Captain Knut Hanssen- Where is he?

[CruiserPK]

We were very disappointed to hear that Knut Hanssen has left the Regent family. Does anyone know what cruise line he is now working for? It seems as though many top staff members have left Regent since the new owners took over.....we will see for ourselves in late December/January.

Cheers, Pam

[dougburns]

When we talked to Knut in Sep of '07 he was talking about retiring when he could afford it.

[Island Cruiser]

This is really sad news for us. Knut was the first Regent captain we sailed with and the best. We met him in the Observation Lounge while we were having cocktails. He approached us, greeted us, and stood there talking boats with us for fifteen minutes. He wasn't just working the room. He was totally genuine and we were highly impressed. We last sailed with him on last November's Voyager crossing. He was out and about all the time mingling with passengers. At one of the numerous lunches on the pool deck he would be a late diner standing patiently in line waiting his turn. He would then randomly invite himself to a passengers table and engage them in a friendly animated visit. He was seen enjoying all the deck events including the Country Fair. The other officers and, indeed, the entire crew seemed to follow his model. Just as it should be. He didn't have a cult-like following. He wasn't that sort of a captain. He was just, IMO, the best.

[Travelcat2]

I think it is particularly strange because we were apparently on his last cruise (October 4-11). When the Voyager left on the 12th, it was with a new captain (the one that hit the dock in Rhodes:confused: ). I'm surprised that there wasn't an announcement, special party or ???

[CruiserPK]

We are not even close to being called 'Officer Groupies".....actually, quite the opposite. We usually turn down officer dinner invites unless it is to our liking. However, Captain Knut and my husband got along really well. Last December we spent alot of time chatting with Knut, partly because Regent was just purchased by Apollo and they were in the midst of a deal close to us. I do find it surprising that there was no farewell for him. However, based on the lack of officer presence on our recent PG trip (Sept. 27, 2008), it is possible they all have their heads in the books to try to reduce costs. We were very surprised at how little the officers were out and about.

Cheers, Pam

[neviboy]

We have cruised three times with Capt. Knut. Our May voyage was from Ft.Laud, to Barcelona. We greeted old friends in Malaga, and Knut was his old (young) self. Always mingling with guests and a tribute to the friendliness of Regent staff. He is too young to retire !!!

[Travelcat2]

However, based on the lack of officer presence on our recent PG trip (Sept. 27, 2008), it is possible they all have their heads in the books to try to reduce costs. We were very surprised at how little the officers were out and about.

Cheers, Pam

 

With all the "news" regarding the PG, they are probably trying to figure out how to run it without Regent (advertising, management, etc.)

 

It seems that quite a few officers from Oceania are ending up on Regent. Just hope they get the training they obviously need.

[NCCruzQueen]

Word from the Navigator is that Knut has retired.