Seatrade Cruise Talks

In this episode of Cruise Pioneers, host Birgit Liodden is joined by Steve Jones, Director of Fundraising & Operations at ORCA, a UK-based NGO working at the intersection of cruise and conservation.

Steve shares how ORCA’s pioneering Ocean Conservationist Programme is transforming cruise ships into platforms for whale and dolphin monitoring—reducing vessel strike risk, collecting vital data, and creating powerful guest education...

In this episode of Cruise Pioneers, host Birgit Liodden is joined by Charlotte Aschim, CEO and Founder of TotalCtrl—an award-winning Norwegian tech company revolutionising food waste reduction with AI-powered inventory control.

Together, they explore how digitising kitchen operations is a low-hanging fruit for cruise lines to reduce costs, improve food safety, and dramatically cut waste. Drawing on success across land-based hospital...

Host Birgit Liodden is joined by Gerry Larsson-Fedde, Chief Operating Officer at Hurtigruten Norway, to explore the cruise line’s bold vision for a net-zero future.

With over 40 years in the maritime industry, Gerry brings deep experience and personal commitment to sustainable innovation.

Together, they dive into Hurtigruten Norway’s pioneering initiatives, from hybrid legacy vessels and shore power integration to the ambitious Sea ...

This week on Cruise Pioneers, Birgit Liodden is joined by Kaupo Läänerand, Estonia’s Deputy Minister for Maritime and Water Affairs. With over a decade of hands-on maritime experience and a background in managing the largest government-owned fleet in Estonia, Kaupo brings a unique, systems-level perspective to the future of ocean innovation.

Together, they explore Estonia’s bold leadership in maritime sustainability, digitalisation,...

In this episode of Cruise Pioneers, host Birgit Liodden is joined by Anshul Tuteja, VP of Energy Strategy and Decarbonisation at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. With over 20 years of maritime experience—including leading global fleet optimisation and decarbonisation at Royal Caribbean Group—Anshul is at the forefront of the cruise industry’s green transition.

Together, they explore the path to a net-zero cruise industry by 2050, div...

In this episode of Cruise Pioneers, host Birgit Liodden is joined by Dimple Patel, multi-exited founder and CEO of NatureMetrics, the world’s leading provider of nature data intelligence solutions. Recognised as a World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer 2024, NatureMetrics is revolutionising how businesses and governments harness biodiversity insights using environmental DNA (eDNA) and AI.

Together, Birgit and Dimple explore how biodivers...

In this episode of Cruise Pioneers, host Birgit Liodden dives into one of the most pressing challenges facing the cruise industry—carbon capture. With ambitious net-zero targets set for the industry, how can the sector leverage ocean-based carbon sequestration to turn the tide on emissions?

Joining Birgit are three pioneering innovators at the forefront of carbon capture technology:

• Chase Dwyer, Founder & CEO, Carbon Ridge
• Mic...

In this International Women’s Day Special of Tech Talks, Laura Jane Welsh at theICEway hosts two inspiring trailblazers in cruise technology: Paulette Haedo, Chief Information Officer at Azamara Cruises, and Andrea Ortiz, Director of Business Systems Solutions at Virgin Voyages.

This episode is dedicated to showcasing the inspiring women leading technological innovation in the cruise industry—driving change at the helm of major crui...

In this episode of Cruise Pioneers, host Birgit Liodden is joined by Sophie Galvagnon, serial entrepreneur, polar captain, CEO of Selar Polar Expeditions—the first Arctic expedition cruise line founded by a woman.

Sophie shares her remarkable journey from being the youngest captain decorated with the French maritime merits to pioneering a new, sustainable way to explore the Arctic. She discusses the challenges and triumphs of leadin...

In the second episode of Cruise Pioneers, host Birgit Liodden, sits down with Njål Sævik, Co-Founder of Havila Holding, and Bent Martini, CEO of Havila Voyages, to explore how a family-owned business is leading the way toward sustainable cruise expeditions in the Norwegian Fjords.

This episode dives deep into Havila’s holistic approach to achieving emission-free and waste-free operations through a robust ecosystem of innovative tech...

Join Birgit Liodden, Founder & CEO of The Ocean Opportunity Lab (TOOL), as we embark on a new podcast series exploring the pioneers transforming the cruise industry. In this debut episode, we shine a spotlight on game-changing partnerships that are accelerating the shift from 'pollution to solution'.

Featuring a dynamic panel of industry leaders and innovators, we uncover how collaborative partnerships between corporate cruise p...

Seatrade Cruise Talks In Conversation with MedCruise, featuring Theodora Riga, president of MedCruise and director of strategic communications at the Port of Thessaloniki. Appointed as head of the association in September, Riga shares her vision for the future of MedCruise, highlighting key initiatives and priorities for the Mediterranean region. She also reflects on her personal journey into the cruise industry, offering valuable ...

In this episode of Tech Talks, Ian Richardson is joined by Michelle Potorski, President of Procell InSite, to explore the transformative power of predictive battery management in the cruise industry.

Discover how proactive device management prevents disruptions like door lock failures, enhances guest satisfaction, and streamlines operations with real-time maintenance alerts.

Learn how this innovative solution also supports sustaina...

In this episode of Eat. Drink. Cruise., host Ken Taylor dives into the culinary wonders of Norwegian Cruise Line with Christian Pratsch, the VP of Food and Beverage.

Christian shares insights from his extensive background in hospitality, sharing his journey from a chef to his role at Norwegian Cruise Line, highlighting his passion for culinary excellence and innovation throughout.

The pair discuss the evolution of dining at sea, pa...

Join host Ken Taylor as he sits down with industry expert Darragh McGillicuddy, Founder of  McGillicuddy Hospitality as they reminisce over lessons learnt from the hotel industry and their roles in shaping drinking & dining experiences at sea. Offering insight into the impact of F&B on passenger experience onboard and how clarity in brand standards and service excellence contribute to guest satisfaction and loyalty.

In ...

Dive into the world of food, travel, and social media influence with this weeks Eat. Drink. Cruise. episode.

Join host Ken Taylor as he explores the fascinating intersection of culinary innovation, hospitality, and social media with special guest Rachel Samson (Stick a Fork in Me). In this episode, Rachel shares her journey to becoming a social media influencer, offering insights into the evolving landscape of digital content creat...

Dive into the world of cruise industry innovation in our latest Tech Talks podcast episode, where host David Tibbles from theICEway chats with Jessica Wright, Managing Director of Peel X. Together, they navigate the realm of augmented reality (AR), shedding light on its transformative potential within cruise tourism.

Discover how AR breathes new life into travel experiences, overlaying digital wonders onto real-world landscapes. Jes...

In this episode, Ken sits down with a cruise line supplier: John Devine, President of Michael J. Devine and Associates, a family-run business steeped in the wine industry's tradition.

Together, they offer insights into supplying wine to the travel industry, navigating the journey of Michael J. Devine and Associates from family dynamics, to cruise line deals, providing anecdotes and best practice examples along the way.

This episode...

In this week’s Ship Safety Spotlight, sponsored by Survitec, Seatrade Cruise's Holly Payne is joined by Richard McCormick, Commercial Director of MES and AES Systems for Survitec. The pair explore the critical role of safety in the cruise industry, and particularly the advancements in ship evacuation technology.

Tune in to discover how Survitec's Seahaven Advanced Evacuation System, redefines safety at sea. With its fully automated...