Silversea Loses Top Operations Chief??!!

Thought it would be good to put a face with a name. Plus this highlights some of the other hires.

http://www.travelmarketreport.com/tmrarticle?ttl=Crystal-Ramps-Up-For-Expansion-By-Hiring-Silverseas-Sauleau#.Vx-WeTKfXEc.facebook

Keith

On the Crystal CC board, super experienced poster Keith has shared this above link regarding Crystal's hiring of "longtime luxury cruise industry executive Christian Sauleau as its new senior vice president of operations and total guest satisfaction".

Why might that be of interest here for Silversea customers? Missing from the Crystal press release was a key factor. While I don't know this individual, the fact that Crystal took away a key "player" from Silversea who had also been a major executive with Regent Sever Seas, etc., says something significant. Have others known and/or had contact with Christian Sauleau? Outside of the family members, it seems that Sauleau was very high-ranking and key in charge of operations for SS.

KEY STORY HIGHLIGHT:

Sauleau is a luxury cruise veteran who has served Silversea as executive vice president of fleet operations, overseeing marine, technical, hotel, crewing, entertainment, and land programs for the past eight years. Prior to that he served as executive vice president of operations at Regent Seven Seas Cruises, where he played a major role in the expansion of that line’s fleet, overseeing construction of new vessels. Sauleau also served as vice president of hotel operations at Royal Viking Line, where he supervised purchasing, entertainment, shore programs, and meet-and-greet services.

The competitive "wars" seem to be heating up. Crystal has a new owner and is growing fast by adding river ships, another new large ocean ship, an airliner, etc. In many cases, these Crystal expansions could very well benefit the smart consumers with more and better choices. As Keith often shares, having more choices and opportunities generally works well for travelers.

Other reactions and insights?

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 141,390 views for this posting.

[emoji79]!!! Depressing. This is all too much to absorb! He was the anchor.

Ouch, when I spoke with Mark Conroy a month ago, he was happy to be reunited with Christian--who he hired @ Regent.

I think this is a massive loss for Silversea and I am very sad about it.

For those of us that do not know, can those that feel that SS has suffered a tremendous loss just highlight some of his specific achievements whilst at SS?

Thanks,

Jeff

Depressing. This is all too much to absorb! He was the anchor.

swindy: I think this is a massive loss for Silversea and I am very sad about it.

Suite Travels: As a Crystal cheerleader' date=' [b']I am in the wait and see camp[/b]. All of these projects IMHO are happening too fast and of course I wish them luck in all these new endeavors.

Appreciate this interesting and informative range of comments, added information, good questions, etc. Silversea is expanding and growing with its focus on more explorer/adventure ships, while Crystal is making dramatic growth/changes in several direction, including buying their own ship production company.

Had friends just get back from doing a river cruise in central Europe and they loved it. Viking is growing very dramatically in several direction. We are serious looking at some good options for the Mekong River to explore more in-depth in Cambodia and Vietnam, etc. Not considering Viking for that location in the world. Lots of options and many experienced travelers want more than just "floating on a boat". Plus, many seek more exotic places that they have not visited previously. It will be interesting to see how ALL of these changes work, evolve and result in what type of customer experience. AND, will the economy continue its slow upswing that can support these many new ships coming into the cursing marketplace?

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 197,564 views.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

Asian Market is world’s fastest-growing cruise market. That is why they are doing it . RCCLs Quantum and Carnivals Miracle and Splendor will be based year round.

Yes agree about the market growing. Silversea was and likely still is looking for employees who speak mandarin...

Can't comment specifically on the loss and it's impact but isn't this what cruise companies do? Kind of incestuous and raiding another lines cupboards?

In my opinion, he is the one responsible for all the drastic cost-cutting the past 5 years and the erosion of the brand. So to me, it's not losing him that matters...it's who they replace him with. And frankly, maybe he thought he should have had the job Mark Conroy got, so he just decided to leave...and maybe he will take a higher ranking job at Regent.