In this episode, we host Danilo Matrone, Hotel Manager at COLUMBIA signature.

With over two decades of experience at sea, visiting more than 40 countries and managing two incredible 120-day world cruises, Danilo plays a key role in delivering world-class service.

From ensuring the highest standards of service on board ship to tackling the challenges of life at sea. Danilo has seen it all.

Listen to some unique insights he shares.

Our story begins in 1978 and morphs into what we are today - an integrated maritime, logistics, energy and leisure services platform. We collaborate, partner and drive progress on a global scale, thriving on a project-led, can-do approach.

We are our people, who are at the front, middle and end of everything we do and whose unwavering commitment and professionalism is the central reason for our success.

We are Columbia.

What does a Hotel Operations Specialist do on a cruise ship? ​

Apart from overseeing all hotel-related services, including accommodations, food and beverage, housekeeping, and guest services he needs to ensure smooth operations within budget while delivering a high-quality guest experience.​

Bruno Henrique Murcia is a Hotel Operations Manager in the cruise industry, specialising in financial planning, budgeting, and strategic product delivery. He oversees all onboard hotel operations, including guest services, housekeeping, finance, and inventory management, ensuring seamless execution of hotel services in dynamic, fast-paced environments.

With a strong focus on operational efficiency and guest satisfaction, Bruno excels in optimizing processes, maintaining compliance with industry standards, and delivering exceptional experiences. His leadership plays a critical role in achieving operational excellence and creating memorable guest journeys across diverse global destinations.

Our story begins in 1978 and morphs into what we are today - an integrated maritime, logistics, energy and leisure services platform. We collaborate, partner and drive progress on a global scale, thriving on a project-led, can-do approach.

We are our people, who are at the front, middle and end of everything we do and whose unwavering commitment and professionalism is the central reason for our success.

We are Columbia.

On World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue & Development, Claudia Paschkewitz (Columbia Group Director Sustainability, Diversity & Inclusion) and Sean Moloney (Elaborate Communication's CEO) discuss the importance of dialogue in the workplace, as well as the initiatives which have taken place within Columbia Group in support of this topic.

Claudia Paschkewitz has been working in the maritime industry since she began her apprenticeship as a shipping clerk in 1989. She joined the Columbia family in 1991 when she joined Hanse Bereederung GmbH as an operator, and after gaining years of experience in the brokerage business, she became the Managing Director of the company. She later took on further duties and responsibilities as Managing Director of Columbia Shipmanagement (Deutschland) GmbH, one of her many titles today.

Claudia has many interests close to her heart; one of them being sustainability, which is why she was delighted to accept the role of Group Director Sustainability. Another special focus for Claudia is people – she considers them of central importance. In her role as CSM Group Director Diversity and Inclusion she is able to shape and live the company's D+I culture together with all employees.

Claudia feels strongly about the promotion of the younger generation, too, and has been leading the apprenticeship and student programme for Columbia Group for many years. She is also a member of WISTA Germany.

Deeply connected to the Group for over 30 years, Claudia sees the company's core values of absolute importance to her, adding that they reflect in her day-to-day actions.

Claudia also covers diversity in shipping, as well as career development based on traditional biases and discrimination, saying “Everyone needs to feel accepted, irrespective of their racial background, gender, age, sexual orientation, social background, just to mention a few of the diversity dimensions.” She adds, “Everyone needs to be able to identify with the company’s values, and if this is not the case, people feel alone, isolated. It is of course more likely that they will leave the company.”

Together we can make a difference by encouraging creative dialogue, which can in turn not only spark new ideas but promote collaboration and increase productivity.