Cruise Conference 2025 - 6th - 8th May Copenhagen

With over 15 years of dedicated experience in sustainability within the cruise and travel industry, Jon Olav has accomplished many significant professional achievements through his strong community engagement, extensive network, and commitment to sustainable development.

Originally from the fjords of Norway, Jon Olav has developed his sustainability and maritime expertise throughout his career. Before joining MSC Cruises, Jon Olav served as Manager of Port Operations at the Port of Flam in Norway for nine years. During his tenure, he represented the Environmental Port Index (EPI) as an ambassador and contributed to the Sustainable Committee at Cruise Europe. His role in Flam involved navigating various governmental and political processes, achieving favourable outcomes for sustainable practices. He has collaborated closely with organisations such as Cruise Norway and CLIA, further enhancing his impact in the industry. He holds a degree in Travel and Tourism Management from the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences.

James started his career at sea, sailing as a deck officer on a variety of ship types, including cruise. After moving ashore and spending 5 years at the International Chamber of Shipping, James joined Saga Cruises and has been there for over 10 years.
At Saga, James’ role has responsibility for itinerary development and execution, port operations, shore experiences, welfare, medical and the general maintenance and operation of the ships.
James is a passionate advocate of the shipping and cruise industry and loves to travel, his role at Saga has included the successful transition from older tonnage to the introduction of the company’s first ever new builds Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure.

Felix Eichhorn (44) has been heading AIDA Cruises, the German brand of the world’s largest cruise company Carnival Corporation & plc, as President since September 1, 2015.

The native of Rostock studied Business Management at the Economic Academy Hamburg and completed the General Management Program of Harvard Business School in Boston, USA. For more than 20 years already, he has accompanied the unique growth of AIDA Cruises in various management positions of increasing responsibility.

Felix Eichhorn started his career at AIDA Cruises in 1999 with a dual studies program. In the following years, he held a wide variety of positions on board and ashore before assuming responsibility for sales and yield management of AIDA Cruises as Vice President Sales, Yield Management & Flight Operations in 2012.

In December 2019, Felix Eichhorn was elected board member of the German Travel Organization (DRV). Besides, he is presidium member of the Federal Association of the German Tourism Industry (BTW), member of the administrative board of the German Shipowners’ Association (VDR) as well as member of the European Executive Committee of the Cruise Lines International Association CLIA.

Having worked in the travel industry for the past 30+ Years has an in depth knowledge of many different departments, from Land operations through to Nautical. Has been based in Sweden since 1998 and began working with Grand Circle in 2001. Having worked through many roles within the company, as well as diversifying across other companies, since 2023 taken on the position of Country Manager, overseeing staff in Finland, Norway, Sweden and Estonia. Also overseeing 3 Land Products (2 of which incorporate the Hurtigruten and Havila) and two cruise products in Scandinavia (using our own ships).

Sylviane has been working in the cruise industry for over 30 years. Starting on ships onboard Renaissance and Silversea, she then moved to Florida where she worked for Regent Seven Seas Cruises as Manager, shore excursions and land programs development. In 2009 she crossed the Atlantic again, and started working in the Marseille Headquarters of PONANT, where she headed the Product Development Department (shore excursions, land programs and air). In her current new role as Director Cruise Research & Development, she works on developing new destinations, optimizing existing itineraries and scouting new places. Always on the lookout for quaint ports and authentic destinations providing a more intimate guest’s experience which reflect PONANT’s philosophy “Explore to Inspire”.

I joined the Merchant Navy in 2014 as a Deck Cadet Qualifying in August in 2017, Since Becoming a qualified officer I worked on Cargo ships as a Second Officer, Ferries, Offshore support vessels and then making the move to cruise ships in 2018 joining Princess Cruises as a Third Officer I worked their until the Pandemic hit, On ease of the Covid Pandemic I joined Disney in August 2021 as a Third Officer making my way to First Officer ( 2022) and Gaining my Masters Unlimited COC in November 2023, Making the move Shoreside to work for Disney Cruise Line as the Marine Ports & Itinerary Planning Manager since April 2024.

Andrea has approached the cruise industry back in 2015 in London, England where he encountered two sailors, his English classmates. Thanks to them he has decided to attend the STCW 95 courses, the basic safety training to work on board cruise vessels, and few time later he got the opportunity to work on board and discover the world.

Before to undertake the cruise life Andrea spent one year in Australia, a lifetime experience where he had the opportunity to grow, do different kind of jobs and improve his English skills.

On March 2017 he started working on board the Silversea vessels as Service Assistant for two contracts, then he got the lucky chance to move to the Silversea office in Monaco, Monte Carlo on March 4th, 2019.
He evolved from his first position as Setup and Price Distribution Controller to Coordinator Itinerary Design. Through his coordinator role Andrea is in charge of developing new itineraries and managing the existing ones, by working in close contact with other departments internally and with port agents worldwide.

Hussain Kadir is the Manager of Itinerary Planning and Deployment at Seabourn Cruise Line. He began his maritime career as a Deck Cadet with Princess Cruises and quickly advanced to First Officer while obtaining his Master Mariner’s License. In 2022, Hussain transitioned to a shoreside role with Seabourn, where he crafts itineraries for the ultra-luxury Expedition fleet. Originally from Leeds, UK, he continues to reside there with his wife and two wonderful sons. In his free time, Hussain enjoys family outings, exploring new cuisines, and playing football with his boys.

Linden Coppell has more than 20 years of senior experience in sustainability and environmental protection within the travel industry.

She joined MSC Cruises at its Geneva-headquarters in 2018, establishing the MSC Cruises’ Sustainable Advisory Board, led by Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago, that approves actions throughout the company to meet its corporate sustainability goals and ensure sustainability is embedded across all business functions.

With the aim of becoming a net zero emissions organisation by 2050, Linden is responsible for tracking and reporting on the company’s decarbonisation strategy and she also has the same responsibility for sister company Explora Journeys, the luxury travel brand of MSC Group.

Linden manages the publication of MSC Cruises’ annual Sustainability Report and represents the company on several external programmes and initiatives, including the Sustainability Taskforce of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Sustainability Committee of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA).

She is a regular panellist and presenter at maritime events around the world and on behalf of MSC Cruises Linden received the ‘Sustainability Initiative of the Year - 2023’ accolade at the Seatrade Cruise Awards for the world’s first net zero emissions cruise operated by the ship MSC Euribia.

Linden joined MSC Cruises after 10 years at the UAE’s national airline Etihad Airways where she was Head of Sustainability. Previously she was Manager Environmental Affairs at Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific for six years. Prior to that Linden had been a sustainability and environmental protection consultant for national governments and private companies in Southeast Asia.