Earlier this month, while alongside in Tenerife, Iona had the pleasure of welcoming Carnival Corporation’s new Chief Maritime Officer, Lars Ljoen, for his first visit to the ship. He was accompanied by Donnacha O’Driscoll, EVP Maritime & Sustainability (CUK); Karl Austin, VP Maritime Standards (Carnival Corp); and Charles Golden, VP Fleet Asset Management (CUK).
The onboard teams took great pride in showcasing the ship and warmly welcomed the visiting leaders. Throughout the day, the delegation toured both crew and guest areas, engaging with departments across the vessel and gaining a comprehensive view of operations.
Feedback from CMO Lars and VP Karl was exceptionally positive. They shared that, among all their ship visits to date, this was the first where they recorded only positive observations. They highlighted:
- Outstanding standards in the engine rooms and on the boat deck
- An exceptionally clean and well‑organised recycling centre — the best they have seen
- An immaculate and highly organised stores area
- The visible happiness and engagement of the crew
They emphasised that a happy and motivated crew directly contributes to delivering an excellent guest experience, attributing this success to the strength of Iona’s onboard leadership team.
This recognition was a proud moment for everyone on board and reinforces our commitment to maintaining high standards, a supportive culture, and strong team spirit.