“Richard Detrich has done an excellent job as Port Lecturer and our passengers have been constantly commenting both verbally and through our onboard evaluations, how his presentations help them to appreciate and enjoy our ports of call. Richard is definitely a very skilled communicator. He presents great information with enthusiasm and humor. Richard has the ability to use information without any hard sell to encourage our passengers to book shore excursions on board significantly contributing to our on board revenues. Richard enjoys interacting with passengers and is very much appreciated by passengers and crew alike.” Arturo Calise, Hotel General Manager, ROYAL PRINCESS
“Richard’s lectures are well researched, informative and professional. He has worked together with the onboard videographer and produced a well narrated adventure for our passengers. Richard has also been a key asset to selling our shore excursions onboard and increased our overall revenue by 20%. Richard is a team player and we have thoroughly enjoyed working with him.” Bea van der Merwe, Shore Excursion Manager, ROYAL PRINCESS
“Richard Detrich has been a great asset for the tour office promoting and advising passengers on the advantages of our tours. He is able to soft sell and endorse the tours in a fun and knowledgeable way, and after his talks there is always a line of passengers booking tours. At the beginning of each cruise Richard records a brief ‘Let The Adventure Begin’ segment for TV that teases his lectures, the upcoming ports, and our tours. We meet a couple of times at the beginning of the cruise and before the big ports in order to provide current and accurate information to passengers in order to maximize sales, minimize complaints, and exceed in passenger satisfaction. Richard helps with dispatch and participates in the tours which provides gives him up to date and fresh and accurate information. He is very knowledgeable of about our tour program as well as the itinerary.” Alicia Escolies Molina, Shore Excursion Manager, ISLAND PRINCESS
“Richard has been a phenomenal Travel Guide. As it is the first time this position has been held on this ship, he has been very innovative creating a program from the ground up. He has formed a good working relationship with the Shore Excursion team and has increased sales and awareness of the excursions offered. The guests have found his style perfect both in listening to it live and on the television. Richard has consistently gone above and beyond to make this position valuable on this itinerary and is an incredible asset to the entertainment team.” Julie Seidel, Event Manager, ZUIDERDAM
“Richard is responsible for all questions relating to the ports of call in the itinerary. He advises, informs, and recommends what guests should do in port. His presentations are informative, well prepared and very well received by guests. His public speaking skills are phenomenal . . . Richard is organized, efficient, extremely competent and has excellent rapport with people of all ages. His communication skills, both written and verbal are excellent.” Yolanda Popelier-Visser, Shore Excursion Manager, ZUIDERDAM
“When Richard gives his lecture – our guests listen! We are overwhelmed in a positive way with guests booking tours after his presentations. His willingness to work closely with Shore Excursions Department has not only enriched our guests with knowledge about the ports of call we are visiting but the way in which he ‘soft sells’ the tours by giving first-hand knowledge of our program has increased the participation of guests on tour in each port of call. This has assisted the Shore Excursions Department in exceeding its revenue targets every cruise during the season. It is not uncommon for our guests to come to the Shore Excursion Office and say, ‘Richard says!’ for our guests value his guidance.” Chris Martyn, Shore Excursions Manager, ZUIDERDAM.
“Richard has been one of the finest Travel Guides I have worked with and has been central to our success and ratings and achieving shipboard revenue through sale of shore excursions. Richards takes the initiative to soft sell the tours and to help out with dispatch and helping guests at the desk.” Renee Puthurkerd Einsahr. Entertainment Manager, ZUIDERDAM
“I am happy to recommend Richard Detrich as a Lecturer. Richard has been on this ship for six months and in that time has achieved a great deal. His lectures about forthcoming ports of call and his interest in promoting ship’s tours are refreshing. He has been so successful that a dedicated TV channel was implemented due to popular demand by guests and crew. If you wish to employ Richard in any capacity in the future, I have no hesitation in congratulating you in your judgement. Richard will do you proud!” David Bradshawe, Cruise Director, ROYAL PRINCESS
“I have had the pleasure of sailing with Travel Guide Richard Detrich on the ZUIDERDAM. Richard has great rapport with our guests and preents well-developed and interesting lectures which our guests love. I appreciate the way in which he weaves in references to various other Holland America itineraries and makes suggestions in the course of his talks to guests for future cruises that they can book with me on board.” Elaine Allen, Future Cruise Consultant, ZUIDERDAM.
“I have been working with Richard on board Holland America and I cannot say enough positive things about him. He is a very kind, and hard working individual. He is an incredibly good speaker andis very relaxed and comfortable talking to guests, both on stage and off. I also think he relates to his audiences very well and makes them feel right at home when he is talking. I notice that he makes it seem as though he is talking right to you personally. He relates to people in a friendly and real way which is a quality that a lot of lecturers do not possess. He has a great sense of humor and makes his lectures very interesting, fun and enjoyable at the same time. He is also an unbelievable team player on this ship. He goes above and beyond to promote each of the revenue departments on board and their activities. You will see him on stage giving lectures, mingling with guests on the outer decks, even helping out with Bingo and shows, hosting officer tables in the dining room, and greeting guests in the evening before the main show. He has a great way with guests that makes them trust him and feel at ease on their cruise. By the end of the cruise everyone knows Richard by name.” Liz Karam, Port Shopping Ambassador, ZUIDERDAM
That’s me with the cruise staff waving at the top of the steps on my first cruise ship gig on a Dutch Student Travel cruise on Holland America’s very old MAASDAM. I was just learning to drink and have no idea how, or why, but I was awakened early one morning by the Staff Captain pounding on my door. He wanted his uniform back which I had apparently worn to bed! Fortunately, neither of us remembered anything about the night before, but he needed his uniform to go to work. True story! Guess I was learning to drink with a Dutchman and drinking Dutch genever. (Not to worry, I have long since mastered the art of controlled social drinking and avoiding gin!)
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Richard Detrich 