2 seaview Carnival Liberty Carnival Dream Carnival Valor Carnival Victory 100% UsPH CONTINUED EXCELLENCE Kudos to the Carnival Liberty, Carnival Valor, Carnival Victory and Carnival Dream teams for achieving 100-scores on their most recent United States Public Health inspections. The perfect marks are quite an accomplishment and a testament to the tremendous work ethic demonstrated by Team Carnival. Congratulations to the entire Carnival Liberty, Carnival Valor, Carnival Victory and Carnival Dream teams on their wonderful achievements!
Lania Rittenhouse Vice President of Product Development Ana Maria Dumitru Guest Services Manager, Carnival Dream i n April 2010, Lania Rittenhouse was appointed vice president for product development at Carnival, which has her overseeing the development of all guest-facing product features and services, as well as the long-term planning for our various ship refurbishment projects. She also plays a key role in the development and design of Carnival’s next generation of ships. Before joining CCL, Lania was president of LMR Global Consulting, a Fort Lauderdale-based travel and tourism management consultancy that included Carnival among its clients. While there, she worked closely with Carnival management to develop new guest-product concepts for the Carnival Magic, which debuts in May. This is not, however, Lania’s first employment with a cruise line—she spent four years as vice president of hotel operations at Norwegian Cruise Line, and nine years with Renaissance Cruises prior to that. She also served as director of tourism for the Cayman Islands. Clearly, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her new position here at Carnival. w wHO’s iN THe sPOTLiGHT hen Carnival Magic sets sail from Venice in May, her new guest services manager will be Brasov, Romanianative, Ana Maria Dumitru. We caught up with the seven-year Carnival veteran to find out a little more about her CCL journey. <strong>Seaview</strong>: When did you start at Carnival? And in what position, on which ship? Ana Maria Dumitru: I started as a trainee purser in October 2003 and once I completed my training aboard the Carnival Fascination, I was employed as a proud new cadet purser on the Carnival Pride. S: Where did you work before Carnival? A: Before Carnival, I worked for a promotions company that ran events for corporations like Procter & Gamble and Coca Cola. It was a lot of fun and the perfect opportunity while I was still studying. Events coordination required a lot of teamwork so I learned a great deal and it was terrific training for my current position. I then started working on ships for a different company, which is where I met my husband. Together we decided to try Carnival, and here we found a friendly, solid work environment where we felt our own two-person family mattered, and this kept us motivated to continue working onboard together. S: What does being a Guest Services Manager entail? A: As head of the Guest Services department, I am the proud leader of a small but talented team. First and foremost, we are here to look after our guests, follow up on their queries and concerns, and ensure they have the vacation of a lifetime. It’s an extremely rewarding and dynamic role because on any given So, how’s she liking her new role? “I’m loving it!” Lania exclaims. “And, what’s more, I’m proud to be part of the Carnival family.” “I’ve worked with the teams to bring new concepts, like the RedFrog Pub and Cucina del Capitano, to life,” she explains. “It’s been interesting and fulfilling to work with so many talented people and it’s a wonderful challenge to come up with new, on-brand ideas that make our cruise vacations even more fun, more memorable, and that will—most importantly—resonate with our guests.” When she’s not dreaming up Carnival’s next big idea, Lania can be found spending time with her husband of 22 years (they’ve been together for 32 years since they met in high school in Germany), and her two daughters, 18-year-old Chloe and 16-year-old Madison. As for the future, her goal is to continue learning, growing, and finding her work/ play balance. Additionally, “I want to help my daughters achieve their goals, continue travelling the world—my ‘Didja’ this year is to travel to Australia and New Zealand— and ultimately spend as much time as possible with my family.” day I utilise a full range of skill sets—from hospitality and management, to creative and administrative. S: What is your favorite part of the job? A: I always wanted to do something that would allow me to travel the world. As a child I thought that would mean becoming a flight attendant because I had no idea that my curent job existed! I love everything about my job—there are challenges with every issue resolved and concern addressed, but when we address things to the guest’s ultimate satisfaction I feel an enormous sense of achievement. S: What do you like most about working at Carnival? A: Carnival is a great company to work for and I think that is because it was built by a family to replicate a family for the employees. All crew members aboard a ship have a sense of belonging to a great work environment. This is enormously important when you are at sea for such long periods of time. In addition, Carnival is a very successful company and I take pride in saying I work here; after all, Carnival is the most popular cruise line in the world! And they offer endless possibilities for career development and growth. S: When you’re on dry land, what do you love to do? A: I love to paint—it relaxes me—and I love to cook, surrounded by good friends. I also love animals, especially dogs, and would love to have one… One day! S: And finally, what is your “didja” for <strong>2011</strong>? A: Taking my husband to dinner at the Sky City Restaurant atop the Sky Needle while visiting my best friend in Seattle. seaview 3
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