Recently on board Zaandam, Assistant Dining Room Manager Ichim Constantin saved a guest’s life. On a beautiful evening at sea, Ms. Carla Kernzel was having dinner in the Rotterdam Dining Room. Suddenly she choked. Her luck was that our brave officer was close to her table and was able to perform the Heimlich maneuver and save her life in time. This is the “Let Us Know Card” we received from our guest.

I must honor the heroism of the Asst. Dining Room Manager Constantine during the dinner I began to choke on a potato and immediately panicked. One man at our table tried to get me up to deliver the Heimlich but couldn’t. Constantine saw what was happening and came over quickly. They pulled me up and Constantine did the Heimlich and I was freed from the choking.

I believe he deserves a medal or certainly a commendation for his actions. I believe he saved my life and should be recognized for his actions. Thank you. — Clara L. Krentzel

Assistant Dining Room Manager Ichim Constantin.

Ioana Cheregi is Zaandam’s human resources manager.