| Crew Profile – Ryan Hughes, Social Program Director onboard Classic International Cruises’ Athena

This week Cruise Weekly speaks with Ryan
Hughes, Social Program Director onboard
Classic International Cruises’ Athena, which is
arriving into Perth on 19 Dec to begin her
annual summer season in Australia.
When did you join
Athena?
I have been with
Classic
International
Cruises since 2007
when I worked
aboard Funchal but
I’ve been with our
flagship, Athena,
since 2009, for our
summer seasons
here in Australia.
What does your job entail?
I assist the cruise director with the passenger
social programs aboard Athena and that
involves writing the daily events program for
passengers and hosting social events like
quizzes and other games on the ship.
What do you like about working onboard
Athena?
Because Athena is a smaller ship, the crew is
like a big happy family and we all have fun as
do the passengers whose names we quickly
get to know on each cruise. And that all
makes for a great atmosphere onboard. I love
seeing new places and I love helping
passengers have a really relaxing and
enjoyable cruise. And one of the best things
about working on a ship is seeing dolphins
and whales – always a beautiful sight.
What don’t you like about your job?
Being away from home and friends.
Most unusual passenger comment would be…
One passenger said our dancers in the show
should put more clothes on!