Serafin Blazquez on cruise industry firsts: Barcelona, mentors, and Seatrade

Serafin Blazquez, global business development director, Barcelona Europe Supply, shares his cruise industry firsts.

September 14, 2026

Serafin Blazquez has built a lifelong passion for the cruise industry since his first encounter with a cruise ship in Barcelona in 1999PHOTO: SERAFIN BLAZQUEZ / BARCELONA EUROPE SUPPLY

Describe the first time you saw a cruise ship.

The first cruise ship I ever saw was Rembrandt, operated by Premier Cruise Lines, in the Port of Barcelona in 1999. I had started working in the cruise industry just one week earlier and went down to the port on a cold, rainy February evening to see the berth where I would be handling my first ship two days later.

There she was, moored against the darkening sky, her classic silhouette illuminated by warm lights as passengers returned from their shore excursions. The whole scene felt timeless, elegant, and unexpectedly romantic, as if I had stepped straight into a film.

I remember standing there, completely captivated, without knowing that this moment would mark the beginning of a lifelong passion for the cruise industry.

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

My first role in the cruise industry was as a port agent with MacAndrews in Barcelona in 1999. It was a very different world from the one we know today. Ships carried no more than 800 or 900 passengers, and our only communication with them was by telex or satellite fax. Before their arrival, we would receive little more than their expected arrival and departure times, along with requests for fresh water or waste collection. Everything else began the moment the ship docked.

I would go on board, meet the captain, the hotel manager and the ship's doctor, and suddenly my day would unfold into dozens of unexpected requests. One moment I was arranging newspapers and postage stamps for passengers; the next, I was organizing medical assistance for someone suffering a heart attack or finding divers to carry out an underwater repair. There were provisions to deliver, photocopiers to fix, dental appointments for crew members and even flowers to find for a marriage proposal. Occasionally, there was also the delicate task of explaining to surprised passengers that US dollars were not legal tender in Spain!

Every port call was a race against time. The ship would only be in Barcelona for a few hours, and my responsibility was to make sure every service was delivered, every problem was solved and every passenger enjoyed the best possible experience in our city.

It was demanding, unpredictable and an enormous responsibility for a young professional. But when the ship sailed away in the evening and I saw happy passengers and crew members waving goodbye, the sense of satisfaction was extraordinary. Looking back, those early days taught me that this industry is ultimately about people, trust and teamwork. Behind every successful port call is a team of dedicated people who rely on one another to make the seemingly impossible happen before departure.

What was your first cruise experience as a passenger?

It took me some time to experience cruising as a passenger. After spending 11 months of the year working around ships and the sea, I usually took my holidays in December and escaped to the mountains, where snow and cold weather felt like the perfect contrast to life at the port.

That changed after the birth of my first son, Bruno, when I took my first cruise aboard Norwegian Epic. As a new father, I was looking for a chance to slow down, relax and hopefully get some sleep, while still enjoying the opportunity to discover several countries in one journey.

Experiencing a cruise from the passenger's perspective was particularly special. Almost 16 years later, we still look back at the photographs from that trip as it was one of our most memorable journeys.

Name your first cruise industry mentor or inspiration.

I cannot name just one mentor, because the person and professional I am today is the result of lessons learned from many remarkable people throughout my journey in the cruise industry.

In my early years, captains such as Captain Katsoulis (Festival Cruises), Captain Vasilos Gathikas (Louis Cruises) and Captain Geir Larsen (Sun Cruises) taught me that while the sea can be demanding, the right spirit can turn even the toughest conditions into a celebration. They showed me that a ship does not need to be the biggest or most sophisticated to create extraordinary holidays, what truly matters is the dedication of the crew on board.

I will always be grateful to Jordi Torner at MacAndrews for believing in me when I was very young and giving me my first opportunity in this industry. My former colleagues Olga Piqueras and Virginia Quintairos at Intercruises also inspired me through their professionalism and commitment to their clients.

At The Apollo Group, José Ramón Barrera, Steve Fruness and Philippe Faucher introduced me to the fascinating world of cruise logistics: an essential part of the industry that passengers rarely see, but without which no ship could operate. Mehmet Kutman of Global Ports Holding showed me the importance of having a clear vision and believing in it, even when obstacles stand in the way.

My time in Saudi Arabia also brought inspiration from many exceptional colleagues. Above all, that experience reinforced the importance of dreaming big and ensuring that local communities can share in the opportunities created by the cruise industry.

Finally, I would highlight Mark Robinson (BC Cruise Services) with whom I have worked on multiple projects over the years. His leadership, vision and commitment to the cruise industry have been a constant source of inspiration.

If there is one thing all these people have taught me, it is that the cruise industry is built not only on ships, destinations and operations, but on the people who believe in what is possible and inspire others to believe in it too.

And your first memory of a Seatrade Cruise event?

I remember my first Seatrade Cruise event as if it were yesterday. It was in Miami in 2009, shortly after I joined Intercruises, and from the moment I arrived, I was struck by the scale and energy of the event.

Everywhere I looked, there were exhibition stands, partners, port agents, authorities and cruise industry professionals from around the world. For years, I had been exchanging emails with many of these people, but this was the first time I could finally shake their hands, put faces to names and have a real conversation.

This was before Teams and video calls became part of everyday life, so meeting someone in person carried a different kind of excitement. People who had previously existed only in my inbox suddenly became colleagues, friends, and familiar faces within this extraordinary global community.

What I remember most is the feeling of happiness and amazement as I took it all in. I thought, 'Wow, there is so much more happening behind the scenes than I ever imagined.' That first Seatrade showed me the true scale of our industry and, more importantly, the people and relationships that bring it to life.