Meet the Experts: Interview with Hotel Director, Crystal Cruises' Josef Matt

Where it all began for Josef Matt

Catching him at a rare quiet moment during a recent cruise, it was fascinating to understand a little of his background, one that started with apprenticeships in the kitchen, grew to hotel management school in Switzerland, London (to help improve his now faultless English), and Paris. After emigrating to South Africa, he found the cruise industry, and in 1983 joined the key luxury cruise line of the time, Royal Viking Line, a close partner of Mundy. Holding roles of provision master, hotel purchasing and food and beverage, he became the first hotel director on Royal Viking Queen (subsequently Seabourn Legend and now Star Legend) before finally moving, and settling, at Crystal in 1994.

The Triumph of Crystal's work environment

In his role, Josef is responsible for all Hotel Operations including Crystal's expansive entertainment programme, which offers an impressive range of varied enrichment and activities. A team of department heads are delegated to and Josef speaks warmly of their relationship - "there are no conflicts, we work together, live together and respect each other."

The respect between the Crystal team is a key reason for the lines impressive staff retention and any Crystal regular will testify that there are always a huge number of familiar faces seen when returning. "It is because of the way people are treated on board. We don't have a stiff hierarchy, we deal with people eye to eye on the same level, and we don't look from up to down. This starts from the captain."

With the leadership of the line driving the respect which all the crew are offered, it was no surprise that when Crystal restarted in 2023 there was a huge return to both ships. "Over 80% of hotel crew were returning. It started with key staff members and department heads, who were contacting their teams, and of course there was two-way communication - those who were committed to contracts with another cruise line were advised to complete their contracts and remain on good terms with our competitors. We just picked them up after they had completed their contracts."

Josef himself sums up the reason for his long service succinctly - "I like the way they treat people."

Any challenges?

When we dig for the challenges that his role brings, the response - "What is a challenge? We have a lovely clientele, classy, and they make it special.", is accompanied by his gentle smile. "A challenge is something unexpected, and we always need to be prepared. My phone is on day and night, 24 hours on call, but I only get called in an emergency. If the phone rings in the night you really know it is important, it will be the captain or vice-captain.

Josef's travel recommendations

Finally, we wanted to know where someone who has been travelling all their life would consider to be their favourite place. "Europe is high on the agenda, I like New Zealand and Australia, South Africa of course, also the Far East, Canada, South America - everywhere!".