Cruising his way through life
Born in the beautiful twin island state of Trinidad and Tobago, Kerwin De Matas comes from an environment where the world-renowned Trinidadian carnival, beautiful beaches and good rum prevail. Coming from this background of good times and a love of meeting new people, it was easy to embrace the hospitality industry as a career, and take a road where there was no turning back.
At the ‘legal’ age of 21, after preparing to work onboard a cruise liner with prior experience working at restaurants, events and training at the Royal Caribbean Academy in Port of Spain, he was ready to begin his adventure on the high seas and in an industry which was as exciting then as it is now.
Many nautical miles later, over a period of 20 years, he has been fortunate to have travelled to over 70 countries, and met his wife and business partner along the way.
De Matas’ current title is hospitality and customer service coach and consultant. He has just over 20 years of experience, and said he was completely enthralled by ‘The Love Boat’ series as a child. As he grew older and saw enormous cruise ships docked at the Port, he knew he had to work on them. Who knew that his engagement in the hospitality sector would finally secure him a spot on those ships?
His first intention was to enlist in the coast guard to combat piracy and smuggling in their seas, but when he spotted a Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines recruitment poster, that was it for him - he applied.
“I truly enjoy the fact that I can create positive memories for my guests and be able to encourage and develop teams that can do the same,” De Matas said.
The difficulties he encountered in the beginning of his cruise ship career included homesickness, seasickness, and the persistent feeling that he could never do his job well, which was disheartening.
He said he simply reminded himself that all of his sacrifices had been for a reason, when he considered how much money he had spent to get there in the first place. He eventually overcame his seasickness, set aside his melancholy, and forced himself to accept his position on board and work on himself.
There is a quote he absolutely loves that goes: “The only way to predict the future is to create it!”
At the ‘legal’ age of 21, after preparing to work onboard a cruise liner with prior experience working at restaurants, events and training at the Royal Caribbean Academy in Port of Spain, he was ready to begin his adventure on the high seas and in an industry which was as exciting then as it is now.
Many nautical miles later, over a period of 20 years, he has been fortunate to have travelled to over 70 countries, and met his wife and business partner along the way.
De Matas’ current title is hospitality and customer service coach and consultant. He has just over 20 years of experience, and said he was completely enthralled by ‘The Love Boat’ series as a child. As he grew older and saw enormous cruise ships docked at the Port, he knew he had to work on them. Who knew that his engagement in the hospitality sector would finally secure him a spot on those ships?
His first intention was to enlist in the coast guard to combat piracy and smuggling in their seas, but when he spotted a Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines recruitment poster, that was it for him - he applied.
“I truly enjoy the fact that I can create positive memories for my guests and be able to encourage and develop teams that can do the same,” De Matas said.
The difficulties he encountered in the beginning of his cruise ship career included homesickness, seasickness, and the persistent feeling that he could never do his job well, which was disheartening.
He said he simply reminded himself that all of his sacrifices had been for a reason, when he considered how much money he had spent to get there in the first place. He eventually overcame his seasickness, set aside his melancholy, and forced himself to accept his position on board and work on himself.
There is a quote he absolutely loves that goes: “The only way to predict the future is to create it!”
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