelle Potorski, President of Procell InSite, to explore the transformative power of predictive battery management in the cruise industry.

Discover how proactive device management prevents disruptions like door lock failures, enhances guest satisfaction, and streamlines operations with real-time maintenance alerts.

Learn how this innovative solution also supports sustainability goals by reducing waste and labor inefficiencies. Tune in to find out how intelligent power solutions are paving the way for a greener, more seamless future in cruise operations.

Find out more about Procell Insite here: Procell InSite | Procell

In this episode of Eat. Drink. Cruise., host Ken Taylor dives into the culinary wonders of Norwegian Cruise Line with Christian Pratsch, the VP of Food and Beverage.

Christian shares insights from his extensive background in hospitality, sharing his journey from a chef to his role at Norwegian Cruise Line, highlighting his passion for culinary excellence and innovation throughout.

The pair discuss the evolution of dining at sea, particularly Norwegian Cruise Line's freestyle dining concept that revolutionised dining on board by offering guests flexible dining times and multiple specialty dining options.

Christian emphasises the brand's commitment to keeping guests at the forefront of their innovations to continuously enhance their dining experiences on board. He cites new concepts like the Indulge Food Hall, allowing guests to order from a diverse menu via tablets, ensuring quick service and a variety of global cuisines.

Tune in to discover the behind-the-scenes stories and future innovations that make dining at sea an unforgettable experience.

Join host Ken Taylor as he sits down with industry expert Darragh McGillicuddy, Founder of  McGillicuddy Hospitality as they reminisce over lessons learnt from the hotel industry and their roles in shaping drinking & dining experiences at sea. Offering insight into the impact of F&B on passenger experience onboard and how clarity in brand standards and service excellence contribute to guest satisfaction and loyalty.

In particular, Darragh highlights the unique challenges and opportunities of small ship F&B programmes and culinary teams, and the crucial role that onboard crew play. The pair discuss leadership programmes and team culture, and the invaluable role these can play in maintaining gold standards and brand quality.

Tune in for behind-the-scenes anecdotes and practical advice for setting cruise F&B teams up for success and service excellence.

Dive into the world of food, travel, and social media influence with this weeks Eat. Drink. Cruise. episode.

Join host Ken Taylor as he explores the fascinating intersection of culinary innovation, hospitality, and social media with special guest Rachel Samson (Stick a Fork in Me). In this episode, Rachel shares her journey to becoming a social media influencer, offering insights into the evolving landscape of digital content creation in cruise F&B.

Discover how social media has reshaped the way we experience food and travel, as Rachel delves into the challenges and rewards of curating authentic content about food in the age of influencer culture. From behind-the-scenes glimpses of cruise ship kitchens to uncovering hidden culinary gems in bustling cities, Rachel's culinary adventures offer a tantalising glimpse into the world of food entertainment.

Plus, Ken and Rachel discuss viral moments, how to drive engagement and connection with cruise F&B on social media, shaping the perception of cruise travel among younger generations and opening up new opportunities for exploration and discovery.

Dive into the world of cruise industry innovation in our latest Tech Talks podcast episode, where host David Tibbles from theICEway chats with Jessica Wright, Managing Director of Peel X. Together, they navigate the realm of augmented reality (AR), shedding light on its transformative potential within cruise tourism.

Discover how AR breathes new life into travel experiences, overlaying digital wonders onto real-world landscapes. Jessica unveils the magic of interactive storytelling and engaging activities, from historical voyages to thrilling treasure hunts, all enhanced by AR technology.

Jessica shares captivating examples of AR projects in the cruise space, including a fascinating archaeological storytelling initiative in the Outer Hebrides, demonstrating how AR breathes new life into forgotten histories and undiscovered locations.

Join David and Jessica as they delve into the practicalities of implementing AR solutions, from technical intricacies to connectivity challenges in remote destinations. Plus, uncover how customised AR experiences are forging deeper connections to destinations, enriching the passenger experience ashore.

Tune in, to uncover the boundless potential of AR to enhance cruise tourism, promising guests unforgettable adventures and enriching cultural encounters beyond the confines of traditional shore excursions.

In this episode, Ken sits down with a cruise line supplier: John Devine, President of Michael J. Devine and Associates, a family-run business steeped in the wine industry's tradition.

Together, they offer insights into supplying wine to the travel industry, navigating the journey of Michael J. Devine and Associates from family dynamics, to cruise line deals, providing anecdotes and best practice examples along the way.

This episode offers the opportunity to understand the business of supplying F&B to cruise lines, and the importance of partnership with cruise line buyers - working together to adapt, finding products that meet everchanging guest expectations.

Tune in as John shares insights into relationship-building in the cruise industry, the evolving landscape of wine sales, rising interest into sustainable and low2no wine categories, and current ventures into better-for-you snacks.