Celebrating long service and retirement

While we work towards our return to service it’s important we continue to recognise the hard work and service of our people on board. Here are two of our latest people to celebrate their long service with us, one of which who’s also moved on to retirement…

Venjo Villarico

Venjo Villarico, Ventura’s Hotel Auditor, recently celebrated 20 years’ service with Carnival UK. He took time to reflect on a career at sea and described to us how he managed to climb up the ranks to his current position.

After beginning his career working as a pot washer, dishwasher and then deck steward, Venjo moved into a Bar Utility role, working on Princess Cruises’ Sea Princess. He stayed in the F&B team for some time and worked in other roles including Bar Waiter and Assistant Bar Tender, then taking up more responsibility in the roles of Bar Supervisor and then Assistant F&B Manager.

Venjo joined Cunard in 2007, where he worked as F&B Services Manager and F&B Controller, remaining there until joining P&O Cruises in 2017.

Venjo told us, “I am proud of the fact that I have worked from the bottom to where I am today. There is not a single time that I regret any steps in my career path”.

We asked Venjo what his most valuable experience has been. He told us that “gaining the knowledge and experience through the many roles at sea has allowed me to progress”.

Finally, he added that, “for me, inner satisfaction is being able to inspire those who have just started their career at sea”.

Ian Wynne-Smythe

Hotel General Manager Ian Wynne-Smythe left Arcadia for the final time on 29 April after announcing his retirement from Carnival UK after over 30 years’ service. The crew of Arcadia were keen to give Ian the best send off possible during the Operational Pause so a small Dinner on Deck was arranged by F&B at the request of the SMT. Captain Luko Vojvoda made farewell speech for Ian to mark the occasion which was attended by the majority of the ship’s company who gave Ian a rousing round of applause.

Ian was extremely overwhelmed with his leaving gift, hand crafted by the ships Technical Team. He said he’s had a wonderful career with Carnival UK and will look back with great fondness when he thinks of all the good experiences he’s had, the great places he’s visited but most of all the wonderful people he’s met along the way.

Why don’t you join us in congratulating them in the comments below?