This week Cruise Weekly speaks with Jason
Gelineau, General Manager onboard
Oceania Cruises’ ms Nautica.
How long have you
been working on
cruise ships?
Seventeen years
and counting.
When did you join
Oceania Cruises?
I joined Oceania
Cruises in August
2005. Currently I am
onboard MS Nautica
which I joined in July.
What is the best thing about working on Nautica?
The family atmosphere amongst the crew and
the guests. We have such a high return rate of
crew that you build life long relationships with.
The same is true with our guests, we have such a
loyal repeat customer base that every cruise is
like a reunion.
What is your favourite cruising destination?
Southeast Asia, I love the culture, food and
shopping. The difference in each port is
amazing, some are like stepping back in time,
and yet they have so many similarities.
Briefly explain what your job entails.
I am responsible for the entire Hotel Operations
onboard the ship ensuring that the award
winning high standards we are renowned for are
maintained. I also enjoy taking the time to get
to know our guests and find out how they are
enjoying their cruise.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Meeting so many varied and interesting people
from around the world.
Who is the most famous person you have served?
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin.
What is the most interesting request you’ve
received from a passenger?
While working on the Great Barrier Reef with
Coral Princess Cruises, a very well known
international author came to me and requested
that I arrange a private seaplane to fly out to the
ship located out on the reef and take his wife
away so he could enjoy the cruise. Mission was
accomplished and he enjoyed his cruise.
Do you have any embarrassing cruise stories
you can share with us?
Just recently in the past month we had an
elderly guest who was in our onboard gym
working out. Upon completing his work out he
went over to the scale and proceeded to take off
all his clothes in plain sight of other guests to
weigh himself. Our Fitness Director never
moved so fast in his life.
