Our Captains

Captain Mikael Degerlund started his seafaring career as a Deck Boy in 1981 at the tender age of 16. By 1989 he had gained his Chief Officer’s licence and in 1995 earned his Master’s licence, enabling him to realise his dreams of becoming a Captain. He worked for cruise lines including Viking Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and P&O Cruises before joining Fred. Olsen in March 2012.

Mikael has seen the world from on board our ships, captaining all kinds of cruises from short breaks to epic circumnavigations of the globe. His favourite destinations include the beautiful Baltic countries and the spectacular French Polynesian island of Moorea where, during an Around the World cruise in early 2016, he stepped ashore to get married in paradise. He always enjoys meeting our guests and making them smile, particularly those who return to their ‘home from home at sea’ time and time again.

When he’s not sailing around the world, Captain Degerlund splits his time between his homes in Finland and Spain, spending his days with his wife, two grown-up children and his friends. His hobbies and interests include sailing, golfing, skiing, hiking, gardening and travelling. We've taken the chance to ask Captain Degerlund a few important questions about life on board.

Born and raised in the beautiful Croatian city of Dubrovnik, Captain Jozo Glavic grew up in a large, but very close family of doctors and lawyers. Despite his family’s professional history, Jozo decided at a young age that his working life would be spent at sea, and so attended Nautical College before finally completing his education at Dubrovnik Maritime University.

Captain Glavic’s seafaring career started back in 1994 when he took a role on board a merchant vessel, and his early experiences served as a strong foundation when he began working on passenger ships in 2003. Starting as a Deck Cadet for Prestige Cruise Holdings (Oceania Cruises & Regent Seven Seas Cruises), Jozo worked his way up to the role of Staff Captain. He joined Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines in 2013 as a Chief Officer and was quickly promoted to Captain.

The spectacular Norwegian fjords are Captain Glavic’s favourite destination, as the scenery still gives him goosebumps despite sailing these waterways for over a decade; and the ‘4 Ships in Bergen’ event is the highlight of his Fred. Olsen career so far. He also enjoys visiting Dubrovnik and hopes to explore Alaska on board one of our ships someday too.

At home Jozo loves spending time with his wife and three children and catching up on what he might have missed whilst on board. He’s also a keen cook and enjoys dining with friends and family, serving up food that he’s discovered when exploring the world.

We've asked Captain Jozo a few questions so you can get to know him better!

Born and raised in the Romanian city of Constanta, the Black Sea’s biggest port city, Captain Valentin Giuglea – or simply Captain Val, as he likes to be known – grew up by the water, breathing in the sea air, so a seafaring career always seemed like an inevitability for him.

Valentin graduated from the Maritime Institute before starting his career in 1996 as an Electrical Engineer, followed by 6 years as Chief Electrician on cargo vessels. During these formative years however, Valentin realised he wanted his career to sail another route, and decided to study further at The Maritime University. Since graduating in 2002, he’s worked in various roles at sea, on various types of vessels, for a number of companies. Captain Giuglea joined Fred. Olsen in 2013 as a Safety Officer, but was soon promoted to Chief Officer/Staff Captain, and finally made Captain – initially on Black Watch – in August 2018.

Having worked on all four ships in our current fleet, as well as our former sisters Black Watch and Boudicca, Captain Val lists Braemar as his favourite. He loves the friendly atmosphere on board our ships, and the relationships built between guests and crews alike. Valentin’s favourite experience so far was being part of the Captains in Cádiz event, while his favourite destination is the Med – although he hopes to cruise Asia in the future.

In his spare time, Valentin likes to spend time at home with his family and trying his hand at all manner of DIY jobs. He also enjoys travelling, reading and music, and keeping his trumpet and bass guitar playing skills up to scratch.