Holland America Line Stein Kruse ~ President and Chief Executive Officer, Holland America Line Chairman, Seabourn Stein Kruse is president and chief executive officer of Holland America Line Inc. and chairman of Seabourn, both units of Carnival Corporation & plc. Holland America Line operates a fleet of 15 premium cruise ships offering more than 500 cruises annually on all seven continents. Seabourn’s fleet of five ultra-luxury ships (the sixth one will enter service in June, 2011) offers 207 cruises annually throughout the world. Stein joined Holland America Line in Seattle in 1999 as senior vice president, fleet operations with overall responsibility for operations and newbuilding. In 2003, he was named president and chief operating officer, and on December 1, 2004, chief executive officer. In January, 2011, he was named chairman of Seabourn and the corporate headquarters transitioned from Miami to Seattle. Under Stein’s leadership, Holland America Line has introduced nine new ships, implemented the Signature of Excellence quality and service enhancement initiative and created a Health, Environmental, Safety and Security program. As well, Stein has broadened Holland America Line’s philanthropic efforts, with programs that have raised more than $2 million for Susan G. Komen for the Cure and encouraged employees to serve on nonprofit boards. Before he joined Holland America Line, Stein was senior vice president and chief financial officer of the North American operations for global Japanese shipping company "K" Line, where he also oversaw financial activities in seven U.S. subsidiary companies and served on the company’s board of directors. Prior to that, he was executive vice president and chief operating officer for Radisson Seven Seas Cruises and president and chief executive officer for Seven Seas Cruise Line. Stein currently serves on the boards of the Cruise Lines International Association, U.S. Coast Guard Foundation, World Trade Center Seattle, Saltchuk Resources Inc. and the City of Rotterdam International Advisory Board. A native of Oslo, Norway, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University and is a graduate of Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Program. Stein, his wife and two children reside in Bellevue, Wash.
Ellen Lynch ~ Director, Shore Excursions Lynch has been involved in the cruise and tour industry for 27 years culminating in her most recent position at Holland America Line where she has been Director, Shore Excursions since 2004. In this role she oversees HAL’s worldwide shore excursion program. She began in the industry with a shipboard career at Royal Caribbean Cruises, Sitmar Cruises, and Royal Cruise Line before returning to Royal Caribbean International at their corporate headquarters in 1990 as the Manager, Shore Excursions and Destination Development. In 2000, Lynch became Director, Product Logistics for Royal Caribbean’s land tour company, Royal Celebrity Tours, a subsidiary company focusing almost exclusively on Alaska operations. Lynch resides in the Seattle area.
CRUISE INDUSTRY PROFILES • 2011
53