It’s at all times arduous to say goodbye however even more durable when the individual bidding adieu has spent half a century devoted to the passengers and crew aboard among the world’s largest cruise ships.
After a exceptional 50-year tenure with Royal Caribbean, Captain Johnny Faevelen is embarking on his subsequent journey – one which retains him nearer to residence.
“It’s with combined emotions I’ve handed in my resignation,” the Norwegian-born captain shared in a heartfelt message posted to his Fb account on January 13, 2025.
His new function, as he jests, will likely be full-time as a husband, father, and grandfather.
“I will likely be a 100-percent husband for my pretty spouse, Sissel. I will likely be 100-percent father for our two implausible youngsters, Erelend and Eirin. And I will likely be a 100-percent grandfather for my 4.5 grandchildren, Tord 10, Enny 8, Guro 4, Alfred 3, and our final little grandchild woman, anticipating supply April,” stated Faevelen.
The captain additionally shared private pictures, together with when he first joined Royal Caribbean’s Tune of Norway in 1975 on the age of 20 and when he first turned a captain in 1994 aboard the Nordic Prince.
A ultimate poignant photograph, taken on the day of his put up, exhibits Faevelen on the helm of his present vessel, Symphony of the Seas, set to Rod Stewart’s “Crusing.” The picture featured lyrics from the track, “I’m crusing, residence once more, ‘cross the ocean.”
Learn Additionally: Royal Caribbean’s Good Day at CocoCay: Full Information
Faevelen, who has practically 150,000 TikTok followers, obtained a whole lot of effectively needs from former passengers and crew members alike.
Wrote Captain Rumen Yovchev of the cruise line’s Radiance of the Seas, “Captain Johnny, for me was an honor to be your OF1, OFCS, OFC, and SCPT. Wouldn’t be within the place I’m proper now with out your teaching, mentorship, function mannequin, and friendship.”
Mentioned one other, “Captain Johnny what an unimaginable profession you’ve got had and such a tremendous Captain! You have been my first captain on the Mariner [of the Seas] & my final Captain on Concord [of the Seas] 14 years later. Your subsequent job sounds fab too! Wishing you all the very best.”
Faevelen’s final day, which comes on the completion of a 7-night roundtrip Jap Caribbean cruise from Port Miami touring to the US Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, and Royal Caribbean’s Good Day at Coco Cay, will likely be January 26, 2025.
The captain is at present on an analogous 7-night voyage, taking as much as 5,518 passengers aboard the 228,081-gross-ton Symphony of the Seas to Coco Cay, Puerto Rico, and St. Maarten earlier than he hangs up his captain’s hat.
From Seaman to Grasp
Captain Johnny Faevelen’s half-century tenure at Royal Caribbean started in 1975, when, as he places it, he was “an atypical seaman.”
Starting as a deckhand and navigating by means of each rank till he in the end took command of among the largest and most prestigious vessels on the earth, Faevelen has captained a number of iconic ships throughout the Royal Caribbean fleet, together with Mariner of the Seas from 2004 to 2020, Attract of the Seas from 2010 to 2016, and Concord of the Seas from 2016 to 2024.
He has been Grasp of the Oasis Class Symphony of the Seas since 2024 and has hung out navigating the waters of the Caribbean, Mediterranean, South Pacific, Alaska, Northern Europe, Asia, and the coasts of the US.
In addition to his ardour for his household and the ocean, Faevelan can also be an avid Harley Davidson rider and golfer and has managed and operated Lindesnes Golfklubb in his hometown of Spangereid, Norway, since 2022.
Cruise Hive needs Captain Johnny a contented retirement!
