Marisa Christenson shares her career milestones in cruise industry operations

Marisa Christenson, AVP food & beverage operations and development for Holland America Line & Seabourn, shares her cruise industry firsts.

June 29, 2026

Describe the first time you saw a cruise ship.

Honestly, it's hard to pinpoint the exact ship or moment! Growing up in Seattle, ships were simply part of the scenery, a constant presence woven into everyday life. Anytime you looked out over the Puget Sound, there they were on the horizon: ferries crisscrossing the water, cargo vessels heading to and from port and cruise ships gliding in and out during the season. They were such a familiar sight that, looking back, I think they quietly sparked my curiosity about this industry long before I ever realized it.

My first time truly experiencing a ship and taking in its full scale, though, was when I joined Holland America Line in 2017. The very first ship I ever stepped foot on was the Veendam, and it's a moment that has stuck with me ever since.

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

My very first role in the industry was manager, restaurant operations at Holland America Line, based in our Seattle office. I started in November 2017 and hit the ground running almost immediately, as we were deep in preparations to launch our third Pinnacle Class ship, the Nieuw Statendam, in 2018. It was an incredible way to begin, jumping straight into the energy and detail of bringing a brand-new ship to life. Being part of that launch so early on gave me a front-row seat to the scale, creativity and teamwork that go into the guest experience, and it set the tone for everything I've loved about this industry ever since.

What was your first cruise experience as a passenger?

My very first cruise as a passenger was with Princess Cruises, on a family vacation to Alaska when I was in elementary school. It was pure magic for a kid! I have such vivid memories of grabbing as much pizza as I wanted whenever I pleased, making a whole crew of new friends at the kids club and simply having an absolute blast from start to finish. Looking back, there's something pretty special about the fact that my very first taste of cruising was on the same Alaska itineraries I'm so passionate about today.

Name your first cruise industry mentor or inspiration.

That's such a hard question, because I've been incredibly fortunate to work alongside so many amazing leaders and have gathered wonderful mentors throughout my career. Within the cruise world, though, a few truly stand out. Michael Stendebach (SVP food, beverage and rooms division, HAL & Seabourn) has been fundamental to the growth and success we've been able to share across HAL and Seabourn, and I've learned so much from him along the way. Kacy Cole (CMO, HAL & Seabourn) constantly reminds me to put my big ideas out there and make them happen, and she is the very embodiment of that spirit. And of course Beth Bodensteiner, president of HAL, who sets a wonderful example of growing a meaningful career within a company and represents the kind of strong, inspiring leadership I deeply admire.

And your first memory of a Seatrade Cruise event?

My very first Seatrade Cruise event was F&B@Sea in March 2023, which also happened to be the very first time F&B@Sea was ever hosted. It was such a wonderful experience to come together with so many industry peers, share ideas, and feel the energy of a brand-new event taking shape. My favorite memory, though, has to be this year. In April, I attended F&B@Sea and was honored with the inaugural Woman of Impact award. It was such a meaningful moment and a tremendous honor to receive that recognition, and it's certainly a memory I'll treasure for years to come.