Leading By Example

 James Deering aboard Crown Princess in 2007.

Photo © Aaron Saunders

While the news this past weekend has focused mainly on Cunard's forthcoming Queen Elizabeth, it was refreshing to see a good friend of mine also made the headlines.

The Japan Times recently ran an in-depth article on James Deering, one of the most capable and skilled Hotel Managers in the cruise industry.  For the past sixteen years, James has worked in an astonishing array of roles aboard thirty ships and has literally visited almost every corner of the world.  How he got to this point - managing cruise ships with enormous passenger counts - is equally fascinating.

I first met James when he was Hotel Manager aboard Holland America Line's Oosterdam.  While there are many hard-working, eternally capable individuals employed on today's cruise ships, James takes things one step further: you'll never find him hiding in his office.  Instead, he's out and about, checking on his passengers and crew and ensuring things run smoothly.  With 3,000-plus passengers, it's no easy task.  Yet, James does it in a way that looks effortless.

He's also a wealth of knowledge on just about any subject you can put to him.  Really. It's just impossible to stump the man. 

Since that first meeting aboard the Oosterdam I've had the privilege (and, frankly, good luck) to have sailed twice with James during his stint at Princess aboard Crown Princess.  This October, Holland America fans have reason to rejoice as he returns to the line, this time as Hotel Manager aboard Noordam after a well-deserved year off in Tokyo, where he and his wife call home.

Personally, I admire his calm demeanor and the way he leads by example.  More than once, I've seen him multitask in ways many simply couldn't be bothered to do.  While leading us on a small tour once, another employee was struggling to lift a heavy pallet over a fire door jamb.  Without missing a beat, James picked up the other end and helped the crew member with his work.  In a world where so many  seem content to do the bare minimum, it's refreshing - and inspiring.

If you've had the good fortune to sail with James Deering, chances are you already know this.  If you haven't, you're missing out.

Holland America and its passengers alike certainly have reason to look forward to his return to the venerable line.