Emilio
Freeman, instrumental in the conception, planning and execution of the first
luxury residential ship, The World, has left in a management
reorganization. Freeman scouted global destinations
ranging from Mexico’s Puerto Chiapas to Papua New Guinea’s Witi Island. He was
responsible for itineraries, port operations, destination services, government
relations and enrichment.
ResidenSea goes from five top managers to four, with Alain Gruber promoted from
vp hotel operations to svp operations, the role Freeman has held since 2004. Tom
McAlpin continues as president and ceo, Pat Webster as cfo and Nikki Upshaw as
svp sales and marketing.
The change came about from a decision to unite the two operations teams—hotel
and global destinations—into one group, according to ResidenSea spokeswoman
Anne-Beth Nemeroff. Gruber assumes the areas Freeman handled, apart from
itinerary planning.
‘We’re grateful to Emilio for all his contributions over eight and a half years.
He contributed a lot,’ Nemeroff said.
Freeman expressed pride in working for a company he described as ‘the best of
the best’ and said his biggest gratification was ‘being able to take people to
places they never would have imagined getting to, in the comfort of their own
home.’
The World became the first non-Russian-flag ship since World War II to call at
Wrangel Island in the Bering Sea and was the largest vessel to land passengers
in Antarctica. Other unusual destinations included British Columbia’s Port
Alberni, the rugged Kimberley region in West Australia and Myanmar’s Mergui
Archipelago. The World was the first cruise ship to call at Sausalito, Calif.,
and Mexico’s Dos Bocas.
Freeman is also proud of forging relationships with The Explorers Club in New
York City and the Institute for Shipboard Education which will launch a Forum
for Global Engagement on The World.
He got involved with ResidenSea in 1997 in the conceptual stage, as a
consultant, before moving in-house as vp marketing planning and analysis in
2001. He was promoted to lead operations in March 2004. Freeman spent about 150
days a year on the road, seeking new horizons to impress The World’s
sophisticated, well-traveled residents and then ensuring the destinations
delivered.
Before ResidenSea, he spent five years as a consultant. Prior positions were
with Royal Caribbean, Royal Viking Line and Norwegian Cruise Line in finance,
marketing and sales.
After taking a month off, Freeman plans to ‘cast a wide net to begin the search
for my next adventure.’ That may not be at a cruise line, he said, since his
skills and interests span a range of areas. |
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Worldwide Travel & Cruise Assoc., Inc.
150 S. University Dr. Ste E,
Plantation, FL 33324 - USA
Tel: +1 954 452 8800 Fax: +1 954
252 3945
EMail:
sales@cruiseco.com |