Karin Stahre-Janson

Karin Stahre-Janson was born in Strömstad, Sweden. In her youth, Stahre-Janson was involved with a sailing club.^[1] She attended and graduated from the Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg with a bachelor's degree in Nautical science.^[2] Her first job on a ship was at the age of 19, when she took a six week long position on a petroleum tanker as a junior seaman.^[3]

She initially pursued a career on-board cargo vessels for some nine years but moved to the cruise industry after applying for a vacancy as a superintendent on Royal Caribbean International.^[1][2] She subsequently held staff captain positions on both Serenade of the Seas and Majesty of the Seas.^[2]

In 2007, she was named as the captain of Monarch of the Seas, making her the first woman to be placed in command of a modern "mega" cruise ship.^[1] By 2010, Stahre-Janson had been placed in command of Serenade of the Seas, when she and the crew provided humanitarian supplies to Saint Lucia following the destruction caused by Hurricane Tomas.^[4] She moved to become captain of Majesty of the Seas in late 2013. Stahre-Janson now lives in Gothenburg.^[1]

• Lis Lauritzen