Captain Johnny Faevelen introduced his retirement from Royal Caribbean Worldwide.
He started his profession with the cruise large in 1975 as an Bizarre Sailor, Abalbody Seaman, and Quarter Grasp, in response to Faevelen’s LinkedIn profile.
Since then, he is labored as a Captain on ships starting from one of many first fashionable purpose-built cruise ships, Nordic Prince, to Monarch of the Seas; Voyager of the Seas; Attract of the Seas; Concord of the Seas; and Symphony of the Seas, simply to call just a few.
“50 years has [passed], and it’s time to say [goodbye] to Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. 😢 It’s with blended emotions I’ve handed in my resignation,” reads Captain Faevelen’s Fb put up.
“I’ve been within the considering field for the final months, 😵💫 and are available to the conclusion that after 50 wonderful years working for such a improbable firm, it’s time to begin a brand new profession;🏆 As of January 26.2025 I’ll begin…a brand new ‘job’.”
He plans on being “100%” current along with his household, together with his spouse Sissel, two kids Erlend and Eirin, and 4—quickly to be 5—grandchildren ranging in ages from new child to 10 years outdated.
“I’ve met and labored with so…many fantastic folks in my profession, nobody talked about – nobody forgotten. who you’re 💞 Thanks all for [having] been part of my life for 50 years. 🥳,” he provides.
He started working with the corporate in 1975 when he was simply 20 years outdated
Captain Faevelen joined the Music of Norway as an Bizarre Seaman.
The Music of Norway was the primary cruise ship constructed for Royal Caribbean Worldwide and launched in 1970. She initially had a gross registered tonnage of round 18,000.
Nevertheless, the demand for cruising was so excessive that Royal Caribbean lengthened the vessel in 1978, rising her GRT to 23,000.
Time as a 2nd Officer
Finally, Captain Faevelen needed to stray from the Royal Caribbean model to achieve expertise to be thought-about for additional promotion.
“[This] is me doing celestial navigation…once I was a 2nd. Officer for the primary time onboard Skauboard,” he explains.
Royal Caribbean did not have 2nd Officers, so Captain Faevelen sailed on cargo ships to achieve the mandatory expertise and {qualifications}.
The work paid off as a result of he turned a Captain in 1994
It took the completed sailor almost 20 years to lastly be promoted to Captain.
His first contract was aboard the Nordic Prince in 1994. He did not simply cruise to the Caribbean; he was tasked with crusing by means of Alaska’s icy waters.
Ending as Captain of one of many world’s largest cruise ships
Captain Faevelen’s LinkedIn reveals that he is been the Grasp of Oasis Class ships since 2010 when he turned Attract of the Seas’ Captain. Since then, he is additionally been the Captain of Concord and Symphony of the Seas.
He is ending his 50-year stint as Symphony of the Seas’ Captain. Symphony is at present the 4th largest cruise ship on the planet behind Icon, Utopia, and Marvel of the Seas.
Learn extra: Have a look inside a cruise ship captain’s dwelling quarters
Identified for his flamboyant type
Captain Faevelen wasn’t your common cruise ship Captain.
Whereas he’s passionate concerning the sea and the well-being of passengers and crew members, he is additionally a motorbike fanatic and proud Parrot proprietor.
Not solely that however, as a Captain, he had the privilege of gifting away and marrying his daughter on a cruise ship.
Sadly, Captain Faevelen was recognized with Melanoma and shared tidbits of his journey on social media.
“Again once more at Kristiansand Most cancers Middle for my fifth. of 12 Immune Remedy remedies, to stop additional growth of melanoma most cancers. All good and…I’m in the most effective arms🥰 ,” he wrote on X.
Nevertheless, in the beginning of 2024, he optimistically shared that he completed his final immune remedy to stop the most cancers cells from returning: “A full PET scan stays, after which I am prepared for no matter 2024 brings!”
Fond farewell
Generally, the crew is simply as essential because the ship, and it is protected to say that Captain Faevelen was one of the standard Captains crusing for Royal Caribbean.
“Finest Captain ever on the excessive seas , you’ll certainly be missed , good luck and benefit from the future with your loved ones 🥰,” commented Tracey Ann Lemon on Faevelen’s Fb put up.
Ken Muskat added, “Congratulations to you Captain Johnny. What an unbelievable profession and it was a pleasure attending to know you from my time at Royal. Wishing you the most effective in your function as 100% household man!”