Bill Panoff recalls early career aboard Carnival’s TSS Carnivale
Panoff traced his start in cruising to the 1980s and credited former Carnival Cruise Lines president Bob Dickinson as an important mentor.
Bill Panoff said the first cruise ship he encountered at close range was Carnival Cruise Lines’ TSS Carnivale, which he boarded during the 1980s. The ship also became the setting for his first job in the cruise industry.
According to Panoff, he joined the TSS Carnivale as a magician before moving into a cruise staff position. He was later promoted to cruise director. Panoff said he had not previously experienced cruising as a passenger.
Panoff named Bob Dickinson, who was serving as president of Carnival Cruise Lines at the time, as his first mentor and source of inspiration within the industry.
He also recalled attending his first Seatrade Cruise event in Miami in 1989. Panoff said the gathering made a lasting impression on him as his career in the cruise sector developed.