Press Release
CRUISE WEST ANNOUNCES SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS
~New Position Appointed to Karl D. Kruger~
June 11, 2007
Cruise West, the small-ship cruise line leader, has appointed Karl D. Kruger as the company’s Senior Vice President, Operations. This is a new position at Cruise West, and Kruger will oversee marine operations, hotel and technical operations of the line’s fleet. His responsibilities include managing the teams in these operations departments, establishing repair and maintenance schedules, and maintaining the highest standards of hotel services onboard Cruise West’s nine ships.
“Karl is a fantastic addition to our team at Cruise West,” said Cruise West’s President & CEO Jeffrey Krida. “His in-depth experience in the hospitality industry will bring a fresh perspective to the hotel and marine operations of our fleet.”
Prior to joining Cruise West, Kruger held positions at Noble House Hotels and Resorts as General Manager of The Edgewater and, later, Managing Director, Seattle for the hotel group. Previously, Kruger spent 25 years in various positions at Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide in the Sheraton Corporation. His tenure brought him through the Food & Beverage side of the business into general management at several properties throughout North America, and a stint as Regional Director of Productivity. Kruger’s work has garnered awards from Noble House, the Washington Hotel and Lodging Association, and his alma mater Michigan State University’s Hospitality School. His involvement in the industry is demonstrated by his most recently held position as President of the Seattle Hotel Association, current board of directors member of the Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau and membership with the international gastronomic society Chaine des Rotisseurs.
~ Up-Close, Casual and Personal Cruising ~
Cruise West – the largest American-owned cruise line and a second-generation, family-owned business – offers the opportunity to explore remote and distinctive destinations in the East and West Coasts, Alaska, Mexico, Costa Rica & Panama, Asia and the South Pacific. Small-ship cruising allows for one-of-a-kind, personalized experiences not offered by the traditional larger cruise lines. Guest capacities aboard Cruise West’s nine small ships range from 78-138 guests. The casual onboard atmosphere encourages relaxation and congenial interaction between guests and crew alike. Guests may expect personal enrichment through onboard narrative and lectures, and presentations by local experts from a wide variety of backgrounds. In addition, destination-specific materials and an assortment of books are provided in the onboard library. The forward lounges and ample outdoor deck space on all ships offer outstanding viewing and photography opportunities of the wildlife and scenery, and inflatable boats allow for up-close exploration and shore landings.
Cruise West – a second-generation, family-owned business based in Seattle – offers the opportunity to explore remote, worldwide locales by providing distinctive, one-of-a-kind, personalized itineraries not offered by the traditional larger cruise lines. Cruise West’s smaller ships – nine in all – hold between 78-138 people each, and the casual style onboard encourages relaxation and congenial interaction between guests and crew alike. The experience is personally enriching through expert Exploration Leaders providing onboard narrative and lectures, special local guests from a wide variety of backgrounds, and the library provided on each vessel. All have forward lounges and ample outdoor deck space for viewing and photographing wildlife and scenery. All vessels are also equipped with inflatable landing boats for close-up exploration of remote areas and shore landings.
Destinations served include: Alaska and the Bering Sea, British Columbia, Columbia & Snake Rivers, California Wine Country, Mexico's Sea of Cortés, Costa Rica & Panama, Japan, the South Pacific, and the Kuril Islands.