This week Cruise Weekly speaks with Mihai
Manolache, Master
of Scenic Tours’
Scenic Sapphire.
How long have you
been working on
cruise ships?
I’ve been working on
cruise ships for more
than 15 years now.
When did you join the cruise company you are
currently working for?
About three years ago.
What is the best thing about working for this
cruise company?
For me personally, it is that this cruise company
is a very fair employer that offers decent
working conditions, and treats their staff with
respect. That’s not always the case elsewhere.
What is your favorite cruising destination?
Vienna. It’s one of our longer stops so we can
sometimes get out and about. There is so
much to do and see here, from culture, to
shopping to sports.
Briefly explain what your job entails and what
passengers can expect from your services on
board.
My top priority is to get passengers from one
destination to the next safely and on time. Of
course, I also want them to have a great
holiday, so I try to do my bit by being available
to answer questions and tell them a little
about life on board and the rivers we sail on.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Sunrise on the bridge when everything is still
quiet. That can be truly magnificent.
Who is the most famous person you have served?
Many years ago as a young officer, I was on a
ship that hosted a cruising conference about
southeastern Europe. We had the Patriarch of
Constantinople, the former kings of Bulgaria
and Romania and lots of politicians onboard.
Of course, I didn’t get to speak to them – I was
on the bridge. But it was interesting.
Do you have any embarrassing cruise stories
you can share with us?
One night we had a passenger who started
sleepwalking. He came out in pyjamas and
was roaming all over the ship. We tried to talk
to him but of course it was no use. Of course, it
got really worrying when he started moving
towards a staircase, but at the very last minute
he turned back. Everyone was incredibly
relieved. The next day, he didn’t know
anything about it.
