This week Cruise Weekly speaks with Jochen
Kargl, Hotel Manager
onboard Viking River
Cruises’ Ms Viking Freya.
How long have you been
working on cruise ships?
This is my 12th year. I used
to work as a receptionist
for an ocean cruise line.
After two years I started as
a Program Director for 8 years, now this is my
second year as Hotel manager.
When did you join Viking?
Back in 2002 I was looking for a new challenge
when my attention was put towards Viking River
Cruises. Already then I have seen that
this is a great company with a lot of opportunity.
Why do I still work here? – Because it is the best
river cruise company there is!
What is your favorite cruising destination?
If I am asked which countries or cities do I like
the most I need to answer that all of them have
certain charms and make one feel attracted to.
Traveling means widen ones horizon which I am
trying to do since 12 years. However the city of
Regensburg is the place I rate no.1.
Briefly explain what your job entails?
The slogan “home away from home” is crucial
when it comes to serving passengers onboard. I
believe that our guests expect great service, a
friendly and competent crew as well as wonderful
food and excursions. All just mentioned is
important and certainly is what our guests can
expect and is offered on board but what we also
practice is going the extra step by really trying to
fulfill guest wishes from their eyes.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Obviously one must love to travel in order to
carry out a profession like this for so many years.
I guess what I really like the most though, is
being able to deliver the best product there is in
river cruising to our passengers. When I think
about it I must have met just about 60000
passengers over the past 10 years and almost
every new cruise I meet some of them again. It is
a wonderful thing getting recognised again and
again and again.
Do you have any embarrassing cruise stories?
I remember one occasion a long time ago: I did
make an announcement advising passengers
about the current weather before they all went
out for an excursion. That day it was really hot
and so I said on the PA that we shall have some
40 degrees outside and it is advisable to dress
accordingly which a few guests did by putting on
jackets and one lady even some gloves. Now
what I forgot was that there is quite a huge
difference in 40 degrees Fahrenheit and 40
degrees Celsius. I never made this mistake again.
