Nominated for ‘Podcast of the Year’ in the 2024 African Podcast and Voice Awards (APVA), the weekly Sandton Times Hour is a Sandton magazine show that brings the digital pages of The Sandton Times to life.
- Klaus Lugmaier, Regional Vice President of Fleet Hotel Operations for Norwegian Cruise Line chats about his career and what it takes to run a major cruise ship.
- Christian Pratsch, Vice President of Food and Beverage Operations for Norwegian Cruise Line talks about Norwegian Aqua’s dining options.
- Tat Wolfen, Entertainment Commentator for The Sandton Times, takes a look at the entertainment onboard the Norwegian Aqua.
- Cruise Journalist, Christoph Assies, provides his thoughts and verdict on the Norwegian Aqua.
- One-On-One interview with Kevin Bubolz, Vice President & Managing Director Continental Europe, Middle East & Africa for Norwegian Cruise Line.
- Visit www.sandtontimes.co.za for more stories.
As the only radio show and podcast dedicated to Africa’s richest square mile, this Sandton magazine show is packed with an array of entertaining and informative interviews blended with the best music, every week on 91.9 FM, Mondays from 7pm to 8pm.
The Sandton Times offers readers all they ever wanted online, and The Sandton Times Hour is the go-to weekly magazine show broadcast from greater Sandton. The show features fabulous food spots, luxurious lifestyle bits, first-hand travel tips, motoring notes, and world-class entertainment, business discussions and so much more, even venturing beyond the borders of greater Sandton.
In 2024, The Sandton Times Hour secured the third spot on Feedspot’s list of the “30 Best South Africa Podcasts” highlighting the top South African podcasts from thousands available on the web, ranking them based on relevancy, authority, social media followers, and freshness.
In this week’s show [Edition 193 Week 18] The Sandton Times covers an array of topical news as well as these interviews:
What It Takes To Run A Major Cruise Ship With Regional Vice President Of Fleet Hotel Operations For Norwegian Cruise Line Klaus Lugmaier
Running one of the world’s leading cruise ship operations isn’t just about logistics – it’s about heart, hospitality, and a deep passion for people. Klaus Lugmaier, Regional Vice President of Fleet Hotel Operations for Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), knows this better than anyone. Originally from Austria and now a U.S. resident, Klaus’s career journey has seen him rise from head waiter at one of NCL’s first specialty restaurants to overseeing the hotel operations fleet-wide.
A self-proclaimed lover of hospitality, Klaus believes that Austrians are naturally inclined toward making people feel welcome – a trait that has served him well on the high seas. Over the decades, Klaus has been part of many NCL “firsts” from helping launch the private island experience to pioneering freestyle cruising in 2000 – a game-changing concept that allowed guests unprecedented freedom to design their cruise vacation their way.
Today, Klaus’s day-to-day work revolves around ensuring smooth hotel operations across NCL’s fleet. He collaborates closely with general managers, food and beverage directors, cruise directors, and guest services teams, overseeing everything from dining operations to housekeeping. Key to his role is nurturing the next generation of shipboard leaders, identifying internal talent, and providing mentorship for future food and beverage directors, assistant general managers, and beyond.
As cruising evolves toward 2030, Klaus highlights technology as the most significant change – with instant communication tools like WhatsApp and Instagram transforming guest feedback and operations. Still, he insists, “hospitality from the heart” remains irreplaceable. Among the many innovations on NCL’s newest ships, Klaus is particularly proud of the expanded beach club-style pools, larger Haven suites, and new entertainment venues like Improv at Sea.
And with a special nod to South African guests – and his South African boss, Mark Kansley – Klaus looks forward to welcoming travellers from around the world to experience the magic aboard Norwegian Cruise Line.
Norwegian Aqua’s Dining Options With Vice President Of Food And Beverage Operations For Norwegian Cruise Line Christian Pratsch
Christian Pratsch, Vice President of Food and Beverage Operations for Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), is the visionary behind one of the cruise industry’s most expansive and innovative culinary programs. Responsible for the conceptualisation, development, and execution of food and beverage experiences across NCL’s 19-ship fleet – soon to expand – and its two private island destinations, Christian oversees more than 750 individual venues.
Joining NCL in 2017, Christian’s journey within the company reflects his deep commitment to culinary excellence. He has risen through the ranks from corporate executive chef to director of culinary, and later senior director of culinary, before taking on his current leadership role. His extensive career prior to Norwegian includes serving as executive chef at renowned properties such as the New York-based Mandarin Oriental Hotel & Residences, The World – the largest private yacht with 165 residences – and Intercontinental Hotels & Resorts in Miami, Scottsdale, and San Francisco.
He refined his culinary foundations through a three-year apprenticeship at the Intercontinental Hotel in Hamburg and achieved his German Master Chef diploma, accredited by Hamburg’s Chamber of Commerce.
Dedicated to continuous growth, Christian further broadened his expertise by earning an Executive MBA with honours from Florida International University in 2021. This blend of culinary mastery and business acumen positions him perfectly to navigate the evolving tastes and expectations of today’s global travellers. With Christian Pratsch at the helm of its food and beverage program, Norwegian Cruise Line continues to deliver exceptional, diverse, and trend-setting dining experiences across its fleet, setting new standards in cruise hospitality.
Entertainment Onboard The Norwegian Aqua With Entertainment Commentator Tat Wolfen
The Sandton Times stepped aboard the brand-new Norwegian Aqua for its dazzling inaugural sailing from Southampton, for a cruise experience like no other in The Haven.
NCL’s entertainment has always pushed boundaries, but Aqua raises the bar (and the curtain). The debut of Revolution: A Celebration of Prince transformed the Aqua Theater into a purple-hued party, blending tribute with theatrics. For fans of the late icon, it was a must-see. For everyone else? Still worth it for the sheer spectacle.
But the star of the show? The Aqua Slidecoaster. Yes, a slidecoaster – the world’s first hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide at sea. Towering across decks 18 to 20, it propels thrill-seekers through hairpin turns and refreshing dips at speeds up to 50km/h. And yes, it’s as bonkers and brilliant as it sounds.
Full Story: Norwegian Aqua Inaugural Voyage: Setting Sail In The Haven Penthouse
Thoughts And Verdict On The Norwegian Aqua With Cruise Journalist Christoph Assies
With a pen as steady as a ship’s rudder, German journalist Christoph Assies has carved out a remarkable career specialising in the cruise industry and maritime topics. After first working in public relations for a local municipal administration, he transitioned to journalism full-time, learning his craft at NOZ Medien – one of Germany’s largest publishing groups.
Between 2012 and 2019, Christoph reported for the Emsland-Kurier and Ems-Zeitung before expanding his freelance career. Today, he contributes to prestigious publications such as the national weekly DIE ZEIT, the cruise standard Kreuzfahrtguide by Uwe Bahn, and leading magazines CRUCERO and AN BORD. His expertise also extends to maritime economy reporting for HANSA International Maritime Journal and tourism coverage for fvw I TravelTalk.
A self-proclaimed Italy enthusiast and avid cruiser, Christoph brings a lively, objective, and clear style to his writing, preparing stories for both print and online audiences. His love for cruising shines through in his detailed ship evaluations and travel reports, which offer readers a well-rounded view of life at sea.
Christoph discussed his impressions of Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, Norwegian Aqua. Having witnessed the ship’s construction in Venice, he praised the final product as “the most elegant ship” of the line’s latest class – describing it as refined, premium, and beautifully styled. Highlights included the Indulge Food Hall, offering global cuisine in a modern, tech-savvy setting, and the ship’s overall high standard of dining and entertainment.
However, Christoph didn’t shy away from constructive criticism, pointing out the crowded layout of the buffet restaurant during peak hours – a common guest complaint. Looking ahead, he expressed excitement about upcoming cruise ship launches, particularly Mein Schiff Relax for the German market and Star of the Seas from Royal Caribbean, poised to be the largest cruise ship in the world.
Beyond writing, Christoph co-hosts the German podcast Kreuzfahrten und Mehr, further anchoring his role as a key voice in cruise journalism. His blend of passion, professionalism, and curiosity ensures that readers and listeners alike can set sail into the vibrant world of cruising through his stories.
One-On-One Interview With Kevin Bubolz, Vice President & Managing Director Continental Europe, Middle East & Africa For Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), one of the “big three” global players in cruise travel, officially launched its newest ship – Norwegian Aqua.
The Sandton Times caught up with Kevin Bubolz, Vice President & Managing Director for Continental Europe, Middle East & Africa at Norwegian Cruise Line, aboard the Norwegian Aqua as she made her maiden journey from Southampton to Bruges and back.
Full Story: More To Sea: Increasingly South Africans Choose To Cruise
Sandton Times Hour Music Playlist
- Matt Forbes – Beyond the Sea
- Prince – Purple Rain
- Fleetwood Mac – Go Your Own Way
- Kurt Darren – Kaptein
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