Andreas Storl, CEO of European Cruise Services, shares his journey in the cruise industry

Andreas Storl, CEO, European Cruise Services - ECS Group, shares his cruise industry firsts.

August 10, 2026

Describe the first time you saw a cruise ship.

I grew up in Eastern Germany, in the small town of Plauen – right in the middle of the country, far from any coastline.

Until the age of nine, travel was restricted to socialist countries, so our family holidays were usually spent at the Baltic Sea or in Hungary. Those early trips shaped my curiosity for the world long before I ever saw an ocean liner up close.

My very first sight of a cruise ship was the Völkerfreundschaft in Warnemünde in the 1980s. At that time, Völkerfreundschaft was, together with Arkona, one of the most iconic vessels sailing under the East German flag – a symbol of aspiration and a rare glimpse into a world that felt far beyond everyday life in the German Democratic Republic. I still remember standing there as a child, completely mesmerised, watching this elegant ship at the pier. I wondered what it looked like onboard, who the people were sailing on it, and where it would go next. For a boy who grew up far from the sea, Völkerfreundschaft felt almost mythical – a floating promise of freedom, travel and possibility.

After finishing school, I studied tourism and became a travel agent. During my studies, I escorted German groups as a tour leader on various cruise ships – my very first was Costa Europa. That was also the very first time I ever stepped onboard a cruise ship and it opened a completely new world for me.

What was the first cruise-related company you worked for as a young professional, and what was your role?

After graduating, I joined Costa Cruises in 2004 and commenced my professional career in the shore excursions department onboard. Together with my colleagues, I sold and coordinated shore excursions, escorted guests ashore, and ensured that every passenger had an enjoyable and well‑managed experience. It was a genuinely rewarding role, but also a demanding one – long hours, barely any time off, modest pay and a constant focus on service. Yet those 6–7‑month contracts allowed me to see the world. For someone who grew up in a small town, the opportunity to discover new destinations and cultures was transformative and shaped the global perspective I carry with me today. My first contract was on Costa Romantica, followed by Costa Marina, Costa Classica and Costa Magica.

What was your first cruise experience as a passenger?

Even after spending several years working onboard, I've actually never sailed as a cruise passenger on a private holiday. I've been on many ships, but always in a fully professional capacity. My relationship with cruising grew from behind the scenes, from the crew corridors and the shorex office, rather than from a sunbed on deck. In many ways, that operational perspective became my 'passenger experience,' and it shaped how I see the industry to this day.

Name your first cruise industry mentor or inspiration.

My first mentor was Geraldo Teodoro De Almeida, shorex manager for Costa Cruises, to whom I am deeply grateful for everything he taught me. I first met Geraldo when I was working as a tour leader onboard Costa Europa, and he was the one who encouraged me to start working onboard. His guidance opened the door to my career at sea and shaped many of the values I still carry with me today.

At European Cruise Service, my first mentor was Aslaug Selland, who served as shorex director. She was the one who brought me into the company, and I began my ECS journey as a dispatcher and assistant in 2007. After two years, Aslaug offered me the opportunity to step into a manager position – a decision that significantly shaped my professional path and laid the foundation for the leadership roles that followed.

In 2013, when I became CEO, my mentor became Arthur Kordt, MD and owner. We had a long and thoughtful transition period, during which Arthur shared his experience generously. Throughout all those years, he consistently had an open ear, offered guidance, and provided clear, steady advice. I remain deeply grateful for the trust he placed in me and for the opportunity he gave me to take on the CEO role. After almost 20 years of working together, we have built an exceptionally strong and highly professional relationship – one defined by deep mutual respect, trust and a very natural understanding of each other's way of working. We collaborate extremely well, rely on each other's judgement and maintain the kind of trust where we can reach out at any time, day or night, and know the other will be there.

And your first memory of a Seatrade Cruise event?

My first Seatrade experience was in 2011, arriving from cold Norway and checking into my South Beach hotel right in the middle of spring break. I will never forget the scene: a DJ playing in the pool, his turntables balanced on a floating platform – a surreal welcome to Miami.

But my true first Seatrade memory was stepping into the convention center for the very first time. The energy was extraordinary: a hall full of people who shared the same passion for cruise innovation, operations and collaboration. It was inspiring, energising, and unlike anything I had experienced before.

Seatrade also became a defining milestone in my career. It was during Seatrade Miami in 2013 that Arthur Kordt offered me the CEO position at European Cruise Service. For that reason – and for many unforgettable moments over the years – Seatrade Miami will always hold a very special place for me.