REMEMBERING JOHAN

JOHAN GROOTHUIZEN WAS MORE THAN A HOSPITALITY EXPERT. HE HELPED SHAPED THE WAY WE CRUISE.

Porthole Cruise Magazine pays tribute to a gentle giant of the cruise industry, Johan Groothuizen, who passed away in Seattle on February 2, 2020. The hospitality professional is remembered by his colleagues as “a man who radiated authority without saying anything,” as well as “a man who enjoyed life to the fullest,” who “was always making sure the guests were satisfied but also that the officers and crew were happy in their jobs.”

In 1969, Johan earned a hotel management degree in The Hague, Netherlands, and started as purser’s clerk aboard the West Star sailing in Alaska, moving up to food-and-beverage manager for Holland America Line’s ss Rotterdam. By 1980, he’d become the youngest hotel manager of the fleet, sailing ms Prinsendam in Alaskan waters, and in 1982 he was appointed as hotel manager for ms

Nieuw Amsterdam stationed in SaintNazaire until her maiden voyage in the summer of 1983.

Johan was invited in 1986 to become director of revenue, with an emphasis on bar revenue. He accepted and settled in the Seattle office with the Marine Hotel team of Bill Prins and Hans Brinkhoff. After Holland America Line was acquired by Carnival Corporation in 1989, he took on additional responsibilities as director, marine hotel operations. In 1997, at Carnival Corporation’s request, Johan spent a year on a project in South Korea to develop the Asian market together with Ray Lutz.

Soon after that, he replaced Peter Smith as vice president, marine hotel operations, a position he maintained until his retirement in 2013. But Johan’s influence was still felt. Over the last two years, he was involved in the design of the latest additions to the Holland America fleet, ms Koningsdam and ms Nieuw Statendam.

Johan was a great contributor to the success of Holland America Line, not only financially but also in guest satisfaction, and always made sure that the crew was happy.