International Women’s Day: In Conversation with our First Female General Managers

Coinciding with International Women’s Day, we are very excited to introduce two of our newest General Managers – Laurence Barassé and Ludmila Zelkin. Both of these talented women have a history at Oceania Cruises and are thrilled to be transitioning to a life at sea with our incredible crew and all of our treasured guests.

Ludmila is currently on board Sirena, helping to prepare ahead of her first voyage later this month, and Laurence is looking forward to joining Nautica soon in preparation for her first voyage in April. We caught up with Laurence and Ludmila to hear more about their early influences, passions and more. Discover more below.

1. Tell us about your start in the cruise industry – what early aspirations brought you to this point in your career, a life at sea?

Laurence: My experience at sea started eight years ago, by being in the right place at the right time, when I joined Oceania Cruises as a Human Resources Manager. I am very grateful Oceania Cruises gave me a chance to join this industry. After two years with the company and with my land-based food and beverage experience, I had an opportunity to become Food & Beverage Director and discover in greater depth the exquisite experience we offer our guests. I have a passion for people, which means I love being in a position that enables me to offer a level of service that can exceed guests’ expectations every minute. A life at sea means that I can give 100% of my focus to our guests and crew members while on board and 100% to my family & friends when at home, all this while traveling the world …what’s not to love?

Ludmila: Primarily because of the languages I speak, I was hired as a Purser aboard a ship that was going from Alaska to South America when I was 23 years old. While I had no idea at the time that I would remain in the industry for the rest of my career life, I was blessed to have supervisors who believed in me and trained me to always grow and move up. I became Hotel Director a few days before my 30th birthday, which was a great accomplishment for a woman at the time. I was lucky enough to raise my children myself and moved to a land-based position in the corporate side of the cruise industry (in Monaco and then in Miami) in order to be able to do so. Though I continued to sail regularly on our ships for my corporate job, I always knew I wanted to get back into my uniform and inspire other women in a place that has been a man’s world for as long as it has existed.

2. Who has been the most powerful female influence in your life and why?

Laurence: It has to be the female Human Resources Manager who took a chance on me and gave me my first opportunity to work in Human Resources with InterContinental Hotels while in London when I had no experience or studies in that field. She has been my mentor ever since. Her drive, determination, creativity with her options, care for others mean that nothing is impossible; we just need to find the way to make it work!

Ludmila: My mother, who raised me to make sure I am always true to others and true to myself.

3. What is your philosophy as a General Manager aboard our small and luxurious ships?

Laurence: My philosophy as a General Manager on board our small and luxurious ships is that my role has as much responsibility toward our guests as our crew members. My role is to ensure I provide all that is needed to the team to provide the highest level of service and the warm and elegant ambiance our guests have come to expect.

Ludmila: My philosophy has always been: happy crew = happy guests. A smaller ship gives even more this sense of a true family, where every detail and every individual is more noticeable than on bigger vessels. I find it so important to take the time to be available for the crew, to listen to their feedback and to learn as much from them as they, hopefully, can learn from us. Empowering our crew is essential for ensuring they have confidence to deliver our signature experience with pride and joy to our guests.

4. Oceania Cruises is known for The Finest Cuisine at Sea®. What is your absolute favorite dish on board and where is it served?

Laurence: There are so many, it is difficult to pick just one…I would, however, select the Miso-Glazed Sea Bass from Red Ginger. This beautifully balanced dish needs nothing else to enhance it. It is unique.

Ludmila: The Baked Alaskan Halibut with mushroom duxelles and creamy vermouth sauce, served in The Grand Dining Room. I must admit I am also a true fan of the ever so popular Miso-Glazed Sea Bass at Red Ginger.

5. What are some of your favorite ways to spend time when you’re not working?

Laurence: While I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, cycling, walking in the countryside. I also help an association assisting elderly people with their transportation and shopping. I love to explore unknown places and visit castles and churches.

Ludmila: Cooking, cooking and cooking – and entertaining friends in my backyard in Fort Lauderdale, or my family in France. Next vacation, depending on the travel conditions around the world, I plan on taking my daughter on a road trip in the Puglia region of Italy.

Laurence and Ludmila look forward to welcoming you on board this spring!

About General Manager Laurence Barassé
Born in Le Mans, France, Laurence Barassé ventured at a young age to the UK to expand her knowledge of the English language. She turned her short linguistics trip into her new home, living there for 19 years. Laurence worked in the Service & Hospitality industry at majestic castles and luxury hotels managing various operations. She started her life at sea – and with Oceania Cruises – as a beautiful coincidence eight years ago as a Human Resources Manager. It was the perfect combination of her love of travel and value for human development. She embraced her skills working her way to F&B Director and now General Manager. Laurence loves the outdoors and taking adventurous walks. During her vacation she chases summer splitting her time between Costa Rica and France.

About General Manager Ludmila Zelkin
Born in Israel to French and Russian parents, Ludmila Zelkin is the first female General Manager at Oceania Cruises. She was inspired by her love of journalism to study literature and languages at McGill University in Canada and speaks French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Russian and Creole. Her fluency in multiple languages landed Ludmila her first contract aboard a ship at age 23. Starting her career as a Junior Purser and then ascending the administrative ranks, she became a Hotel Director seven years later. After sailing the oceans far and wide, Ludmila settled down on land with her son and daughter, eventually relocating to Miami to work in Port Operations and Hotel Operations. She joined Oceania Cruises’ corporate offices in 2012 and now that her children are both grown, she’s thrilled to be doing what she loves best — sailing on the high seas.