Travis Stedman recounts his route into the cruise industry
The Cruise Cape Town professional traced his interest to a childhood ship sighting and detailed his first industry sailing experience.
Travis Stedman said his earliest memorable encounter with a cruise ship came during childhood, when he saw Queen Mary in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. He later entered the industry professionally through Cruise Cape Town, which he described as his first cruise-sector role.
Although Stedman said he has never taken a cruise as a passenger, he completed his first sailing experience in November 2024. The Ponant scouting voyage traveled from Cape Town to Mossel Bay and included an overnight stay in Hermanus.
Stedman said he does not have a formal mentor in the cruise industry but identified Alex Zietz of Virgin Voyages as an important inspiration. Zietz serves as the company’s senior director of global operations, experience, and belonging. Stedman also attended Seatrade Cruise Global for the first time in Miami in 2024.