Employee’s Passion for Teaching Inspires Careers at Sea
In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, we caught up with one of our team educators who trains up to 1,000 students every year as they prepare to embark on career adventures with Holland America Line. Through a thoughtfully crafted curriculum, our development and training teams help bring the Holland America Line experience to life in the classroom.
Meet Adrian
As the Manager of Learning & Development Program Administration in Asia, Adrian collaborates with subject matter experts across our fleet to create custom development programs. Together, they help students pursue their career goals at sea.
“It’s my passion to get involved, designing and delivering material that will inspire careers and set team members up for success,” Adrian said. “The best part of our jobs is when we see someone who has been promoted, who was inspired because of the foundational skill training they received during their time at the training centers. Watching them succeed throughout their career journey brings our training teams and I so much joy and fulfillment. They make us proud.”
Holland America Line partners with different educational institutions around the world to bring our training curriculum to life. Currently based in Asia, Adrian teams up with leaders who specialize in different aspects of the Holland America Line guest experience. Programs include training on guest services, culinary and pastry, dining services and more.
As much as the trainers hope to inspire every student throughout the program, Adrian said it’s really the students that inspire the training team, keeping them motivated to create innovative content for the student’s continued success.
“Hearing them say they’ve been able to send their brother or sister to school or help build a house for their mother – to learn the difference their career has made in their lives – nothing beats that. They inspire us.”
Adrian has been a member of the Holland America Line family for nearly 20 years, and he has served in multiple roles both onboard and ashore. During that time, he witnessed many team members navigate fulfilling careers, and he understood the importance of mentorship and training in helping them along the way. That’s one of the reasons he’s so dedicated to our training programs today. He understands the difference it could make in the lives of others tomorrow.
Meet Hyacinth Faye
One of the students who recently completed our training program is Hyacinth Faye. Cruising the world with Holland America Line is a dream come true for her, as she treasures the opportunity to see the world and care for guests throughout their journey.
Originally starting as a Dining Service Attendant, Hyacinth Faye was recently promoted to Host where she’ll oversee reservations, manage dining communication behind the scenes, and ensure guest satisfaction with the dining experience overall.
“What I love most in my work is interacting with guests and colleagues, as I always had a passion for creating a welcoming and positive environment. It still mesmerizes me how different people have a story to tell that inspires me. To learn about their culture, make connections with guests in a short period, and see them again on a different cruise – nothing can beat those moments when guests recognize you and treat you like a true friend and family.”
Hyacinth Faye said her training program set her up for success onboard, and like her teachers, she finds joy in the difference she makes for others.
“From the bottom of my heart, a massive thank you to Adrian and the rest of the team for honing my skills during our training, as it had a huge impact when I joined onboard and prepared me to be a great crew member.”
To all teachers who invest in students and their futures – at sea and ashore – we thank you.
It was always a pleasure to be greeted by Hyacinth Faye each night for dinner during our Panama Canal trip. Her great smile and cheerful attitude made the trip extra special.
Kurt and Lynn, thank you for sharing such lovely words about Hyacinth Faye. We appreciate it!