BANANACUE
REPUBLIC
Vol II, No. 05
Feb 09, 2005

 
  
 by Leoncio Olobia

Table of
Contents

ARCHIVE:
2004
2005

Website:
Leoncio

The Man Behind the Stripes


Working aboard cruise ships can be an exciting point for someone who loves hopping around the islands meeting different cultures, and don't forget the different nationalities that come and share their talents and skills all in the name of excellent service to the touring guests. As the famous line says: the entire staff and crew embody the ideals of United Nations because we work very well in a very diverse setting. Unity in diversity, indeed.

For many years now I have been fortunate to meet fine fellow workers from various ranks. It makes life easier in a world where loneliness and homesickness can strike you being away from home for many months.

One such gentleman I had the pleasure to socialize with is the incumbent Staff Captain aboard the Explorer of the Seas, Captain Frank Martinsen. For the most part staff with the highest position can be really so busy and practically have almost no time to hangout with other crew because the hours they devote can be unimaginable, but not for Frank. He is bound to his duties as defender of the ship in navigation guiding us from Point A to B, thus having to wake up early hours while the ship gently enters a port of visit, but still finds time to mingle and engage in friendly chats among fellow mates on the high seas.

Because there is so much literature written about nautical science and the art of navigation, I intend to make this article with a personal touch, more on the human aspect of the job and after-hour leisure my new friend indulges.

Frank is a native of Norway where ships have earned their birthplaces. Also, as a musician myself, I refer Norway the most picturesque view of the mountains at Fjord and the majestic music of Edvard Grieg, one of the world's renowned composers. As a growing romancer of the sea, Frank used to go fishing with his father eventually making it a turning-point when he thought he could lead his own boat one day. His first professional career as a Seafarer was a Junior Seaman joining the ranks of many aspiring, young professionals but because of his deliberate choices to move on and aim for higher achievements, sure enough it didn't take much time to honor him as Staff Captain. At times he also served as The Master and even stepped in to oversee the Hotel Director position in his absence, all in the name of good service. He never stops working for the better. And for that he extremely deserves the recent rise of his status to Captain, Master of the Serenade of the Seas as of May 5th, 2005

When I learned about his departure from the Explorer, my leap of joy was juxtaposed with sadness because to be at the top of the ladder is the greatest thing one can dream of but I was just learning to know him as a person, behind those stripes and white uniform I saw a gentle, humorous air. There will be more people to get to know and certainly he will be close with his new venture on the Serenade.

Presently residing in Williamstown, West Virginia with a magnificent 5-bedroom, Gothic-inspired residence, Frank is happily married to Dr. Cyndi Martinsen, a Family physician and has a son and daughter to cheer up their lives. Apart from this stunning investment in the United States, he owns a luxurious apartment in Aventura, Miami where weekly rental could reach up to $1,700. Not a bad way to spend money, he jokes. "Also, marrying a doctor certainly can pay off the bills", he further says.

Because Frank stays in the ship for sometime, his family and friends come to cruise with him with utmost luxury. Because I play the piano in the dining room, I always see when his guests would come and join him at the center table while he is being escorted by the Maitre'd and the Social Host. Such abundance of respect and joy certainly bring everyone an inspiration to keep moving on and respect whatever job each one has.

Apart from the role as personal adviser to the Captain, Frank is an ordinary person who, indeed, is just one of us. He laughingly shares his moments with the Filipino crew as a culture that likes to be with each other all the time. Yes, indeed we are a homogenous breeding. It's probably related to our abundance of rice that we eat that makes us even more communal. I remember he mentioned about Filipinos having a different way of socializing which I think is sometimes demeaning especially in an international setting.

I believe that with his unending success in work public relations, a person like Frank Martinsen sends an example to each of us who is on the road to achieving something: that there is unlimited road to success. It doesn't end. There is hope to those who face challenges, as well. It is these challenges that make us want to live more and for Frank, the high seas seem to affect him a lot.

Posted 02/09/05.  Send your comment to bananacue_republic@yahoo.com

"As a growing romancer of the sea, Frank used to go fishing with his father eventually making it a turning-point when he thought he could lead his own boat one day."