On Monday, Swedish mariner Karin Stahre-Janson became captain of Royal Caribbean's Monarch of the Seas, making her the first female captain in the line's 21-ship fleet and the first woman in the industry to command a major cruise ship. As the captain of the 880-foot-long, 106-foot-wide Monarch of the Seas, Stahre-Janson is responsible for the ship's safe navigation. Monarch of the Seas, which sails three- and four-night cruises to San Diego, Catalina and Ensenada, Mexico, routinely carries 2,400 guests and 850 crewmembers. Captain Stahre-Janson recently completed her first tour of duty as captain of the Los Angeles-based ship and will resume her post in August. An officer on Royal Caribbean's ships since 1997, Stahre-Janson's credits include first officer on Viking Serenade and Nordic Empress, chief officer on Vision of the Seas, chief officer on Radiance of the Seas and staff captain on Brilliance of the Seas as well as on Serenade of the Seas and Majesty of the Seas. "We are tremendously proud and pleased by Captain Stahre-Janson's promotion," said Adam Goldstein, president of Royal Caribbean International. "This is historic news--for our company and the entire cruise industry--and a tremendous inspiration for women in any line of work, particularly a maritime career." Visit [www.royalcaribbean.com].
