KEYNOTE Fascinated by the hieroglyphs, tombs and myths of Egypt, Silversea Cruises’ president Barbara Muckermann once envisaged a career as an archaeologist. “I travelled extensively with my father from a young age, which shaped my strong desire to experience our beautiful planet and engage with its diverse people and cultures,” she explains. “While my choice of profession changed, I never lost sight of the transformative power of travel and I have dedicated my career to connecting people with the most enriching experiences around the world.” Muckermann first joined the cruise sector in 1997 and has since held various positions of responsibility at different organisations in the marketing, travel and luxury sectors, including Italian fashion house Loro Piana, Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises. In 2001, she took a role at Silversea, staying until 2006 when she returned to academia to complete an MBA at London Business School and Columbia University in New York, and subsequently taught strategy and worked in research. “While the experience was both challenging and rewarding, I was eager to return to the world of travel,” she says. In 2016, Muckermann returned to Silversea as chief marketing officer, became chief commercial officer in 2021 and in January 2023, she was appointed as the first woman president of Silversea. “I am thrilled to be at Silversea’s helm, leading such a talented and passionate team during what is an incredibly exciting time for the luxury cruise industry,” she says. “Working closely with colleagues at Royal Caribbean Group, we continue to strengthen our position as the leading ultra-luxury cruise line for the benefit of our guests.” More than 25 years in the luxury industries and time spent onboard cruise ships has taught Muckermann that listening to customers will be fundamental for driving Silversea’s ongoing success. “My experiences onboard have shown me that our guests’ changing needs Silversea Cruises is expanding its fleet with innovative ships, upgrading its onboard offerings and expanding its portfolio of destinations to deliver immersive travel experiences that will enrich guests’ lives. President Barbara Muckermann tells Rebecca Gibson more Transformative travel “ We will always listen carefully to our guests to innovate and remain firmly at the forefront of the industry” 10
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