1 4 6 INTERV IEW The power of partnership Olaf Groeger of COLUMBIA Cruise Services tells Jon Ingleton about the value of collaboration and how it can help new cruise brands enter the market For COLUMBIA Cruise Services, the Covid-19 pandemic created an opportunity to reassess and regroup, enabling it to march out of the situation stronger than when it went in. Columbia Shipmanagement formed several new companies, including COLUMBIA blue, the firm’s leisure services platform; COLUMBIA signature, its hotel business; and COLUMBIA pure, its health and hygiene services branch. In addition, COLUMBIA Cruise Services also partnered with interior design firm Tillberg Design of Sweden (TDoS). According to Olaf Groeger, managing director of COLUMBIA Cruise Services, the two firms have worked together to provide a host of services to customers, particularly those launching new cruise brands. “The motivation is all about helping others to succeed – TDoS can help us, we can help them, and ultimately, we can both help our customers,” he says. “If the owners of a new cruise brand want to ensure it is successful, they need input from the operations side before they start building the vessel. “While TDoS can create onboard spaces that look stunning, we can provide input from the ship management and technical side of things. We decided to work together to offer clients a more holistic approach.” Now that cruising is returning to normality, many external businesses are looking to capitalise on the revived interest in the industry. These businesses may have little or no experience in shipping, cruising or cruise ship design, but partnering with experts like COLUMBIA Cruise Services and TDoS can provide insight to help them successfully design their ships and onboard experiences. Among other things, COLUMBIA can help new cruise brands understand how best to manage the daily operations of a vessel. “Once the customer has a design idea, it is our job to help it deliver its brand promise,” he says. “The most important part of this is finding the right crew. We calculate the number of crew needed for a specific vessel and help the brand recruit the best possible personnel.” To attract and retain the best talent, brands need to focus on creating a good living and working environment. “If you
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