Royal Caribbean International Names First Female Captain of a Major Cruise Ship

Royal Caribbean International Names First Female Captain of a Major Cruise Ship

Royal Caribbean International has named Swedish mariner, Karin Stahre-Janson, captain of Monarch of the Seas, making her the first female captain in the line’s 21-ship fleet and the first woman in the industry to command a major cruise ship.

As the Captain of Monarch of the Seas, Captain Stahre-Janson is responsible for the safe navigation of a ship that is 880 feet long, 106 feet wide, has 14 guest decks and routinely carries 2,400 guests and 850 crew members.

Captain Stahre-Janson recently completed her first tour of duty as captain of the Los Angeles-based ship, which sails three- and four-night cruises to San Diego, Catalina and Ensenada, Mexico. She resumes her command in August.

Prior to joining Royal Caribbean, Captain Stahre-Janson worked for nine years in cargo shipping, primarily on petroleum and chemical tankers, where, ultimately, she served as Chief Officer.

Captain Stahre-Janson has been an officer on Royal Caribbean’s ships since 1997, when she joined the company. Starting out as First Officer on Viking Serenade and Nordic Empress, she became Chief Officer while on Vision of the Seas and continued that role on Radiance of the Seas. Adding still another stripe, she was named Staff Captain on Brilliance of the Seas, and also served in that capacity on Serenade of the Seas and Majesty of the Seas.