Our Hotel Managers

As well as studying at Schloss Klessheim in Salzburg, in his home country of Austria, Hermann Stingeder spent many of his early years in the USA at New York’s Cornell University, studying for and gaining qualifications in Hospital Management and Food and Beverage Management. During his time in the states, the American Hotel Association also certified Hermann as a Hotel Administrator.

Since then, Hermann has enjoyed a seafaring career spanning 30 years so far, and has worked on a variety of vessels ranging from ‘megaships’ with capacity for 4000 guests to intimate, luxury yachts capable of carrying just 200 people. Along the way, he also spent two years as a Managing Director of a five-star hotel in Austria, before the ‘call of the seas’ became too strong once again.

Having joined Fred. Olsen in September 2017, Hermann has worked on board Black Watch and Braemar so far, with the former his favourite ship of the fleet. Our diverse itineraries and the intimate size of our ships – which are perfect for building relationships with our loyal guests – are his favourite things about working for Fred. Olsen, while the 2017 World Cruise and Amazon River adventures in early 2019 are amongst his best experiences so far.

When at home, Hermann loves to travel with his wife and especially enjoys visiting cities where he can sample the hospitality of small hotels, local cuisine and captivating culture.

Netherlands native Hans van Welzen has enjoyed a long and distinguished seafaring career, having previously worked for Norwegian Cruise Lines, Exploration Cruise Lines, Regency Cruise Lines and Celebrity Cruises before joining Fred. Olsen in July 2007.

During his time with us, Hans has worked on board all four ships in our fleet, predominantly as a Hotel Manager, though he has also spent three months working as a Food & Beverage Manager. What Hans enjoys most about being part of the Fred. Olsen family is being able to work closely with his fellow crew members and interact with our loyal guests, while ensuring they experience the holiday of a lifetime.

Hans' fondest memories so far are of the epic World Cruises he has been lucky enough to be part of, taking in incredible destinations around the globe, and particularly enjoyed the opportunity to revel in the natural beauty and gorgeous climate of islands in the Caribbean and French Polynesia. In the future, Hans hopes to visit his ‘bucket list’ destinations, which include Cambodia and Vietnam.

Aside from travelling and seeing the world, Hans' hobbies include cooking, reading and water-based activities such as diving and snorkelling – interests he always enjoys taking time to indulge when he is not working aboard our ships.

While raised on the beautiful Caribbean island of Grenada, where his family still live today, Peter Reeves actually started his career in hospitality in the UK, as a dishwasher at a carvery restaurant in Westcliffe-on-Sea, Essex. A three-year stay in France followed, which included time working at the Hotel Concorde LaFayette and the Hotel Crillon in Paris, before Peter finally headed for the high seas in 1988.

Peter began his seafaring career with Seabourn Cruise Lines, and in 1995 was promoted to Hotel Manager – a role he held with the company until joining Premier Cruises for a two-and-a-half year stint. In 2007, Peter joined Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and since then has enjoyed time working on board all four ocean ships in our fleet, including his favourite ship, Boudicca.

The most memorable experience of Peter’s time with us so far was the ‘stretching’ of Balmoral in 2008, while his favourite destinations visited are South East Asia and Australasia, thanks to their diverse cultures. The best thing about working for Fred. Olsen, according to Peter, is being part of a ‘family’ of friendly crew and being able to form close relationships with loyal guests, something rarely experienced on board larger ships.

In his free time, Peter prefers to stay on or in the water, indulging his passion for scuba diving, swimming and anything related to the sea. For a change, he enjoys trekking in the mountains and – for the ultimate adrenaline rush – skydiving too.  

A proud Scot, Lyndsey Milne grew up in Dunfermline but actually started her career in Greece, where she spent several years living and working within the hospitality industry at hotels and holiday resorts. When Lyndsey finally decided to take a career to the seas, she joined Saga as a Purser before moving on to Hebridean Island Cruises to become their Food and Beverage Manager.

Since joining Fred. Olsen in March 2004, Lyndsey has spent time working on board Boudicca, Black Watch, Braemar and former favourite Black Prince, travelling the world and getting to know thousands of loyal guests in her role as Hotel Manager. She loves the fact that every day is different on board a Fred. Olsen ship, and that our smaller size of our vessels allow her to build family-like relationships with guests and her fellow crew members alike.

Of the diverse, unforgettable experiences Lyndsey has enjoyed, her most memorable was being part of the ‘Four Ships’ events in Bergen and Cádiz, which saw the entire Fred. Olsen fleet dock together in the same port, on the same day, while her favourite destination is the Adriatic, due to the variety of ports in the region.